After a day of diving or a long day of sightseeing, a spa visit in Sharm isn’t a luxury—it’s a smart choice. Here you’ll find both traditional Arab hammams and world-class hotel spas.
Contents
- What the Spa Market Has to Offer
- Hammams and Turkish Baths
- Where to Go
- Prices and Options
- Tips
- FAQ
What the Spa Market Has to Offer
There are two types of spas in Sharm: hotel spas (part of 4★–5★ resorts) and independent spa centers in the city. Hotel spas are convenient and reliable, but more expensive; independent spas are more affordable, but quality varies. For tourists without access to a hotel spa, there are several tried-and-true independent options.
Hammam and Turkish Bath
The Egyptian-style hammam includes a steam bath, exfoliation (kese), a foam massage, and concludes with a relaxing tea break. A session usually lasts 60–120 minutes. It’s not just a hygiene treatment, but a relaxation ritual, and your first visit may come as a surprise: it’s quite cramped, hot, and unfamiliar—but that’s normal.
Where to Go
Deep Relaxation Spa — offers 45-, 90-, and 120-minute hammam sessions with a full package: sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, and massage. The price includes fruit juice and tea.
Harmony Bliss Spa — Moroccan hammam and deep tissue massage; receives good reviews for its quality.
Lotus Spa (Movenpick Hotel)—a hotel spa with a 120-minute “Cleopatra” package and a wide range of treatments.
Golden Spa — Turkish hammam and massage services.
Butterfly Spa — highly rated on travel platforms for its massages and service.
Prices and Packages
A hammam session with a massage starts at $20 for 60 minutes; 120-minute packages range from $40 to $60 and up, depending on the center. Many providers include a shuttle from the hotel. Luxury hotel spas cost $100–200 or more per session. Discounts are often available during the off-season (summer).
Types of Treatments: What’s Offered in Sharm
Hammam
A classic hammam includes warming up in a steam room (about 45–50°C), a vigorous body scrub with a special glove (kese), a lather massage with soapy foam, and a rinse. It feels like a minute in a hot bath, followed by exfoliation, then a light, relaxing massage. Your skin feels soft afterward—the treatment removes dead skin cells far more effectively than any at-home scrub. For your first time, we recommend the 90-minute package—45 minutes of hammam plus 45 minutes of massage.
Massage
Charm offers a wide range of options: classic relaxation, Thai, deep tissue, hot stone, and aromatherapy massage. Independent centers are concentrated in the Naama Bay and Hadaba areas. Most are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.–midnight. Be sure to specify when booking whether you prefer a male or female therapist—this is important for some clients.
Facial and Body Treatments
Scrubs, body wraps, and masks made from Dead Sea mud and Egyptian clay are popular treatments at hotel spas. The “Cleopatra” package at several spa centers in Sharm includes a milk and honey body wrap—a marketing ploy, but a physically pleasant treatment. Facial treatments cost $30–40 for 45 minutes at independent centers.
Floating and Other Treatments
Floatation (sensory deprivation in a saltwater bath) is rare in Sharm and is mainly available at a few 5-star hotels. Infrared saunas and traditional Russian banya are also few and far between—a characteristic of a resort town focused on swimming in the sea. If you’re looking for more exotic options, check their availability when booking your hotel.
Spa Center Ratings: What to Look For
When choosing a spa center in Sharm, it’s worth considering several factors: the presence of reviews on TripAdvisor and Google (at least 50–100 reviews), a rating of at least 4.0/5, clear pricing disclosed before the treatment, and separate areas for men and women (if that’s important). Male massage therapists work exclusively with male clients at most reputable centers—otherwise, this is a red flag.
Combinations: What to Pair
After diving (not on the same day!): Deep Tissue massage—relieves tension in the shoulders and neck from diving. It’s best to wait until the next day for a hammam.
After a desert tour: a hammam—the dust and heat wash away along with it. Aromatherapy with lavender or eucalyptus complements the recovery.
A romantic evening: a couples’ hammam or massage + candlelit dinner—many hotel spas offer this package. Check in advance: not all spas have couples’ areas.
Tips
- Book a day or two in advance, especially during peak season—independent spas fill up quickly.
- When booking, check if there are separate areas for men and women, if that’s important to you.
- After diving, give your body a few hours to rest before the hammam: combining an intense dive with a steam bath on the same day can be too taxing.
- For hotel spas, it’s best to book 24–48 hours in advance through the front desk—discounts for guests are often available.
FAQ
What is a hammam, and how does it differ from a regular sauna?
A hammam is an Arab steam bath that includes a vigorous body scrub (kese), a foam massage, and a rinse with cool water. It’s gentler than a sauna but more intense than a regular bath in terms of its mechanical effect on the skin. The temperature in a hammam is lower than in a Russian bath: 45–55°C instead of 90–100°C.
How much does a hammam cost in Sharm?
From $20–25 for 60 minutes at an independent center, from $40–60 for a full 2-hour package.
Do you need to bring anything with you?
As a rule, everything is provided: a robe, slippers, and a towel. Check when booking.
Do hotels have spas?
Yes, virtually all 4★–5★ hotels in Sharm have their own spas—the quality is usually high, and the prices reflect that.
Is a hammam a good idea after an active day at the beach?
Yes, but not immediately after scuba diving—wait a few hours.
