Is Sharm el Sheikh worth visiting? My honest review

Sharm el Sheikh is one of those destinations that divides opinions — some people fall in love with its crystal-clear waters and endless sunshine, while others find it too touristy and artificial. After spending time in this Egyptian resort town myself, I want to share my honest thoughts, along with useful tips and insights to help you decide if Sharm el Sheikh is worth visiting & the right destination for your next trip.

Is Egypt safe? Is Sharm el Sheikh worth visiting? How is it like to go there as a solo female traveler? What to do there? What to see? Here you’ll find some useful tips about Egypt in general and my opinion about spending holidays in Sharm el Sheikh. I want you to know that this article is based on my personal experience and opinion. I want to be completely honest with you and I don’t want to write how perfect is everywhere I go. There is something good and beautiful in every country or city, but there is also something bad.

Let me answer your question first. Is Sharm el Sheikh worth visiting? The answer is not black or white (as usually), it is something in between. There is something good and something bad. It depends on what you’re looking for.

If you are a coral reef lover the answer is absolutely yes. Sharm el Sheikh is definitely worth visiting if you want to see the beautiful coral reefs. I am also a huge lover of the Old Towns and I think that they have a special charm. But the Old Town in Sharm el Sheikh really didn’t impress me. Oh, this is not 100% true. One thing left me speechless – El Sahaba Mosque.

You may not be comfortable there as a solo female traveler. I’m not saying that Egypt isn’t safe and I believe that people in general are nice and friendly, but sometimes you’ll find yourself uncomfortable. In the hotel you’re completely safe. Some guys will talk to you and want to hang out with you, but they are completely harmless. But on the streets the story is a little bit different, so you gotta be careful like any other city in the world.

Why I chose Sharm el Sheikh & my 1st impression

Egypt had been on my travel wishlist for a long time, but I wanted to experience something different than the classic Nile cruise or a busy Cairo itinerary. Sharm el Sheikh seemed like the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure — somewhere to soak up the sun, explore underwater worlds, and experience a completely different culture.

When I first arrived, I was immediately struck by the contrast between the endless blue sea and the dry, rugged landscape of the Sinai Peninsula. The city itself is built almost entirely for tourists, with sprawling resorts, palm-lined promenades, and lively squares. While it felt a bit artificial at first, I quickly learned that Sharm el Sheikh’s real charm lies beyond the hotel complexes.

Things to do in Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is a wonderful place to enjoy the beach and sun. The sea provides very good snorkeling options. If you are a lover of snorkeling you shouldn’t miss a snorkeling trip to Tiran island as it is one of the better snorkeling spots. You can also take a trip to the Ras Mohammed National Park – Egypt’s underwater paradise. There is a wide variety of trips – such as a trip to Tiran, Ras Mohammed, quad biking safari, trip to Mount Sinai & St. Catherine Monastery, day trip to Cairo or Luxor, etc.

Snorkeling & diving in the Red Sea

If there’s one reason to visit Sharm el Sheikh, it’s the underwater world. The coral reefs here are some of the best I’ve ever seen — vibrant, colorful, and teeming with life. Even if you’re not a diver, snorkeling at Ras Mohammed National Park or Tiran Island is an unforgettable experience.

My Tip: Book an early morning snorkeling trip to avoid the crowds and see the reefs at their best.
You can find the best snorkeling trips here.

The underwater world here is EVERYTHING. It is so incredible beautiful and you’ll spot amazing sea creatures. I can still remember the colours and fishes that take your breath away as soon as you see them. You will be surrounded by colours – yellow, blue, red, green, white.. all colours you can imagine.

Desert Safari & Bedouin dinner

One of the most memorable parts of my trip was a desert safari with a traditional Bedouin dinner under the stars. Riding through the desert at sunset, surrounded by golden sand dunes, felt like stepping into another world. The hospitality of the Bedouin people and the simple yet delicious food made the experience even more special.

Farsha mountain lounge

Farsha Café is hands down one of the most magical places in Sharm el Sheikh. With its eclectic decor, colorful cushions, and breathtaking sea views, it’s the perfect spot to unwind with a tea or cocktail. I could have spent hours there just watching the sunset.

Mount Sinai & St. Catherine’s Monastery

If you’re up for an adventure, I highly recommend a trip to Mount Sinai. The hike to the top is not the easiest (especially if you start at night for the sunrise), but the view from the summit is absolutely worth it. St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of the mountain is one of the oldest working monasteries in the world and a fascinating glimpse into the region’s religious history.

When to visit Egypt?

Sharm el Sheikh can be visited all year round. The best time to visit is from April to October, but I would advise you not to go there in July and August, because it gets really hot. I was there in September and the weather was still hot as hell. That means around 40°C. And when it gets so hot it is even hard to breath. I was sure that I can handle the heat very well… and then I came to Egypt. I can guarantee you nice and hot weather.

Looking for another destination with guaranteed sun? You may be interested in this posts!

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Safety in Egypt

During the Arab Spring we could read stories about revolutions and uprisings. And because of that Egypt didn’t seem like a safe place to travel. Not many people were going there from 2012-2015. In 2015 there was also a plane crash and that’s why many people didn’t want to go there. When I was there in 2018 the things were slowly changing.

Egypt is not as dangerous as you may think it is. Obviously, Egypt isn’t one of the safest places to travel but on the other side, it isn’t more dangerous than Europe or US. There’s a strong military presence – guards, metal detectors and bag checks, but that’s okay with me. I didn’t find myself uncomfortable with this.

Yes, there have been terror attacks in Egypt and they have claimed lives – but they can happen everywhere. Not just that they can. They do. Egypt is not 100% safe – but is there any country that is 100% safe? Even if there is a country that is safe, there is always a safety concern – you can be a victim of a natural disaster, traffic accident or something similar. So why worry about possible terror attack?

Is Sharm el Sheikh safe for solo female travelers?

As a solo female traveler, I always pay extra attention to safety when choosing a destination. Overall, I felt quite safe in Sharm el Sheikh, especially in tourist areas. However, it’s important to dress modestly when leaving the resort and be prepared for some unwanted attention from vendors. A firm but polite “no, thank you” usually does the trick.

My tips on safety

Dress respectfully and cover your body. This is the best way to prevent harrasment. Don’t wear tight clothes, short skirts and dresses. It is hot, but you’re not doing any favor to yourself if you dress like this.

Choose the right resort

If you are planing a vacation in Sharm el Sheikh, be sure that you choose the right resort. There are many fairytale hotels and resorts, so this is not going to be a tough job. Of course, it depends on your needs and tastes. I was in a 5* hotel and I can’t imagine how it would look like if the hotel was under 5*. You should know that 5* accomodation isn’t like 5* accomodation in Europe. If you want to stay in a decent hotel, book a 5-star hotel. Everything less than that isn’t really decent for someone who is used to stay in a 4 or 5-star hotels in Europe.

Can’t complain about the hotel or about the room. I mean… look at this view. I’ve booked a junior suite and I didn’t regret this decision. First row, almost private pool, the view, friendly staff, comfortable and clean room. 10/10.

The food on the other side wasn’t the best for my taste. Luckily, there are international restaurants inside the resort and this is included in all-inclusive, so you can make a reservation and eat in one of these restaurant. You can choose between thai, fusion, italian, indian and lebanese restaurant. My mom wasn’t very lucky on this Sharm el Sheikh trip as she got food poisoning. But again, it can happen literally anywhere in the world. I got in it Athens in Greece when I was least expecting it!

Pros & cons of visiting Sharm el Sheikh

Pros:

• Stunning underwater world
• Guaranteed sunshine almost all year round
• Affordable compared to other beach destinations
• Great mix of relaxation and adventure

Cons:

• Very touristy in some areas
• Limited local culture outside the resorts
• Persistent vendors in certain areas

Vendors will hassle you at all the major tourist sites. Do you think that you can take a look in peace? You’re wrong. You often have to say no multiple times and just keep walking. But even this isn’t enough. They will follow you and they will try to sell you something. If you are not interested in buying – don’t think twice. Say no and keep walking. I’m not saying this to scare you and this isn’t the reason why you shouldn’t visit Egypt. I just want you to know what you should expect so you can prepare yourself a little bit. You can’t travel to Egypt expecting to be like a trip to Europe. Egypt is unique. If you don’t want to deal with this you should rather choose other destination.

Final verdict: Is Sharm el Sheikh worth visiting?

For me, Sharm el Sheikh was absolutely worth visiting — but with the right expectations. If you’re looking for authentic Egyptian culture, this might not be the destination for you. However, if you want to relax, explore some of the best coral reefs in the world, and enjoy warm hospitality, Sharm el Sheikh is definitely worth considering.

Would I return? Yes, especially for the snorkeling and the desert experiences. And also to explore the rest of Egypt.

If you’re planning a trip to Sharm el Sheikh or have any questions, feel free to reach out or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear about your experience! Have you been to Egypt already? How do you feel about this country? Let me know 🙂