Travel Guide Sharm El-Sheikh
After Cairo or Luxor, it is certainly the most famous city inEgypt. In the extreme south of the country, between the Red Sea and the mountains of Sinai, Sharm El-Sheikh enjoys a very special situation. It is both an important commercial port at the tip of the Sinai desert and a very touristy seaside town. For the past thirty years, it has been a very popular destination, especially for scuba divers who find a welcoming infrastructure and a transparent sea. This locality occupies a strategic position between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, a source of conflict between Israel and Egypt. Sharm El-Sheikh is a popular destination for Europeans and is also famous for having been the scene of a dramatic air crash in 2015.
Lovers of sailing and kitesurfing find here favorable conditions even if the wind can sometimes be very violent. In addition to the seaside pleasures, you can walk with a tourist guide on camelback in the desert and spend the evening in a Bedouin camp, discover in 4x4 the Coloured Canyon which bears its name, climb to the top of Mount Sinai, visit the Orthodox monastery of St. Catherine, one of the oldest in the world still in activity, rich in a collection of Greek icons, but also Russian and very beautiful mosaics. Take your tour guide with you everywhere.
What to visit Sharm El-Sheikh?
When to go to Sharm El-Sheikh?
When to go to Egypt? It's simple: all year round! However, you should know that on the Mediterranean coast, the high season is from July to September. No problem to stay during Ramadan, even if the opening hours of museums and sites are shortened. On the other hand, the nightlife is incomparable, with concerts organized in the streets, cafes, cultural centers, and Ramadan tents that host musicians until 4am. It is best to avoid the Eid celebrations, which are family-oriented and do not involve any particular event. The high season starts in October and ends in March. The low season starts in April and ends in September. The hottest months are June and July.
Weather at the moment
The Egyptian weather varies according to the region and the season. As a general rule, the climate is ideal between October and May, terribly hot in June and July (often over 40°C), and hot in August and September. On the Mediterranean coast, humidity is higher than in the rest of the country, especially in summer.
The currency is the Egyptian pound (EL) divided into 100 piasters (PT). In English, you will be referred to as pound and piaster, in Arabic as guineh and irch. Euros and dollars are accepted for most tourist services, as well as credit cards. There are many ATMs in the city. Egypt is a fairly inexpensive destination, especially in the all-inclusive version.
A tourist visa (maximum validity of 1 month, cost 25 US$) is required in addition to the passport to enter Egypt. It can be obtained from the Egyptian diplomatic authorities in France, notably at the Egyptian embassy in Paris, but it is easier to buy it upon arrival at one of Egypt's international airports. Luggage is rarely searched, although it may be. Travelers are allowed to enter Egypt with a maximum of LE 5,000 and US$ 10,000 (or the equivalent in Euros).
In Egypt, besides the sun, air pollution is a risk, especially if you suffer from allergies, asthma or respiratory problems. Fortunately, Sharm el-Sheikh is much less polluted than Cairo! Even if the country is not affected by malaria, you should be equipped with mosquito repellent. Egypt is one of the countries affected by the avian flu epizootic. Make sure that your mandatory vaccinations in France are up to date (D.T. Polio for example). Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Sharm El-Sheikh? Our advice & tips
There are many tour packages available to visit Egypt. In addition to cruises on the Nile, seaside stays in Sharm-el-Sheikh are among the most numerous proposals. Thematic stays, around diving or sailing, are also on the program of tour operators.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationFlying is the best way to get to Egypt. While most air tickets are sold to Cairo, there are seven airports in the country, including Sharm el-Sheikh. The southern resort can also be reached by bus from several cities in Egypt, and by boat from Hurghada and Aqaba. Beware of tourist services, unless you have good contacts on the spot and a good knowledge of the country's codes, the individual traveler will pay twice as much on site.
If you come on a package tour, no worries. The shuttle bus will take you to your hotel and if your stay is at the beach, all you have to do is walk to your deckchair! You can also enjoy sailing and go for a little cruise on the sea. We don't recommend renting a car, as it won't do you much good. Besides, driving in Egypt is not a piece of cake... In the city, you should take a cab.
