Sharm el Sheikh Holidays

Egyptian cuisine has been influenced by flavours from Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Greece, so there’s a real variety of dishes. There’s also a Mediterranean theme running through the local food. Think vegetables stuffed with lightly spiced rice and meats wrapped in vine leaves. If you can’t decide what to try, a mezze – a little of everything – is the way to sample it all. Desserts include sticky baklava, and a type of ice cream called bouzat haleeb that’s light and gummy.

Egypt isn’t a big wine producer, but it does offer a good local selection. It’s most famous for growing the Muscat grape, which originated in the old Nile city of Alexandria. In Sharm El Sheikh, international beers and wines are common. Locally produced spirits are also popular, although some of the larger bars will offer big-name international spirits, too. When it comes to soft drinks, Egyptian karkade is widely enjoyed. This is an iced tea made from hibiscus that gives it an incredible red-wine colour.

If you’re looking for lively, energetic, and colourful nightlife, Naama Bay is the place to stay. The pretty tree-lined promenade here is lined with bars and restaurants that really come to life in the evenings. This is the nightlife hub of Sharm El Sheikh. It’s only about a 20-minute drive from Hadaba, so you may like to stay in the quieter Sharm El Sheikh resorts and take a taxi.

Not all areas of Sharm El Sheikh are as lively as Naama Bay after sundown. In Shark’s Bay, for example, there’s a very on-the-go daytime diving scene, with the resort becoming quite sleepy in the evening. These resorts are ideal if you’re planning on having very busy and hectic days. You may simply want to unwind and relax in the evening, having an early night in preparation for the next day's fun.

Sharm El Sheikh is a large, sprawling destination with lots of different places to see. For the classic beach resort feel, holidays to Sharm El Sheikh’s exciting Naama Bay tick all the right boxes. This is widely considered to be the tourist centre of the city, with an almost never-ending list of things to do. It’s a place that offers shopping, nightlife, entertainment, dining, and plenty of fun activities. It’s a good chance to experience the more modern side of Egypt rather than the famous historical sights.

If you do want to enjoy the more traditional side of the country, Sharm El Sheikh still has historic and cultural places to explore. The Sharm old town is interesting. There’s a huge, traditional market that’s one of the biggest attractions in the city. The old town can be reached in about a 30-minute walk from the resort of Hadaba. And 30 minutes in the other direction is one of the best – and one of the only – public beaches in the area. El Fanar beach attracts keen divers from all over the world.

There are plenty of souvenirs to bring back from Sharm El Sheikh. Jewellery, leather goods, textiles – especially rugs and shawls – and vases are very popular. And you can find these in Sharm El Sheikh’s stores, bazaars, and shopping centres. Another great place to find souvenirs is Soho Square, a huge open-air shopping centre. It’s roughly halfway between Shark’s Bay and Ra’s Nasrani, so it’s easily accessible from most Sharm El Sheikh resorts.

Some of the very best shopping in Sharm El Sheikh is in the tourist centre of Naama Bay. There’s a huge collection of shops and malls within easy reach of the luxury hotels, restaurants and nightlife the resort has become famous for. For a completely different kind of shopping experience, you should head to Sharm’s old market near Hadaba, Sharm El Sheikh’s take on a traditional bazaar. And for massive, sprawling American-style malls, Nabq Bay is worth a visit.