About Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most popular resorts in Egypt, where golden beaches, crystal clear water and incredible underwater world combine with modern hotels and oriental exoticism

Geographical location of Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh is located in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, on the Red Sea coast. It is one of the main resorts of the Egyptian Riviera 500 km from Cairo by highway. It stretches for almost 30 km along the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba with several bays in the city limits. The most famous of them is Naama Bay.

Data on the area of Sharm el-Sheikh differ, but most often there is a figure of 44 km². Most likely, this is due to the blurred boundaries of resort zones, which are difficult to define. In the southwest, the resort borders the Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt's first national park. To the northeast - with the Nabq National Reserve.

If you look at where Sharm el-Sheikh is located, you can see that the Sinai Mountains cover it from winds and bad weather. Therefore, the resort is characterized by a very stable, although very hot climate. It is sunny here almost all year round, and the temperature rarely drops below +20 degrees Celsius.

The annual amount of precipitation is very small. The average temperature in summer is about +30 degrees, but the maximum can exceed +40, so be prepared. The average temperature in winter is +18 degrees. The water temperature almost never drops below +22, even in January.

A brief history of Sharm el-Sheikh

Today everyone knows about Sharm el-Sheikh - what kind of country it is, what it is famous for. The resort is really incredibly popular. But up until the gray of the XX century, Sharm el-Sheikh was just a small fishing village.

In 1967, Sinai joined Israel, and the active development of the resort began. After returning to Egypt in 1982, the city received serious investments, turning into one of the most famous tourist centers of the region.

Today, people go to Sharm el-Sheikh not only to lie on the beach. It hosts international conferences, political meetings and major cultural events. It remains an important economic center, continuing to develop as one of the most attractive resorts in the Middle East.

The history of Sharm el-Sheikh has another interesting point. The region has always been an important crossroads of cultures and civilizations. Nearby is the biblical Mount Sinai, which has attracted pilgrims and tourists throughout the ages. The ancient caravan routes that crossed the peninsula have also left their mark on the culture and architecture of this place.

Demographics of Sharm el-Sheikh

Data on the population of Sharm el-Sheikh differ, as well as data on the area. According to some figures, the city's population is 13,000, according to others - 35,000, but this is together with the suburbs. In any case, thanks to tourists, the population increases significantly in the high season. There are also representatives of different countries, including natives of Egypt, Europe and Asia.

Not everything is unambiguous and with what language is spoken in Sharm el-Sheikh. Of course, the official language of Egypt is Arabic, but due to the very developed tourist industry, English is used almost everywhere. Russian and Italian are also found. Hotel and restaurant staff usually speak several languages.

Economy and infrastructure of Sharm el-Sheikh

The economy of Sharm el-Sheikh is fully oriented on tourism. There are no large industrial enterprises here, but there are hundreds of hotels of different categories, entertainment centers, restaurants and stores. In addition to tourism, fishing occupies an important place.

Transportation infrastructure is well developed: the city has an international airport connecting the resort with Europe, Asia and Africa. Sharm el-Sheikh is called the "air gate" of Sinai. Most of Sinai's highways pass through it, too.

Inside it is most convenient to travel by cabs, shuttle buses and tourist buses. Shuttle buses can be tricky - they don't have an exact schedule, and directions are usually not specified, so passengers will have to vote and figure it out on the spot. Cabs are very much and it is possible to catch a car just on the way at any time, but it is necessary to negotiate prices at once. For excursions, ready-made tours with transfers are more convenient.

The architectural style of the resort is a combination of traditional oriental aesthetics and modern solutions. Many hotels are made in the style of Arabian palaces, and shopping centers and restaurants are decorated in the style of oriental fairy tales.

Sharm el Sheikh Culture and Attractions

The first thing to do in Sharm el-Sheikh is to visit the Old City and the colorful Old Market with local produce and souvenirs. The gem of the Old City is the Al Sahaba Mosque. No less interesting is the Coptic Heavenly Cathedral with frescoes.

It is definitely worth visiting "Hollywood Sharm el-Sheikh", where there is a Jurassic Park and a lot of other entertainment. Children and adults will be delighted with the park "One Thousand and One Nights" in the appropriate style. The shopping and entertainment centers SOHO Square and La Strada Mall are also popular.

The most interesting museums are the National Museum, the Papyrus Museum and the Aquarium Museum. Nature lovers will enjoy the Wadi el Weshwash Valley, and connoisseurs of exoticism - the Bedouin Village near Mount Sinai. Some hotels have water parks.

Underwater World

Sharm el-Sheikh is famous for its rich and colorful underwater world. Clear and warm water, a large number of coral reefs and many schools for every taste and purse create ideal conditions for diving and snorkeling at any time of the year. All necessary equipment can be purchased or rented locally.

Sharm el Sheikh Beaches

One of the main attractions of the resort is its beaches. Naama Bay is one of the most comfortable and popular options. Sharks Bay offers a famous coral reef and ideal conditions for snorkeling. El Fanar is one of the most picturesque beaches with developed infrastructure. Terazina Beach is a large public beach with bars and parties near the Old Town.

Almost all along the coast you need to walk in special slippers for swimming. This is due to the large number of sea urchins and sharp coral reefs.

Why visit Sharm el Sheikh

The main reason to visit Sharm el-Sheikh is a luxurious beach vacation with underwater adventures. And all this - with excellent service and the most comfortable immersion in the oriental flavor.