Sharm El Sheikh
THE QUICK VERDICT
Choose Sharm El Sheikh if You want world-class Red Sea diving and snorkelling on a resort-enclave footing, with year-round warm water and Ras Mohammed reefs minutes from your hotel..
- Best for
- SS Thistlegorm WWII wreck dive, Ras Mohammed reef walls, Strait of Tiran islands, Naama Bay
- Best months
- Oct–May
- Budget anchor
- $105/day mid-range
- Skip if
- you rely on public transit
Egypt's flagship Red Sea resort city, built around the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. The combination of year-round 25-degree water, vertical coral walls metres from shore, and one of the planet's best wreck dives (the SS Thistlegorm, a WWII supply ship sunk in 1941) made Sharm a global diving capital. Naama Bay anchors the all-inclusive strip, Ras Mohammed National Park guards the most pristine reefs at the peninsula tip, and the Strait of Tiran islands sit a short boat ride offshore.
Tours & Experiences
Bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Sharm El Sheikh
Where to Stay
Compare hotels and rentals in Sharm El Sheikh
📍 Points of Interest
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 75,000 (city) / ~150,000 (greater area with seasonal workers)
- Timezone
- Cairo
- Dial
- +20
- Emergency
- 122 / 123
Sharm El Sheikh sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez meet — one of the few places on Earth where you can stand on a beach and see another country (Saudi Arabia) across the water
The Red Sea here is internationally recognised as one of the top three diving destinations on the planet — vertical coral walls drop hundreds of metres metres from shore, with year-round 22-28°C water
The SS Thistlegorm — a British WWII supply ship sunk by German bombers in 1941 — lies 30 metres deep nearby and is consistently ranked among the world's best wreck dives, with motorcycles and locomotives still inside the hold
Ras Mohammed National Park, on the peninsula's very tip 25 km from town, is Egypt's first national park (1983) and protects the country's most pristine reefs and mangroves
Naama Bay is the original tourist strip — a 1980s-era cluster of hotels, dive shops, bars and restaurants ringed around a sandy bay; Hadaba and Sharks Bay are the newer, quieter resort zones
Sharm International (SSH) handles direct charters from across Europe, Russia and the UK; UK flights resumed in 2019 after a four-year suspension following the 2015 Metrojet bombing
Top Sights
Ras Mohammed National Park
🌳Egypt's first national park covers the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and includes Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, and the Mangrove Channel. The reefs here are walls that drop straight down from a metre depth — you can snorkel directly off the beach into 800 metres of water. Entry is around $5 USD plus the dive boat fee.
SS Thistlegorm Wreck
🗼A British armed cargo ship sunk by German bombers in October 1941 while resupplying Allied forces in North Africa. The wreck sits 30 metres deep in the Strait of Gubal with motorcycles, trucks, locomotives and rifles still in the holds. Day-trip dive boats run from Sharm; advanced certification recommended.
Strait of Tiran (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon Reefs)
🌳Four reefs strung across the narrow strait between Sinai and the Saudi coast, each with steep walls, drift currents and frequent schooling fish, sharks and turtles. Most boats from Sharm visit two reefs in a day. Snorkellers see plenty from the boat ladder.
Naama Bay
🏘️The original Sharm tourist strip — a curving sandy bay ringed with 1980s-90s hotels, dive shops, restaurants, bars, and the pedestrianised Old Market street. Still the liveliest part of town for evening strolls, shisha and shopping, even as newer resort zones at Nabq and Hadaba have grown up around it.
Old Market (Souk)
🏪A pedestrianised old quarter inland from Naama Bay with spice and souvenir stalls, shisha cafes, and the white El Sahaba Mosque (a modern landmark in Mamluk-Ottoman style). Bargain hard; this is where most resort guests buy their cartouche pendants and alabaster pyramids.
Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa)
🗼The 2,285-metre peak where Moses traditionally received the Ten Commandments, three hours' drive north of Sharm. Standard tours leave at midnight to climb by camel and on foot for the sunrise summit, then visit St Catherine's Monastery (6th century, UNESCO) at the base.
Coloured Canyon
📌A narrow sandstone slot canyon near Nuweiba (2.5 hours north) with iron-oxide bands of red, yellow, purple and ochre on the walls. Standard half-day jeep-and-walk excursions from Sharm combine this with a Bedouin lunch and sometimes a stop at Ein Khudra oasis.
SOHO Square
🏘️A modern open-air entertainment plaza in Nabq Bay with a dancing fountain show, an ice bar, restaurants, and a shopping arcade. Touristy but family-friendly; the choreographed fountain runs nightly after dark.
Off the Beaten Path
Farsha Cafe (Hadaba clifftop)
A multi-level clifftop cafe in the Hadaba area built into the rocks above the Red Sea, with cushioned platforms, lanterns, and a 180-degree water view. Sunset shisha here is one of the most atmospheric experiences in town.
Avoids the package-tour crowds at Naama Bay and feels more like a Lebanese mountain lounge transplanted to the Sinai. Drinks are reasonable and the staff don't push.
El Fanar Beach (Ras Um Sid)
A small public-ish beach beside the Ras Um Sid lighthouse with a fringing reef literally five metres from the sand. Snorkellers reach the wall directly without a boat. There's a pay-as-you-go beach bar and rentable sun loungers.
Most resort guests never leave their hotel reef — but Ras Um Sid is a serious wall dive that you can swim to from shore. Bring fins; the corals start very shallow.
Camel Dive Club & Hotel
A long-running PADI 5-star dive resort in Naama Bay that's been quietly running excellent dive trips since 1986. The on-site Camel Bar upstairs is where the dive community drinks and tells stories.
A serious diver's pick rather than a package-tour outfit. The hotel's Camel Bar is the single best diver hangout in town and gets you out of the resort bubble.
Nabq Mangroves
A protected mangrove forest at the northern edge of the Nabq protectorate, 35 km from town, where the desert meets the sea. Quiet beaches, no resorts, no boats — just mangroves, dugong tracks if you're lucky, and the salt-flat scenery.
A rare slice of undeveloped Sinai coastline that almost no resort guest sees. Combine with a 4x4 trip to the Wadi El-Gemal area for a full off-grid day.
Bedouin dinner in the desert
Multiple operators run evening 4x4 trips into the Sinai interior for stargazing, camel rides, and a Bedouin tent dinner of grilled meat, salads and tea. Best with smaller, family-run outfits rather than the big package versions.
The Sinai interior at night is one of the darkest skies in the Mediterranean basin — the Milky Way is bright enough to read by. Skip the bigger fly-and-flop tour operators and hire a local Bedouin guide directly.
Climate & Best Time to Go
Sharm has a hyper-arid hot desert climate with virtually no rain, year-round sun, and one of the world's most reliable beach climates. Sea temperatures stay between 22°C in February and 28°C in August. The high season is October-April when air temperatures are perfect for the beach; July-August is uncomfortably hot but the water is a delight.
Winter
November - March57-77°F
14-25°C
The peak season. Days are warm and sunny (22-25°C), evenings cool enough for a light sweater, sea around 22-24°C. Wetsuits useful for diving but not essential for snorkelling. Almost zero rainfall.
Spring
April - May66-90°F
19-32°C
Warming fast. April still pleasant for daytime activity, May starts to feel hot at midday. Sea climbs to 24-26°C. Strong northerly winds (the meltemi-style "azyab") can pick up in spring and disrupt some dive sites.
Summer
June - September77-100°F
25-38°C
Brutally hot air temperatures, but the sea is a perfect 27-28°C and visibility is excellent. Resort pools are essential between 11am and 4pm. Hotel rates drop and dive boats are less crowded.
Autumn
October70-86°F
21-30°C
The sweet spot of the year. Heat eases to comfortable beach-day levels, sea still 27-28°C, winds drop, dive visibility excellent. Hotel rates begin climbing toward winter peak by late month.
Best Time to Visit
October through April is the peak season with perfect 22-28°C beach weather, warm sea temperatures and reliable diving conditions. December-February is high season with winter-sun European crowds; June-August is brutally hot but offers the warmest sea and the lowest hotel rates.
Winter (December - February)
Crowds: High — peak seasonPeak European winter-sun season. Days are warm and sunny (20-24°C), evenings cool, sea around 22-23°C. Hotel rates and dive boat bookings hit their annual peak. Wetsuits are advisable for repeat dives.
Pros
- + Reliable warm sun every day
- + Comfortable air temperature for all-day beach time
- + Best escape from Northern European winter
- + Excellent dive visibility
Cons
- − Highest hotel rates of the year
- − Resort restaurants often fully booked
- − Sea cool enough to need wetsuit for divers
- − Evenings genuinely chilly (12-15°C)
Spring (March - May)
Crowds: High in April, easing in MayWarming through ideal April highs (28°C) into hot May (32°C+). Sea climbs from 22°C to 26°C. April is widely considered the single best month for combining beach, diving and sightseeing. Strong northerly winds can pick up in spring.
Pros
- + April is arguably the perfect month
- + Sea temperature ideal by late April
- + Easter is busy but May is value-packed
- + Lower rates than midwinter
Cons
- − Strong northerly winds can disrupt some dive sites
- − May midday heat starts to be uncomfortable
- − Easter holiday brings European family surge
- − Khamsin dust events possible
Summer (June - September)
Crowds: Lower (except August European holidays)Brutally hot — 35-38°C daily, sometimes higher. The sea peaks at 28°C and visibility is excellent, making this the best time for serious divers willing to tolerate the heat. Resort pools, AC and shaded loungers are essential.
Pros
- + Cheapest hotel and dive package rates
- + Warmest sea — no wetsuit needed
- + Excellent dive visibility
- + Less crowded sites
Cons
- − Dangerously hot midday
- − August European school-holiday surge
- − Outdoor sightseeing limited to early morning
- − Beach untenable between 11am and 4pm
Autumn (October - November)
Crowds: Building from low to moderateThe other sweet spot of the year, alongside April. Heat eases to 28-32°C, sea still 27-28°C, winds drop, dive visibility excellent. Hotel rates climb steadily from October through November.
Pros
- + Sea still bath-warm
- + Air temperature ideal for beach days
- + Good value before winter peak
- + Excellent dive conditions
Cons
- − Hotel rates climbing through the season
- − November sees the European winter-sun arrivals start
- − Some risk of late summer heat in early October
- − Eid al-Adha can add domestic Egyptian crowds
🎉 Festivals & Events
Sharm El Sheikh International Sports Tournament
FebruaryA long-running international squash and other racquet-sports event drawing professional players to the resort's sports complexes.
Ramadan
Varies (moves 11 days earlier each year)Tourist resorts continue to serve food and alcohol throughout, but local Egyptian staff may be quieter during the day. Iftar buffets at sunset are wonderful cultural experiences and many resorts offer special Ramadan menus.
Coptic Christmas
January 7Egypt's significant Christian minority celebrates Christmas in early January — small cultural events at the larger hotels, but Sharm itself has very few churches.
Sham El Nessim
April (day after Coptic Easter)An ancient Egyptian spring festival that pre-dates Christianity. Egyptian visitors picnic on the beaches and eat traditional dishes — a chance to see local rather than foreign tourism.
Safety Breakdown
Moderate
out of 100
Sharm itself is heavily secured as a resort enclave — checkpoints on the access roads, armed tourist police on the strips, and very low petty crime inside the resort zones. Travel into the Sinai interior beyond the standard tourist corridor (Mount Sinai, Coloured Canyon) is restricted by the Egyptian government, and the northern Sinai is off-limits. Standard resort precautions apply.
Things to Know
- •Stay inside the security perimeter — Sharm, Naama Bay, Nabq, Hadaba, Ras Mohammed, the road to St Catherine and the road to Dahab are all open and routinely policed
- •Do not attempt to travel to northern Sinai (north of Nuweiba) — it is closed to tourists and remains a security concern
- •Use licensed dive operators (PADI / SSI / CMAS) — Sharm has had multiple fatal dive incidents linked to inexperienced or uncertified guides
- •Tap water is heavily chlorinated and not advisable to drink — bottled water is universal and cheap
- •Female travellers will encounter less hassle in resort areas than in Cairo, but modest dress outside the hotel zones (covered shoulders and knees) is appreciated
- •Heat and dehydration are the biggest day-to-day risks — drink far more water than you think you need, especially after diving
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Police
122
Ambulance
123
Fire
180
Tourist Police
126
General Emergency
112
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayBackpacker = hostel dorm + street food + public transit. Mid-range = 3-star hotel + neighbourhood restaurants + transit cards. Luxury = 4/5-star + fine dining + taxis. How we calibrate these numbers →
Quick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$30-60
Budget hotel or off-strip pension, local restaurants, public buses to Dahab, snorkelling from shore
mid-range
$80-150
Mid-range 4-star resort half-board, dive trips, taxi between zones, Old Market shopping, day-trip excursions
luxury
$280+
5-star all-inclusive on Sharks Bay or Nabq, private dive guide, helicopter or speedboat charters, premium spa
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationBudget hotel room | EGP 600-1,500 | $19-48 |
| Accommodation4-star half-board resort (double) | EGP 2,500-5,500 | $80-180 |
| Accommodation5-star all-inclusive (per person) | EGP 4,000-12,000 | $130-390 |
| FoodKoshary or shawarma at a local cafe | EGP 40-100 | $1.30-3.20 |
| FoodNaama Bay tourist restaurant dinner | EGP 250-600 | $8-19 |
| FoodBeer at hotel bar | EGP 80-180 | $2.60-5.80 |
| DivingTwo boat dives with full gear | EGP 1,800-2,800 | $58-90 |
| DivingPADI Open Water course | EGP 12,000-18,000 | $390-580 |
| DivingSS Thistlegorm day trip (3 dives) | EGP 3,500-5,000 | $110-160 |
| ExcursionsRas Mohammed snorkel boat day | EGP 1,200-2,000 | $39-65 |
| ExcursionsMount Sinai sunrise tour | EGP 1,500-2,500 | $48-80 |
| ExcursionsColoured Canyon jeep day | EGP 1,800-2,800 | $58-90 |
| TransportTaxi Naama Bay to airport | EGP 200-300 | $6.50-10 |
| TransportBus to Dahab | EGP 80-150 | $2.60-4.80 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Book flights and hotel as a package — charter package rates from the UK, Germany and Russia are often half the cost of booking separately
- •Stay in Hadaba or Sharks Bay rather than central Naama Bay for cheaper resort rates with a free shuttle
- •Eat at the Old Market local restaurants (koshary, shawarma, fuul) for filling meals under EGP 100
- •Snorkel from Ras Um Sid and the Tower (free shore entries) instead of paying for boat trips every day
- •Buy dive packages of 6 or 10 dives upfront — per-dive rates drop sharply
- •Use hotel shuttles to Naama Bay rather than taxis — they're often free or under EGP 50
- •Bring your own dive computer and mask — rentals are EGP 200-300/day and add up over a week
- •Negotiate hard at the Old Market — start at 30% of the asking price and walk away if needed
Egyptian Pound
Code: EGP
1 USD is approximately 31 EGP (early 2026, rate fluctuates). Sharm is unusual in Egypt in that USD and euro are widely accepted at hotels, dive shops and tour operators — many quote prices directly in foreign currency. ATMs are widespread in Naama Bay, Nabq and at the airport. Avoid hotel exchanges (poor rates) and the black market (illegal).
Payment Methods
Cards are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, dive shops and SOHO Square — Visa and Mastercard most reliably. Cash (EGP, USD or euro) is essential at the Old Market, taxis, beach bars, small cafes and Bedouin operations. Always carry small EGP notes (5, 10, 20) for tips and incidental purchases.
Tipping Guide
A 12% service charge is usually added on top of a 14% sales tax. An additional 5-10% in cash directly to the waiter is customary.
Crew tip of EGP 100-200 (~$3-6) per day is standard. Dive guides expect EGP 150-300 per day if they led the dive briefing and were in the water with you.
Porters EGP 20-30 per bag. Housekeeping EGP 30-50 per day (left in the room). Concierge or special help EGP 50-100.
No tip expected on top of a negotiated fare, but rounding up by EGP 10-20 is appreciated.
EGP 100-200 (~$3-6) per person for a half-day group tour; EGP 200-400 for a full-day private guide.
A small cash tip (EGP 50-100) at desert dinners and camel-trek stops is appreciated and goes directly to the family.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport(SSH)
15 km north of Naama BayMost arrivals are met by pre-booked hotel transfers (included in package bookings). Taxi to Naama Bay around EGP 200-300 (~$6.50-10), to Nabq EGP 100-150, to Hadaba EGP 250-350. No public bus to the airport. Allow 20-40 minutes depending on resort.
✈️ Search flights to SSH🚌 Bus Terminals
Sharm El Sheikh Bus Station (Old Market area)
Go Bus and East Delta Travel run air-conditioned coaches to Cairo (6-7 hr, EGP 300-500), Dahab (1.5 hr, EGP 80-150), Nuweiba (3 hr, EGP 100-180) and Taba (4 hr, EGP 150-200). Tickets best booked online or a day ahead.
Getting Around
Sharm is built around private cars, hotel shuttles and taxis — there is no public bus or metro inside the resort area. The four main zones (Naama Bay, Hadaba, Nabq, Sharks Bay) are 5-15 km apart and connected by the main coastal highway. Most visitors stay on hotel grounds and use shuttles or taxis to move between zones.
Local Taxis
EGP 50-300 (~$1.60-10) for most resort-area tripsBlue-and-white taxis without meters work the resort strips. Always agree the fare before getting in — drivers will quote in EGP, USD or euro. Naama Bay to Hadaba runs around EGP 80-150; Naama Bay to the airport around EGP 200-300.
Best for: Short hops between resort zones and into Naama Bay nightlife
Hotel Shuttles
Free to EGP 50 (~$1.60) per tripMost large resorts run free or low-cost shuttles to Naama Bay, the Old Market and SOHO Square on a fixed schedule. Ask at reception — these are by far the cheapest way to move around if your timing is flexible.
Best for: Cost-conscious travel between hotel and Naama Bay or the markets
Uber
EGP 80-300 for most resort tripsUber works in Sharm but coverage is thinner than Cairo and pickup times can be long. Useful when local taxi quotes feel inflated, but not always faster than calling a hotel taxi.
Best for: Avoiding negotiation with local taxis
Rental Car
$30-60 USD/day plus fuelSeveral international agencies operate at SSH airport and in town. Useful only if you plan to range to St Catherine, Dahab or the Sinai interior independently — not necessary for staying around Sharm.
Best for: Independent day trips beyond the resort strip
Go Bus / East Delta to Cairo & Dahab
EGP 100-500 (~$3-16) depending on routeAir-conditioned coach services link Sharm with Cairo (6-7 hr), Dahab (1.5 hr) and Nuweiba (3 hr) from the bus station near the Old Market. Book online or at the kiosk a day ahead for popular departures.
Best for: Budget travel to Cairo, Dahab or onward to the Israel/Jordan border
Walkability
Each resort zone is internally walkable along the seafront promenades, and Naama Bay's pedestrianised strip is very pleasant in the cooler hours. But the zones are too far apart to walk between in the heat (5-15 km), and there are no real sidewalks along the connecting highway. Plan to be driven for any cross-town trip.
Travel Connections
Dahab
A laid-back former Bedouin fishing village turned backpacker and freediver hub on the Gulf of Aqaba, famous for the Blue Hole — an 80-metre vertical sinkhole that is both an iconic dive site and the deadliest dive in the world. Dramatically cheaper and lower-key than Sharm.
St Catherine's Monastery & Mount Sinai
A 6th-century Greek Orthodox monastery (UNESCO) at the base of Mount Sinai, holding one of the world's oldest libraries and the Burning Bush. Standard tours leave Sharm around midnight for a sunrise summit on Mount Sinai followed by the monastery.
Cairo
Egypt's 20-million-strong capital and the obvious cultural counterpoint to Sharm's beach focus — Pyramids of Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Islamic Cairo. Most Red Sea travellers fit a 2-3 day Cairo segment at the start or end of the trip.
Hurghada
The mainland Red Sea Riviera — lower-cost, more high-volume European charter resort cluster with Giftun Islands snorkelling, El Gouna lagoon town nearby, and direct flights from across Europe. The Sharm-Hurghada catamaran ferry has run intermittently in recent years; check before counting on it.
Petra & Wadi Rum (Jordan)
Jordan's Nabataean rock-cut city and the red-sand desert of Wadi Rum, reached via the daily ferry from Nuweiba (north of Dahab) to Aqaba. The Jordan visa-on-arrival at Aqaba is free if you do the standard 3-day route.
Luxor
The world's greatest open-air museum — Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's mortuary temple. Most Sharm guests do Luxor as a flight-in day trip via Cairo or as a 2-3 night extension at the end of their beach stay.
Entry Requirements
Sharm El Sheikh airport (SSH) is one of the most foreigner-friendly entry points in Egypt thanks to a special "Sinai-only" free visa for visitors staying within the southern Sinai resort area. A standard Egyptian e-visa or visa-on-arrival ($25 USD) is required only if you plan to leave the Sinai (e.g. fly to Cairo or Luxor) or stay longer than 14 days.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Yes | 30 days (full visa) or 14 days (Sinai-only stamp) | Free 14-day Sinai-only entry stamp at SSH if staying within South Sinai. Otherwise visa-on-arrival ($25 USD single entry) at SSH bank windows or e-visa online before travel. |
| UK Citizens | Yes | 30 days (full visa) or 14 days (Sinai-only stamp) | Same as US — free 14-day Sinai stamp covers a typical resort holiday. Full $25 USD visa needed for any travel to Cairo, Luxor or beyond. |
| EU Citizens | Yes | 30 days (full visa) or 14 days (Sinai-only stamp) | Same dual system. The Sinai-only stamp is ideal for resort holidays at Sharm or Dahab; full visa needed for combined Cairo/Nile trips. |
| Russian Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Visa-on-arrival ($25 USD) at SSH. Direct charter flights from Russia resumed in 2021 after a 6-year suspension. |
| Indian Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Must apply for visa at Egyptian embassy before travel — visa-on-arrival is NOT available for Indian passport holders. Sinai-only stamp also not available. |
| Australian Citizens | Yes | 30 days (full visa) or 14 days (Sinai-only stamp) | Same as US/UK — free Sinai stamp for resort stays, $25 full visa for travel beyond southern Sinai. |
Visa-Free Entry
Visa on Arrival
Tips
- •If your trip is purely a Sinai resort holiday, take the free Sinai-only stamp on arrival — saves $25 USD per person
- •If you plan to fly internally to Cairo or Luxor mid-trip, get the full $25 visa on arrival or e-visa instead
- •Bring crisp, undamaged US dollar bills for the visa-on-arrival fee — torn or marked notes may be refused
- •The e-visa (visa2egypt.gov.eg) costs the same $25 but cuts time at SSH passport control — apply 7+ days ahead
- •Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in Egypt
- •Keep a copy of your hotel booking — Sinai-only stamp holders are sometimes asked to show proof of resort accommodation
Shopping
Shopping in Sharm is mostly tourist-oriented — souvenirs, alabaster pyramids, papyrus, perfume oils, and cotton beachwear. Bargaining is expected in the souk and at the Old Market; prices in hotel boutiques and SOHO Square are fixed but high. Expect to pay 30-50% of the initial asking price after haggling.
Old Market (Sharm El Maya)
traditional soukA pedestrianised cluster of stalls and small shops in the original old quarter, selling spices, perfume oils, leather, papyrus, alabaster, T-shirts and cartouche jewellery. The most authentic shopping in town and the place to bargain hard.
Known for: Spices, perfume oils, alabaster pyramids, cartouche pendants, leather goods
Naama Bay Promenade
tourist stripThe pedestrianised main strip in Naama Bay with souvenir shops, dive equipment retailers, beachwear, and the usual cluster of brand-name fakes. Bargaining works but margins are thinner than the Old Market.
Known for: Beachwear, dive gear, souvenirs, branded fashion
SOHO Square (Nabq)
modern plazaA 160,000 m² open-air entertainment and shopping plaza in Nabq Bay with fixed-price retail, restaurants, the dancing-fountain show, and an ice bar. Prices are higher and the souk experience missing, but quality is consistent.
Known for: Fixed-price retail, family entertainment, restaurants, brand stores
Genena City Mall
shopping mallA small modern mall on the road between Naama Bay and Hadaba with international fast-fashion brands, a supermarket and a food court. Useful for picking up sunscreen, swimwear and other practical items at fixed prices.
Known for: Supermarket, fast fashion, pharmacy, practical shopping
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •Alabaster pyramids and small carvings from the Old Market workshops
- •Hand-painted papyrus art (verify it bends without cracking — banana-leaf imitations are common)
- •Egyptian cotton beach towels, sarongs and shirts
- •Cartouche pendants engraved with your name in hieroglyphics
- •Egyptian spice blends (dukkah, cumin, hibiscus karkadeh)
- •Bedouin-style silver jewellery and beaded leather work
- •Custom-blended perfume oils (jasmine, lotus, amber) in coloured glass bottles
Language & Phrases
Egyptian Arabic (Masri) is the lingua franca and is widely understood thanks to Egypt's film and music industry. In the resort zones, dive shops, hotels and restaurants almost universally speak English, plus Russian, German and Italian to varying degrees. Bedouin guides in the interior speak their own Sinai Arabic dialect but get by in standard Egyptian Arabic.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (informal) | Ahlan | AH-lan |
| Hello (peace upon you) | As-salamu alaykum | as-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom |
| Thank you | Shukran | SHOO-kran |
| No, thank you | La, shukran | la, SHOO-kran |
| Please | Min fadlak / Min fadlik (m/f) | min FAD-lak / min FAD-lik |
| Yes / No | Aywa / La | EYE-wah / la |
| How much? | Bi kam? | bee KAM? |
| Too expensive | Ghali awi | GAH-lee AH-wee |
| Where is...? | Fein...? | fayn...? |
| Sea / Beach | Bahr / Shati | bahr / SHAH-tee |
| Diving | Ghats | ghatts |
| God willing | Insha'Allah | in-SHAH-ah-lah |
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