Sharm esch-Sheikh - Scharm esch-Scheich

The holiday resort Sharm esch-Sheikh with its port (English: Sharm el-Sheikh, French: Charm el-Cheikh, Arabic:شرم الشيخ‎, „Sheikh's Bay“, In dialect Sharm ish-Schech spoken, briefly Charm) is next to Hurghada the most important egyptian Resort and almost at the southern tip of the SinaiPeninsula in the north of the Red sea south of the Strait of Tīrān in the government South Sinai located. The resort is stretched over 20 kilometers and has many bays with sandy beaches. especially the Naʿama Bay, in recent years increasingly also the Nabq Bay, attract with their numerous leisure activities and nightlife options. Water sports are very important, especially swimming and diving.

background

History and meaning

Sharm esch-Sheikh is one of the most popular vacation spots in Egypt with its good opportunities for swimming and diving. In contrast to other seaside resorts on Red sea the place with its hinterland offers tourist alternatives, especially to trips to the desert and mountain regions - and this in combination with the adjoining sea. Today, Sharm esch Sheikh is usually understood to mean the entire holiday region with the Old town from charm in the south to the Nabq Bay in the North. The area was expanded further and further north. With the Nabq nature reserve there is a limit, however. In a narrower sense, Sharm esch Sheikh is just the old town on the El Maya Bay.

The place has been recorded on Spanish nautical charts since the 18th century. About 20 years ago Sharm esch-Sheikh was still a small fishing village with about 100 inhabitants. A tourist base in the area of ​​Old Sharm was set up here under Israeli occupation in 1967. The peak of construction activities was at the end of the 1990s. Today around 30,000 holidaymakers can relax in Sharm esch Sheikh. Unfortunately, due to the high number of tourists, the days of an “insider tip” are over, and the popularity of Sharm esch Sheikh is now declining in favor of other seaside resorts on the Red Sea. Nonetheless, the resort remains so popular with foreign and domestic tourists precisely because of its freedom of movement.

The Sinai was a long time The scene of armed conflicts. 1955 became the Suez Canal Occupied by the British and French after its nationalization, the occupation was only abandoned the following year after strong international pressure. The blockade of the Strait of Tiran in 1967 triggered the Six Day War with Israel, as a result of which Sinai was occupied by Israel. In 1973 the Egyptian army was able to achieve a great success: on October 6th, Egyptian troops cross the Suez Canal and break the Bar-Lev Line (Yom Kippur War). An armistice was reached and peace negotiations began, the peace treaty was signed in 1979. Three years later, apart from Taba, Israeli troops withdraw from Sinai.

In recent years Sharm esch Sheikh has been a meeting point for international delegations for Settlement of the Middle East conflict been. This and the high level of popularity among tourists was certainly also the reason for the attacks on the Ghazala Gardens Hotel and in Old Sharm on the evening of July 22, 2005. But the situation has eased again.

location

Sharm esch-Sheikh is located almost on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. The village extends over 20 kilometers in a north-south direction on the coastal strip of the Gulf of Aqaba. In the south of the village is the Raʾs Muḥammad National Parkoccupying the southern tip of Sinai. The Egyptian capital Cairo is about 490 km away.

Well over 100 different types of coral and around 1200 types of fish are native to the Red Sea.^[2]

language

The official language is modern standard Arabic. However, the Egyptians themselves only speak dialects. Due to its tourist importance, English is widely spoken. German, Italian and Russian can also be found frequently at the diving centers. Other languages ​​are spoken in the hotels depending on the regular customers.

Districts

From the original old town, the modern tourist settlement has advanced up to about 20 km to the north in the area of ​​the airport.

• To the north of Naʿama Bay to Sharm el-Sheikh Airport near Ras Nasrani and to the edge of the Nabq National Park there are several tourist bays, in English bays. These are from north to south: 28.0372234.433611 Nabq Bay, 27.97389934.4191362 Ras Nasrani (El Montaza), 27.9604534.398133 White Knight, 27.94861634.3853624 Shark’s Bay, 27.93003834.3685395 Tiger Bay as 27.91684234.3548926 Gardens Bay.
• 27.91308834.3295727 Na'ama Bay, also Naama Bay, is probably the most popular area in the greater Sharm esch-Sheikh area.
• It follows a headland between Na'ama Bay and Old Market with the 27.8824734.325658 Tower Bay and Haiy en-Nur and 27.8488934.315839 Hadabat Umm es-Sid, also Hadaba, the rock plateau.
• 27.8645734.2965710 Old Sharm, also Old Market or Sharm el-Maya, about 6 km south of Na'ama Bay, is the location of the original place Sharm esch-Sheikh. With a few hotels, but all the more shops and restaurants.

getting there

visa

If you only want to stay on site for up to 14 days, the small and free visa, the so-called Sinai visa, is sufficient. It is noted with a stamp "Sinai only" in the passport and cannot later be converted into a nationally valid visa. The visa is only for the coastal strip of Ṭābā in the north up Old Sharm in the south including the Catherine's Monastery valid. For trips e.g. to the Raʾs Muḥammad National Park or for the onward journey into the interior of the country you need a nationally valid, so-called large visa in any case. You can get it for US $ 25 upon entry at the airport. Visa extensions are only available in the provincial capital eṭ-Ṭōr issued.

flight

The international 27.97722234.3947221 Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport(IATA: SSH) in Ras Nasrani is located about 10 kilometers north of the Naʿama Bay in the far north of the holiday area and is clear and well-kept, you should have a good command of English in order to be able to communicate with the airport staff if necessary. EgyptAir domestic flights (hotline: 0900 - 70000) are available to and from Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Hurghada. There are three to six flights a day to and from Cairo, most of them on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Departure times from Cairo are among others 5:00 am, 8:00 am and 10:00 pm, departure times from Sharm esch-Sheikh to Cairo are among others 6:30 am, 9:30 am and 11:30 pm, the flight time is around 45 Minutes, the ticket costs around 120 euros. The main EgyptAir branch is located in Old Sharm. EgyptAir has branches in some hotels.

To and from Sharm el-Sheikh Airport, travelers can use taxis or the bus. The taxi fee from the airport to Sharm esch-Sheikh is 50 Egyptian pounds (= LE 50).

On the day of departure, when clearing customs at the airport, please note that if travelers are bringing a water pipe or similar items with them, they should not be carried on the plane as hand luggage, but should be placed in the suitcase.

In the street

Sharm esch-Sheikh can easily be reached from the places in Gulf of Aqaba of Eilat (Israel) above Nuweiba and Dahab, but also from the mainland over Cairo or. Sue can be achieved. The travel times are considerable, the distance between Cairo and Sharm esch Sheikh is 490 km.

Public bus

The journey can be done with the Public bus of Ṭābā, Sue, Alexandria, Cairo, Hurghada, Qinā and other locations. It is also possible and often easier to take buses from Cairo or other places first to Suez and then change to buses from Suez to Sharm esch-Sheikh.

The bus stops are in Haiy en-Nūr (En-Nūr borough) west of the new trunk road 35, halfway between Na'ama Bay and Old Sharm. The more northerly 27.90050734.287662 Bus station(27 ° 54 ′ 2 ″ N.34 ° 17 ′ 16 ″ E), Tel. (0) 69 366 0666, is served by East Delta Travel, the southern one 27.89905634.2875363 Bus station(27 ° 53 '57 "N.34 ° 17 ′ 15 ″ E) SuperJet, High Jet and Go Bus bus stations. The old 27.89320634.302614 Bus stop(27 ° 53 '36 "N.34 ° 18 ′ 9 ″ E) behind the mobile petrol station is no longer used. In any case, it makes sense to reserve a seat in good time.

The buses run several times a day from East Delta from Cairo at midnight, 12:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., from Sharm esch-Sheikh to Cairo at 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 : 30, 13:30, 14:30 and 19:30 to Cairo. The journey time is eight hours, the price is LE 55 during the day and LE 65 at night (as of 2005).

East Delta also leaves Taba at 9:00 (5 hours, LE 27) with stops in Nuweiba (LE 22) and Dahab. Sues (6 hours, LE 35) and Ismailiya (LE 35) are approached several times a day. Once a day it goes to Luxor (6:00 p.m., 12 hours, LE 100) and Alexandria (9:15 a.m., LE 85) (as of 2005).

Buses from SuperJet run several times a day to and from Cairo. The journey time is seven hours, the fare is LE 70 (as of 2005).

Minibuses run between Cairo and Sue or between Suez and Sharm esch-Sheikh.

ferry

The ferry connection between Sharm esch-Sheikh and Hurghada was not served from autumn 2010 to August 2016. After two years of operation also has La Pespes Fast Ferry ceased operations in summer 2018.

• The 27.8564734.279925 Ferry dock is located west of Old Sharm.

mobility

Due to the large north-south expansion, one is often dependent on one of the numerous taxis, especially if one does not know the exact location of the destination. The price for a taxi ride from Na'ama Bay to Old Sharm is around 20 LE.

There is also the possibility of traveling in cheaper minibuses, but this requires local knowledge. Minibuses run between Old Sharm and Na'ama Bay. They are actually intended for the local workers here. The journey costs LE 2.

Most hotels and diving centers offer shuttle buses to and from Na'ama Bay early in the morning and in the evening. But this offer is poor, especially at night.

You can also rent a vehicle in Sharm esch Sheikh. The rental car companies are based in Na'ama Bay: Avis (Tel .: (0) 69 360 2603), Budget (Tel .: (0) 69 360 0197) and Shahd Limousine (Tel .: (0) 69 360 3066 ).

As a result of the attacks of July 22, 2005, vehicle controls are being carried out at the local exits and at the entrance to the airport. Traffic jams can therefore be expected at the airport in particular.

Tourist Attractions

In the holiday resorts of Sharm esch-Sheikh there are only a few sights. The main attractions include the Underwater flora and faunathat can be explored by both snorkelers and divers. The coral reefs are almost the entire length in front of the beach. In some cases, footbridges lead over the reefs so that they can also be explored from the sea side. Also in the area of ​​extensive sandy beaches like in the Naʿama Bay there are isolated coral reefs near the shore.

In the field of Tiger Bay is the botanical garden 27.94455934.3584111 Peace Park(27 ° 56 ′ 41 ″ N.34 ° 21 '30 "E), two kilometers southwest of the botanical garden that National Museum of Sharm esch Sheikh. In the immediate vicinity of the National Museum is one of the most important 27.92954534.3455152 Mosques(27 ° 55 ′ 46 ″ N.34 ° 20 ′ 44 ″ E) the city.

Further Mosques available in Haḍabat Umm es-Sīd, Ḥaiy en-Nūr (27.892534.2995774 el-Muṣṭafā mosque) and Old Sharm (27.86652134.2952335 eṣṢaḥāba mosque).

A 27.88806134.2954226 Coptic Orthodox and a 27.88453134.297017 catholic cathedral are in the district Ḥaiy en-Nūr.

The Naʿama Bay is this tourist center from Sharm esch-Sheikh with numerous restaurants, bars and shops. The promenade invites you to take a stroll. The water park is available for those seeking relaxation 27.91746834.3225741 Cleo Park to disposal.

There is a prominent one in Haḍabat Umm es-Sīd 27.84861134.3138898 lighthouse(27 ° 50 ′ 55 ″ N.34 ° 18 ′ 50 ″ E), the dolphinarium 27.86374234.3046222 Dolphinella(27 ° 51 '49 "N.34 ° 18 ′ 17 ″ E) and a 27.84857234.316429 monument(27 ° 50 ′ 55 ″ N.34 ° 18 ′ 59 ″ E) near the El-Fanar restaurant that was involved in the crash of the Flash Airlines Flight 604 to Paris on January 3, 2004, when 148 people died on board. There are crocodile and snake shows near the Dolphinella. The bar 1001 night (Alf Leila wa Leila) is known for its night shows.

In Old Sharm are a little 27.86477434.29381310 Papyrus Museum, several restaurants, bars and shops.

On excursions to the closer and wider environment both landscape and cultural sights can be explored in the section trips to be discribed.

activities

The main activities in Sharm esch Sheikh are of course swimming, snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea. Most of the hotels are close to the shore, so this is easy to do.

Diving

The most interesting occupation is of course that Diving. Compared to other localities like Dahab, Nuweiba and Ṭābā Sharm esch Sheikh has the largest number and the most important diving areas in Gulf of Aqaba. In addition to a variety of corals, snails and starfish, turtles, napoleon fish, porcupine and puffer fish, barracudas, perch, lionfish, moray eels, rays and occasionally sharks are particularly attractive.

Even if the riffs are in the Strait of Tiran and in Ras Mohammed are the most popular, it doesn't mean that the other dive sites aren't as interesting:

• In the Strait of Tiran there are four important reefs on the island of Tiran: the Jackson-, the Woodhouse-, the Thomas- and the Gordon Reef. The wreck of the Lara can be seen on the Jackson Reef, the Lullia on the Gordon Reef.

• There are a multitude between the Straits of Tiran and Ras Mohammed more local Dive sites (from north to south): Ras Gamila, Ras Nasrani, Ras Bob, White Knight, Shark’s Bay, Far Garden, Middle Garden, Near Garden in the Gardens Bay, Na'ama Bay, Tower, Pinkie’s Wall, Amphoras, Turtle Bay, Paradise, Ras Umm Sid, Temple and Ras Khaty.

• The one in the south of the Sinai Peninsula Ras Mohammed has a number of significant and closely spaced riffs: Ras Za'tar, Jackfish Alley, Eel Garden, Shark Observatory, Anemone City, Shark Reef and Jolanda Reef. A little further west are The Quay and the Alternatives, whose visit coincides with that of the wreck of the Dunraven connect. The Dunraven, built in 1873, sank three years later, it lies at a depth of 15 to 30 meters. The wreck is best explored from the stern; the engine room in particular is likely to attract your interest.

• The famous wreck of the is already in the Gulf of Suez Thistlegorm. The wreck is so far away that an early departure is necessary in the early morning around 4:00 a.m. The wreck of the 131-meter-long Thistlegorm, built in 1940 and used as a transport ship, was sunk a year later. Today it lies at a depth of 16 to 33 meters. What is of interest in this case is the ship's cargo: automobiles, motorcycles, a locomotive and railroad cars, aircraft wings and guns.

• Liveaboard expeditions to the Strait of Gubal, the so-called north route, are offered by various dive operators. These take about a week. The organizers also take care of the transport to and from the airport.

All diving areas can be reached on day excursions. There are two landing stages in Sharm esch-Sheikh. jetty) for diving or excursion boats. This is one of the ones in the south of Na'ama Bay and the larger one in El Maya Bay Old Sharm (Travco).

The popularity of the areas also has its price: it is not uncommon for up to twenty boats to anchor in the same place in the high season. An alternative to this are diving safaris, which are organized by many well-known diving centers.

Under no circumstances should you turn down a visit to the hotel's own house reefs. Often much more can be observed here, even in a short time, than in the more remote diving areas.

security is very important when diving.

• Please bring a medical certificate of fitness for diving and present your diving certificates.
• Your first dive is usually a check dive, where your buoyancy in particular is optimized.
• Before the dive, the diving guide explains the diving area to you in a briefing, describes flow conditions and depths and checks the real flow conditions before the dive. Caution should be exercised at reef ends, especially in the Strait of Tiran, where two strong currents meet and descend. Divers are encouraged to dive in the Red Sea only with a guide. Only the house reefs of the individual hotels or diving centers are excluded from this. The guides must be members of the South Sinai Association for Diving and Maritime Activities, Tel. (0) 69 366 0418.
• The maximum diving depth is 30 meters.

In addition to compressed air, all (large) diving operators also offer oxygen-enriched mixtures (Nitrox), occasionally with a surcharge. You can borrow equipment, lead weights and diving bottles are part of the diving packages.

You can also learn to dive on site. The course lasts about a week, the open water dives are carried out in the local diving areas and on the house reefs.

Due to the international composition of the divers and the origin of the diving guides from numerous countries, communication (e.g. briefings) on the ships will mostly be in English. If necessary, ask your fellow travelers for a translation if you do not have any knowledge of English.

Film development takes place within a few hours at Sinai Photo Club, King of Bahrain Street (next to McDonalds). Underwater photography courses and support and camera rental are e.g. Eveline Bracher, e-Mocean, offered at Sinai Divers.

Well-respected dive operators include:

• Camel Dive, Na'ama Bay, P.O. Box 10, 46619 Sharm el-Sheikh (at the Camel Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0700, Mobile: 20 (0)122 312 6610, Fax: 20 (0)69 360 0601. The Camel Dive Club is also one of the first (since 1986) and most experienced diving centers. Numerous languages ​​(mainly English and Italian) are spoken at reception, and courses including tec diving and nitrox are offered. A specialty is your own hotel and restaurants. Wireless internet access is available in the area of ​​the hotel and the diving center. There are also branches in Hadaba, Nabq (Hotel Radison), Lagouna Vista and Oriental Resort.last change: not specified

• Sinai Divers, Na'ama Bay (Ghazala Beach Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0697, (0)69 360 0150, Fax: 20 (0)69 360 0158, (0)69 360 0155, Email: [email protected]. One of the first and most experienced diving centers on the Sinai. German speaking reception. Day tours and safaris on mostly own ships (Ghazala I - V), Dive Box Extra (limited number of divers to a maximum of 10, three dives a day, mostly Straits of Tiran, Ras Mohammed including Dunraven), diving courses at all levels, Nitrox free for certified divers Diver. There is another base in Ras Nasrani.last change: not specified

• Sinai Dive Club, Na'ama Bay (at the Hilton Fayrouz Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0137, Fax: 20 (0)69 360 1040, (0)122 281 5210. Additional offices at the Hilton Sharks Bay and the Baron Hotel. English, German, Dutch and Japanese are spoken at the diving center reception. The club has its own Angelina I - III boats and conducts liveaboards. Courses are offered at all levels.last change: not specified

• Red See Diving College, Na'ama Bay, Sultana Building, P.O. Box 67, Sharm el-Sheikh. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0145, Fax: 20 (0)69 360 0144. The specialties include tec diving and training to become a National Geographic Diver (environmentally friendly diving).last change: not specified

• Oonas Dive Center, Na'ama Bay (at the Oonas Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 1501. last change: not specified

• Emperor Divers, Na'ama Bay (Falcon Naama Star Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 1735, Email: [email protected]. last change: not specified

• Werner Lau, Na'ama Bay (Hotel Helnan Marina). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0456, 49 (0)201 8 68 10 76 (Phone in Germany), Fax: 20 (0)69 360 0457, Email: [email protected]. last change: not specified

Other diving centers:

Due to the political situation in Egypt and the associated economic difficulties, several diving centers have given up, including the well-known company Colona Dive.

• African Divers, Hadaba Umm es-Sid (Luna Sharm Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0307. last change: not specified

• Anthias Divers, Na'ama Bay (Sonesta Beach Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 1420. Austrian company.last change: not specified

• Aquarius Diving Club, Gardens Bay (Sheraton Sharm). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 2070. last change: not specified

• C-Fun Divers, Old Sharm (Iberotel Palace Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 3393. last change: not specified

• Diamond Divers, Nabq Bay (Horizon Sharm Hotel). Mobile: 20 (0)100 362 7404. last change: not specified

• Divers ’Lodge, Gardens Bay (Continental Garden Reef Resort). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0006, (0)69 360 0009. last change: not specified

• Extra miscellaneous, Ras Nasrani (Melia Sinai Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 367 0000. last change: not specified

• Magic Divers, Nabq Bay (Club Magic Life). Tel.: 20 (0)69 371 0049, Mobile: 20 (0)101 450 8027. last change: not specified

• Marina Divers, White Knight (Concorde El Salam Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 1460, (0)69 360 3370. last change: not specified

• Millennium Divers, Gardens Bay (Sharm Plaza Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 4266. last change: not specified

• Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Club, Shark’s Bay (Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0942, (0)69 360 0943. last change: not specified

• Sheikh Coast Diving Center, Tiger Bay (Domina Coral Bay Resort). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 1713. last change: not specified

• Subex Red Sea, Na'ama Bay. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0122, Fax: 20 (0)69 360 0122, Email: [email protected]. The diving center has bases in the Maritim Jolie Ville Resort in Na'ama Bay and in the Maritim Jolie Ville Golf Resort. The prices often do not include the amount for the necessary dive guides. Proof of a diving accident insurance is required.last change: not specified

• Sunshine Divers, Sharks Bay (Sunshine Divers Camp). Tel.: 20 (0)122 783 1388. last change: not specified

further activities

Quad excursions, camel rides in the sunset

• You can book these bulk offers in any hotel. Camel tours cost around $ 50, quads (= ATV = all terrain vehicle) around 50 LE for a two-hour ride.

Submarine and glass bottom boat excursions

• Aqua Scope (glass bottom boat, disguised as a submarine), Hadaba, Tel .: (0) 69 366 0255.
• Seascope Submarine (glass bottom boat, disguised as a submarine), Old Sharm, Tel .: (0) 122 778 4637 - 8.

Fun sport

• Aquatic Vibes (wake board, banana, water ski), Old Sharm, Tel .: (0) 122 210 2614.
• Sun ’n’ Fun (windsurfing, water skiing, banana, air chair (wide water ski with seat, i.e. water skiing while seated), Na'ama Bay, Tel .: (0) 69 360 1623.

Horse riding

• Edelweiss Equestrian, Concord El Salam, Tel .: (0) 69 360 1460.
• Sofitel Equestrian, Na'ama Bay, Tel: (0) 69 360 0081.

golf

• Mövenpick Golf Academy, Umm Meircha Bay, Tel .: (0) 69 360 3200.

Tennis and squash

• Crowne Plaza, Gardens Bay, Tel: (0) 69 360 3090.
• Lagouna Vista, Nabq Bay, Mobile: (0) 122 353 5388.

Karting

• Ghibli Raceway, Peace Road, Tel .: (0) 69 360 3939.
• Noos Karting Center, El Fanar Rd. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 2539, Fax: 20 (0)69 366 1201. last change: Nov. 2017 (information may be out of date)

Safaris

• Sahara Express, Na'ama Bay, Mobile: (0) 100 179 4907.
• Sharm Travel, Na'ama Bay, Tel: (0) 69 360 2650.
• Spring Tours, Na'ama Bay, Tel .: (0) 69 360 0131 - 2.
• Travco, Hadaba, Tel .: (0) 69 366 0764.

shop

Most hotels have a currency exchange facility. For travelers checks and the like Thomas Cook Bank, King of Bahrain Street, south of the Mövenpick Hotel, will help you.

The most important shopping opportunities are there

• in Na'ama Bay (King of Bahrain Street, Peace Road) and in
• Old Sharm (Old Market).

These are among the major shopping centers Naama Center in Naama Bay, that Tiran Center in Old Sharm and that Soho Square in White Knight. There are also restaurants, cafes and bars in the centers.

In addition to supermarkets, there are mainly shops with typical Egyptian souvenirs and diving and bathing supplies.

There are bookshops with a predominantly tourist offer in the Hilton Fayrouz Village and in the Mövenpick. Also in the Al-Ahram bookstore on the main road to Old Sharm. Newspapers are sold early in the morning on the waterfront and in the harbors.

kitchen

The list below is a brief one selection at restaurants. Further restaurants and details about the restaurants are described in the district articles.

In the Na'ama Bay

Most of the restaurants are either on the beach promenade, near the Naama Center or on King of Baḥrein Street (Arabic:شارع ملك مملكة البحرين, Also called Bahnhofsstraße by some because of its brightness at night - there is of course no train station).

• Al Mashi. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0197. The Lebanese restaurant is located on King of Bahrain Street in the Hotel Sanafir.last change: not specified
• Ali Baba. Seafood restaurant at the end of the promenade above the roofs of Na'ama Bay.last change: not specified
• Dragonera, Na'ama Bay, Mall 10. Chinese restaurant.last change: not specified
• Kookai. Japanese restaurant on the seafront at the Ghazala Village hotel.last change: not specified
• Mexican restaurant. The restaurant is at the end of King of Bahrain Street by the Na'ama Bay Hotel.last change: not specified
• Beijing, Na'ama Bay (at the Sanafir Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0179. Chinese restaurant.last change: not specified
• Pomodoro, Na'ama Bay. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0700. Italian restaurant.last change: not specified
• Rangoli (at the Sofitel hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0081. Indian restaurant.last change: not specified
• Safsafa, Na'ama Bay. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0541. The fish restaurant.last change: not specified
• Tandoori, Na'ama Bay, King of Bahrain Street, near the Camel Hotel. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0700. Indian restaurant.last change: not specified
• Tam Tam Oriental Cafe. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0150. Egyptian specialty restaurant on the beach promenade by the Hotel Ghazala Village.last change: not specified

At the southern end of Na'ama Bay, close together, you will find the usual fast food restaurants:

• KFC. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 3036. last change: not specified
• MC Donalds. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 2110. With delivery service.last change: not specified
• Pizza Hut. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 3034. last change: not specified

Old Sharm (Old Market)

• El-Masrien grill. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 2904. With grilled meat and poultry dishes.last change: not specified
• Fares. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 3076. Fish restaurant.last change: not specified
• Pizza Melodies restaurant. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 4044. Pizzeria at the entrance to the Old Market.last change: not specified
• Safsafa. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 0474. Fish restaurant.last change: not specified
• Sinai Star. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 0323. Restaurant with Egyptian dishes and fish dishes.last change: not specified

Bars

• Black House, Na'ama Bay (at the Rosetta Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 1888. Bar and disco.last change: not specified
• Bus stop, Na'ama Bay, King of Bahrain Street (at the Sanafir Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0197. Pub.last change: not specified
• Camel Bar & Roof, Na'ama Bay (at the Camel Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0190. Bar.last change: not specified
• Casino Royale, Na'ama Bay (in the Mövenpick Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0100. Casino.last change: not specified
• Hard Rock Cafe Sharm el Sheikh, Na'ama Bay. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 2655. Bar and disco.last change: not specified
• Hard Rock Café Nabq, Nabq Bay. Tel.: 20 (0)69) 371 0885. Bar and disco.last change: not specified
• Harry’s Pub, Na'ama Bay (at the Marriott Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0190, Mobile: 20 (0)122 353 5388. Bar.last change: not specified
• La Folie Bar (at the Iberotel Lido). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 2603. last change: not specified
• Little Buddha, Na'ama Bay. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 1030. Bar.last change: not specified
• Los Amigos, Gardens Bay. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0006. Pub.last change: not specified
• Pacha Sharm, Na'ama Bay. Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0179. Club.last change: not specified
• Pirates Bar, Na'ama Bay (at the Hilton Fayrouz Village). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0137, (0)69 360 0138. Bar.last change: not specified
• Rooftop bar, Na'ama Bay (at the Sanafir Hotel). Tel.: 20 (0)69 360 0197. Bar.last change: not specified
• The piano bar, Nabq Bay. Mobile: 20 (0)122 353 5388. Bar.last change: not specified

nightlife

The nightlife often takes place in the hotels. There are numerous bars and one or the other casino.

• The Terrazzo in Old Sharm is the most important night club outside of the Naʿama Bay. Various events, including parties, are held in the evening and at night, and a DJ invites you to dance.
• A Hard rock cafe can be found in both Naʿama Bay and Nabq Bay.
• There are restaurants and bars in the large shopping centers.
• In the King of Bahrain St. Naʿama Bay has the greatest concentration of restaurants and bars.
• In the restaurant 1001 night (Arabic:ألف ليلة وليلة‎, Alf Leila wa Leila) in Hadaba dances Egypt's best (male) belly dancer Tito.

accommodation

Hints

The most important sandy beach is in the Na'ama Bay. There is only a promenade between the hotels and the beach. In all other cases, the hotels are located on rocks or rocky slopes, so that you may have to climb a cliff to overcome a cliff.

A number of hotels offer all-inclusive accommodations. One should take this into account if one is a friend of such hotels or not.

If you make a hotel booking through the diving centers at which you dive, you will often receive cheaper offers than if you book directly.

Inexpensive accommodation

There are few cheap accommodation options in Sharm esch Sheikh, mostly in Ras Umm Sid or Old Sharm. There is also a youth hostel in Old Sharm.

medium

In Old Sharm, Ras Umm Sid and in the Na'ama Bay there are also 3-star hotels, but they are not on the coast.

Upscale

Most of the hotels are of a high standard. Therefore only a subdivision is made here based on the location.

List of hotels

The hotels are described in the individual articles. So that you can find them more quickly, you will find their listing by location here:

Work

Die zahlreichen Hotels bieten für Einheimische unzählige Jobs als Hotelbedienstete. Die Anstellungen sind beliebt, da sie im Vergleich zu Anstellungen im Niltal sehr gut entlohnt werden.

Die Tauchbasen bieten gelegentlich Jobs für Ausländer als Tauchlehrer und Mitarbeiter an den Rezeptionen. Neben den üblichen Brevets (als Tauchlehrer) sind Fremdsprachenkenntnisse, insbesondere Englisch, nötig.

climate

Klima an der Küste und in den angrenzenden Wüstenregionen

Das Klima ist feuchtwarm, was aus den hohen Temperaturen der angrenzenden Wüstengebiete und der hohen Verdampfungsrate des Roten Meeres resultiert.

Scharm esch-Scheich	Jan	Feb	March	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
Mittlere höchste Lufttemperatur in °C	22	22	25	30	34	37	38	38	35	32	27	23	O	30.3
Average air temperature in ° C	18	19	21	25	29	32	32	33	31	27	23	19	O	25.8
Mittlere tiefste Lufttemperatur in °C	13	14	16	20	24	26	27	28	26	23	19	15	O	20.9
Average water temperature in ° C	19	20	20	21	23	25	29	29	28	25	23	19	O	23.4
Niederschläge in mm	0.5	0.2	1.2	0.2	0.5	0	0	0	0	0.8	3.3	0.5	Σ	7.2
Rainy days in the month	0.3	0.1	0.5	0.1	0.1	0	0	0	0.1	0.4	0.4	0.3	Σ	2.3
Relative Feuchte in %	59	59	59	61	68	68	68	68	65	60	59	59	O	62.8
WMO: Weather Information for Sharm El-Sheikh, World Weather Information Service, eingesehen 10. Juni 2013

Wasser des Roten Meeres

Die Wassertemperaturen betragen je nach Jahreszeit zwischen 19 °C und 29 °C, diese Temperatur ist auch noch in größeren Tiefen (30 Meter) vorhanden. Strömungen können auch kälteres Wasser mit sich führen. Der Salzgehalt ist mit 4,1 % sehr hoch.

Die Strömungen ändern sich im Laufe des Jahres und können nicht immer mit Bestimmtheit vorausgesagt werden. Da das Rote Meer über keine Süßwasserzufuhr verfügt und gerade im Sommer große Wassermengen verdampfen, sinkt der Wasserspiegel im Sommer um etwa einen Meter. Die fehlende Wassermenge wird erst im Winter wieder ausgeglichen. Die Hauptströmungen bewegen sich im Sommer nach Süden und im Winter nach Norden. Die Strömungssituation wird durch Gezeitenströme unübersichtlicher, der Tidenhub beträgt ebenfalls etwa einen Meter. Besonders problematisch wird es, wenn sich im Norden oder Süden eines Riffblocks Strömungen teilen oder wieder zusammenführen, was im letzteren Fall zu abwärts verlaufenden Strömungen führt.

security

Scharm esch-Scheich ist nicht unsicherer als andere bedeutende politische und touristische Zentren selbst in der westlichen Welt. 100%-ige Sicherheit kann man nirgends erwarten. Natürlich bedeuteten die Anschläge vom 22. Juli 2005 einen herben Rückschlag, der durch die übervorsichtige Handlungsweise einiger Reiseveranstalter eher noch verstärkt wurde. Die Sicherheitsmaßnahmen sind in der Folgezeit verstärkt worden, so erfolgen intensive Fahrzeuginspektionen an den Eingangstoren der Urlaubsorte und zum Flughafen und Personenkontrollen in den Hotels.

Der Supergau eines Totalausfalls ist ausgeblieben, im September 2005 wurden wieder soviele Touristen wie in den vergangenen Jahren erwartet. Das zerstörte Ghazala Gardens Hotel wurde renoviert und hat seinen Betrieb schon lange wieder aufgenommen.

Das Rote Meer ist kein abgegrenzter Swimmingpool, sondern der Lebensraum ungezählter Tierarten. Seit Dezember 2010 gibt es ein neues Problem, das der Angriffe durch Haie. Eigentlich meiden diese Tiere die Ufernähe. Wohl um dem Wunsch begüterter Touristen nachzukommen, sich mit einem Hai fotografieren zu lassen, werden diese Haie mit Schafskadavern angelockt und an die Ufernähe gewöhnt. Anfang Dezember 2010 kam es zu mehreren Attacken durch einen Ozeanischen Weißspitzen-Hai und einen Mako. Eine deutsche Touristin kam dabei ums Leben. In der Folgezeit gab es keine Attacken mehr. Es kann aber auch zukünftig, insbesondere im Winter, wieder zu vermehrtem Auftreten von Haien und teilweise zu Schwimm- und Tauchverboten kommen.

health

Ärzte in den Hotels

Die meisten Hotels beschäftigen einen Arzt oder haben einen Vertragsarzt, der auf Abruf in das jeweilige Hotel kommt.

Hospitals

Scharm esch-Scheich ist gut mit Krankenhäusern ausgestattet. Südlich der Na'ama Bay in Richtung Haḍabat Umm es-Sīd befinden sich in Ḥaiy en-Nūr

• 27.88190234.2983721  Sharm International Hospital, El Salam Rd., Haiy el Nour. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 0893, (0)69 366 0894, (0)69 366 0895, Fax: 20 (0)69 366 0981..(27° 52′ 55″ N34° 17′ 54″ O)last change: not specified

• 27.89083534.3032322  Mount Sinai Hospital, El Salam St. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 1745, Fax: 20 (0)69 366 1744, (0)69 366 0364. (27° 53′ 27″ N34° 18′ 12″ O)last change: not specified

Westlich von Old Sharm befindet sich das Hyperbaric Medical Center, das auf Erkrankungen im Zusammenhang mit dem Tauchsport spezialisiert ist:

• 27.85908734.2818663  Sharm Hyperbaric Chamber and Medical Center, Sharm el-Mayah. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 0922, (0)69 366 0923, Fax: 20 (0)69 366 1011..Die Dekompressionskammer, die für die Behandlung von Dekompressionsunfällen der Taucher benötigt wird, wird von Dr. Adel Taher, Mobil: (0)122 212 4292, und Dr. Ahmed Sakr, Mobil: (0)122 333 1325, betreut. Die Mibilfunknummer von Dr. Adel Taher ist gleichzeitig die Notfallnummer.(27° 51′ 33″ N34° 16′ 55″ O)last change: not specified

Pharmacies

• Amr Pharmacy, Na'ama Bay. Mobil: 20 (0)100 545 4492. last change: not specified
• Towa Pharmacy, Hadaba. Tel.: 20 (0)69 366 0388. last change: not specified

Practical advice

Touristik-Information

Wassersport

• Chamber of Diving and Water sports

Postamt

Internet

In der Na'ama Bay, z.B. im Naama Center, und in zahlreichen Hotels gibt es Internet-Cafés. Die Preise pro Stunde liegen zwischen 10 LE und 30 LE. Das Angebot an WLan (WiFi) in den Hotels ist nur gelegentlich kostenfrei. Kostenloses WLan findet man am ehesten in den preiswerteren Hotels.

trips

Ausflüge werden in allen Hotels, verschiedenen Tauchbasen und von einigen lokalen Reiseunternehmen angeboten. Für die Touren bieten sich hauptsächlich die Wintermonate wegen der geringeren Temperaturen an.

• Wüstenreisen werden von allen Hotels angeboten, insbesondere zum Coloured Canyon (bei Ṭābā, etwa 50 US-Dollar), zum Salama Canyon und zum White Canyon. Neben Jeep-Safaris werden auch Quad- und Buggy-Touren sowie Ausflüge zu Pferd oder auf dem Kamel angeboten. Auch geführte Trekking-Touren stehen im Angebot.

• Es empfiehlt sich der Besuch des Katharinenklosters und der Aufstieg auf den nahe gelegenen Gebel Moussa, dem Moses-Berg. Der Überlieferung nach soll Moses auf dem Moses-Berg die Zehn Gebote Gottes empfangen haben (Ex 19,18–20,22 EU). In der Nähe des Klosters finden sich auch die umstrittenen Blauen Berge bzw. „Blue Desert“ des belgischen Künstlers Jean Vérame (* 1939), der hier 1980 für sein Kunstwerk „Sinai Peace Junction“ mehrere Felsen mit blauer Farbe besprüht hat. In vergleichbarer Weise hat sich Vérame auch im marokkanischenTafraoute verewigt.

• Beliebt sind Ausflüge in den Raʾs-Muḥammad-Nationalpark, die meist als Schnorchel- oder Tauchausflüge zur Erkundung der Unterwasserwelt angeboten werden. Viel seltener sind Landausflüge in den Nationalpark. Die auf fossilen Korallen befindliche Wüstenlandschaft ist alles andere als vegetationslos. Neben den Mangrovenwäldern, Akazien und Doumpalmen gibt es weitere achtzig Pflanzenarten. Ein weiteres wichtiges Ziel für Taucher und Schnorchler stellen die Riffe in der Straße von Tīrān dar. Ausflüge sind auch mit Glasbodenbooten möglich.

• Eine kurze Safari kann man in das Nabq-Naturschutzgebiet unternehmen. Hier befinden sich Beduinensiedlungen, an der Küste Mangrovenwälder und das Wrack der Maria Schröder sowie im Hinterland Wüsten, Gebirge und Gebirgstäler.

• Der aufstrebende Touristenort Dahab hat noch Teile seines ursprünglichen Fischerdorfes bewahren können.

• Der Hathor-Tempel-Komplex von Sarābīṭ el-Chādim im Bereich der antiken Türkisminen sowie die Festungen von Gazīrat Firʿaun, Qalʿat Zamān and Qalʿat el-Gindī sind Ausflugsmöglichkeiten für Kulturinteressierte.

• Zudem gibt es Ausflugsangebote nach Cairo, Luxor, Petra and Jerusalem.

literature

• Siliotti, Alberto: Sinai Diving Guide : Teil 1 ; deutsche Ausgabe. Verona: Geodia, 2005, ISBN 978-88-87177-66-4 .

Individual evidence