The best hotels in Sharm El Sheikh

Naama Bay for nightlife, restaurants, and diving access: Savoy ($150-220) and Hilton Dreams ($110-180) are the best options here. Shark's Bay (5km north) is quieter and better for families: Shark's Bay Oasis at $65-95 is right on the bay with snorkeling off the beach. Nabq (10km north) has newer, larger resorts including Rixos Premium Seagate ($200-290). Avoid the Hadaba zone unless you specifically want budget guesthouses.

World-class. The Straits of Tiran (30 minutes by boat) have some of the Red Sea's best reef diving. Ras Mohammed National Park (45 minutes south) is mandatory for divers: shark spotting at Jackfish Alley, stunning coral at Anemone City. Most dive operators charge $35-55 for a boat dive including gear. PADI open water courses cost $250-350. Book through your hotel dive centre or directly with Oonas Divers or Sub Aqua on Naama Bay.

The resort zones (Naama Bay, Nabq, Shark's Bay) are considered safe for tourists. Sharm El Sheikh airport has maintained international flights from most European countries since 2019 for many carriers. The Sinai peninsula has security restrictions outside resort zones: check your government's travel advisory before visiting. Don't venture outside the resort corridor without checking current advisories.

October through April is ideal. October-November has warm sea (26-28°C) and air (25-30°C) with fewer crowds. December-January is peak season for Russian and Ukrainian tourists. March-April is quieter and still comfortable at 22-26°C. May-September is brutally hot (35-42°C) but hotels discount 40-50%. The Red Sea stays warm year-round, so diving is year-round.

Ras Mohammed National Park is at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, 20km from Sharm El Sheikh. Day trip by jeep costs $25-40 per person from any hotel. The park has pristine coral reefs, shark sightings (October-November), and dramatic desert-meets-sea scenery. Entry $15. Snorkeling in the park is free once inside. Book through a reputable operator, not touts at Naama Bay.

Yes. Most organized tours depart Sharm at midnight, hike 2-3 hours to the 2,285m summit to watch sunrise, then visit St Catherine's Monastery. Costs $35-60 per person including transport and guide. The hike requires reasonable fitness. Temperatures drop sharply at night (0-5°C in winter), bring warm layers. Book through your hotel concierge or directly with local operators at Naama Bay.

If you're staying in the resort zone and not planning to go out much, yes. At Rixos Premium Seagate ($200-290 all-in), you get unlimited food, drinks, beach access, and a stunning Red Sea view. Eating and drinking outside resorts costs $15-25 per meal. For a 7-night stay, an all-inclusive at $200-250/night often works out cheaper than room-only plus daily food and drinks.

Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh ($310-650) is the definitive luxury option: private beach, multiple restaurants, outstanding Red Sea views, and the best service in the Sinai. Hyatt Regency ($280-500) is competitive and has a better main pool complex. Both are in the southern part of Sharm near Ras Um Sid. Rixos Premium Seagate ($200-290) wins for best luxury value.

Some beaches have reef access directly from shore. Shark's Bay Oasis is the best in-town option: reef 20-30 meters from the beach, good snorkeling at no extra cost. Naama Bay beaches have sandy shallows without direct reef access. For the best snorkeling, boat trips to Ras Mohammed ($40-60) or Tiran ($35-50) are worth the cost.

Avoid the tuk-tuk tours along Naama Bay for shopping: they take 40% commission from every shop they bring you to. The 'quad bike desert tours' sold at hotel desks for $50-80 are overpriced: negotiate directly at the Hadaba desert edge for $30-40. Avoid Naama Bay restaurants charging $20-30 for mediocre food: the local Egyptian restaurants on the main road behind the bay serve the same standard Egyptian food for $5-8.

Dahab is 90km north, 1.5 hours by taxi ($30-40). It's a backpacker town with the Blue Hole (world-famous dive site, $40-60 for a guided dive), a relaxed Bedouin-style beach scene, and budget accommodation from $15-40/night. Completely different vibe from Sharm's resort strip. Go to Sharm for resort luxury and organized diving. Go to Dahab for budget diving, a mellow scene, and the best dive site in the region.

Resort buffets range from acceptable to excellent depending on your hotel. Outside resorts: Egyptian food on the main road includes koshary (rice, lentils, macaroni with tomato sauce, $2), grilled chicken, and fresh juices. Abu Hasan on Naama Bay is good for Egyptian street food at RD$50-100 ($3-6). Avoid any 'European menu' restaurant in the resort zone: overpriced and underwhelming. Stick to Egyptian food or your all-inclusive.