How many days · Sharm El Sheikh · Egypt
How many days do you need in Sharm El Sheikh?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
7 days is the sweet spot for Sharm El Sheikh, and 4 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Four days allows a Ras Mohammed boat trip, a Tiran snorkelling day and time on your resort's reef. A week adds a Mount Sinai sunrise trip, a day in Dahab and, for divers, the Thistlegorm.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 7 days
- Minimum
- 4 days
- Day trips available
- 4
- Daylight
- 10.4 h (Dec) to 13.9 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Ras Mohammed National Park, SS Thistlegorm wreck, Strait of Tiran reefs and Naama Bay promenade |
| 2 days | Rushed | Naama Bay promenade, Old Market and Al Sahaba Mosque |
| 3 days | Rushed | Heavenly Cathedral, Sharm El Sheikh Museum and Ras Um Sid reef |
| 5 days | Good | The highlights plus a day trip to Dahab |
| 7 days | Ideal | A slow trip with day trips such as Dahab and Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Sharm El Sheikh add up to roughly 32–46 hours of visiting time — about 5–7 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Ras Mohammed National Park (Full day), SS Thistlegorm wreck (Full day) and Strait of Tiran reefs (Full day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Ras Mohammed National Park | Full day | Ras Mohammed |
| SS Thistlegorm wreck | Full day | Sharm El Maya and Old Market |
| Strait of Tiran reefs | Full day | Ras Nasrani |
| Naama Bay promenade | 1–2 hours | Naama Bay |
| Old Market | 1–2 hours | Sharm El Maya and Old Market |
| Al Sahaba Mosque | 30 minutes | Sharm El Maya and Old Market |
| Heavenly Cathedral | 30–45 minutes | Sharm El Maya and Old Market |
| Sharm El Sheikh Museum | 1–1.5 hours | Central Sharm |
| Ras Um Sid reef | 2–3 hours | Hadaba and Ras Um Sid |
| Nabq Protected Area | Half a day | Nabq Bay |
| Desert safari and Bedouin evening | 3–5 hours | Sinai desert |
| Soho Square | 2–3 hours | Sharks Bay |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 7 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 4 days | Focus on Ras Mohammed National Park and SS Thistlegorm wreck |
| With children | 8 days | Slower days and time for Naama Bay promenade |
| With day trips | 9 days | Add Dahab and Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.4 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.9 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Sharm El Sheikh with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 4 days enough in Sharm El Sheikh?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 7 days is more comfortable. Four days allows a Ras Mohammed boat trip, a Tiran snorkelling day and time on your resort's reef. A week adds a Mount Sinai sunrise trip, a day in Dahab and, for divers, the Thistlegorm.
+Is a week too long in Sharm El Sheikh?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Dahab and Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery.