Best Things to Do in Sharm el Sheikh Egypt
Wondering what the best things to do in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt are? It’s the perfect place to start or end your Egypt Itinerary. A trip to the Red Sea and diving is one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had. But there’s also much more to do beyond that. Including seeing one of the most beautiful Coptic Orthodox churches I’ve ever seen and visiting one of the coolest cafes in the world. Read on for my round up on the coolest things to do in Sharm el Sheikh.
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Is Sharm el Sheikh Safe to Visit?
Yes, and in fact, the safest places to visit in Egypt are the beach towns like Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. These areas are extremely tourist-friendly. When you arrive in Sharm, it honestly doesn’t even feel like Egypt anymore. It feels like an international resort destination, with private beaches, luxury hotels, promenades, and a very relaxed atmosphere.
When it comes to clothing, Sharm el Sheikh is very easy and stress free. Swimwear is completely fine on beaches, at pools, and throughout resort areas. Bikinis, one pieces, and cover-ups are all normal. Outside the resort, in places like Naama Bay, Soho Square, or the Old Market, light summer dresses, shorts, tank tops, and linen outfits are perfectly acceptable. There’s no need for a headscarf, and you don’t have to dress conservatively. It’s also the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Egypt solo.
Best Things to do in Sharm el Sheikh
1. Stay at Four Seasons & Relax at the Resort
The Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most luxurious hotels in both Sharm El Sheikh and Egypt! If you have a chance to stay here or at least visit for a meal, I’d highly recommend it.
This Four Seasons resort is the largest of any Four Seasons resort. It has 12 restaurants and bars, four swimming pools, a kilometer-long private beach, a dive center, and a spa inspired by ancient Egyptian design.
In the evening, they have live music and belly dancing. The cocktail bar features some really delicious drinks too.
Don’t miss waking up to the sunrise here, it was absolutely worth seeing the orangey-red skies and the sea in the backdrop. This was such a dream stay! And if you are used to UK or US prices, then you won’t find a stay here too expensive.
2. Go Diving in the Red Sea
Ok, I am a wimp for swimming in the deep sea, but even I tried this diving & snorkelling experience! I couldn’t believe I actually did it. I booked a diving tour which takes you to Ras Mohamed & White Island. The instructors make you feel super relaxed and at ease so you feel comfortable the whole time.
You don’t need diving experience, and you don’t even need to know how to swim, for that matter. That’s because you have a one-on-one instructor who will be with you the whole time to take you down to see all the amazing sea life in the Red Sea.
Trust me, I was terrified, but as soon as I put my head down into the water and descended, I felt at peace and relaxed. It was such a weird feeling but incredibly amazing to know I was able to do this. I hope you can gain the courage and do it too because you won’t regret it!
Anyways, if you are scared to dive, you can opt to go snorkeling instead. Or, you can just sit on the boat and relax if you don’t want to do either activity.
Important Tip: Be very clear before your dive about how much extra time you want underwater. Just 10 extra minutes often isn’t enough, so consider purchasing at least 20 additional minutes. This comes at an additional cost. If you don’t specify the exact amount of time you want in advance, you could end up staying down longer and getting charged more than expected.
The exact tour I did is linked below! It included lunch, snorkeling, and 10 minutes of diving at 2 different stops.
3. Spot Dolphins
At the end of my diving and boat tour I did above, we spotted dolphins! It was so incredible. We saw so many just hopping along in the sea. How cute are they!? You can take this tour to see them.
4. Watch the Sunset from Farsha Café
One of the most viral places on Instagram is Farshah Cafe. This cafe is a lounge where you can enjoy a hookah, a drink, a meal, or whatever you want.
Perched on a cliffside, this amazing place overlooks the Red Sea in Egypt.
At sunset, the lights switch off, and the place transforms into an Arabian fairytale with red lights all around.
💡tip: Arrive before 5 pm or as close to that time to avoid a long wait time. I came at 540pm on a Sunday night in April and got seated at 620pm.
The lights switch on at sunset, and you are warned so you can do a switch-on video! Check out my video on Instagram to see the night and day transition of this place!
They also have a beach lounge, which you can access with a day pass.
5. Admire the Heavenly Cathedral
As an Orthodox Christian myself, I loved visiting this church. Even if you aren’t Orthodox or Christian, I would not miss this stop. The photos don’t do it justice! It is breathtaking! I spent maybe an hour and a half in here because I was admiring it so much. I couldn’t stop taking photos. It is truly special inside.
The Heavenly Cathedral was built in 2010 and is one of the most beautiful churches in Egypt. What makes it so unique are the incredible hand-painted biblical murals covering nearly every inch of the interior. Local artists spent over two years creating the vibrant frescoes, and you can tell how much detail and passion went into every brushstroke. The ceiling alone is jaw-dropping, and the peaceful atmosphere inside makes it feel like a true hidden gem in Sharm el Sheikh.
6. Visit the Al-Sahaba Mosque
Located in the heart of Old Sharm is the Al-Sahaba Mosque. It is one of the most stunning landmarks in the area.
The intricate architecture is really impressive, and if you can visit at night I’d recommend that too. You will find it more lively and crowded at night, but the lights on create a magical atomosphere.
Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth a visit just to admire the detail of this place.
Plus, you can visit the inside of the mosque for free. Just be sure to dress appropriately. And if you don’t have the proper clothes, there’s a changing room which offers modest outfits and scarves. You don’t have to pay for using the items either.
The inside is definitely not as impressive as the exterior, I do have to say.
If you’re interested in a tour that will take you to the Old Town and the Mosque, I’d recommend this one.
7. Shop in the Old Town
One of the best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh is to explore the Old Town, also known as the Old Market (Souq). It’s different to the modern resorts and malls in Naama Bay or Soho Square. Here you’ll find a more authentic and local experience.
It is located right next to the Al-Sahaba Mosque so you can pair a visit with that.
If you’re interested in a tour that will take you to the Old Town and the Mosque, I’d recommend this one.
8. Take a Desert Safari
One of the coolest experiences you can have in Sharm is going on a desert safari. There are half-day trips that include a quad bike ride through the golden sand dunes, a camel ride, and even a stop at a local Bedouin camp.
At the camp, you can sip traditional tea and watch how they make their flatbread.
The best part? Watching the sunset over the Sinai Desert— one of the most magical skies you will ever see.
Some tours even include a BBQ dinner and stargazing if you stay later into the evening. It’s such a fun way to see a completely different side of Sharm beyond the sea.
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