The picture shows a sandy beach with clear, turquoise water, palm trees in the background and several sun umbrellas. A jetty leads into the sea. © Balate Dorin/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a sandy beach with clear, turquoise water, palm trees in the background and several sun umbrellas. A jetty leads into the sea. © Balate Dorin/stock.adobe.com

Marsa Alam and
Sharm El Sheikh

Two dream destinations on the Red Sea

Published: 02 January 2025, 14:00

The Red Sea is one of the most popular destinations in the world for beach and underwater enthusiasts. Two of the most famous vacation spots are Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh, both in Egypt, but very different from one another. Marsa Alam, in the south of the country, is a paradise for travellers seeking peace and quiet, a diverse underwater world, and untouched nature. The bathing resort of Sharm El Sheikh, on the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is a little livelier and more adventurous. In addition to beautiful diving and snorkelling spots, Sharm El Sheikh offers a lively nightlife and numerous excursions, including desert safaris and visits to the Ras Mohammed National Park. Whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation, both places have their unique charm and are a paradise for sun worshippers and water sports fans.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: + one hour 
  • Population of Marsa Alam: 15,000
  • Population of Sharm El Sheikh: 80,000
  • Official language: Arabic
  • Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Marsa Alam – Diving, desert and Bedouins

The image shows a sea turtle swimming through clear turquoise water above a coral reef. It is surrounded by colourful fish, including striped and gray ones.
A paradise for diving and snorkelling: in the area around Marsa Alam, it is not uncommon to encounter sea turtles, cuttlefish, rays and dugongs. © Andrei Armiagov/stock.adobe.com
The image shows two dolphins swimming near the surface of the water in a clear, deep blue sea. More dolphins can be seen dimly in the background.
The fascinating world of dolphins can be experienced up close at the Dolphin House. The area in the open Red Sea is the natural living environment of these animals. © Jan/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a sandy beach with gentle waves. In the background, there are palm trees, beach huts and sun umbrellas.
The area around Marsa Alam is quiet and relaxed, with smaller resorts. The beaches are less crowded, with soft sand and turquoise waters. © GarkushaArt/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a barren desert landscape with brownish-red hills. An off-road vehicle is driving along a narrow, unpaved road that winds through the hills.
Excursion into the desert: the hinterland of Marsa Alam is mountainous and barren, but beautiful. You can discover the magical desert by jeep, quad bike or camel. © virginievanos/stock.adobe.com
The image shows three camels in a desert landscape. Two camels are standing, while one is sitting. They are adorned with colourful saddle blankets, and one is tied to a small cart. In the background, a small, single-story house with a flat roof and a fence is visible.
A trip to a Bedouin village offers interesting insights into the culture and traditional way of life of this nomadic people. © Dave Marzotto/stock.adobe.com

Sharm El Sheikh – Lively resort on the Sinai Peninsula

If you are looking for more variety, entertainment and adventure, Sharm El Sheikh is the place for you. The resort at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula is famous for its world-class diving and snorkelling sites such as the Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island. Sharm El Sheikh offers large and often luxurious resorts right on the picturesque beaches of the Red Sea. In addition to adventurous water sports such as kitesurfing and jet skiing, visitors can also experience exciting desert safaris and quad tours.

Those interested in culture and history can take trips to the holy Mount Moses or the Christian Monastery of St. Catherine. In the evening, the lively Naama Bay, with its numerous restaurants, bars and cafés, invites you to relax and unwind at the end of the day.

Sharm El Sheikh - a diving paradise and sacred sites

The image shows an underwater landscape with colourful corals and fish. Two yellow butterfly fish are in the foreground, surrounded by many small fish, while sunbeams pierce the blue water surface.
The Ras Mohammed National Park is one of the most famous diving and snorkelling spots in the world. The coral reef is home to a wide variety of marine animals. © Christian Horras/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a coastal town with white buildings and palm trees, a beach with sunbeds and the calm sea in the foreground. In the background, impressive mountains tower up.
Naama Bay is the heart of Sharm El Sheikh and is known for its wide range of leisure activities, lively nightlife and a spectacular house reef. © olyasolodenko/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a reddish mountain landscape with high peaks bathed in warm sunlight. Rocky paths can be seen in the foreground.
Mount Sinai: A hike up the mountain where, according to tradition, Moses received the Ten Commandments, is particularly impressive at sunrise. © marabelo/stock.adobe.com
The image shows an old monastery surrounded by rocky mountains. In the foreground, visitors can be seen on rocky terrain. The monastery has massive sandstone walls and cypress trees that frame the building.
The St. Catherine's Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and place of pilgrimage at the foot of the Mount of Moses, is the oldest still functioning Christian monastery. © Argus/stock.adobe.com
The image shows an impressive mosque with several domes, ornate details and two tall minarets. In the foreground, there is a paved square, palm trees and decorative elements.
In the old town, you can buy souvenirs and haggle with the merchants over prices. The imposing Al-Sahaba Mosque is also a highlight in the Old Market. © Bittner KAUFBILD.de/stock.adobe.com

Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh from BER

Aircraft about to land on the runway

easyJet

Pictogram Info-i

Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF)

Aircraft about to land on the runway

easyJet

Pictogram Info-i

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH)

Five tips for...

1. Watch the colourful schools of fish while diving or snorkelling

2. Go on a night hike to the Moses Mountain

3. Marvel at the clear starry sky in the desert

4. Enjoy an open-air dinner in a Bedouin village

5. Taste the variety of spices and flavours of Egyptian cuisine

1. Koshari – a mixture of rice, lentils, noodles, onions and tomato sauce

2. Ful Medames – cooked fava beans with pita bread for breakfast

3. Molokhia – green soup made from the leaves of the jute plant

4. Ta'ameya – crispy falafel balls made from pureed fava beans

5. Hawawshi – baked pita bread with a spicy minced meat filling

1. Take a quad bike safari through the sand dunes of the desert

2. Go on a jeep tour to the Coloured Canyon and the Blue Hole

3. Float high above Sharm El Sheikh on a parasailing tour

4. Dive at the Elphinstone Reef off Marsa Alam and look for sharks

5. Snorkel with dolphins at the Dolphin House in Marsa Alam

Picture Source title:
© Balate Dorin/stock.adobe.com

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