Sharm El Sheikh: Diving, Beaches & Attractions
Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Egypt and is known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise water and wide range of water sports, including diving, snorkelling and kitesurfing. The city is located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea and combines dramatic desert landscapes with excellent marine life.
Sharm El Sheikh is also a popular destination for relaxation, with numerous resorts, spas and beachfront hotels. In the evening, visitors will find a wide selection of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues serving both international and local cuisine.
Major attractions include Naama Bay, with its shops and restaurants, Ras Mohammed National Park, one of the best-known diving areas in the region, and Saint Catherine Monastery in the Sinai Mountains.
Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant times to visit because temperatures are generally milder. Summer can become very hot, although the warm water makes the region attractive for diving and snorkelling throughout much of the year.
Getting around
Always check the current security situation in higher-risk areas and agree prices before starting a journey where appropriate.
Public transport:
Price:
cheap expensive
Availability:
low high
Bus, metro
Safety:
low high
Taxi:
Price:
cheap expensive
Agree the fare in advance
Availability:
low high
Safety:
low high
Rental car:
An International Driving Permit is required together with the national German driving licence.
Price:
cheap expensive
from €14
Availability:
low high
Safety:
low high
More information
Official language: Arabic (English and German are also spoken in some tourist areas)
Population: approx. 73,000 (2015)
Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP)
Capital: Cairo
Country: Egypt
Nearest airport: Sharm El Sheikh (SSH)
Time difference: German winter time +1 hour / summer time 0 hours
Public holidays: Coptic Christmas, Revolution Day, Coptic Easter, Sham El Nessim, Ramadan, Sinai Liberation Day, Labour Day, June 30 Revolution Day, July 23 Revolution Day, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Armed Forces Day, Mawlid and Christmas
Climate
Subtropical, dry and hot
Best time to visit: November to April
From May to October it is particularly hot. Average temperatures range between 30 and 34 °C, with daytime highs sometimes exceeding 40 °C. At night, temperatures rarely fall below 25 °C. Between November and April, daytime highs generally range between 18 and 24 °C.
Sharm El Sheikh
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Min. °C | 13 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 15 |
| Max. °C | 22 | 23 | 25 | 30 | 34 | 37 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 31 | 27 | 23 |
| Rainy days | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sunshine hours per day | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Water °C | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 23 |