Perched at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Red Sea's crystalline waters meet the dramatic desert landscape of one of Egypt's most extraordinary coastlines, things to do in Sharm El Sheikh range from world-class diving and snorkeling to desert safari adventures, cultural discoveries, and culinary journeys that together create one of the most richly layered travel experiences in the entire Middle East. Whether you arrive seeking the serene luxury of pristine beaches, the adrenaline of the underwater world, the ancient spirituality of Sinai's historic sites, or the vibrant energy of a cosmopolitan resort town that knows precisely how to welcome the world, Sharm El Sheikh delivers with an ease and variety that consistently exceeds expectations. This comprehensive guide covers every dimension of what this remarkable destination has to offer — ensuring your time here is as perfectly crafted as the coral reefs that made it famous.

Your Guide to the Top Things to do in Sharm El Sheikh

Discovering the Natural Beauty of Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh occupies one of the most visually stunning settings in Egypt — a place where the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula, the vast desert interior, and the incomparable clarity of the Red Sea converge in a landscape of extraordinary, multi-layered beauty. The coral reefs that lie just offshore attract travelers from across the world, offering a colorful underwater universe of breathtaking biodiversity that rewards early morning and late afternoon visits when light conditions are optimal and the experience most peaceful.

The variety of landscape that Sharm El Sheikh presents — mountains, desert, and sea existing in dramatic proximity — is itself one of the most compelling things to do in Sharm El Sheikh: to simply be present in an environment so unlike anything in daily life, absorbing the combination of natural spectacle and profound quiet that defines this corner of Egypt.

Relaxing on Sharm El Sheikh's Pristine Beaches

Among the most beloved things to do in Sharm El Sheikh, the beaches deserve the highest billing — stretches of soft sand and clear, warm water that accommodate everything from pure relaxation to active water-based exploration.

The Top Beaches in Sharm El Sheikh

  • Ras Mohammed National Park — celebrated worldwide for its extraordinary coral reefs and the most diverse marine life in the Red Sea
  • Shark's Bay — a tranquil, sheltered cove ideal for swimming and sunbathing in an atmosphere of genuine calm
  • Nabq Bay — a serene setting with excellent conditions for a range of water sports, attracting those who want both relaxation and activity

The resorts of Sharm El Sheikh offer accommodation to match every level of ambition, from the iconic luxury of the Four Seasons Resort to more accessible options — many with direct beach access and extensive amenity programs. Whether your ideal beach day involves a long walk along the water's edge, a session of kayaking, or a competitive game of beach volleyball, Sharm El Sheikh's beaches are perfectly equipped to deliver it.

Diving in Sharm El Sheikh: Exploring the Red Sea's Underwater World

Among all the things to do in Sharm El Sheikh, diving stands apart as the experience most closely identified with the destination's global reputation. The Red Sea here is among the finest diving environments on the planet, attracting enthusiasts of every skill level to a world of extraordinary clarity — with underwater visibility reaching up to 30 metres — and remarkable marine biodiversity.

Top Dive Sites in Sharm El Sheikh

SS Thistlegorm Wreck — a British WWII cargo ship that sank in 1941 and has since transformed into one of the world's most celebrated wreck dives, now home to an astonishing diversity of sea creatures and an entirely unique underwater atmosphere.

Ras Mohammed National Park — located at the very tip of the Sinai Peninsula, this legendary dive site offers walls of colorful coral, dramatic topography, and encounters with dolphins, turtles, and hundreds of fish species.

What Makes Diving Here Exceptional

  • Dives for every level — from accessible shallow sites suitable for beginners to challenging deep dives that reward experienced divers
  • Rich marine biodiversity — dolphins, sea turtles, reef sharks, and extraordinary fish populations
  • Exceptional visibility — water clarity of up to 30 metres creating ideal conditions for underwater photography and exploration

For the best diving experience, choose a reputable dive center with qualified instructors, plan each dive according to your skill level and personal comfort, and always respect the marine environment and follow local conservation regulations.

Snorkeling Adventures in Sharm El Sheikh for All Skill Levels

For those who prefer to explore the Red Sea's wonders from the surface, snorkeling represents one of the most accessible and rewarding things to do in Sharm El Sheikh — an activity that requires no specialist training and yet delivers encounters with coral gardens and marine life of spectacular beauty.

Best Snorkeling Spots in Sharm El Sheikh

  • Ras Mohammed National Park — the same world-class marine biodiversity that draws divers is equally accessible to snorkelers in this protected national park
  • Tiran Island — positioned at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, Tiran Island offers a distinctive snorkeling adventure through vibrant coral gardens and waters teeming with marine life

Snorkeling Tips for Sharm El Sheikh

  • Always snorkel with a companion for safety
  • Maintain constant awareness of your surroundings and respect the integrity of the coral reef
  • Consider joining a guided tour, particularly for first-time snorkelers — expert guidance significantly enhances both the experience and the safety

Thrilling Water Sports: Adrenaline on the Red Sea

Beyond diving and snorkeling, Sharm El Sheikh offers an extensive menu of water sports that ranks among the most exciting things to do in Sharm El Sheikh for those who prefer their adventures at speed and altitude.

The full range of water sports available along the Sharm El Sheikh coastline includes:

  • Parasailing — soaring above the Red Sea for panoramic views of the coastline and desert that are impossible to achieve from the water's surface
  • Kayaking — exploring the coastline at your own pace in a vessel that lets you access quieter bays and coves
  • Paddleboarding — navigating the calm, clear waters in a mode that combines gentle exercise with extraordinary scenery
  • Jet-skiing — speeding across the open sea for a pure adrenaline experience
  • Windsurfing — catching the reliable Red Sea breezes to ride the waves with skill and exhilaration

Water sports centers along the Sharm El Sheikh coastline offer equipment rentals, professional lessons, and guided tours for every activity — making it straightforward for both novices and experienced practitioners to participate.

Desert Safari Adventures in the Sinai Peninsula

One of the most culturally rich and atmospherically distinctive things to do in Sharm El Sheikh is to venture beyond the coastline into the ancient desert of the Sinai Peninsula on a safari that combines natural adventure with genuine cultural encounter.

A desert safari from Sharm El Sheikh encompasses dune bashing, camel riding, and the extraordinary quiet of the desert at twilight — but its most valuable dimension is the immersive introduction to Bedouin culture that every quality safari delivers.

Bedouin Culture and Traditional Cuisine

On safari, guests are welcomed into a Bedouin camp where the warmth of hospitality is immediate and genuine. Traditional Bedouin cuisine — including expertly prepared kebabs and koftas — is served under the open sky, transforming a meal into a cultural occasion of particular atmosphere and meaning.

The evening entertainment of the Bedouin camp brings folk dances and traditional music to life, providing a window into cultural traditions that have evolved over centuries in this remarkable landscape. For travelers seeking to understand Egypt beyond its ancient monuments, a Sinai desert safari is an indispensable experience.

Cultural Experiences and Entertainment in Sharm El Sheikh

For travelers whose primary interest lies in cultural immersion, the things to do in Sharm El Sheikh extend well beyond the natural environment into a rich program of music, dance, and community engagement.

Traditional Music and Dance Shows

Sharm El Sheikh's hotels and cultural centers host regular performances of traditional Egyptian music and dance that offer visitors an authentic encounter with the country's performing arts heritage:

  • Belly dance performances of the highest artistic quality
  • Traditional Egyptian folk dances depicting stories and rituals from the country's cultural history
  • Live performances by local musicians playing traditional instruments

Cultural Festivals and Community Events

Sharm El Sheikh hosts cultural festivals and events that celebrate the city's heritage through music, dance, and artistic exhibitions. Attending these events provides a genuine opportunity to meet the local community, understand their customs and traditions, and engage with Egyptian culture on terms that go beyond the typical tourist experience.

Shopping in Sharm El Sheikh: Markets, Souvenirs, and the Art of Haggling

Shopping represents one of the most enjoyable cultural things to do in Sharm El Sheikh — a combination of modern retail and traditional market experience that rewards both the serious collector and the casual souvenir hunter.

Soho Square is the standout retail destination — a vibrant complex offering local crafts alongside international brands, complemented by dining and entertainment options that make it a destination in its own right.

Haggling Tips for Traditional Markets

In Sharm El Sheikh's traditional bazaars and souqs, negotiation is both expected and enjoyed:

  • Research prices in advance to establish a realistic baseline
  • Be entirely willing to walk away if a price remains unsatisfactory — this is often the most effective negotiating move
  • Approach every transaction with a smile and genuine friendliness; warmth and humor are the most powerful haggling tools available

Best Souvenirs to Buy in Sharm El Sheikh

  • Egyptian cotton products, including scarves and fine linens
  • Handmade jewelry incorporating traditional local design motifs
  • Traditional Egyptian crafts in wood and metalwork — objects of genuine artisanal quality

Tasting Egyptian Cuisine in Sharm El Sheikh

Among the most sensory and culturally satisfying things to do in Sharm El Sheikh is to explore the extraordinary depth and variety of Egyptian cuisine — a culinary tradition that blends local ingredients, ancient recipes, and international influences into a food culture of remarkable richness.

Fine Dining Options

Sharm El Sheikh's fine dining scene offers Egyptian cuisine interpreted with contemporary sophistication — impeccable service, refined atmospheres, and in many cases outdoor seating with views across the Red Sea or the desert landscape that extend the dining experience far beyond the plate.

Authentic Local Eateries

For the most unmediated encounter with Egyptian culinary tradition, the local eateries of Sharm El Sheikh are essential:

  • Koshary — the beloved vegetarian dish of pasta, lentils, and rich tomato sauce that is arguably Egypt's most iconic street food
  • Hawawshi — a deeply satisfying meat pie filled with spiced minced meat, baked to perfection
  • A wide variety of regional dishes that collectively demonstrate the remarkable diversity of Egyptian cuisine across its many local traditions

Day Trips from Sharm El Sheikh: Exploring the Sinai Beyond the Resort

Among the most rewarding things to do in Sharm El Sheikh are the day trips that venture into the wider Sinai Peninsula — a landscape of ancient monasteries, dramatic natural formations, and world-class marine reserves that lies just beyond the resort's boundaries.

St. Catherine's Monastery

At the foot of Mount Sinai, St. Catherine's Monastery is one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world and a site of immense historical and spiritual significance. The monastery's extraordinary architecture — including its ancient church and gardens — and the legendary Burning Bush within its grounds make this among the most profound excursions available from Sharm El Sheikh.

Tiran Island

The day trip to Tiran Island, positioned at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, delivers the definitive Red Sea snorkeling and diving experience outside of the main resort — coral reefs of extraordinary color and marine life of staggering diversity in an island setting of genuine beauty.

Additional Day Trips from Sharm El Sheikh

  • Mount Sinai — a demanding but profoundly rewarding hike to one of the most spiritually significant summits in the world, with panoramic views that justify every step
  • Ras Mohammed National Park — Egypt's premier marine protected area and the benchmark against which all other Red Sea diving and snorkeling is measured
  • Coloured Canyon — a natural geological wonder of layered, multi-hued rock formations in the Sinai desert that creates one of the most visually extraordinary landscapes in the region

Practical Travel Tips for Your Sharm El Sheikh Vacation

Accommodation: From Luxury to Value

Sharm El Sheikh offers accommodation across the full spectrum of comfort and budget. At the luxury end, properties such as the Four Seasons Resort and Rixos Sharm El Sheikh deliver world-class service, fine dining, private beaches, and spa facilities of the highest standard. For travelers managing their budget more carefully, well-maintained hostels and guesthouses provide comfortable bases at accessible prices — allowing more of the travel budget to be directed toward the experiences the destination offers.

Essential Travel Considerations

  • Respect local customs consistently throughout your visit — Sharm El Sheikh is an internationally oriented destination but remains within a culturally conservative country
  • Maintain excellent hydration at all times, particularly during outdoor activities in the desert sun
  • Plan daily itineraries with awareness of the weather, scheduling the most physically demanding outdoor activities for the cooler morning and evening hours

Experience the Best of Sharm El Sheikh with Bastet Travel

Sharm El Sheikh is a destination of extraordinary range and depth — a place where the natural wonder of the Red Sea, the ancient spirituality of the Sinai Peninsula, the warmth of Egyptian hospitality, and the luxury of world-class resort infrastructure converge in a single, endlessly rewarding coastal town. The things to do in Sharm El Sheikh are as varied as the travelers who arrive here — and every one of them is made more rewarding by thoughtful planning and expert local guidance.

Explore the full range of Sharm El Sheikh Tours with Bastet Travel, or extend your Egyptian adventure to include the ancient monuments of Cairo through our Cairo Tours, the temples of Luxor through Luxor Tours, or the full sweep of Egypt's wonders through our comprehensive Egypt tour packages.

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