The Beauty of Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh, known locally as "the city of peace," is poised at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea coast. World-famous as a resort town, Sharm has an abundance of luxurious hotels and exclusive shops, plus some of the best diving and snorkeling to be found the world over. It's the ideal hub for exploring the many historic sites of the Sinai Peninsula, and an idyllic holiday retreat in its own right.

There are reasons upon reason Sharm el Sheikh holidays are so fantastic, one being scuba diving for which the place is well known for. Just five miles southeast of Sharm, you'll find the Ras Muhammad National Park, where austere desert cliffs break suddenly into the turquoise waters of the Red Sea, creating an unrivaled marine environment. Over 200 species of coral thrive here, and among them dart more than 1,000 species of tropical fish -including coral grouper, Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, butterfly fish, and threadfins among them - plus 40 species of starfish and 150 species of crustaceans. It's a diver's paradise, especially in underwater spots like the aptly named Anemone City, and Jackfish Alley, where an abundance of underwater caves and crevices are large enough for the skilled diver to swim through. If you don't wish to strap on scuba gear, however, that's all right too: the coral reefs begin just a few feet below the surface. The land portion of Ras Muhammad is nearly as dramatic, with a mangrove forest and huge cracks in the rock caused by ancient earthquakes, in which pools have formed.


Back in Sharm el-Sheikh proper, the marina is filled with luxurious yachts and sailboats, and the streets are lined with some of the finest names in accommodations - Hyatt Regency, Le Meridien, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton, to name a few. The nightlife is outstanding: superclub franchise Pacha has an outpost here, while Little Buddha, a sushi bar, nightclub, and bar, became (in 2005) the longest continuously-operated bar in the Middle East. Many of the beachside bars feature bellydancers, whirling dervishes and shisha pipes in the evenings. Shops stay open late to sell Bedouin handicrafts, and cafe terraces are filled long into the night.

It is so popular because of the fantastic weather and amazing sites but also for all the fun that can be had here from snorkelling, diving, camel rides and water sports.

Sharm is split up into three main districts. There is the old town, Sharm el Maya and its bays where the tourist facilities can be found. If you are after higher class resorts then El Hadaba is home to villas, condos and apartments as well as some hotels.

Sharm Elsheikh is a great place to go with your girlfriend, friends or even the family there is so much to do and it will definitely be a holiday you will remember years to come.