Sharm El Sheikh Sightseeing

While Sharm el-Sheikh is not renowned for its cultural or historical sites, there are still many places to see. It is a stunning city with natural beauty and religious importance. Mount Sinai is home to the infamous burning bush as well as the oldest monastery in the world and some fine churches and monuments. It is both beautiful and fascinating, with many people feeling inspired to be in such a religiously and historically important place.

Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai is both the name of a collection of peaks, which are sometimes referred to as the Holy Mountains, and the Biblical name of the peak on which Moses received the 10 commandments. Mount Moses is considered to be the Biblical peak, which also has religious significance in Islam as the place where Mohammed’s horse ascended to heaven. The peak is accessible by steps or by a path running east from the monastery. You will pass the Seven Elders of Israel amphitheatre en route. If you take the steps back down, you will come across the Fountain of Moses.

Naama Bay
This stunning bay is one of the major tourist attractions of Sharm. It offers stunning views, wonderful fish and fascinating wildlife. The bay has been tastefully developed and well maintained and is a stunning example of the past fusing with the present.

Seven Elders of Israel Amphitheatre
This archaeological wonder can be found on Mount Sinai and is halfway between the foot of the mountain and the peak. It is a religious monument and well worth the trek up the mountain to see it.

St Catherine’s Monastery
Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, this monastery was constructed between 527 AD and 565 AD under the order of the Roman Emperor Justinian. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the world and was built around what is believed to be Moses’ burning bush and has a chapel built on top of it. It is also a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art including Arab mosaics. Art lovers will be delighted to find unique oil paintings, fine ornaments and chalices donated by Czar Alexander II. The monastery is also home to one of the largest collection of illuminated manuscripts in the world, second only to the Vatican. The monastery was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002.

The Burning Bush

This is one of the most famous species of plants in the world. It is alleged to have burned when God spoke to Moses for the first time. It is an extremely rare bush belonging to the rose family and is called Rubus Sanctus. The sprawling bush is believed to have been relocated in the 10th century, when the chapel was given a roof.

The Chapel of the Burning Bush
This chapel can be found on top of St Catherine’s monastery. Empress Helen, the mother of Constantine, ordered that it be built in the 6th century AD. The chapel is home to St Catherine’s relics and her remains are said to have been found at the top of the peak, 500 years after she was carried away by angels. This chapel is said to be the spiritual heart of the monastery.

You cannot visit Sharm el-Sheikh without taking the time to enjoy the stunning beaches and coastline. The beaches here are the gateway to the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea and are covered in golden sand. They are a great place for the entire family and are home to many amenities such as restaurants and entertainment venues. While there are numerous activities and sports to be found across the beaches, you may prefer to just sit back, relax and lose yourself in a good book.

Take a Boat Tour 
There are numerous boat tours to be found departing from Sharm’s coastline. As the city lies on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsular, many places are accessible by sea. You can take a trip around the coast of Egypt or visit a pristine dive site; wherever you choose to go, you will see some stunning sights and experience tropical fish and bright sunshine.

Shop Until You Drop
You can find endless shopping opportunities at Sharm’s traditional souks and modern shopping plazas. It is possible to buy almost anything in Sharm including great souvenirs, exquisite fabrics and fragrant herbs and spices. You cannot move in Sharm without someone offering you their wares and by the end of your holiday, you’ll be an expert in saying ‘no’ and hopefully you won’t have too much Egyptian ‘tack’ to fit into your suitcase. Shopping in Egypt is an experience you are not likely to forget in a hurry. Whether you remember bargaining with Egyptian stall holders, buying unique and wonderful gifts or simply the buzz and atmosphere of Sharm’s famous souks, you will take a little piece of Egypt away with you.

Bike Riding
Take a quad bike through the desert and have an adventure like no other. Exploring the desert on wheels is a lot easier than on foot, but the trails offered by the numerous sand dunes aren’t for the faint hearted. Remember that safety standards aren’t the same as what you could expect in many other countries and ride with caution, taking the bike back if you think it may be faulty.

Diving in the Red Sea
Take advantage of the numerous diving opportunities. Many people visit Sharm el-Sheikh for its diving. There are numerous popular dive sites which contain stunning protected coral ecosystems as well as wonderful tropical fish and other sea life. There are so many opportunities to dive here that you may find you don’t have enough days in your trip to visit all the sites you would like to.