Just twenty years ago, Sharm el Sheikh was still little more than a sleepy fishing village on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula; a world away from the sprawling hotel complexes, packed peaches and developed beachfronts that now await visitors. But it has somehow managed to retain a sense of this original identity, despite some rampant development and some quite brash commercialisation. It is set apart from other beach holiday destinations by its stark, moonlike beauty, with attractive low-rise hotels set against desert sands and jagged terracotta mountains. With a wide variety of excursions and activities for energetic holidaymakers, an abundance of shops and restaurants and a year-round guarantee of sunshine, Sharm el Sheikh certainly looks to tick all the boxes. Also, since the ‘Red Sea Riviera’ is outside the eurozone, cheap holidays to Sharm el Sheikh are a more realistic possibility than you might expect.

Diving

Sharm is perhaps best known for its crystalline waters that teem with sea life, and few visitors pass on the opportunity to explore its coral reefs firsthand. Ras Mohammed and Tiran are probably the two most popular dive sites and can be quite busy during peak season, so it’s well worth picking up a good guidebook and heading to the Red Sea’s hidden gems. More experienced divers can enjoy night or shipwreck dives, while beginners can take advantage of relatively cheap lessons available as part of some all inclusive holidays to Sharm el Sheikh.

Eating out

Visitors needn’t worry about finding a place to satisfy the hunger worked up during a day spent exploring the reefs, since  there’s no shortage of good quality and reasonably priced restaurants in Sharm el Sheikh and its neighbouring resorts. Whilst Na’ama Bay and Sharm might not have managed to escape the gastronomic hegemony imposed by ubiquitous chain restaurants, it is possible to come across traditional Egyptian and Bedouin fare. Head to the Old Market and you’ll find various Beirut-style cafes and restaurants serving hearty Bedouin dishes and some deliciously fresh seafood.

Shopping in Sharm Old Town

Another highlight of Sharm el Maya is its market with dozens of stalls selling intricately crafted jewellery and handicrafts, leather goods and some fairly gaudy souvenirs. All of the guidebooks mention the value in driving a hard bargain and having a good haggle with the shopkeepers.

It isn’t hard to work out why cheap holidays to Sharm el Sheikh have become such a popular resort: its austere beauty, superb coastline and fantastic climate make up a package that’s equally attractive to both well-heeled and budget holidaymakers.

 

Tags: all inclusive hotels to Sharm el Sheikh, cheap hotels to Sharm el Sheikh

 

Just twenty years ago, Sharm el Sheikh was still little more than a sleepy fishing village on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula; a world away from the sprawling hotel complexes, packed peaches and developed beachfronts that now await visitors. But it has somehow managed to retain a sense of this original identity, despite some rampant development and some quite brash commercialisation. It is set apart from other beach holiday destinations by its stark, moonlike beauty, with attractive low-rise hotels set against desert sands and jagged terracotta mountains. With a wide variety of excursions and activities for energetic holidaymakers, an abundance of shops and restaurants and a year-round guarantee of sunshine, Sharm el Sheikh certainly looks to tick all the boxes. Also, since the ‘Red Sea Riviera’ is outside the eurozone, cheap holidays to Sharm el Sheikh are a more realistic possibility than you might expect.

Diving

Sharm is perhaps best known for its crystalline waters that teem with sea life, and few visitors pass on the opportunity to explore its coral reefs firsthand. Ras Mohammed and Tiran are probably the two most popular dive sites and can be quite busy during peak season, so it’s well worth picking up a good guidebook and heading to the Red Sea’s hidden gems. More experienced divers can enjoy night or shipwreck dives, while beginners can take advantage of relatively cheap lessons available as part of some all inclusive holidays to Sharm el Sheikh.

Eating out

Visitors needn’t worry about finding a place to satisfy the hunger worked up during a day spent exploring the reefs, since  there’s no shortage of good quality and reasonably priced restaurants in Sharm el Sheikh and its neighbouring resorts. Whilst Na’ama Bay and Sharm might not have managed to escape the gastronomic hegemony imposed by ubiquitous chain restaurants, it is possible to come across traditional Egyptian and Bedouin fare. Head to the Old Market and you’ll find various Beirut-style cafes and restaurants serving hearty Bedouin dishes and some deliciously fresh seafood.

Shopping in Sharm Old Town

Another highlight of Sharm el Maya is its market with dozens of stalls selling intricately crafted jewellery and handicrafts, leather goods and some fairly gaudy souvenirs. All of the guidebooks mention the value in driving a hard bargain and having a good haggle with the shopkeepers.

It isn’t hard to work out why cheap holidays to Sharm el Sheikh have become such a popular resort: its austere beauty, superb coastline and fantastic climate make up a package that’s equally attractive to both well-heeled and budget holidaymakers.

 

Tags: all inclusive hotels to Sharm el Sheikh, cheap hotels to Sharm el Sheikh