Things to do
Diving and Water Sports
Sharm el Sheikh is an excellent diving spot. There are dive centres to cater for divers of all levels of expertise. If this is your first time diving, you will find various diving schools where you can learn the basics of this exciting sport. Both PADI and BSAC courses are offered by most of these schools. There are many dive packages available for experienced divers. Those who do not feel like snorkelling can take part in other water sports, such as coral reef exploration and of course swimming.
Kite Surfing
This is another popular daytime activity. There are kite surfing centres affiliated to the IKO in the area, where you can both attend kite surfing lessons and sign up for surfing packages.
Star Gazing
A very popular night trip is to visit a Bedouin village, experience traditional Bedouin food, and study the night skies through a telescope with the assistance of a trained guide.
Shopping
The shopping opportunities on Sharm El Sheikh holidays are simply out of this world. The Old Market provides the most authentic shopping scene, but if you are not good at haggling over prices, you should perhaps stick to the modern shopping area, where prices are (sort of) fixed and unfortunately usually higher.
Some favourite Sharm El Sheikh souvenirs include leather products, gold and silver products, perfumes, rugs, silks, Egyptian vases, papyrus and sheesha pipes. Egyptian cotton clothing is also popular, as well as belly dancing costumes.
Remember that bargaining is part of the fun. Not bargaining indicates to locals that you are rude and not really interested. Take your time, enjoy a glass of Hibiscus tea, and counter any price quoted to you with an offer that is at least 80% lower.
Nightlife
Sharm El Sheikh’s nightlife scene is known throughout the country and beyond. There are a huge variety of bars, clubs, and lounges to choose from. For those too young (i.e. below 21) to be allowed into venues where alcohol is served, there are beach parties and fire shows to keep them occupied. The beaches are lively throughout the night on most nights of the week. Most private resorts also cater for nightlife seekers and casinos and bars are common in most of these establishments.
Casinos on Sharm el Sheikh holidays offer more than just slot machines. On any given night of the week, there are many entertainment options varying from jazz concerts to belly dancing.
Excursions
An unforgettable excursion is to undertake a trip into the desert, visit a traditional Bedouin village, and perhaps combine this with a visit to Mount Sinai. To view the sunrise from here is an experience not to be missed. Once you descend again, tour the Monastery of St. Katherines and do not miss the fabled descendent of the burning bush of Moses.