5 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

      Book a boat trip that leaves early from the marina to reach the reefs before the main fleet of day boats. (Full day, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      White Island

      Bring reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes; there is no shade on the sand. (1–2 hours (as part of a boat trip), mid-priced).

   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

      Choose a trip that leaves very early to dive the wreck before other boats arrive. (Full day, expensive).

   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. (Full day, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Old Market

      Come in the evening, when the lanes are lit and cooler, and eat fresh fish chosen from the display. (1–2 hours, free).

   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. (30 minutes, free).

   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

      Combine it with the Al Sahaba Mosque and the Old Market in one evening outing. (30–45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Sharm El Sheikh Museum

      Good for a hot afternoon or a windy day when boats are not running. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bedouin tea

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

   4. Afternoon

      Ras Um Sid reef

      Go in the morning, before the afternoon wind picks up and the dive boats crowd the site. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Soho Square

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Dahab

   About 1 hour 15 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Taxi, organised tour or bus.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Dahab

      About 1 hour 15 minutes by car (Taxi, organised tour or bus); about 95 km.

   2. Day

      Dahab

      A laid-back former Bedouin village on the Gulf of Aqaba with a seafront promenade of cafés and dive schools. Best for solo travellers, budget and quiet stays.

   3. Evening

      Back in Sharm El Sheikh

      Dinner: try Bedouin flatbread.

5. Day 5: Nabq Protected Area

   Nabq Protected Area, then Naama Bay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Nabq Protected Area

      Go with a tour that includes snorkelling at the reef by the mangroves; the reef is less visited than those near the resorts. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   2. Lunch

      Lunch: Bedouin flatbread

      Bedouin dinners on desert safaris.

   3. Evening

      Naama Bay

      Bars, lounges, shisha cafés and clubs along and just behind the promenade, busiest after 10pm.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for SS Thistlegorm wreck before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 33–48 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Sharm El Sheikh

Questions travellers ask