Old Market (Sharm El Maya)

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

A traditional Egyptian bazaar area offering a break from the resort strip's international feel.

Explore Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Sharm El Sheikh — TL;DR

Sharm El Sheikh sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the desert meets some of the Red Sea's most pristine coral reefs.

Sharm El Sheikh at a glance

What are the best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Sharm El Sheikh trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Sharm El Sheikh? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Sharm El Sheikh — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for…
When is the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh? March to May and September to November offer warm but manageable temperatures for diving and desert excursions, avoiding the peak summer heat.
Where should I stay in Sharm El Sheikh for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Sharm El Sheikh? Taxis and hotel shuttles are the standard way to move between bays; Naama Bay and the Old Market areas are walkable on their own.

Sharm El Sheikh overview

March to May and September to November offer warm but manageable temperatures for diving and desert excursions, avoiding the peak summer heat.
Taxis and hotel shuttles are the standard way to move between bays; Naama Bay and the Old Market areas are walkable on their own.
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Arabic. English and Russian are common in resorts.
EET (UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer)
Nabq Bay's Soho Square has drawn Sharm's dining scene upmarket with entertainment-focused venues, while conservation-conscious diving operators are pushing sustainable reef tourism as coral protection becomes a bigger part of the resort's identity.

Where to eat, drink & do in Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh neighborhoods

Naama Bay The original tourist hub and densest concentration of restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
Nabq Bay A newer, more upscale district with protected mangrove forests, coral reefs, and Soho Square's entertainment-focused dining.
Old Market (Sharm El Maya) A traditional Egyptian bazaar area offering a break from the resort strip's international feel.

Practical info for Sharm El Sheikh

Getting around in Sharm El Sheikh? Taxis and hotel shuttles are the standard way to move between bays; Naama Bay and the Old Market areas are walkable on their own.
When to go in Sharm El Sheikh? March to May and September to November offer warm but manageable temperatures for diving and desert excursions, avoiding the peak summer heat.
What's changing now in Sharm El Sheikh? Nabq Bay's Soho Square has drawn Sharm's dining scene upmarket with entertainment-focused venues, while conservation-conscious diving operators are pushing sustainable reef tourism as coral protection becomes a bigger part of the resort's i
Seek out Ras Mohammed National Park in Sharm El Sheikh? A protected headland at the tip of Sinai with some of the Red Sea's most pristine coral reefs, a short drive from the resort strip.
Base yourself in Naama Bay in Sharm El Sheikh? The original tourist hub and densest concentration of restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Known for nightlife, dining density.

Frequently asked questions about Sharm El Sheikh

What are the best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Sharm El Sheikh trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Sharm El Sheikh tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Sharm El Sheikh? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Sharm El Sheikh — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh? March to May and September to November offer warm but manageable temperatures for diving and desert excursions, avoiding the peak summer heat.
Where should I stay in Sharm El Sheikh for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Sharm El Sheikh? Taxis and hotel shuttles are the standard way to move between bays; Naama Bay and the Old Market areas are walkable on their own.

Practical notes for Sharm El Sheikh

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November offer warm but manageable temperatures for diving and desert excursions, avoiding the peak summer heat.
Getting around: Taxis and hotel shuttles are the standard way to move between bays; Naama Bay and the Old Market areas are walkable on their own.
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Language: Arabic. English and Russian are common in resorts.
Timezone: EET (UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer)
Current trends: Nabq Bay's Soho Square has drawn Sharm's dining scene upmarket with entertainment-focused venues, while conservation-conscious diving operators are pushing sustainable reef tourism as coral protection becomes a bigger part of the resort's identity.

Other neighborhoods in Sharm El Sheikh

Naama Bay — The original tourist hub and densest concentration of restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
Nabq Bay — A newer, more upscale district with protected mangrove forests, coral reefs, and Soho Square's entertainment-focused dining.

Read the full Sharm El Sheikh guide