Tell me about 'Sharm El Sheikh' please
- Thread starter Virdi
- Start date
I've just got back from my 4th visit in the past 24 months.
All 4 visits have been to Hilton Sharks Bay and the hotel is nice, the food isn't great but no all inclusive buffet food ever is. They have an all inclusive restaurant which is nice and we usually visit the Hard Rock Cafe in Nama Bay a few times.
I've been there for Xmas & New Year for the past 2 years and over the Summer holiday (August) for the past 2 years.
Temperatures were about 25-28 when we were there last week, nice and hot and I've got a very decent tan after 11 nights. The sun goes down quite early so we were out sun bathing from about 9.30am till about 3.30pm, anything after 4pm won't tan you at the moment.
Feel free to ask anymore questions.
All 4 visits have been to Hilton Sharks Bay and the hotel is nice, the food isn't great but no all inclusive buffet food ever is. They have an all inclusive restaurant which is nice and we usually visit the Hard Rock Cafe in Nama Bay a few times.
I've been there for Xmas & New Year for the past 2 years and over the Summer holiday (August) for the past 2 years.
Temperatures were about 25-28 when we were there last week, nice and hot and I've got a very decent tan after 11 nights. The sun goes down quite early so we were out sun bathing from about 9.30am till about 3.30pm, anything after 4pm won't tan you at the moment.
Feel free to ask anymore questions.
My Mum and sister went last week, they said it was alright but they were a bit miffed at the terrible, unedible hotel food and people trying to sell you something every 5 feet around the towns(literally). Also, it was full of Russians.
They were in a resturant and some guy was shouting at the waiter in another language. After he was gone the waiter came up to my mum and sister and said "I'm sorry, he is Russian".
They were in a resturant and some guy was shouting at the waiter in another language. After he was gone the waiter came up to my mum and sister and said "I'm sorry, he is Russian".
Sharm el-Sheikh (Arabic: شرم الشيخ, IPA: [ˈʃɑɾˤm eʃˈʃeːx]) is a city situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in South Sinai Governorate, Egypt, on the coastal strip along the Red Sea. Its population is approximately 35,000 (2008). Sharm el-Sheikh is the administrative hub of Egypt's South Sinai Governorate which includes the smaller coastal towns of Dahab and Nuweiba as well as the mountainous interior, Saint Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai.
Sharm el-Sheikh ("Bay of the Sheikh" in Arabic) is sometimes called the "City of Peace", referring to the large number of international peace conferences that have been held there. It was known as Şarm-üş Şeyh during Ottoman rule and was known as Ofira during Israeli occupation between 1967 and 1982. Among Egyptians and Israelis, the name of the city is commonly shortened to "Sharm"
Sharm el-Sheikh is on a promontory overlooking the Straits of Tiran at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. Its strategic importance led to its transformation from a fishing village into a major port and naval base for the Egyptian Navy. It was captured by Israel during the Suez Crisis of 1956 and restored to Egypt in 1957. A United Nations peacekeeping force was subsequently stationed there until the 1967 Six-Day War when it was recaptured by Israel. Sharm el-Sheikh remained under Israeli control until the Sinai peninsula was restored again to Egypt in 1982 after the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979.
A hierarchical planning approach was adopted for the Gulf of Aqaba, whereby their components were evaluated and subdivided into zones, cities and centers. In accordance with this approach the Gulf of Aqaba zone was subdivided into four cities: Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab and Sharm El-Sheikh. Sharm el-Sheikh city has been subdivided into five homogeneous centers, namely Nabq, Ras Nusrani, Naama Bay, Umm Sid and Sharm El Maya.
Sharm el-Sheikh city together with Naama Bay, Hay el Nour, Hadaba, Rowaysat, Montazah and Shark's Bay form a metropolitan area.
Before 1967 Sharm el-Sheikh was little more than an occasional base of operations for local fishermen; the nearest permanent settlement was in Nabk, north of Ras el-Nasrani ("The Tiran Straits"). Commercial development of the area began during the Israeli presence in the area. The Israelis built the town of Ofira, overlooking Sharm el-Maya Bay and the Nesima area, and opened the first tourist-oriented establishments in the area 6 km north at Naama Bay. These included a marina hotel on the southern side of the bay, a nature field school on the northern side, diving clubs, a now well-known promenade, and the Naama Bay Hotel.
After Sinai was restored to Egypt in 1982 the Egyptian government embarked on an initiative to encourage continued development of the city. Foreign investors – some of whom had discovered the potential of the locality during the Israeli occupation – contributed to a spate of building projects. Environmental zoning laws currently limit the height of buildings in Sharm el-Sheikh so as to avoid obscuring the natural beauty of the surroundings.
In 2005, the resort was hit by the Sharm el-Sheikh terrorist attacks, which were perpetrated by an extremist Islamist organisation, and aimed at Egypt's tourist industry. Eighty-eight people were killed, the majority of them Egyptians, and over 200 were wounded by the attack, making it the deadliest terrorist action in the country's history (exceeding the Luxor massacre of 1997).
The city has played host to a number of important Middle Eastern peace conferences, including the 4 September 1999 agreement to restore Palestinian self-rule over the Gaza Strip. A second summit was held at Sharm on 17 October 2000 following the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada, but it failed to end the violence. A summit was held in the city on 3 August 2005 on developments in the Arab world such as the situation in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Again in 2007, an important ministerial meeting took place in Sharm, where dignitaries discussed Iraq reconstruction. The World Economic Forum on the Middle East was also hosted by Sharm el-Sheikh in 2006 and 2008.
Amidst the 2011 Egyptian protests, President Hosni Mubarak reportedly went to Sharm el-Sheikh and resigned there on 11 February 2011.
The city experiences a subtropical arid climate. Typical temperatures in January range from 18 to 23 degrees Celsius and 33 to 37 degrees Celsius in August. The temperature of the Red Sea in this region ranges from 21 to 28 degrees Celsius (70-82°F) over the course of the year.
Sharm el-Sheikh was formerly a port, but commercial shipping has been greatly reduced as the result of strict environmental laws introduced in the 1990s. Until 1982, there was only a military port in Sharm el-Sheikh, on the northern part of Marsa Bareka. The civilian port development started in the mid 1980s when the Sharem-al-Maya bay became the city's main yacht and service port.
Sharm el-Sheikh's major industry is foreign and domestic tourism, owing to its dramatic landscape, year-round dry and temperate climate and long stretches of natural beaches. Its waters are clear and calm for most of the year and have become popular for various watersports, particularly recreational scuba diving and snorkeling. There is great scope for scientific tourism with diversity in marine life species; 250 different coral reefs and 1000 species of fish.
These natural resources, together with its proximity to European tourism markets, have stimulated the rapid growth of tourism that the region is currently experiencing. The total number of resorts increased from three in 1982 to ninety one in 2000. Guest nights also increased in that period of time from sixteen thousand to 5.1 million. Companies which have been attracted to invest in this city include Hyatt Regency, Accor, Marriott, Le Méridien, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, with categories of three to five stars. In 2007 the area saw the opening of its first aqua park hotel resort. The four star Aqua Blu Sharm Resort was built on the Ras Om El Seid, with an area of 133,905 square metres (1,441,340 sq ft).
Sharm is also the home of a congress center, located along peace road, where many international political and economic meetings have been held, including peace conferences, ministerial meetings, world bank meetings, Arab League. The Maritim Sharm el-Sheikh International Congress Centre can host events and congresses for up to 4,700 participants.
The nightlife of Sharm El-Sheikh is modern and developed. The colorful handicraft stands of the local Bedouin culture are a popular attraction. Ras Mohammed, at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, has been designated a national park, serving to protect the area's wildlife as well as its natural landscape, shoreline and coral reef. A number of international hotels and noted restaurants are clustered around the centre of Sharm, known as Naama Bay, with golf courses and other leisure facilities further up the coast.
The Nabq Managed Resource Protected Area is a 600 square kilometres (230 sq mi) area of mangroves, coral reefs, fertile dunes, birds and wildlife.
Nationals from the EU and the USA do not require a visa for travel to Sharm El Sheikh if the visit is for fourteen days or less.
Sharm's marina has been redeveloped for private yachts and sailboats, with a passenger terminal for cruise ships and scheduled ferry service to Hurghada and Aqaba. Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport in addition to scheduled flights to Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor, Alexandria.
Sharm has frequent coach services to Cairo leaving from the Delta Sharm bus station
Sharm el-Sheikh has also become a favourite spot for scuba divers from around the world. Being situated near the Red Sea, it provides some of the most stunning underwater scenery and warm water making this an ideal place to dive. Visitors to Sharm el-Sheikh can experience a variety of water and activities. Beach seekers find many activities such as diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, para-sailing, boating, and canoeing.
Ras Mohammed is the national park of South Sinai, located on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Along with Nabq, it has famous dive sites in the Red Sea, with 800-metre (2,600 ft) deep reef walls, pounding current and coral gardens.
The Sharm el-Sheikh Hyperbaric Medical Center was founded in 1993 with a grant from USAID by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, represented by Dr. Adel Taher to assist with diving related illnesses and complete the area's reputation as a full-service dive destination.
Sharm el-Sheikh ("Bay of the Sheikh" in Arabic) is sometimes called the "City of Peace", referring to the large number of international peace conferences that have been held there. It was known as Şarm-üş Şeyh during Ottoman rule and was known as Ofira during Israeli occupation between 1967 and 1982. Among Egyptians and Israelis, the name of the city is commonly shortened to "Sharm"
Sharm el-Sheikh is on a promontory overlooking the Straits of Tiran at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. Its strategic importance led to its transformation from a fishing village into a major port and naval base for the Egyptian Navy. It was captured by Israel during the Suez Crisis of 1956 and restored to Egypt in 1957. A United Nations peacekeeping force was subsequently stationed there until the 1967 Six-Day War when it was recaptured by Israel. Sharm el-Sheikh remained under Israeli control until the Sinai peninsula was restored again to Egypt in 1982 after the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979.
A hierarchical planning approach was adopted for the Gulf of Aqaba, whereby their components were evaluated and subdivided into zones, cities and centers. In accordance with this approach the Gulf of Aqaba zone was subdivided into four cities: Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab and Sharm El-Sheikh. Sharm el-Sheikh city has been subdivided into five homogeneous centers, namely Nabq, Ras Nusrani, Naama Bay, Umm Sid and Sharm El Maya.
Sharm el-Sheikh city together with Naama Bay, Hay el Nour, Hadaba, Rowaysat, Montazah and Shark's Bay form a metropolitan area.
Before 1967 Sharm el-Sheikh was little more than an occasional base of operations for local fishermen; the nearest permanent settlement was in Nabk, north of Ras el-Nasrani ("The Tiran Straits"). Commercial development of the area began during the Israeli presence in the area. The Israelis built the town of Ofira, overlooking Sharm el-Maya Bay and the Nesima area, and opened the first tourist-oriented establishments in the area 6 km north at Naama Bay. These included a marina hotel on the southern side of the bay, a nature field school on the northern side, diving clubs, a now well-known promenade, and the Naama Bay Hotel.
After Sinai was restored to Egypt in 1982 the Egyptian government embarked on an initiative to encourage continued development of the city. Foreign investors – some of whom had discovered the potential of the locality during the Israeli occupation – contributed to a spate of building projects. Environmental zoning laws currently limit the height of buildings in Sharm el-Sheikh so as to avoid obscuring the natural beauty of the surroundings.
In 2005, the resort was hit by the Sharm el-Sheikh terrorist attacks, which were perpetrated by an extremist Islamist organisation, and aimed at Egypt's tourist industry. Eighty-eight people were killed, the majority of them Egyptians, and over 200 were wounded by the attack, making it the deadliest terrorist action in the country's history (exceeding the Luxor massacre of 1997).
The city has played host to a number of important Middle Eastern peace conferences, including the 4 September 1999 agreement to restore Palestinian self-rule over the Gaza Strip. A second summit was held at Sharm on 17 October 2000 following the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada, but it failed to end the violence. A summit was held in the city on 3 August 2005 on developments in the Arab world such as the situation in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Again in 2007, an important ministerial meeting took place in Sharm, where dignitaries discussed Iraq reconstruction. The World Economic Forum on the Middle East was also hosted by Sharm el-Sheikh in 2006 and 2008.
Amidst the 2011 Egyptian protests, President Hosni Mubarak reportedly went to Sharm el-Sheikh and resigned there on 11 February 2011.
The city experiences a subtropical arid climate. Typical temperatures in January range from 18 to 23 degrees Celsius and 33 to 37 degrees Celsius in August. The temperature of the Red Sea in this region ranges from 21 to 28 degrees Celsius (70-82°F) over the course of the year.
Sharm el-Sheikh was formerly a port, but commercial shipping has been greatly reduced as the result of strict environmental laws introduced in the 1990s. Until 1982, there was only a military port in Sharm el-Sheikh, on the northern part of Marsa Bareka. The civilian port development started in the mid 1980s when the Sharem-al-Maya bay became the city's main yacht and service port.
Sharm el-Sheikh's major industry is foreign and domestic tourism, owing to its dramatic landscape, year-round dry and temperate climate and long stretches of natural beaches. Its waters are clear and calm for most of the year and have become popular for various watersports, particularly recreational scuba diving and snorkeling. There is great scope for scientific tourism with diversity in marine life species; 250 different coral reefs and 1000 species of fish.
These natural resources, together with its proximity to European tourism markets, have stimulated the rapid growth of tourism that the region is currently experiencing. The total number of resorts increased from three in 1982 to ninety one in 2000. Guest nights also increased in that period of time from sixteen thousand to 5.1 million. Companies which have been attracted to invest in this city include Hyatt Regency, Accor, Marriott, Le Méridien, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, with categories of three to five stars. In 2007 the area saw the opening of its first aqua park hotel resort. The four star Aqua Blu Sharm Resort was built on the Ras Om El Seid, with an area of 133,905 square metres (1,441,340 sq ft).
Sharm is also the home of a congress center, located along peace road, where many international political and economic meetings have been held, including peace conferences, ministerial meetings, world bank meetings, Arab League. The Maritim Sharm el-Sheikh International Congress Centre can host events and congresses for up to 4,700 participants.
The nightlife of Sharm El-Sheikh is modern and developed. The colorful handicraft stands of the local Bedouin culture are a popular attraction. Ras Mohammed, at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, has been designated a national park, serving to protect the area's wildlife as well as its natural landscape, shoreline and coral reef. A number of international hotels and noted restaurants are clustered around the centre of Sharm, known as Naama Bay, with golf courses and other leisure facilities further up the coast.
The Nabq Managed Resource Protected Area is a 600 square kilometres (230 sq mi) area of mangroves, coral reefs, fertile dunes, birds and wildlife.
Nationals from the EU and the USA do not require a visa for travel to Sharm El Sheikh if the visit is for fourteen days or less.
Sharm's marina has been redeveloped for private yachts and sailboats, with a passenger terminal for cruise ships and scheduled ferry service to Hurghada and Aqaba. Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport in addition to scheduled flights to Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor, Alexandria.
Sharm has frequent coach services to Cairo leaving from the Delta Sharm bus station
Sharm el-Sheikh has also become a favourite spot for scuba divers from around the world. Being situated near the Red Sea, it provides some of the most stunning underwater scenery and warm water making this an ideal place to dive. Visitors to Sharm el-Sheikh can experience a variety of water and activities. Beach seekers find many activities such as diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, para-sailing, boating, and canoeing.
Ras Mohammed is the national park of South Sinai, located on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Along with Nabq, it has famous dive sites in the Red Sea, with 800-metre (2,600 ft) deep reef walls, pounding current and coral gardens.
The Sharm el-Sheikh Hyperbaric Medical Center was founded in 1993 with a grant from USAID by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, represented by Dr. Adel Taher to assist with diving related illnesses and complete the area's reputation as a full-service dive destination.
Soldato
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- 21 Mar 2003
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- Nottingham
mind the sharks..
Soldato
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- 27 Dec 2005
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- 17,316
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- Bristol
It's full of all-inclusive resorts where 90% of the guests barely venture outside the confines of the walls. If that's your thing then great, but just a heads up.
Just to clarify, we go at this time of the year as it's one of the only places that isn't an 8 hours + flight that will have good weather. We spend time just sitting around the pool and reading.
If we wanted an adventure holiday or a holiday to explorer we wouldn't go to Sharm, we go there purely to relax and unwind.
If we wanted an adventure holiday or a holiday to explorer we wouldn't go to Sharm, we go there purely to relax and unwind.
Soldato
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- 27 Dec 2005
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- 17,316
- Location
- Bristol
Looking at for what? Why does it have to be Egypt? Budget?
Associate
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- 24 Apr 2012
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- 1,319
El Gouna is really nice.
Benn there 3 times now. Had a brilliant time everytime. Go all inclusive so you don't have to worry and research your hotel!!!!!!!!! as that will make or break your visit as it can be pretty rough in certain areas especially in local taxis... But enjoy yourself as the night life is great and if you plan ahead there is loads to do outside the hotel resort. 
Budget is £500 each and I would like to go in the next month or so.
Would like nice weather and somewhere which is no more than a 5 hour flight.
Thanks
Associate
- Joined
- 21 Jun 2004
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- 1,700
I went there in July. The weather was warmer then, about 42-44. I stayed at the Mariott (mountain side part). Hotel and pool was nice. The breakfast was good IMO, but I would avoid the buffet dinners at the hotel. As others have said its pricey and quality doesn't match the price.
The beaches were nice and getting taxis around is easy. I spent most of the time doing my open water and then doing some days out on boats diving. There are activities that you can do in Sharm, but its not the kind of place you walk around to admire the beauty of the area
For diving or relaxing around the pool it is a good destination particularly for the price of flights as they are.
*edit* I didnt have time to do any of the day drips to other areas, but I did hear good things about this
The beaches were nice and getting taxis around is easy. I spent most of the time doing my open water and then doing some days out on boats diving. There are activities that you can do in Sharm, but its not the kind of place you walk around to admire the beauty of the area
For diving or relaxing around the pool it is a good destination particularly for the price of flights as they are.
*edit* I didnt have time to do any of the day drips to other areas, but I did hear good things about this
Have you considered one of the Canary Islands, such as Lanzarote, for example?
About a four hour flight, and daytime temperatures there at the moment are around 23 degrees.
You have a choice between quieter resorts such as Playa Blanca, or somewhere a bit more lively such as Puerto del Carmen, to name but two.
We go there for a short break (in November) every year... and have been doing so for over 20 years now!
About a four hour flight, and daytime temperatures there at the moment are around 23 degrees.
You have a choice between quieter resorts such as Playa Blanca, or somewhere a bit more lively such as Puerto del Carmen, to name but two.
We go there for a short break (in November) every year... and have been doing so for over 20 years now!
Take Immodium. Lots of Immodium.
If you are a white female you will be hassled.
You will see many Russians there as well.
It is perfectly pleasant there and the weather is very nice. I rather enjoyed snorkelling there. Nightlife was a bit meh really.
If you are a white female you will be hassled.
You will see many Russians there as well.
It is perfectly pleasant there and the weather is very nice. I rather enjoyed snorkelling there. Nightlife was a bit meh really.
We went in September of last year. We got to Cairo and saw the pyramids and the Tutankhamen stuff etc. Also we went on the Nile.
Alas when we went to Cairo there were several demonstrations and people were kicking off, something about a film taking the mick out of Mohammed, that was not fun.
Shopping is a bit of a nightmare with many aggressive and very very pushy shop owners which can really spoil the experience.
Check out the Foregin Office website for advice on where it is safe to travel etc as this can also affect your travel insurance. There were certain areas red flagged due to kidnap issues etc and bandits when we flew out, Thomsons cancelled quite a few trips due to this. But the local travel agents were still taking bookings even though the FO had them as being red flagged and thus considered dangerous.
So be informed and careful on booking your trips.
The hotel and all inclusive was ok but the food was pretty dire (but rated highish for the area). It was plain and often not cooked enough and the hygiene was quite poor. My wife had a tummy bug (common) that laid her up for around 5 days.
Even if the hotel and food etc were fine we would find little reason to go back there as we have now seen the Museum, Sphynx, Pyramid etc etc and there isn't much else to do.
Cairo itself is very dirty and quite squalid and I would not recommend walking around it much on your own.
We used this company to book our tours etc.....
http://sinaisafariadventures.com/
specifically here...
http://sharmsolutions.com/
Tim and Jan are great, we dealt with Jan. she is caring and thoughtful and can be trusted.
Overall the holiday was "ok" but then again we wanted to see certain things and thus had to go to Egypt to see them but we definitely would not want to go back.
Do not even think about driving over there as it is completely crazy - especially when you are going through Cairo, then again I would not want to drive over in the Dominican Republic when we went there.
Alas when we went to Cairo there were several demonstrations and people were kicking off, something about a film taking the mick out of Mohammed, that was not fun.
Shopping is a bit of a nightmare with many aggressive and very very pushy shop owners which can really spoil the experience.
Check out the Foregin Office website for advice on where it is safe to travel etc as this can also affect your travel insurance. There were certain areas red flagged due to kidnap issues etc and bandits when we flew out, Thomsons cancelled quite a few trips due to this. But the local travel agents were still taking bookings even though the FO had them as being red flagged and thus considered dangerous.
So be informed and careful on booking your trips.
The hotel and all inclusive was ok but the food was pretty dire (but rated highish for the area). It was plain and often not cooked enough and the hygiene was quite poor. My wife had a tummy bug (common) that laid her up for around 5 days.
Even if the hotel and food etc were fine we would find little reason to go back there as we have now seen the Museum, Sphynx, Pyramid etc etc and there isn't much else to do.
Cairo itself is very dirty and quite squalid and I would not recommend walking around it much on your own.
We used this company to book our tours etc.....
http://sinaisafariadventures.com/
specifically here...
http://sharmsolutions.com/
Tim and Jan are great, we dealt with Jan. she is caring and thoughtful and can be trusted.
Overall the holiday was "ok" but then again we wanted to see certain things and thus had to go to Egypt to see them but we definitely would not want to go back.
Do not even think about driving over there as it is completely crazy - especially when you are going through Cairo, then again I would not want to drive over in the Dominican Republic when we went there.
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