Sharm el-Sheikh, nestled between the Sinai desert and the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea is a destination that surprised us. Late October is still a good month to visit, the pleasant temperatures, with warm but not excessively sultry days, make this destination a good compromise for those seeking a break from the heat.
Often underestimated, Sharm el-Sheikh deserves its place among travel destinations for those seeking an experience at a surprisingly affordable price. The beauty of its beaches and seabed rich in colourful corals, the desert excursions and the relaxed atmosphere make it an irresistible option for those who love the sea and adventure. Prepare to be captivated by the magic of the Red Sea, the fiery sunsets and the warm hospitality of this timeless destination.
A holiday in Egypt cannot be called such without exploring a bit of ancient culture. We completed our itinerary with 2 days in Cairo. Also, if you want to be better prepared, read our article on practical tips for a trip to Egypt.
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Day 1: Sharm el-Sheikh
Already from the plane window we see the crazy blue of the Red Sea and I see the desert for the first time! After a fairly uneventful flight, we land in Sharm. At the airport we are greeted by the sun and a warm breeze that immediately gets us into the holiday mood.
We take a taxi to our hotel, located in Naama Bay. After checking in, we relax for a moment before heading out to explore the area.
We begin with a visit to the splendid Al-Sahaba Mosque, located in the heart of old Sharm. We are struck by its beauty: an imposing structure with tall minarets that seem to touch the sky and an intricate façade full of Arabic details. The mosque was built recently, but its design evokes the style of the great traditional mosques. The ornate domes and colourful windows create wonderful plays of light, especially at sunset, when the sun paints everything golden hues.
We walk to the nearby Old Market, the journey is short, about five minutes. The narrow streets are an explosion of colours, sounds and scents. The stalls are full of everything: brightly coloured spices, Arab-style lamps shining in the dim light, carpets, handmade jewellery and souvenirs of all kinds. Of course Paolino would like to buy everything, we just take 2 Kefiahs for the following day’s safari.
We end the day walking along Naama Bay’s Pedestrian Rd, the main pedestrian street, full of souvenir shops, bars and restaurants. We walk among the colourful lights, the sounds of oriental music and the scents of spices. We stop at a little restaurant on the main street for a dinner of very fresh fish and some mezze, such as hummus and babaganoush. Then we go back to the hotel, full of energy for the days ahead.
Day 2: Naama Bay and Desert Safari
We start our first day very early at Naama Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sharm. The beach is quiet, the sand warm and the sea crystal clear – a perfect combination! We sunbathe and take our first swim in the Red Sea: the water is so clear that we see fish even without a mask! The reef is very close to the beach but it is impressive and rich, surprising us. We have our snorkelling mask with us and swim among the corals and schools of colourful fish. Here we saw our first moray eel!
In the afternoon, we leave for a Desert Safari! A small van picks us up at the hotel and takes us outside the walls of Sharm. We hop on a quad bike and our adventure begins. We speed through the dunes, the view is incredible: golden sand as far as the eye can see and mountains in the distance. We stop at a Bedouin camp where we are welcomed with mint tea and traditional biscuits. We take the road back and the sky is coloured, a sunset that seems to be painted frames this experience. This alone is worth the whole package.
Arriving in the evening, we stop at the Bedouin camp for dinner. We sit on mats and pillows, and are served hot bread, spicy rice and grilled meat. The evening ends with a show accompanied by deafening music and untraditional dancing. We are somewhat disappointed because the camp is in every way a ‘tourist trap’ with loud music and flashing lights that do not allow us to admire the beauty of the desert sky.
Day 3: Ras Muhammad National Park by sea and White Island
We wake up early and again today a small van picks us up from the hotel and takes us to the harbour for a day’s boat trip to Ras Muhammad National Park, one of the most beautiful marine parks in the world. We board the boat which takes us to the best snorkelling spots. Unfortunately, the day is not the best, the fresh wind does not allow us to fully enjoy the crossing. However, the view is beautiful and we are not discouraged.
The boat stops at several places where the reef is full of life: colourful corals, tropical fish and transparent water. We have lunch on board and head to our last stop, one of the highlights of the excursion. The White Island is a tongue of white sand that emerges from the sea at low tide. The sand is off-white and the water is crystal-clear, with shades of turquoise that leave you speechless. We walk on the sand and admire the sea 360 degrees around us.
Day 4: Dahab and Red Canyon
Today we head out of town to explore unique and incredible places. We leave early and head for Dahab, a town on the Gulf of Aqaba.
The first experience of the day was the Cammellata by the sea. I was very sceptical but I became a child again and had a great time. My camel then ‘was a free thinker’ and kept trying to cut the line and overtake the others, we laughed so much!
We move to the diving centre and are ready for the snorkelling session. We put on our wetsuit, mask and slippers and dive in: the water here is really beautiful and the reef full of colourful fish and corals. We try to take some videos but we are not well equipped, the beautiful seabed remains only in our memory.
We go back, change our clothes and after a quick shower we have a good lunch, sea view.
In the afternoon we move further north, change vehicles and in a 4X4 jeep we arrive at our last stop of the day. We explore the Red Canyon, a narrow gorge between the mountains overlooking Sinai. It is like walking on Mars: the rocks range in colour from red to gold to pink.
Day 5: Shark’s Bay and Faraana Reef Beach
We dedicate the last day to the sea.
We spend the morning at Shark’s Bay. Here the atmosphere is relaxed and the water is perfect for one last snorkel. The reef already starts at the beach, there are walkways that allow us to dive where the water is deepest. Between swims, we lie in the sun and relax.
In the afternoon we move on to Faraana Reef Beach, in the southernmost part of Sharm. This beach too does not disappoint our expectations. The reef is alive and colourful, and on the seabed, among the rocks, we even spot a stingray! We stay here for a couple of hours, enjoying the last moments of this wonderful sea.
In the late afternoon, we move on to the Farsha Café, a unique venue: bohemian décor, soft lighting and a breathtaking view of the sea. We sit on colourful cushions and sip a cocktail as the sun sets. We wait for the famous lights that paint the place a warm red and stay for dinner.
***
I admit that we were initially very sceptical, prejudiced, as we always thought of Sharm el-Sheikh as a low-cost ‘I’d like to but I can’t’ destination. In reality, as always, seeing certain things with your own eyes changes the perspective. It was a fun, relaxing holiday and above all we managed to find ideal weather even out of season. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of scoundrels in this part of Egypt and everyone tries to grab a little something, but once you learn to understand that, even this becomes part of the game. Would we go back there? To date I don’t think there is an article of ours where we say no…so again it’s a yes, we would go back.
Last modified: 7 April 2025
