A guide to things to do in Sharm El Sheikh

Diving and snorkelling

On Sharm el Sheikh holidays there are over a dozen diving and snorkelling sites to explore, 250 types of coral reefs and around 1000 species of marine life. You can take a boat trip to Tiran Island and snorkel around the Blue Lagoon, or more experienced divers can try Ras Um Sid and Ras Nasrani.

One of the most popular spots to don your underwater gear is just outside Sharm el Sheikh at Ras Mohamed National Park, which boasts top spots such as Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef. The park offers a diverse array of coral reef, sea walls and aquatic life. Or, there’s Nabq National Park, a vast coastline fringed by a mangrove forest where you can enjoy reef diving opportunities.

There are a number of wrecked ships in the straits of the Red Sea. The SS Thistlegorm, sunk by German bomber planes in World War II is considered one of the best wreck dive sites in the world, attracting batfishes, snappers, barracudas and other colourful reef fish. You may be surprised by what you find when you take a closer look at the vessel – tanks, jeeps, motorbikes and boots have all been discovered onboard.

A trip to Mount Sinai

There are many day trips from Sharm el Sheikh, and one of the best places to visit is Mount Sinai, a place of religious significance for Jews, Muslims and Christians alike. You may know it as the place where Moses received the 10 commandments, according to the Book of Exodus.

Around two hours inland, you can follow in the footsteps of Moses while a Bedouin guide takes you to the top of the mountain. From here, you can watch the sun set over the arid desert and hilly landscape. A full day expedition usually includes breakfast and a visit to St Catherine’s Monastery, where monks look after Byzantine and Crusader art in the confines of the high walls.

If you’re keen to discover more of Egypt’s history, there are many popular day trips from Sharm el Sheikh, including the ancient city of Cairo. Here you can view Tutankhamun treasures and visit the pyramids of Giza. And don’t forget to look out for the Sphinx – one of the seven wonders of the world.

Lots of fun family activities

Take a visit to Sharm el Sheikh waterpark for an experience that will make all the family smile. There are 32 exhilarating waterslides, as well as nine swimming pools and plenty of sunbathing areas. One of the pools is just for children and teens will love the rafting river. You can take a romantic ride on a gondola along the river, or for something a bit more thrilling try the free-fall body slides.

See the underwater world without getting wet and take a seat on a semi-submarine for two hours, with free transport to the port from your hotel. Or, get away from it all and ride a beautiful Arabian horse across the desert just outside Sharm el Sheikh. You’ll be free to roam through the desert for at least an hour, experiencing it’s true tranquillity, before sitting down for tea in a Bedouin tent.

To make the most of all that Sharm el Sheikh has to offer, check out our great range of cheap Egypt holidays today.