Best Sights in Sharm El Sheikh Away From the Tourist Traps
Words by
Omar Farouk
When people ask me about the best sights in Sharm El Sheikh, most guidebooks send them straight to Naama Bay's resort strip, but that barely scratches the surface of what this peninsula has to offer. I've spent years wandering the wadis, fishing villages, and mountain lookouts that most tourists never hear about, and the real character of Sharm lives far from the all-inclusive buffet lines. The best sights in Sharm El Sheikh are tucked into its Bedouin-run camps, its coral reefs beyond the main dive centers, and its desert plateaus where the silence still feels ancient and unbroken.
1. Ras Mohammed National Park — The Real Sharm El Sheikh Highlights
Ras Mohammed sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, about 20 kilometers from central Sharm, where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba converge. This is the crown jewel of the top viewpoints Sharm El Sheikh has to reputation-wise, but most day-trippers only see the main beach area near the Shark Observatory. The real magic happens if you hike the hidden trail behind the mangrove pool, a 20-minute walk that leads to a secluded coral garden where you might find yourself alone with just a hawksbill turtle for company.
What to See: The hidden coral garden behind the mangrove pool, accessible via an unmarked trail on the eastern side of the park.
Best Time: Arrive by 7:30 AM before the tour boats arrive around 9 AM, and you'll have the observatory cliff viewpoint entirely to yourself.
The Vibe: Raw, windswept, and humbling. The main beach area gets crowded and the facilities are basic, but the back trail rewards solitude.
Local Tip: Ask your boat captain to stop at the "Japanese Garden" reef on the way back, a site most group tours skip entirely. It has some of the healthiest staghorn coral left in the region.
2. Wadi Waseer — A Hidden Valley Most Tourists Miss
Wadi Waseer lies about 30 kilometers northwest of Sharm El Sheikh town, accessible via a graded desert track that most rental car agencies will warn you not to take. The valley cuts through layers of sandstone and granite, and at its narrowest point, the walls rise about 40 meters on either side, creating a natural corridor that stays cool even in July. I've camped here three times, and each time the only sounds at night were the wind and the occasional desert fox.
What to See: The narrow gorge section about 2 kilometers in, where the rock walls display striations in red, gold, and deep purple.
Best Time: Late afternoon, when the sun hits the western wall and the colors intensify dramatically.
The Vibe: Isolated and meditative. There is zero cell service, so tell someone your plans before heading out.
Local Tip: Hire a Bedouin guide from the El Milga village at the wadi entrance. They know every water source and can point out ancient Nabataean rock carvings that most walkers walk right past.
3. The Blue Hole in Dahab — Worth the Drive for Top Viewpoints Sharm El Sheikh Can't Match
Technically in Dahab, about 90 kilometers north of Sharm, the Blue Hole is a 130-meter-deep submarine sinkhole that draws freedivers from around the world. The viewpoint from the cliff top along the coastal road is one of the most photographed spots in the Sinai, and the turquoise color of the water against the desert backdrop is something no resort pool can replicate. I first came here in 2011 and have returned almost every year since.
What to See: The cliff-top panorama from the lighthouse viewpoint on the coastal road, and the Arch for experienced freedivers only.
Best Time: Sunrise, when the light turns the water an almost impossible shade of electric blue and the dive crowd hasn't arrived yet.
The Vibe: Intense and awe-inspiring. The cliff edge has no railings in some spots, so watch your footing.
Local Tip: Stop at the Bedouin tea shack just south of the Blue Hole entrance. The mint tea costs 10 EGP and the owner, a man named Salem, has been serving divers here for over 20 years. He'll tell you stories about the early days of Sinai diving that you won't find in any book.
4. Old Sharm (El Souk) — What to See Sharm El Sheikh Beyond the Resorts
Old Sharm, sometimes called Sharm El Maya, sits on the southeastern tip of the peninsula and is the oldest inhabited part of the area. Before the resorts came in the 1990s, this was a small fishing village, and you can still see the original stone houses along the harbor road. The fish market here opens around 5 AM when the boats come in, and the catch, grouper, emperor, red snapper, is sold by auction on the dock.
What to See: The early morning fish auction at the harbor, and the small mosque with the square minaret that dates to the 1960s.
Best Time: Between 5:30 and 7:00 AM for the market. By 9 AM, the best fish is gone and the tourist shops start opening.
The Vibe: Gritty, authentic, and a little chaotic. The smell of fish and diesel fuel is strong, and the narrow streets are not designed for strolling in flip-flops.
Local Tip: Walk past the main market to the small cluster of workshops at the far end of the harbor. One of them, run by a craftsman named Youssef, still makes wooden fishing boats using techniques passed down from his grandfather. He doesn't advertise, but he'll show you around if you ask politely.
5. Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery — The Spiritual Heart of the Sinai
Mount Sinai, known locally as Jebel Musa, rises to 2,285 meters about 230 kilometers from Sharm El Sheikh, making it a long but doable day trip or an overnight journey. The monastery at its base, St. Catherine's, is one of the oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries in the world, founded in the 6th century. I've climbed the mountain twice, once at night for sunrise and once in the early morning, and the daytime climb was far more pleasant, cooler, and less crowded.
What to See: The Burning Bush chapel inside the monastery, and the summit panorama from Elijah's Basin at the top.
Best Time: The monastery opens at 9 AM and closes at noon on most days, except Fridays, Sundays, and Coptic holidays when it is closed entirely. Check the schedule before you go.
The Vibe: Reverent and physically demanding. The "Steps of Repentance" path has 3,750 steps carved into the rock, and the last hour is genuinely exhausting.
Local Tip: The Bedouin guides who wait at the base will try to sell you camel rides for the first section. Skip the camel and save your money for tea and a blanket at the small shelter just below the summit, where you can wait for sunrise in relative warmth. The shelter costs about 50 EGP and is worth every piastre.
6. Nabq Protected Area — Mangroves and Empty Beaches
Nabq lies about 40 kilometers north of Naama Bay along the coastal road, and it is one of the least visited protected areas in the region. The mangrove forest here is the largest in the Sinai, and a wooden boardwalk winds through the trees for about 500 meters, ending at a shallow lagoon where you can wade among juvenile fish and sea cucumbers. I came here on a weekday in March and saw exactly four other people in three hours.
What to See: The boardwalk through the mangrove forest, and the Abo Zabad island viewpoint at the northern edge of the reserve.
Best Time: Mid-morning, when the tide is rising and the lagoon fills with small fish. Low tide exposes mudflats that are less scenic.
The Vibe: Peaceful and almost eerie in its quietness. The boardwalk is well-maintained but the signage is minimal, so download a map before you go.
Local Tip: Bring snorkel gear. The reef just offshore from the southern beach of the reserve has healthy coral and very few visitors. The entry is rocky, so wear water shoes.
7. The Colored Canyon — A Geological Wonder Near Nuweiba
The Colored Canyon, about 150 kilometers from Sharm near Nuweiba, is a narrow gorge carved through multicolored sandstone over millions of years. The walls shift from white to yellow to deep red to purple as you move through the canyon, and in some places the passage narrows to less than a meter wide. I did this hike with a group of six in November, and the temperature inside the canyon was a good 10 degrees cooler than the desert outside.
What to See: The "Chamber of Colors," a wider section about halfway through where the walls display the most dramatic color variations.
Best Time: Late morning to early afternoon, when sunlight penetrates deep enough to illuminate the lower walls.
The Vibe: Surreal and physically engaging. You'll need to scramble over boulders and squeeze through tight spots, so this is not for anyone with mobility issues.
Local Tip: The canyon entrance is unmarked and easy to miss. Look for a small Bedouin camp with a blue-painted gate about 3 kilometers south of the main Nuweiba road. The family there will guide you to the entrance for a small fee and will wait for you to return.
8. Terrazzina Beach — A Local Alternative to Naama Bay
Terrazzina Beach sits on the Ras Um El Sid cliff, south of Hadaba, and it is where many Sharm residents go when they want a beach day without the resort crowds. The access is via a steep staircase carved into the coral rock, about 120 steps down to a narrow strip of sand and a house reef that starts just a few meters from shore. I've been coming here for years, and the reef has remained remarkably healthy compared to the more trafficked spots near Naama Bay.
What to See: The house reef directly in front of the beach, which has excellent hard coral and regular visits from octopus and moray eels.
Best Time: Weekday mornings. On weekends, the beach fills up with local families and the best snorkeling spots get crowded.
The Vibe: Laid-back and unpretentious. There is a small café at the top of the stairs that sells cold drinks and basic sandwiches, but don't expect resort-level service.
Local Tip: The staircase is steep and can be slippery after rain. Wear proper sandals with grip, not flip-flops. Also, the current along the southern edge of the reef picks up in the afternoon, so snorkel in the morning when the water is calmest.
9. Soho Square — Sharm's Modern Social Hub
Soho Square in White Knight Bay has become the social center of Sharm El Sheikh over the past decade, with restaurants, bars, a bowling alley, an ice rink, and a small amphitheater that hosts live music on weekends. It is not a "sight" in the traditional sense, but it represents the direction Sharm is moving, a place designed for residents and long-stay visitors rather than the fly-in, fly-out resort crowd. I come here most evenings when I'm in town, and the energy is genuinely different from the hotel zones.
What to See: The amphitheater on Friday and Saturday nights, when local bands play everything from Egyptian pop to classic rock.
Best Time: After 8 PM, when the heat breaks and the square fills with families, couples, and groups of friends.
The Vibe: Lively and modern, with a distinctly Egyptian middle-class feel. The prices are higher than Old Sharm but lower than the five-star resort restaurants.
Local Tip: The ice rink is surprisingly well-maintained and costs about 150 EPG for a session, including skates. It's a surreal experience skating in the middle of the Sinai desert, and it's a hit with kids and adults alike.
10. Dahab's Lagoon and Eel Garden — A Snorkeler's Secret
Back in Dahab, about an hour and a half from Sharm, the Eel Garden is a shallow sandy area where garden eels rise from the seabed in their thousands, creating an undulating carpet of tiny heads swaying in the current. The lagoon itself is a calm, waist-deep bay protected by a reef break, making it perfect for beginners and for anyone who wants to snorkel without fighting a current. I first snorkeled here in 2009, and the eel population has remained stable, which is encouraging given the pressures on other Sinai reefs.
What to See: The garden eel colony in the sandy area just beyond the reef entrance, and the coral pinnacles to the north of the lagoon.
Best Time: Early morning, when the water is glass-calm and the eels are most active. By midday, the wind picks up and visibility drops.
The Vibe: Relaxed and beginner-friendly. The lagoon is shallow enough to stand in most places, and the nearby shore cafés serve fresh juice and shisha.
Local Tip: The reef entrance has a strong current during certain tidal conditions. Ask the dive center staff on the beach about the day's conditions before you swim out. They check it every morning and will tell you honestly if it's safe.
When to Go and What to Know
The best months for exploring the best sights in Sharm El Sheikh are October through April, when daytime temperatures hover between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius and the desert is bearable for hiking. May through September is brutally hot, often exceeding 40 degrees, and outdoor activities should be limited to early morning or late evening. Always carry more water than you think you need, at least 2 liters per person for any desert excursion. For the top viewpoints Sharm El Sheikh offers, Ras Mohammed and the Blue Hole cliff are best at sunrise, while the Colored Canyon needs midday light to show its full palette. When deciding what to see Sharm El Sheikh beyond the resorts, remember that the real Sinai rewards the early riser and the patient traveler. The places that matter most here are the ones that require a little effort to reach, and that effort is exactly what keeps them authentic.
Enjoyed this guide? Support the work
