Last updated: October 2026. Prices are approximate and change often – always check before you go.
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Most people fly into Sharm El Sheikh, walk from the airport shuttle to the resort, and spend a week between the pool and the beach. I understand why – the Red Sea is great. But I lived and worked here for three months, and the best days were the ones away from the hotel strip.
This is my list of the 10 things to do in Sharm El Sheikh that I actually did, grouped so you can plan your days: day trips, sea and nature, evenings out, and culture. My personal favourite is Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain). Yes, the hike is physically demanding and you will get tired, but the view from the summit at sunrise is something you will never forget. Check availability and prices for Mount Sinai sunrise tours →
Short on time? Do Ras Mohammed (sea and nature), a desert safari at sunset and Farsha Café in the evening. Got a free day and no fear of waking up at midnight? Add Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery.
Quick overview
| # | Place | Best for | Time needed | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ras Mohammed National Park | Snorkelling, nature | Full day by boat / half day by bus | 30-60 €/$ by boat* 20-25 €/$ by bus* |
| 2 | Desert safari | Adventure, sunsets | 4–6 h | 20-40 €/$* |
| 3 | Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain) | Sunrise, hiking | Night + morning | 60-70 €/$* |
| 4 | St. Catherine’s Monastery | History | 2–3 h (+ travel) | 50-60 €/$** |
| 5 | Farsha Café | Sunset, romantic evening | 2 h | 5+ €/$ |
| 6 | Naama Bay | Walk, food, nightlife | Evening | free + food |
| 7 | SOHO Square | Families, modern evening out | Evening | free + food |
| 8 | Old Market & Sahaba Mosque | Culture, shopping, photos | 2 h | free + shopping |
| 9 | Heavenly Cathedral | Art, quiet | 1 h | free/donations are welcome |
| 10 | Mustafa Mosque neighbourhood | Real daily life, cheap food | 1–2 h | Free (food and shopping extra) |
* prices vary depending on the package and what’s included
** price is for separate tour to St. Catherine’s monastery (without Moses Mountain). If done together with Moses Mountain, usually the monastery is included in the price
Day trips and adventure
1. Ras Mohammed National Park – the best of the Red Sea
Ras Mohammed, at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is one of Egypt’s best-known marine reserves and the thing I’d tell every first-time visitor not to skip. You can see it in two very different ways.
By boat (best for snorkelling and diving). Boat trips usually stop at several reefs and at White Island. Visibility was excellent and the reefs were full of fish. Many tours include lunch on board and 2-3 stops for snorkelling. Snorkelling gear can be included in the price or for an extra cost, depending on the operator.
By land (best for landscapes). The overland tour combines desert, cliffs and sea. Typical stops: the mangroves, Magic Lake, the Salt Lake (you float without effort, giving you a feeling like in the Dead Sea 🙂 ), viewpoints over the cliffs and the Earth Crack, a deep natural fissure in the rock. My personal favourite among boat or bus tour is bus tour, boat tour is great, but for sightseeing bus tour is way more interesting
Don’t get confused: both boat and bus tours visit the same Ras Mohamed National Park, but you’re visiting completely different places. If you prefer a relaxing day on the boat with snorkelling then choose boat tour, if you want to explore unique nature and prefer sightseeing tour – choose bus tour. There is one more option – go to both tours 🙂 this is what I would personally do 🙂
Practical tips
- Bring your passport – there are checkpoints and park entry is controlled.
- Reef-safe sun cream, a hat and water shoes for rocky entries.
- Don’t touch or stand on the coral. The park has rules and it is a protected area.
Book it: Ras Mohammed by boat →
2. Desert safari – quad, buggy or jeep
If you want one activity that feels like Sinai and not like a resort, do a desert safari. Options are quad bikes, dune buggies, or a classic 4×4 jeep tour. Go in the late afternoon so you’re out there for sunset: the mountains turn orange and purple and the heat finally drops.
Most tours include a stop at a Bedouin camp with sweet tea and sometimes fresh bread.
Practical tips
- Wear a scarf or buff over your face and sunglasses – dust is real.
- Closed shoes, not flip-flops.
- Quad bikes: ask what’s included and what insurance covers.
- Book through your hotel or an online platform and compare prices; tourist prices in Sharm can be 2–3x local prices, so ask around before paying.
3. Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain) – a midnight hike to sunrise
According to tradition, this is the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments, which is why Christians, Jews and Muslims all come here. You start walking around midnight, climb through the dark and reach the summit before dawn to watch the sunrise over the mountain ranges.
It isn’t technical, but it is demanding. Camels are available for part of the route if you need them.
What to bring
- Warm layers (it is cold at the summit even when Sharm is hot)
- Good shoes, a headlamp or phone torch, water, snacks
- Passport/ID for checkpoints
Good to know: Check the current government travel advice for South Sinai before booking, and go with a licensed operator or guide. Conditions can change.
4. St. Catherine’s Monastery
Founded in the 6th century, St. Catherine’s is one of the oldest Christian monasteries still in use and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands at the foot of Mount Sinai, at the place traditionally linked to the Burning Bush, and holds a famous collection of icons and manuscripts.
Most people combine it with the Mount Sinai sunrise hike and visit on the way back. You can also do it as a separate trip.
Practical tips
- Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).
- Opening hours are limited and the monastery is closed on some days – check current hours before you go.
Evenings in Sharm
5. Farsha Café – sunset above the Red Sea
Farsha is my favourite evening spot in Sharm. It’s built into the cliffs, with carpets, lanterns, low seating on several levels and oriental music, and it looks over the sea from above. Arrive before sunset to get a good table, order something simple, and watch the sky change colour as the candles come on.
Tip: it’s popular at sunset – arrive by 4:30pm to 7pm depending on the month. Great for photos and romantic dinners. Don’t expect too much from alcoholic cocktails, from what we experienced it is mixed from local alcohol and quality is not the best, but the overall experience about the place is well worth a visit.
6. Naama Bay – Sharm’s classic promenade
This is where Sharm’s tourism started, and it’s still the liveliest area: beachfront cafés, shisha lounges, souvenir shops and bars, and a promenade that fills up after dark. It’s not fancy, but it’s fun, and food is affordable compared with the big resorts.
If you’re deciding where to stay, Naama Bay and Hadaba were my two favourites – I explain why in my guide to where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh
7. SOHO Square – the modern side of Sharm
SOHO Square is an open-air entertainment complex: international restaurants, bars, shops, live music, a dancing-fountain show, an ice-skating rink and a bowling alley. It’s polished, popular with families, and a good rainy-day or “I need air conditioning” option. I would avoid visiting Soho square during the day as the real experience there is when the sun goes down and the lights are on. Soho square is extremely magical around Christmas time with decorations. Keep in mind, there are plenty of eating places in the square but prices can be 2-3 times higher than in the other areas, so I would avoid having dinner there.
Culture and local life
8. Old Market and Sahaba Mosque
The Old Market is the oldest commercial area of Sharm: spices, dates, nuts, sweets, clothes, souvenirs, fresh juice and street food. It’s loud, friendly and sometimes chaotic. The Sahaba Mosque rises above it with Ottoman-style minarets and looks lovely lit up at night. The same story like with Soho Square it is the best to visit in the dark. You can find some nice restaurants in the area. One of my favourites is Fish Mart, seafood soup is amazing!
Tips
- Bargain politely – start around half the first price.
- Dress modestly around the mosque; non-Muslims can visit the mosque 10am-10pm daily, outside of the five daily prayer times. Entrance is free of charge.
- Go in the evening, when it’s cooler and the mosque is lit.
9. Heavenly Cathedral
One of the most unexpected places in Sharm. The church is plain outside, but inside the walls, columns and ceilings are covered with detailed Coptic Christian paintings showing scenes from the Bible. Even if you’re not religious, the craftsmanship is worth the stop. Plan at least 1 hour for visiting the Cathedral, there are two churches there : the main one and the smaller one in the basement, so don’t miss the smaller one
10. The local neighbourhood near Mustafa Mosque
If you want to see where people really live, leave the resort zone and walk around the area around Mustafa Mosque. It has local barbers, dessert shops, fruit stall, small supermarkets, Egyptian restaurants and cafés where people sit for hours. Prices here are a fraction of tourist areas: haircut about 2 USD, lunch about 2-3 USD in season 2024-2025. Falafel sandwiches you can get for as little as 15-20 Egyptian Pounds, they are simple delicious. 2 sandwiches and you’re totally full, what a bargain! 🙂
This place has its own magic both day and night, just day time is not that busy when locals (and some tourists also 🙂 ) are hiding from the sun, be respectful when taking photos of people, and use a local taxi app or negotiate the fare before getting in. Personally I was using InDrive app.
Practical info
When to go. From my experience the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh is October-November and March-April, this is the biggest chance to find good weather. December-January can be windy and pretty chilly, not the best time for sunbathing and swimming/snorkelling. Summer month might be extremely hot with temperature 40+ Celsius. Getting around. Short taxi rides cost €2–3; apps like inDrive helped me avoid tourist prices. For desert and Sinai trips, use tour or private driver. Money. Cash is still king in Egypt, in some tourist places you can pay by card. For travelling I use Wise card, it helps me to save money on currency exchange and ATM fees. Internet. I’d get an eSIM before arriving so I had data from the airport. Safety. Sharm El Sheikh is considered one of the safest places in Egypt, I felt very safe during my three months here. Check your government’s current travel advice for South Sinai and for any changes before you book. Dress. Fine at the resort; cover shoulders and knees for mosques, the cathedral and the monastery.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1: Naama Bay in the afternoon, Farsha Café at sunset.
- Day 2: Ras Mohammed (boat or land).
- Day 3: Rest day at the beach. Old Market and Sahaba Mosque in the evening.
- Day 4: Desert safari at sunset, SOHO Square after.
- Day 5: Mount Sinai at night, St. Catherine’s in the morning, sleep the rest of the day.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Sharm El Sheikh? 4–7 days is enough for the things in this list.
What is the best thing to do in Sharm El Sheikh? Moses mountain overall is my favourite (but challenging). Ras Mohammed National Park, in my opinion, if you like the sea; the desert safari if you want something different.
Is Sharm El Sheikh safe for tourists? Sharm El Sheikh for me felt more safe than many European resort towns at the moment. Always check current government advice.
Can you visit Mount Sinai from Sharm El Sheikh? Yes, as an overnight excursion. Expect to leave Sharm El Sheikh around 8-9 pm and come back the next day around 1-2 pm, tiring but unforgettable 16 hours experience 🙂
What should I wear? Light clothes in the heat, but cover your shoulders and knees at religious sites.
Final thoughts
Sharm El Sheikh is more than its resorts: desert, reefs, mountains, old markets and a few places I’d go back to in a heartbeat. To get the full experience don’t just stay in the resort even if it’s the most luxurious one. Sharm El Sheikh has too much to offer.