The first time I set foot in Sharm El Sheikh, the energy I felt was completely different. After I left the airport, the distinctive smell of the Red Sea filled my nostrils. But the only question on my mind was: will my time be enough to explore such a rich place? I have experienced Sharm El Sheikh for different periods of time over the years and I have come to realize that the answer to this question depends entirely on your expectations and what kind of vacation you want to have. Are you a diving enthusiast? Or do you just want to relax and soak up the sun? Maybe you want to see both the desert and the sea, and breathe in a bit of local life? These different expectations determine your ideal length of stay.
For me, Sharm El Sheikh has been a place that shows a different face each time. Sometimes I went just for a few days to dive, sometimes I stayed for weeks, relaxing and exploring. This variety makes it both enjoyable and a bit confusing in terms of planning. Let’s take a look at what different lengths of stay can offer you.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Sharm El Sheikh?
When determining your ideal length of stay in Sharm El Sheikh, it is useful to ask yourself the following questions:
- What is your main purpose? Is it just relaxing, diving, seeing historical sites (including those nearby), exploring the desert, or all of the above?
- How important is diving or snorkeling to you? Under the Red Sea is a world of its own to spend days in. If you plan to take diving training, the time will be longer.
- Are desert activities on your list? Things like safari, Bedouin dinner, quad biking take time.
- Do you want to see the surrounding areas (Dahab, St. Catherine’s Monastery, etc.)? These day or multi-day excursions require extra time.
- How “brisk” a vacation do you want – cram everything in or enjoy it at a leisurely pace?
The answers to these questions will shape itineraries ranging from 3 days to 10+ days. When I usually plan my travels, I try to fit one main activity into each day and a few small pleasures in between.
Itinerary Ideas: The Sharm El Sheikh Experience by Duration
Here are my Sharm El Sheikh itinaryo outlines for different durations and based on my own experiences. These are just ideas, you can easily customize it according to your own interests.
Option 1: 3 Days Sharm El Sheikh Itinerary
If you are pressed for time and want to take a quick look at the main attractions of Sharm El Sheikh, 3 days may be enough. This is ideal for relaxation and a few popular activities. But don’t expect to see everything, this will be more of a “taster”.
Day 1: Arrival and Naama Bay Exploration
- In the afternoon, check into your hotel and get some rest.
- Head to bustling Naama Bay for dinner and exploration. Here you will find many restaurants, cafes and shops. Taking a walk under the palm trees, people watching and breathing in the atmosphere will surely help you unwind from the day.
- On my first 3-day trip to Sharm El Sheikh, I got caught up in the energy of Naama Bay on the first evening. The lights, the music and the people of different nationalities… It was literally the beginning of a vacation.
Day 2 A Look Below (or Above) the Red Sea
- In the early morning, join a pre-arranged diving or snorkeling tour. Ras Mohammed National Park or Tiran Island tours are popular options. If you don’t have a diving certificate, you can do a discovery dive.
- This day will be spent completely at sea. The boat offers swimming, snorkeling or diving, stopping at different points. Lunch is usually served on the boat.
- In the evening you will be tired when you return to the hotel. For dinner you can choose one of your hotel’s restaurants or a quiet place nearby.
- The activity I spent the most time on my first 3-day trip was diving. The underwater world in Ras Mohammed was so fascinating that it was worth my tiredness. I made sure to take high factor sunscreen and a water resistant bag with me to the boat that day.
Day 3: Relax and Farewell
- Spend the morning relaxing on your hotel’s beach or by the pool. Sunbathe, swim and enjoy the Red Sea for the last time.
- In the afternoon, if you have time, make a short visit to the Old Market. A nice stop for souvenirs, spices and local atmosphere. Be ready to haggle!
- In the evening, check out of the hotel and head to the airport.
- The Old Bazaar was a place I rushed to fit in at the end of my 3-day itinerary. I wish I had more time, because the authentic atmosphere and the crowds were very different. But still, even a quick stroll was enough to feel the culture. I did not forget to buy mint tea from a small spice shop.
Option 2: Going A Little Deeper – 5 Day Sharm El Sheikh Itinerary
5 days is a better amount of time to soak up a little more of what Sharm El Sheikh has to offer and to allow time for relaxation as well as the main activities. This itinerary balances the Red Sea experience and the opportunity to explore the desert.
Day 1 & 2: (Same as above 3 days itinaryo – Arrival, Naama Bay and Sea Activity)
Day 3: Desert Adventure
- In the morning or afternoon, join a safari tour of the Sinai Desert. This usually includes a choice of jeep safari, quad biking or camel ride.
- For dinner, head to a Bedouin camp for a traditional dinner and stargazing. The silence of the desert and the clarity of the sky is mesmerizing.
- The desert tour shows a side of Sharm El Sheikh as different as the sea. Speeding through the dunes on a quad bike was incredibly fun and the peace I felt sitting around the fire in the Bedouin camp watching the stars was something else. I would definitely recommend taking a scarf/scarf and goggles with you, they are very useful for the sand and wind.
Day 4: Rest and Detailed Exploration of the Old Bazaar
- Dedicate the morning to complete relaxation. Laze by the pool or read a book on the beach.
- In the afternoon, make a more in-depth visit to the Old Bazaar. Browse the shops, chat with the locals (this is where your translation apps come in!), drink mint tea at local cafes.
- For dinner, try one of the popular fish restaurants in the Old Bazaar.
- On my 5-day trip, the full afternoon I spent in the Old Bazaar was like medicine after 3 days of hustle and bustle. As I walked around at a more leisurely pace, I had the opportunity to talk more easily with the shopkeepers and see the small workshops in hidden corners. I bought a handmade bowl from a ceramic shop, I still have it at home. Keep a smile on your face while bargaining, it works!
Day 5: Last Dive / Snorkel or Extra Rest
- In the morning, if you can’t get enough of diving or snorkeling, you can do one last dive or snorkel in a nearby bay (such as Shark’s Bay, White Knight Beach). These bays are easily accessible by taxi.
- Alternatively, take full advantage of your hotel’s facilities and spend your last day relaxing. Enjoy the spa, pool or beach.
- In the afternoon, check-out preparations and transfer to the airport.
- I chose to spend the last morning of my 5-day trip at Shark’s Bay, closer to the center and relatively quiet. Swimming with those colorful fish for the last time was a great farewell. Don’t forget to bring a towel, sunscreen and water.
5-Day Itinerary Summary: 5 days allows you to enjoy the core experiences of Sharm El Sheikh (sea, desert, market, relaxation) in a more balanced way. It is a more suitable duration for a less hectic vacation.
Option 3: A Comprehensive Discovery – 7 Days Sharm El Sheikh Itinerary
One week is a great amount of time to explore Sharm El Sheikh and its immediate surroundings more extensively, see different diving/snorkeling spots, experience the desert in more depth and get plenty of rest.
Days 1-5: (The same basic flow as the 5-day itinerary above can be followed, but with more flexibility and rest time between activities)
Day 6: Day Trip Opportunities
- In the early morning, take a day trip to one of the highlights outside Sharm El Sheikh. Popular options include Dahab, known for its colorful fish and famous Blue Hole, or St. Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Moussa, which have historical and religious significance.
- These excursions will take the whole day. Dahab is known for its diving/snorkeling and bohemian atmosphere, while St. Catherine is known for its cultural and natural beauty.
- I spent one day in Dahab on my 7-day trip and it was a much quieter and hippie town than Sharm El Sheikh. Snorkeling at the Blue Hole (incredible even if you don’t dive) and having lunch at one of the beach restaurants was a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Sharm El Sheikh. Don’t forget to pack snacks and plenty of water as it’s a long ride.
Day 7: Last Pleasures and Departure
- Spend the last day of your vacation completely at your own pace. Maybe one last snorkel, maybe a spa day, maybe just relaxing by the pool…
- A last minute visit to Naama Bay or the Old Bazaar for souvenirs.
- Departure from the hotel in the evening and transfer to the airport.
7-Day Itinerary Summary: 7 days is the ideal amount of time to experience Sharm El Sheikh and its surroundings in more depth, participate in different activities and get enough rest. You can explore the sea, the desert and the immediate surroundings.
Option 4: Every Corner of Sharm El Sheikh – 10 Days or More
10 days or more is a great opportunity to explore all aspects of Sharm El Sheikh without feeling rushed, try different dive sites, explore the desert more extensively, maybe take a second day trip and make room for plenty of spontaneous memories. This time is perfect for those who want to train diving or just want to enjoy everything at a leisurely pace.
Days 1-7: (Use the basis of the 7-day itinerary above, but create flexibility by squeezing fewer activities into each day or dedicating more days to certain activities (like diving).
Additional Days (Days 8-10+): Deepening and Spontaneity
- Focus on Diving: If you are a diving enthusiast, you can spend these extra days taking excursions to different dive sites (e.g. more remote or more technical areas) or taking advanced diving courses. There is plenty of time to explore more specific spots, such as the wrecks on Tiran Island or the wall dives of Ras Mohammed. Make sure you have enough equipment for diving (mask, fins, suit) or you can rent it.
- Experience More of the Desert: Instead of a day safari, you can experience an overnight camping experience deep in the desert. This allows you to understand the vast difference between day and night in the desert.
- Discover New Bays: Explore lesser-known bays (for example, the mangrove forests in Nabq Bay), which you can reach by taxi or boat tour.
- Gastronomy and Relaxation: Try different restaurants, spend more time in the local markets, get a massage at your hotel spa or simply lounge by the pool and finish your book.
- A Second Day Trip: If you have already seen Dahab on your 7-day itinaryoda, you can visit St. Catherine’s Monastery on your 10-day plan.
10-Day Itinerary Summary: 10 days is the perfect amount of time to fully experience Sharm El Sheikh, taking in all the major activities, with plenty of time for relaxation and spontaneous exploration. This is especially ideal if you are interested in diving or like to travel at a leisurely pace.
My Tips for Planning an Itinerary to Sharm El Sheikh
Whichever duration you choose, there are a few practical things to keep in mind when planning your Sharm El Sheikh itinerary:
- Be Flexible: Planning is great, but sometimes the best moments are the unplanned ones. Be open to things like joining a spontaneous diving tour or stumbling upon a local festival.
- Protect from the Sun: Sharm El Sheikh is a hot place. Sunscreen, hats and plenty of water are vital, especially for outdoor activities (sea, desert). Remember to include rest breaks in your itinerary.
- Hydration: It is very important to stay hydrated. Carrying a reusable water bottle with you is good for the environment and keeps you hydrated.
- Adapt to Local Time: Especially during special periods such as Ramadan, the opening hours of shops and restaurants may change. Keep this in mind when making plans.
- Bargaining Culture: Bargaining is common in places like the Old Bazaar. Usually start at half the price and try to meet in the middle with a sweet language. This is part of your itinerary, take your time.
- Transportation: Taxis are common for transportation between hotels or to places like Naama Bay and the Old Bazaar. It is important to discuss the price before you get in. Consider the distance between different points in your itinerary.
There is actually no ‘ideal’ length of stay for Sharm El Sheikh. Every traveler is different and looks for different things. If you just want to sunbathe, relax and see the sea, 3-5 days may be enough. But if you are passionate about diving, want to explore the desert in detail or just need plenty of time to ‘live in the moment’, 7 days or more will be much more satisfying.