What is the best area to stay in Sharm El Sheikh?
By Adam Woodard. February 05, 2024
Sharm El Sheikh, located on the Red Sea coast of Egypt’s Sinai, is a popular holiday destination with multiple locations to suit various priorities for holidaymakers. These are primarily clustered around the southern tip of the peninsula and serviced by Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. Sharm El Sheikh offers plenty of luxury and more budget-friendly resorts, with activities ranging from sunbathing and diving, to climbing the nearby Mount Sinai and enjoying the local nightlife. From Nabq in the north to El Hadaba in the south, there’s locations and activities to suit every taste.
Nabq Bay is, on balance, the best area to stay in Sharm El Sheikh. A combination of plentiful activities, a picturesque location and being just ten minutes from the airport make it the ideal spot to visit if you want a bit of everything. Probably its most attractive feature is its 1km seafront. This stretch of the Red Sea offers the unique combination of ankle-deep shallows that lead to a sudden plunge into a diver’s dream. Nabq National Park is just to the north, an area of striking natural beauty by the Straits of Tiran.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Sharm El Sheikh, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you’re interested in finding out where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh, you may also want to know where to stay in Hurghada or where to stay in Cairo.
Nabq Bay, the best area to stay in Sharm El Sheikh
Beach | Diving | Nightlife
Sharm El Sheikh’s Nabq Bay is its northernmost area. The reason it claims the top spot is that it simply offers the most options for visitors, combined with absolutely stunning natural scenery. Where other locations in Sharm El Sheikh might be more suited to specific activities, Nabq is the one area where you can do it all. The pristine beach is its outstanding feature, making a compelling case for both divers and more casual beachgoers.
For the more adventurous visitor, there are plentiful excursions both into the desert and the Red Sea. There’s golfing at the local Golf Heights Resort and no shortage of places to visit during the evenings. Nabq has extensive shopping areas, fast-food and local restaurants, and nightlife options including Hard Rock Café. You can also try out Egypt’s ahwas, which are local outdoor cafes. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re probably going to find it in Nabq.
Other areas to stay in Sharm El Sheikh
Naama Bay
Nightlife | Beach | Snorkelling
Naama Bay is situated in the heart of Sharm El Sheikh and is a popular destination thanks to its vibrant nightlife and plentiful beaches. If your primary concern is the seafront and plenty of choices of an evening, then Naama Bay is a solid choice. You can enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea and indulge in some snorkelling during the day, only to discover that Naama Bay really comes alive after the sun sets. The sheer variety that its nightlife offers can draw in visitors from other parts of Sharm El Sheikh, from bars and cafes to spas and shops.
You’ll find no shortage of restaurants offering cuisines both local and international. Thanks to its central location and popularity, it’s also the ideal launchpad for excursions. This could mean going into the desert to see the Saint Catherine Monastery and Mount Sinai or taking a boat to go on diving drips to the nearby coral reefs.
El Hadaba
Diving | Snorkelling | Relaxation
If Naama Bay isn’t your cup of tea, El Hadaba offers a pleasant contrast. The waters here are better suited for exploration, whether you’re going snorkelling or diving. It’s also a quieter spot than Naama Bay in terms of its nightlife. So, if you’re interested in a day of activity and exertion followed by an evening of relaxation, you won’t go far wrong with El Hadaba. This is the southernmost part of Sharm El Sheikh, but that by no means makes it a long trip from the airport, as the entire area is relatively compact.
This means that you could arrange to get to Naama Bay for the evening if you want some more nightlife options or stay in El Hadaba to get a more authentically local experience. There’s lots of Egyptian cuisine to try and multiple mosques, combining a quieter atmosphere with plentiful daytime activities.
Sharks Bay
Diving | Snorkelling | Nightlife
Sharks Bay is about halfway between Nabq Bay and Naama Bay. If you like the sound of El Hadaba but want a little more nightlife, Sharks Bay could be the place to go. Like Nabq to the north, its section of the coast is ideal for sunbathers, snorkellers, and divers alike. As its name suggests, there’s plenty of local marine life to see in its clear-blue waters, but rest assured that the Red Sea’s sharks are relatively small and typically shy of humans.
If Sharks Bay has a standout feature, it might just be Soho Square, to which it owes its nightlife credentials. Soho Square is a compact district that offers everything from international cuisine and bars to ice skating and bowling. It was intended to cater to every taste, and this makes Soho Square one of Sharm El Sheikh’s most attractive spots for an evening out.
Garden Bay
Snorkelling | Relaxation
One word springs to mind at the mention of Garden Bay: snorkelling. This crescent-shaped bay has over a kilometre of fringing reef just offshore. Coupled with its serene waters and impressive array of marine life, this is among the best spots in Sharm El Sheikh if snorkelling is your top priority. The various resorts have jetties from which you can explore the reef, or there’s always the option of going out by boat.
Garden Bay’s name is a reference to its numerous landscaped gardens and abundant local greenery, which contribute to its more relaxed atmosphere. That being said, it’s closest to Naama Bay, which is just to the south. So, if you feel the call of Sharm El Sheikh’s nightlife, you can head to Naama Bay or even Soho Square in Sharks Bay to the immediate north. For snorkelling and a relaxing ambience with the option of nearby nightlife, Garden Bay is a fantastic choice.
Our recommended hotels in Sharm El Sheikh
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in Sharm El SheikhNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
