Whether you are traveling on an “all-inclusive” tour or as an independent traveler, we have prepared a brief overview of the Sharm El-Sheikh resort based on our own experience, featuring descriptions of key locations and tips on how to save money.
Article Navigation:
- Introduction
- Transport
- Food
- Fresh Seafood
- Shops
- Beaches
- Money and ATMs
- The Airport
- Excursions
- January Weather
Introduction
Our journey took place in January. This is important because the temperature and wind speed vary greatly depending on the month. Sometimes the winds in Sharm are so strong you’ll want to bundle up in a down jacket. Interestingly, this doesn’t affect the water temperature at all; it remains warm year-round.
We traveled with a 4-year-old child. Half of our vacation was “all-inclusive,” but for the second half, we rented an amazing Bedouin-style hut just 5 meters from the sea. So, expect plenty of comparisons ahead.
If you’re in a hurry, you can watch our video about independent travel in Sharm El-Sheikh here:
Transport
Let’s start from the beginning. You’ve just landed in Sharm, and your first mission is to get to the hotel. So, let’s talk logistics.
Airport Transfer
There is no public transport at the airport. The only way to get from the airport to your hotel is by taxi.
You could try negotiating with the tour operator buses, but we didn’t bother. Some people suggest saving money by taking a taxi to the nearest district, Soho, and then switching to public transport. This doesn’t work. An airport taxi won’t cost less than $10, and for that price, you can usually negotiate a ride to almost any district in Sharm. The reason is simple: taxi drivers pay a fee to enter the airport grounds, and no one is going to work at a loss.
Expect some aggressive overpricing on the spot. You can easily knock a $30 quote down to $15. Beyond that, you can haggle further or just go for $15. In our case, we were heading to Hadaba, the furthest district from the airport. Paradoxically, it’s often cheaper to book a taxi in advance. For instance, GetTransfer offered us a price of $9.
Getting Around Sharm El-Sheikh
To move around the city, you have two main options: taxis and microbuses (marshrutkas).
Microbuses run 24/7. Fares range from 2.5 EGP to 5.75 EGP depending on the distance. For example, between neighboring districts, you should pay 2.5 EGP. From Nabq to the Old Town, it’s 5.75 EGP. Often, the price is listed on the windshield. However, if you look like a fresh arrival, crafty drivers might ask for $1 per person.
In that case, tell them “no thanks” and pay the local rate.
For short trips between neighboring areas, taxis are also convenient. They will start with a high price, but they usually agree to $2–$3 in the end.
It goes without saying, but always agree on the fare before getting into the car!
Food
Since most tourists stay on an “all-inclusive” basis, the local restaurant scene isn’t as developed as in other countries. We actually struggled with this: we’ve never seen so few independent cafes. Prices in a standard cafe start at around 100 EGP per dish. This usually includes a main course (meat/fish), a side dish, salad, and bread. We did find a “local” spot in a back alley of the Old Market selling liver with rice for $3, but we weren’t brave enough for that!
The one “top-tier” spot every tourist must visit is Farsha.
Farsha
Farsha is a super-trendy, “boho” lounge. They have a massive selection of drinks; my favorite is the hot apple juice with cinnamon (the signature Farsha Drink). They also brew coffee on sand or serve cold beer. Farsha is built into a cliff like a shipwreck, with seating on multiple levels. It’s a party hub on weekend nights but quiet and romantic during sunset. The decor is incredible—filled with old bicycles, sewing machines, and vintage trinkets. You can explore it for hours. The staff wears long Bedouin dresses, which really adds to the vibe.
Address: Located in Hadaba, about a 20-minute walk from the Old Market. Google Maps Link.
Note: They mostly serve snacks like pizza and fries.
A few prices:
- Hot chocolate: 50 EGP
- Pizza: from 120 EGP
- Beer: 70 EGP
The beach at Farsha closes at 5:00 PM; after that, it’s strictly a cafe.
Basata
Basata is a cafe in Sharks Bay, similar in style to Farsha but with fewer knick-knacks. It’s also perched on a cliff by the sea, but the kitchen is excellent. In Sharks Bay, the menus are largely unified. Our favorite is the tagines—clay pots filled with seafood, fish, or meat baked in a rich tomato sauce. The squid tagine is one of the tastiest things I’ve ever eaten. It’s served with rice or fries.
Address: Sharks Bay. Google Maps Link.
Fresh Seafood
Coming to Egypt and not trying fresh seafood is a crime. You’ll find seafood spots in every district, but the Old Market has the best selection. You pick your seafood from the ice, pay by weight, and they cook it right there. If you eat at the restaurant, there’s usually a $2 service fee. Delivery is also available for $2.
A few price estimates:
- Shrimp: $10/kg
- Squid: $14/kg
- Eel: $14/kg (usually sold in 1.5kg fish)
Shops
If you hate haggling, this section is your savior.
Mango Market
This is a fixed-price tourist shop. Everything has a price tag, just like we’re used to at home. In most other Egyptian shops, there are no tags, and you only find out the price at the register.
There is only one Mango Market in Sharm, located in Hadaba near IL Mercato street. Map Link.
They offer free transfers to the shop from Hadaba and Naama Bay. To order, message +201000489214.
They sell typical souvenirs and sweets, but the real draw is the fresh fruit at the lowest prices.
January 2022 Prices:
- Mango: $4–$5/kg
- Strawberries: $1 per 1kg pack
- Figs/Dates: $1/kg
You can also find frozen fruit concentrate for $2.6 for 2 liters.
George Clooney Shop
Located in the Nabq district (north Sharm). This is another fixed-price shop where you can actually still haggle. They offer a free shuttle from your hotel and back, whether you buy anything or not. Message +201090161408 to book.
Soho Square
A popular evening spot. Local authorities market it as a luxury oasis. Honestly? It’s just a polished pedestrian street. You can walk through it in 10 minutes. The souvenirs are the same as the Old Market but more expensive. Everything is pricier here.
One unique feature: an indoor ice rink and an Ice Bar ($11 entry includes a coat and a cocktail). Every night at 8:00 PM, there is a musical fountain show. It’s not Singapore-level, but it’s a nice way to spend some time.
Old Town (Old Market)
Located in the south. Mostly sells mass-produced souvenirs. The highlight here is the seafood stalls and the stunning Al Sahaba Mosque and artificial waterfall.
Beaches
In Sharm, the beach makes the vacation. Some have vibrant coral reefs; others are just sandy shallows. Here are our favorites:
Terrazzina Beach
Located in the Old Market area. Map Link. Since it’s in a bay, there are never any waves. It’s a paid beach (though free for some hotels). It’s a very atmospheric “lounge” spot with bean bags and swings at the bar. Because it’s sandy, there are fewer fish, but we still saw rays and lionfish under the pier.
Tip: Mango/Strawberry shakes are just $1 here.
El Fanar Beach
Also in the south (Hadaba). It’s protected from the wind and waves. Its main feature is one of the most beautiful reefs in Sharm with an incredible variety of fish. Check out our detailed article on El Fanar.
Sharks Bay Beach
We lived right on the water here for the second half of our trip. There’s a beautiful beach, lots of fish, and even turtles sometimes. We saw a cute ray under the pier and a massive 2-meter Napoleon fish further out.
Money and ATMs
Sharm is very international. In shops like Mango Market or George Clooney, they might even accept major foreign currencies (at a slightly inflated rate). However, it is best to travel with USD.
ATMs charge a 64 EGP withdrawal fee. Always choose the “without conversion” option on the screen to avoid overpaying for double conversion by the local bank.
The Airport
Buying a SIM Card
You can buy SIM cards directly at the airport. Etisalat offers 17GB for $10, and Orange offers 18GB for $10. We picked Etisalat to avoid the long lines at Vodafone; the signal was great throughout the trip.
Departure Tip: There’s a Burger King in the departure hall, but it closes at night. Coffee at other cafes costs around 150 EGP.
Excursions
Diving
Diving is a must in the Red Sea. Beginners can dive from the shore or a boat. Shore dives ($30–$40 for 20 mins) are simple: you walk in with an instructor. We chose the boat dive ($40), which is a full-day trip with snorkeling stops and lunch included.
Safari
Camel or quad safaris are popular but can be a bit depressing. We expected sand dunes but were taken to a dusty field filled with trash. However, the camel ride itself is a unique experience—especially when the animal stands up!
Hollywood Park
If you’re bored in the evening, this park has fountain shows and animatronic dinosaurs. Entry is $5. It feels a bit abandoned, but our child loved the roaring dinosaurs.
Mount Moses (Mount Sinai)
We skipped this because it’s a physically demanding night hike—not ideal with a toddler. You hike 7km up the mountain overnight to catch the sunrise at the top. Legend says this is where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.
January Weather
We visited from January 7th to 21st. People say it’s too windy in January, but that’s only half true. We swam every day. In the protected bays, there were no waves. Out of 15 days, only 4 were truly windy. The water was around 24-25°C. Tip: Bring a hoodie for the evenings, as it gets quite chilly after sunset!
Enjoy your holiday!
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