3 days in Sharm El Sheikh

Day by day

1. Day 1: Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island

   Ras Mohammed National Park, White Island and SS Thistlegorm wreck, then Naama Bay promenade in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ras Mohammed National Park

      Egypt's first national park covers the southern tip of Sinai and the surrounding sea.

   2. Late morning

      White Island

      Bring reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes; there is no shade on the sand.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled Red Sea fish

      Fish restaurants in the Old Market, where you pick the fish and pay by weight.

   4. Afternoon

      SS Thistlegorm wreck

      A British cargo ship sunk by German bombers in 1941, the Thistlegorm lies at around 30 metres in the Strait of Gubal with her holds still full of trucks, motorbikes, rifles and railway wagons.

   5. Evening

      Naama Bay promenade

      Walk the promenade in the evening and compare menus, but ignore the touts and choose places busy with diners.

2. Day 2: Strait of Tiran reefs and Old Market

   Strait of Tiran reefs, Old Market and Al Sahaba Mosque, then Desert safari and Bedouin evening in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Strait of Tiran reefs

      Currents in the strait can be strong; follow the boat crew's briefing and snorkel with a buoyancy vest if you are not a confident swimmer.

   2. Late morning

      Old Market

      Sharm's Old Market area has been rebuilt as a pedestrian zone of stone lanes, spice and perfume shops, souvenir stalls and fish restaurants, with Egyptian families strolling in the evening.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sayadeya

      Seafood restaurants in the Old Market and Naama Bay.

   4. Afternoon

      Al Sahaba Mosque

      Visitors can view the exterior at any time; dress modestly and ask before entering outside prayer times.

   5. Evening

      Desert safari and Bedouin evening

      Choose a trip with proper helmets and goggles for quads, and bring a scarf against the dust.

3. Day 3: Heavenly Cathedral and Sharm El Sheikh Museum

   Heavenly Cathedral, Sharm El Sheikh Museum and Ras Um Sid reef, then Soho Square in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Heavenly Cathedral

      Sharm's Coptic Orthodox cathedral, Al Samaeyeen, is known for its interior, where walls and the dome are covered with brightly painted biblical scenes and Coptic iconography.

   2. Late morning

      Sharm El Sheikh Museum

      Good for a hot afternoon or a windy day when boats are not running.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bedouin tea

      Bedouin camps on desert trips and in Dahab and St Catherine.

   4. Afternoon

      Ras Um Sid reef

      Below the Hadaba cliffs, the reefs of Ras Um Sid and the neighbouring Temple pinnacles have some of the best shore snorkelling in Sharm, with sea fans, gorgonians and plenty of reef fish in clear water.

   5. Evening

      Soho Square

      Arrive around dusk to eat and catch the fountain show after dark.

Before you go

• SS Thistlegorm wreck: Dive centres run the trip on set days; book a few days ahead and bring your certification card and logbook.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Naama Bay keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Sharks Bay ($$$) suits couples, families and beach. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 30–44 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.4 hours in December to 13.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Sharm El Sheikh
• 2 days in Sharm El Sheikh
• 5 days in Sharm El Sheikh

Questions travellers ask