Sharm el-Sheikh sits at the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, where desert mountains meet the Red Sea. It's famous for its coral reefs, warm winter sunshine and big all-inclusive resorts, and the bays along the coast each have a different feel, so where you stay shapes your holiday.
This guide explains the best areas to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh for families, couples, nightlife, diving and all-inclusive holidays, with hotel picks and links to compare prices in each area.
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The best areas to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh at a glance
| If you want… | Stay in | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightlife & a lively stay | Naama Bay | Promenade, restaurants and bars by the beach | See hotels |
| Diving & snorkelling | Sharks Bay | Reefs and dive centres close to the airport | See hotels |
| Families & all-inclusive | Nabq Bay | Big resorts with aqua parks and long beaches | See hotels |
| Value & local life | Hadaba and the Old Market | Good-value hotels near Old Sharm | See hotels |
Hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh worth a look
Rixos Premium Seagate
An ultra all-inclusive resort for families and couples on Nabq Bay, with many pools and restaurants and a jetty out to the reef.
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Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
A luxury resort between the desert and the reef, with several outdoor pools, a spa, a kids' club and a PADI dive centre.
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Movenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh
A resort overlooking Naama Bay, with pools, a spa and the bay's restaurants and bars a short walk away.
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Baron Resort Sharm El Sheikh
A five-star resort on Ras Nasrani Bay with a private beach and jetties out to its house reef, plus pools and a spa.
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Pickalbatros Aqua Park Sharm El Sheikh
A family all-inclusive with a big aqua park and plenty of kids' entertainment, with access to a sister hotel's private beach.
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Naama Bay Hotel & Resort
A resort in the centre of Naama Bay, close to the promenade's restaurants, bars and shops.
Check pricesWhich part of Sharm el-Sheikh?
Sharm el-Sheikh stretches for miles along the coast, with resorts strung out between the bays rather than one town centre. Nabq Bay is furthest north, beyond the airport, followed by Ras Nasrani and Sharks Bay. Naama Bay, the liveliest part of Sharm, is in the middle, and Hadaba and the Old Market (Old Sharm) are to the south. Ras Mohammed National Park, at the southern tip of the peninsula, is a popular day trip.
Where to stay in central Sharm
Naama Bay
The heart of Sharm's nightlife, with a pedestrianised promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops behind a sheltered sandy bay. It's the best base if you want to eat out and go out rather than stay in your resort.
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Hadaba and the Old Market
South of Naama Bay, Hadaba has good-value hotels on a clifftop above the reefs of Ras Um Sid, close to the Old Market (Old Sharm), with its souk, cafés and the Al-Sahaba Mosque.
Compare pricesWhere to stay north of the centre
Sharks Bay
A bay known for its reefs and dive centres, close to the airport, with a mix of luxury resorts and dive-focused hotels. Soho Square, with its restaurants and entertainment, is nearby.
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Nabq Bay
The newest and most northerly resort area, beyond the airport, with big all-inclusive resorts, aqua parks and long beaches. The Nabq Protected Area, with its mangroves, is close by.
Compare pricesSharm el-Sheikh holiday packages
Booking your flight and hotel together can work out cheaper, especially in the school holidays, and flight-inclusive package holidays from UK travel companies are ATOL protected.
Arriving in Sharm el-Sheikh and getting around
Flights from the UK to Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) take around five hours. The airport is just north of Sharks Bay, a short drive from Nabq Bay, Sharks Bay and Naama Bay. Many hotels and package holidays include transfers.
Taxis are the easiest way to get between the bays, so agree the fare before you set off. Before you book, check the latest FCDO travel advice and entry requirements for Egypt on GOV.UK.
Car hire in Sharm el-Sheikh
When to visit Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh is sunny all year. Winters are warm, which makes it a popular winter-sun destination, while summers are very hot, often well above 35°C. The Red Sea is warm enough for snorkelling and diving all year round. For more winter sun ideas, see Best holiday destinations in November.
Things to do in Sharm el-Sheikh
- Ras Mohammed and White Island: a boat trip to snorkel or dive the national park's reefs.
- Quad bike desert safari: ride into the desert at sunrise or sunset.
- Desert dinner and stargazing: quad bikes, camels, dinner and shows.
- Mount Sinai and St Catherine's: the mountain and the monastery at its foot.
- Blue Hole and Dahab: a jeep trip to the canyon, the Blue Hole and Dahab.
- City tour: the Old Market, the mosque and the Farsha Café.
Travel insurance for Sharm el-Sheikh
Book your cover as soon as you've paid for your trip, so you're protected if you need to cancel. The GHIC doesn't cover you in Egypt and medical treatment can be expensive, so make sure your policy includes good medical cover. If you plan to dive, check your policy covers scuba diving to the depth you'll be going, and check it's valid for the areas the FCDO advises are safe to visit.
Cover for any tripCoverwiseGet a quote
Flexible coverExplorerGet a quote
Compare insurersTravelSupermarketCompare quotesSharm el-Sheikh FAQs
Which is the best area to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh?
Where should families stay in Sharm el-Sheikh?
Is Naama Bay a good place to stay?
Can you snorkel from the beach in Sharm el-Sheikh?
Is it safe to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh?
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