Sharm El Sheikh

{{use dmy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = | official_name = Sharm El Sheikh | other_name = | native_name = {{lang|ar|شرم الشيخ}} | nickname = The City of Peace | settlement_type = City | total_type = | motto = | image_skyline = {{Photomontage |photo1a = Sharm El Sheikh - panoramio (15).jpg |photo1b = Sharm El Sheikh - panoramio (104).jpg |photo2a = Sharm El Sheikh. Naama Bay..jpg |photo2b = تنوع الاسماك والشعاب بمحمية رأس محمد.jpg |photo2c = مدخل محمية رأس محمد.jpg |photo3a = Мечеть Аль-Сахаба.jpg |photo3b = Sharm el sheikh - 8698824538.jpg |photo3c = Farsha in Sharm el-Sheikh.jpg |photo4a = النصب التذكارى للسلام بمدية شرم الشيخ.jpg |size = 320 |spacing = 3 |color = transparent |border = 0 }} | image_caption = '''Top-bottom, left-right:''' Sharm El Sheikh panorama, City's obelisk, Naama Bay, Coral reefs, Ras Mohamad Natural park entrance, Sahaba Mosque, Hadaba area and souk, Monument of Peace | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_map1 = {{Infobox mapframe |shape-fill-opacity=.1|wikidata=yes |zoom=11 |frame-height=300 | stroke-width=1 |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}} | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Egypt Sinai#Egypt | pushpin_label_position = left | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{Flagu|Egypt}} | subdivision_type1 = Governorate | subdivision_name1 = {{Flagcountry|South Sinai Governorate}} | subdivision_name2 = | seat_type = | seat = | parts_type = | parts_style = | parts = | p1 = | p2 = | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 =  | leader_name1 = | established_title =  | established_date = | established_title1 =  | established_date1 = | established_title2 =  | established_date2 = | founder = | named_for = | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = <ref name="citypopulation">{{cite web |title=Sharm ash-Shaykh 1 (Kism (fully urban), Egypt) – Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/egypt/admin/s%C4%ABn%C4%81_al_jan%C5%ABbiyah/3508__sharm_ash_shaykh_1/ |website=citypopulation.de |access-date=17 June 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701195748/http://www.citypopulation.de/en/egypt/admin/s%C4%ABn%C4%81_al_jan%C5%ABbiyah/3508__sharm_ash_shaykh_1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 44.68 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_total_dunam =  | area_water_percent = | elevation_footnotes = <ref name="citypopulation" /> | elevation_m = 1 | elevation_max_m = | elevation_min_m = | population_as_of = 2017 | population_footnotes = <ref name="citypopulation" /> | population_note = | population_total = 77,000 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi = auto | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 = auto | population_density_metro_sq_mi = auto | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = auto | population_density_urban_sq_mi = auto | population_density_blank1_km2 = auto | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = auto | timezone = EGY | utc_offset = +2 | timezone_DST = EEST | utc_offset_DST = +3 | coordinates = {{Coord|27|54|54|N|34|19|39|E|region:EG|display=inline,title}} | postal_code_type =  | postal_code = | area_code = | website = {{URL|https://www.southsinai.gov.eg/City/Details/3}} }}

'''Sharm El Sheikh''',{{efn|({{langx|arz|شرم الشيخ|Šarm eš-Šayḫ}}, {{IPA|arz|ˈʃɑɾm eʃˈʃeːx|IPA}}, literally "bay of the Sheikh")}} alternatively rendered '''Sharm el-Sheikh''' or '''Charm el Sheikh''', is an Egyptian city located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in South Sinai Governorate, on the coastal strip along the Red Sea in Asia.<ref name="Geo">{{citation|title=Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt|url=https://www.themodernpostcard.com/sharm-el-sheikh-egypt-a-day-at-the-beach-a-lesson-in-geography/|access-date=12 October 2025|website=themodernpostcard.com}}</ref> Its population is approximately 77,000 {{as of|2017|lc=yes}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=173 ألف نسمة إجمالي تعداد سكان جنوب سيناء.. وشرم الشيخ الأولى بعدد السكان |url=https://www.shorouknews.com/news/view.aspx?cdate=24042017&id=e31cb7cf-4e29-4077-aee6-36ab97bd3e6d |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=www.shorouknews.com |language=ar-eg}}</ref> Sharm El Sheikh is the administrative hub of Egypt's South Sinai Governorate, which includes the smaller coastal towns of Dahab and Nuweiba as well as the mountainous interior, St. Catherine and Mount Sinai.

It was historically a fishing town and military base, and was developed into a commercial and tourist-centric city afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/169629/Sharm-El-Sheikh |title=Sharm El-Sheikh |date=2022-06-22 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Egypt State Information Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715190525/https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/169629/Sharm-El-Sheikh |archive-date=2024-07-15}}</ref> The Egyptian government continued and expanded the development, promoting Sharm El Sheikh as a major international resort city. Today, the city and holiday resort is a significant centre for tourism in Egypt, while also attracting many international conferences, concerts, clubbing and diplomatic meetings.

Downtown Sharm El Sheikh has the major concentrations of international banks in the city and is home to several large national companies. The city is home to major hospitals and health facilities, including Sharm International Hospital, the city's largest hospital and others engaged in health-related care and research. Sharm El Sheikh port is the city's seaport, which lies on the coast of the Red Sea, and the nearest airport is the city's Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. The Sharm El Sheikh metropolitan area is one of the most visited cities in Egypt, with over 3 million visitors in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Egypt welcomes 15.78 million tourists in 2024, aims for 30 million annually in coming years |url=https://economymiddleeast.com/news/egypt-welcomes-15-78-million-tourists-in-2024-aims-for-30-million-annually-in-coming-years/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Economy Middle East |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-07 |title=Egypt welcomes record 15.7 million tourists in 2024 despite regional challenges |url=https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2025/01/07/egypt-welcomes-record-15-7-million-tourists-in-2024-despite-regional-challenges/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Daily News Egypt |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Name== The English name of Sharm El Sheikh is a borrowing of the Egyptian Arabic {{langx|arz|شرم الشيخ|šarm aš-šayḵ|label=none}} and, as such, does not have a fixed romanisation. There are documented uses of alternate spellings such as Sharm el Sheikh and Sharm el-Sheikh, sometimes within the same news article.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63781303 |title=COP27: What was agreed at the Sharm el Sheikh climate conference? |last=Stallard |first=Esme |work=BBC News |date=2022-12-08 |access-date=2024-07-18}}</ref>

Sharm El Sheikh is sometimes referred to as the "City of Peace" ({{langx|ar|مدينة السلام|madinet es-salām|label=none}}), referring to the large number of international peace conferences that have been held there.<ref name="City of Peace">{{cite news |last1=Al-Mukhtar |first1=Rima |title=Sharm El-Sheikh, city of peace |url=http://www.arabnews.com/travel/sharm-el-sheikh-city-peace |access-date=23 May 2018 |work=Arab News |date=23 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426061414/http://www.arabnews.com/travel/sharm-el-sheikh-city-peace |archive-date=26 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Amongst Egyptians and also many visitors, the name of the city is commonly shortened to "Sharm" ({{IPA|arz|ʃɑɾm|lang}}), which is its common name in Egyptian Arabic.

==Geography and history== [[File:Sharm el Sheikh and the Strait of Tiran in the Kiepert Sinai map 1840 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|300px|Sharm el Sheikh and the Strait of Tiran in the 1840 Kiepert map of the Sinai Peninsula. The town of ''Shurm'' is shown just north of two bays: Sharm El Sheikh and Sharm El Miya ({{langx|ar|شرم المية}}). This area forms the southern tip of the modern city.]] [[File:Sharm el Sheikh map.png|thumb|right|250px|Sharm El Sheikh is located on the Egyptian Red Sea coast, at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula]]

Sharm El Sheikh is on a promontory overlooking the Straits of Tiran at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. Its strategic importance led to its transformation from a fishing village into a major port and naval base for the Egyptian Navy. It was conquered by Israel during the Suez Crisis of 1956 and returned to Egypt in 1957. A United Nations peacekeeping force was stationed there until 1967 when it was ordered to leave by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, a fact that precipitated the Six-Day War during which it was reoccupied by Israel. Sharm El Sheikh remained under Israeli control from 1967 until the Sinai Peninsula was returned back to Egypt in 1982, after the Egypt–Israel peace treaty of 1979 that was signed in Washington, D.C.<ref name="CampDavid">{{Cite web |title=Camp David Accords: Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel |url=https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/research/framework_for_the_conclusion_of_a_peace_treaty |access-date=2020-11-13 |publisher=The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205133620/https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/research/framework_for_the_conclusion_of_a_peace_treaty |archive-date=5 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Israel returns Sinai to Egypt |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/04/25/Israel-returns-Sinai-to-Egypt/1136388558800/ |access-date=2020-11-13 |website=UPI |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426080231/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/04/25/Israel-returns-Sinai-to-Egypt/1136388558800/ |archive-date=26 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> During that time, an Israeli settlement named Ofira was built in the area.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Back to the Future: New Released Documents Show Israel, U.S. Tensions, Circa 1975 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2012-09-25/ty-article/israel-u-s-tension-the-70s-version/0000017f-f08d-d223-a97f-fdddfaa90000?v=1699509679658 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=Sep 25, 2012}}</ref> In 1968, Israel opened an air force military base there, where Egypt later built the Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport on the same location that included an enormous $420m investment by the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, a major project that helped put the city on global map. <ref name="IntProject">{{citation|title=Sharm el-Sheik International Airport|url=https://www.airport-technology.com/projects/sharm-el-sheikh-international-airport/|access-date=13 October 2025|website=airport-technology.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sharm El Sheikh Airport Assistance |url=https://sharmelsheikhairportassistance.com/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Sharm El Sheikh Airport Assistance}}</ref> Unlike Sinai's other well-known settlement, Yamit, Ofira was not demolished after Israel ceded control of Sinai to Egypt following the Camp David Accords, but was handed over intact and is today a thriving tourist town and home to local Egyptian residents.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Good Vibes in Sharm E-sheikh: Israelis Touring Egypt |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-726737 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=Jan 7, 2023}}</ref>

Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak designated Sharm El Sheikh as ''The City of Peace'' in 1982 and the Egyptian government began a policy of encouraging massive development of the city. Egyptian businessmen and investors, along with global investors contributed to building several mega projects, including mosques and churches. The city is now an international tourist destination, and environmental zoning laws limit the height of buildings to avoid obscuring the natural beauty of the surroundings. In 2022, Sharm El-Sheikh along with another Egyptian city, Hurghada, were both chosen by Trip advisor as the world's top 25 tourist destinations.<ref name=monument>{{citation|title=Tripadvisor has chosen Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh among the best tourist destinations in the world during the current year 2022|url=https://egymonuments.gov.eg/news/tripadvisor-has-chosen-hurghada-and-sharm-el-sheikh-among-the-best-tourist-destinations-in-the-world-during-the-current-year-2022/|access-date=13 October 2025|website=egymonuments.gov.eg}}</ref> A hierarchical planning approach was adopted for the Gulf of Aqaba, whereby the area's components were evaluated and subdivided into zones, cities and centers. In accordance with this approach, the Gulf of Aqaba zone was subdivided into four cities: Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh. Sharm El Sheikh city has been subdivided into five homogeneous centers, namely Nabq, Ras Nusrani, Naama Bay, Umm Sid and Sharm El Maya.

Sharm El Sheikh city, with Naama Bay, Hay el Nour, Hadaba, Rowaysat, Montazah and {{interlanguage link|Shark's Bay, Sharm El Sheikh|lt=Shark's Bay|qid=Q9335929|s=1|v=sup}} form a metropolitan area.

The site off the shore gun emplacements at Ras Nasrani opposite Tiran Island is now a diving area.<ref>The Jewish Agency's Digest of Press and Events Jewish Agency for Israel - 1956 Egyptian Blockade. "The point on the south-eastern coast of Sinai directly facing Tiran is known as Ras Nasrani."</ref><ref>Kenes Ha-shenati - Page 50 ''Ḥevrah ha-geʼologit ha-Yiśreʼelit''. Kenes - 1982 "Between Eilat and Ras Nasrani</ref><ref>Al J. Venter, Darrell Hattingh ''Where to dive in southern Africa and off the islands'' Page 249 {{ISBN|1-874800-17-0}} 1990</ref>

In 2005, the resort was hit by the Sharm El Sheikh terrorist attacks, which were carried out by an extremist Islamist organisation targeting Egypt's tourist industry. Eighty-eight people were killed, the majority of them Egyptians, and over 200 were wounded by the attack, making it the second deadliest terrorist attack in the country's history.

[[File:Direct talks in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on September 14, 2010 2.jpg|thumb|The city has hosted a number of important Middle Eastern peace conferences, including the 2010–2011 Israeli–Palestinian peace talks.]] The city has played host to a number of important Middle Eastern peace conferences, including the 4 September 1999 agreement to establish Palestinian self-rule over the Gaza Strip. A second summit was held at Sharm on 17 October 2000 following the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada, but it failed to end the violence. A summit was held in the city on 3 August 2005 on developments in the Arab world, such as the situation in the Arab–Israeli conflict. Again in 2007, an important ministerial meeting took place in Sharm, where dignitaries discussed Iraqi reconstruction.<ref name="Sharm el-Sheikh Conference on Iraq">{{cite news |title=Sharm el-Sheikh Conference on Iraq Offers US Interaction with Countries in the Region |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-05-10-voa36/404194.html |access-date=10 November 2011 |publisher=Voice of America |date=May 11, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702003517/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/news-analysis/a-13-2007-05-10-voa36.html |archive-date=2 July 2011}}</ref>

The World Economic Forum on the Middle East was hosted by Sharm El Sheikh in 2006<ref name="Economic Forum at Sharm el Sheikh International Congress Center (SHICC)">{{cite news |title=World Economic Forum opens in Egypt |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/language_tips/2006-05/22/content_596675.htm |newspaper=China Daily |date=2006-05-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608181400/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/language_tips/2006-05/22/content_596675.htm |archive-date=2013-06-08}}</ref> and 2008.<ref>[http://www.weforum.org/en/events/ArchivedEvents/WorldEconomicForumontheMiddleEast2008/index.htm World Economic Forum] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430031241/http://www.weforum.org/en/events/ArchivedEvents/WorldEconomicForumontheMiddleEast2008/index.htm |date=2009-04-30}} Retrieved 2010-03-21</ref> Amidst the 2011 Egyptian protests, then-president Mubarak reportedly went to Sharm El Sheikh and resigned there on 11 February 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/03/21/133674942/this-is-a-new-egypt-nation-exults-as-mubarak-quits |title='This Is A New Egypt!' Nation Exults As Mubarak Quits |publisher=NPR |date=11 February 2011 |access-date=2011-02-11 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807233042/https://www.npr.org/2011/03/21/133674942/this-is-a-new-egypt-nation-exults-as-mubarak-quits |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2014 World Economic Forum in Sharm El Sheikh heralded a new initiative for desert cities urban development in Egypt.<ref>{{cite book |title=Routledge Handbook on Cairo: Histories, Representations and Discourses |editor1=Nezar AlSayyad |publisher=Taylor & Francis |date=2022 |isbn=9781000787894}}</ref> [[File:COP 27 John Kerry.jpg|thumb|right|John Kerry, Sam Cho, and others at COP27, Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt (2022).]] In November 2022, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) was held in Sharm El Sheikh.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/05/world/middleeast/egypt-cop27.html |title=Hosting Climate Summit is Both Opportunity and Risk for Egypt |work=The New York Times |date=5 November 2022 |last1=Yee |first1=Vivian |access-date=11 November 2022 |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111214024/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/05/world/middleeast/egypt-cop27.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This conference led to the first loss and damage fund being created.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=20 November 2022 |title=Climate change: Five key takeaways from COP27 |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63693738 |access-date=21 November 2022 |archive-date=20 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120105924/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63693738 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On Monday, October 13, 2025, the city hosted an international summit titled ''"Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit"'' co-chaired by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and US President Donald Trump, with the participation of world leaders from more than 20 countries aiming to end the war in the Gaza Strip.<ref name=2025summit>{{citation|title=Sharm El-Sheikh Hosts International Peace Summit on Monday|url=https://www.presidency.eg/en/%D9%82%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/news11102025-2/|access-date=13 October 2025|website=presidency.eg}}</ref>

==Climate== {{climate chart | Sharm El Sheikh |10.1 |21.1 |0 |10.7 |22.3 |1 |14 |25.2 |1 |16.6 |27.9 |0 |20.2 |31.4 |0 |23.3 |33.7 |0 |24.6 |34.3 |0 |24.7 |34.6 |0 |23.1 |32.5 |0 |19.6 |29.8 |1 |15.5 |26.3 |0 |11.5 |22.4 |1

|float = right |clear = none |source = ''Climate-Data.org''<ref name="Climate-Data.org"/>

}}

The city experiences a subtropical arid climate, classified by the Köppen–Geiger system as hot desert (BWh).<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web |title=Climate: Sharm el-Sheikh - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/4552/ |publisher=Climate-Data.org |access-date=17 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105171856/http://en.climate-data.org/location/4552/ |archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> Temperatures are just short of a tropical climate. Typical temperatures range from {{convert|18|to|23|C|F}} in January and {{convert|33|to|37|C|F}} in August. The temperature of the Red Sea in this region ranges from {{convert|21|to|28|C|F}} over the course of the year.<ref name="Weather2Travel">{{cite web |title=Sharm el-Sheikh Climate and Weather Averages |url=http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/ |publisher=Weather2Travel |access-date=13 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015073853/http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/ |archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref>

Marsa Alam, Kosseir and Sharm El Sheikh have the warmest winter night temperatures of cities and resorts in Egypt.

The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|46|°C}} on 3 June 2013, and the lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|5|°C}} on 23 February 2000.<ref name="Voodoo Skies">{{cite web |title=Sharm el-Shekh |url=http://voodooskies.com/weather/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh |publisher=Voodoo Skies |access-date=9 July 2013 |archive-date=27 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227232435/http://voodooskies.com/weather/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh |url-status=dead}}</ref>  {{Weather box |location = Sharm El Sheikh |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C=31 |Feb record high C=34 |Mar record high C=37 |Apr record high C=41 |May record high C=44 |Jun record high C=46 |Jul record high C=46 |Aug record high C=45 |Sep record high C=43 |Oct record high C=41 |Nov record high C=37 |Dec record high C=32

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 mm

|source 1 = ''World Meteorological Organization'',<ref name="WMO">{{cite web |url=http://worldweather.wmo.int/059/c01269.htm |title=World Weather Information Service - Sharm El-Sheikh |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225194827/http://worldweather.wmo.int/059/c01269.htm%0A%20 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Climate-Data.org'' for mean temperatures<ref name="Climate-Data.org"/>

|source 2 = ''Voodoo Skies'' for record temperatures<ref name="Voodoo Skies"/>

[https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/climate Time and Date] (dewpoints and humidity, 2005-2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/climate |title=Climate & Weather Averages in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt |publisher=Time and Date |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115062619/https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/climate |url-status=live }}</ref>

[https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh-climate#daylight_sunshine Weather Atlas] (mean daily sun hours)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh-climate#daylight_sunshine |title=Monthly weather forecast and climate in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316113250/http://www.weather-atlas.com/en/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh-climate#daylight_sunshine |url-status=live }}</ref> }} {{Weather box |location = Sharm El Sheikh (Sharm El Sheikh International Airport) 1991–2020 normals |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan high C = 22.2 |Feb high C = 23.6 |Mar high C = 26.4 |Apr high C = 30.4 |May high C = 34.7 |Jun high C = 37.5 |Jul high C = 38.3 |Aug high C = 38.2 |Sep high C = 36.1 |Oct high C = 32.5 |Nov high C = 27.8 |Dec high C = 23.9 |year high C = |Jan mean C = 17.8 |Feb mean C = 19.1 |Mar mean C = 21.8 |Apr mean C = 25.3 |May mean C = 29.4 |Jun mean C = 32.2 |Jul mean C = 33.1 |Aug mean C = 33.3 |Sep mean C = 31.3 |Oct mean C = 28.0 |Nov mean C = 23.5 |Dec mean C = 19.6 |year mean C = |Jan low C = 13.8 |Feb low C = 14.6 |Mar low C = 17.3 |Apr low C = 20.6 |May low C = 24.3 |Jun low C = 27.0 |Jul low C = 28.3 |Aug low C = 28.8 |Sep low C = 27.0 |Oct low C = 24.1 |Nov low C = 19.6 |Dec low C = 15.6 |year low C = |Jan precipitation mm = 2.81 |Feb precipitation mm = 0.09 |Mar precipitation mm = 1.59 |Apr precipitation mm = 0.18 |May precipitation mm = 0.5 |Jun precipitation mm = 0.0 |Jul precipitation mm = 0.0 |Aug precipitation mm = 0.0 |Sep precipitation mm = 0.03 |Oct precipitation mm = 1.56 |Nov precipitation mm = 2.21 |Dec precipitation mm = 1.08 |year precipitation mm = |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 0.17 |Feb precipitation days = 0.07 |Mar precipitation days = 0.13 |Apr precipitation days = 0.0 |May precipitation days = 0.14 |Jun precipitation days = 0.0 |Jul precipitation days = 0.0 |Aug precipitation days = 0.0 |Sep precipitation days = 0.0 |Oct precipitation days = 0.14 |Nov precipitation days = 0.14 |Dec precipitation days = 0.1 |year precipitation days = |source 1 = NOAA<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231002161915/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Egypt/CSV/HurghadaAP_62463.csv | archive-date = 2 October 2023 | url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Egypt/CSV/SharmElSheikhAP_62460.csv | title = Sharm El Sheikh Airport Normals 1991–2020 | work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020) | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = 2 October 2023}}</ref> }}

{|style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable mw-collapsible" |- !Colspan=14|Climate data for Sharm El-Sheikh |- !Month !Jan !Feb !Mar !Apr !May !Jun !Jul !Aug !Sep !Oct !Nov !Dec !style="border-left-width:medium"|Year |- !Average sea temperature °C (°F) |style="background:#FF8300;color:#000000;"|23.3 (74.0) |style="background:#FF9500;color:#000000;"|22.4 (72.4) |style="background:#FF9100;color:#000000;"|22.6 (72.7) |style="background:#FF8700;color:#000000;"|23.1 (73.6) |style="background:#FF6900;color:#000000;"|24.6 (76.3) |style="background:#FF4800;color:#000000;"|26.3 (79.4) |style="background:#FF2100;color:#FFFFFF;"|28.3 (83.0) |style="background:#FF1700;color:#FFFFFF;"|28.8 (83.9) |style="background:#FF2900;color:#FFFFFF;"|27.9 (82.1) |style="background:#FF3100;color:#FFFFFF;"|27.5 (81.5) |style="background:#FF5600;color:#000000;"|25.6 (78.2) |style="background:#FF6D00;color:#000000;"|24.4 (75.9) |style="background:#FF5A00;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|25.4 (77.8) |- !Mean daily daylight hours |style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0 |style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0 |style="background:#FFFF33;color:#000000;"|12.0 |style="background:#FFFF44;color:#000000;"|13.0 |style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0 |style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0 |style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0 |style="background:#FFFF44;color:#000000;"|13.0 |style="background:#FFFF33;color:#000000;"|12.0 |style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0 |style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0 |style="background:#F0F011;color:#000000;"|10.0 |style="background:#FFFF35;color:#000000;"|12.2 |- !Average Ultraviolet index |style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|5 |style="background:#f85900;color:#000000;"|6 |style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|8 |style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11 |style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11 |style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11+ |style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11+ |style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11 |style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|10 |style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|8 |style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|5 |style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|4 |style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|8.4 |- !Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source #1: seatemperature.org (Sea temperature)<ref name="Seatemperature">{{cite web |url=http://www.seatemperature.org/africa/egypt/sharm-el-shheikh-february.htm |title=Monthly Sharm El Sheikh water temperature chart |publisher=Seatemperature.org |access-date=2014-01-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901094958/http://www.seatemperature.org/africa/egypt/sharm-el-shheikh-february.htm |archive-date=2014-09-01}}</ref> |- !Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source #2: Weather Atlas<ref name="Weather Atlas">{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh-climate |title=Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt - Climate data |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=15 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316113250/http://www.weather-atlas.com/en/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh-climate |archive-date=16 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> |}

Sharm El Sheikh's major industry is foreign and domestic tourism, owing to its landscape, year-round dry climate with long hot summers and warm winters and its long beaches. Its waters are clear and calm for most of the year{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} and have become popular for various water sports, particularly recreational scuba diving and snorkelling. There is scope for scientific tourism due to the diversity of marine life: 250 different coral reefs and 1000 species of fishes.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}

These natural resources, together with its proximity to tourist markets in Europe, have stimulated rapid growth in tourism in the region. The number of resorts has increased from three in 1982 to ninety-one in 2000. Guest nights also increased in that period from sixteen thousand to 5.1 million. International hotel companies that currently operate in the city include Accor (Mövenpick, Novotel, Rixos), Deutsche Hospitality (Steigenberger), Four Seasons, Hilton (DoubleTree), Marriott (Renaissance, Sheraton), and Rotana, with categories of three to five stars. In 2007, the first aqua park hotel resort opened in the area. The four-star Aqua Blu Sharm Resort was built on the Ras Om El Seid, with an area of {{convert|133905|m2|ft2}}.

Sharm is also home to a congress center, located along Peace Road, where international political and economic meetings have been held, including peace conferences, ministerial meetings, world bank meetings, and Arab League meetings.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} The Maritim Sharm El Sheikh International Congress Centre can host events and congresses for up to 4,700 participants.

There is nightlife in Sharm El Sheikh. The colourful handicraft stands of the local Bedouin culture are a popular attraction.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} Ras Muhammad National Park, at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, has been designated a national park, protecting the area's wildlife, natural landscape, shoreline and coral reef. There are a number of international hotels and restaurants in the centre of Sharm, in the area known as Naama Bay, with golf courses and other leisure facilities further up the coast.

The Nabq Managed Resource Protected Area is a {{convert|600|km2|mi2|adj=on}} area of mangroves, coral reefs, fertile dunes, birds and wildlife.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www2.sis.gov.eg/En/Pub/magazin/summer2003/110227000000000007.htm |title=Tourism: Diving and Safaris.. Ras Mohammad, Nabq, Abu-Galum |publisher=Egypt State Information Service |magazine=Egypt Magazine |date=Summer 2003 |access-date=6 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710201558/http://www2.sis.gov.eg/En/Pub/magazin/summer2003/110227000000000007.htm |archive-date=10 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geographia.com/egypt/sinai/protectedarea.htm |title=Sinai - Nabq Managed Resource |work=geographia.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710153533/http://www.geographia.com/egypt/sinai/protectedarea.htm |archive-date=2010-07-10}}</ref>

As of 2012, nationals from the EU and the US do not require a visa for travel to Sharm El Sheikh if the visit is for fourteen days or less, although those travelling outside the Sinai area may still require a visa, which is purchasable for a small fee on arrival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk/Visas.php |title=Egyptian Consulate visa requirements |access-date=2012-02-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201213355/http://www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk/Visas.php |archive-date=2012-02-01}}</ref> Visitors are often ushered into a queue to buy a visa after entering the airport upon landing.

===Flight incidents=== On 23 August 2015, Thomson Airways Flight 476, approaching Sharm El Sheikh at the end of a flight from London Stansted Airport with 189 passengers aboard, took evasive action to avoid a missile traveling toward it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=2015-11-07 |title=Sharm el-Sheikh flight from Stansted dodged missile last August |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/06/missed-by-a-1000-feet-how-british-holidaymakers-came-close-to-being-hit-by-a-missile-in-august |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> the missile missed the airliner by about {{convert|1,000|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}, and the plane landed safely. A UK investigation concluded that the missile was an Egyptian armed forces missile that had strayed from a military exercise, although the Egyptian government said the flight was never at risk.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-11-07 |title=British Sharm el-Sheikh flight in 'missile' incident |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34754577 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

On 31 October 2015, while flying from Sharm El Sheikh to Saint Petersburg, Metrojet Flight 9268 was destroyed by a bomb above the northern Sinai following its departure from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, killing all 224 people on board,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newsweek.com/2016/06/03/egyptair-metrojet-flight-9268-airport-security-462784.html |title=Metrojet Crash: Why The Insider Threat to Airport Security Isn't Just Egypt's Problem |date=24 May 2016 |first=Owen |last=Matthews |magazine=Newsweek |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=10 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710185526/http://www.newsweek.com/2016/06/03/egyptair-metrojet-flight-9268-airport-security-462784.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for this incident. This caused the repatriation of British and Russian tourists from 5 November 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34739343 |title=Stranded Brits in Sharm to fly home |work=BBC News |date=6 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108012749/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34739343 |archive-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> Following these events, many countries ordered all flights to Sharm El Sheikh be suspended.<ref name="PorousSecurity">{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/sharm-el-sheikh-airport-officials-reveal-porous-security-35053521 |title=International News: Latest Headlines, Video and Photographs from Around the World – People, Places, Crisis, Conflict, Culture, Change, Analysis and Trends |website=ABC News |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108100556/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/sharm-el-sheikh-airport-officials-reveal-porous-security-35053521 |archive-date=8 November 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> These suspensions were gradually lifted as the security situation improved, with the UK government ending its ban on direct flights on 22 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sharm el-Sheikh: UK to resume flights after safety ban |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50137471 |date=22 October 2019 |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=22 October 2019 |archive-date=22 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022195724/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50137471 |url-status=live}}</ref> The process of lifting flight suspensions was completed on 9 August 2021, when the first direct flight from Russia since November 2015 (operated by Rossiya Airlines) landed at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport.<ref name=Rusresume>{{cite web |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/106758/Photos-Sharm-El-Sheikh-receives-its-1st-direct-flight-from |title=Photos: Sharm El-Sheikh receives its 1st direct flight from Russia since 2015 ban |website=egypttoday.com |date=9 August 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809220207/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/106758/Photos-Sharm-El-Sheikh-receives-its-1st-direct-flight-from |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Water sports== Sharm El Sheikh has become a popular location for scuba diving<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worlddivingreview.com/scuba-diving-in-sharm-el-sheikh |title=World Diving Review: Scuba Diving in Sharm El Sheikh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203143013/http://www.worlddivingreview.com/scuba-diving-in-sharm-el-sheikh |archive-date=2013-02-03}}</ref> as a result of its underwater scenery and warm waters. Other beach activities include snorkelling, windsurfing, kite-surfing, para-sailing, boating, and canoeing and stand up paddleboarding.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

Ras Muhammad National Park is located at the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the waters of the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez meet, producing strong currents and providing a habitat for diverse marine life. Two reefs popular with divers are Shark Reef, a vertical wall descending to over {{convert|800|m|ft}}, and Yolanda Reef, the site of the wreck of the Yolanda.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

The Straits of Tiran are located at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba and in a major shipping lane. There are four reefs there, each named after one of the British cartographers who first mapped them: Gordan, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson. In summer months, hammerhead sharks swim in schools near the reefs.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

The Sharm El Sheikh Hyperbaric Medical Center was founded in 1993 by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism with a grant from USAID, to assist with diving-related medical conditions.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

===Shark attacks===

On 1 December 2010, four tourists − three Russians and a Ukrainian − were attacked and injured by an oceanic whitetip shark or sharks in three separate incidents off Sharm El Sheikh. One victim lost a leg, and another an arm. The Egyptian authorities claimed that the shark responsible for the attacks had been captured alive, but the identification was disputed by the diving industry, based on eyewitness and photographic evidence.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 December 2010 |title=Shark attacks three tourists in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11891450 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206050814/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11891450 |archive-date=2010-12-06 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11901934 |title=Egypt shark attack: Conflicting capture claims |work=BBC News |date=2 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205044648/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11901934 |archive-date=2010-12-05}}</ref> Four days later, on 5 December, an elderly German woman was attacked and killed by a shark while snorkeling at the resort.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11922032 |title=Shark attack kills German tourist at resort in Egypt |work=BBC News |date=5 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210165315/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11922032 |archive-date=2010-12-10}}</ref>

==Infrastructure== === Healthcare === Sharm El Sheikh provides private healthcare system. Major hospitals include; Sharm International Hospital, South Sinai Hospital, among others.

===Education=== * St. Joseph Schools * L'école française de Sharm el Sheikh EFSSH (FRENCH SCHOOL) * Fayroz Experimental School * Geel October School * Sharm College * Sharm British School * King Salman International University, Sharm El Sheikh campus

===Transport=== Lampposts on El Salaam Street use solar power. Taxis and buses are numbered for safety.

Sharm's marina has been redeveloped for private yachts and sailing boats, with a passenger terminal for cruise ships.

Sharm has frequent coach services to Cairo leaving from the Delta Sharm bus station.

====Air==== {{Main|Sharm El Sheikh International Airport}}

thumb|Sharm El Sheikh International Airport thumb|Departure Hall

The Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is considered the third largest airport in Egypt, and one of the busiest in the Middle East area. It serves Sharm El Sheikh and also Dahab, Taba, and Nuweiba.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sharm El-Sheikh Airport Guide |url=https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/sharm-el-sheikh-airport-guide.htm |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=Sleeping in Airports |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Roads and buses====

The city includes environmentally friendly buses. Sharm El Sheikh is also connected to the country via the Suez-Sharm El Sheikh road. The Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel crosses the Suez Canal. The city is connected to Taba via Sharm El Sheikh-Taba road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=الصفحة غير موجودة - بوابة الأهرام |url=https://www.ahram.org.eg/Archive/2004/10/21/FRON14.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317175322/https://www.ahram.org.eg/Archive/2004/10/21/FRON14.htm |archive-date=17 March 2022 |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=www.ahram.org.eg |language=ar |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rahalat |url=https://www.rahalat.net/masafat.php |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=www.rahalat.net}}</ref>

==International relations== ===Twin towns=== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Egypt}} * Aqaba, {{JOR|#}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arabtoday.net/83/sharm-aqaba-sign-twin-town-agreement |title=Sharm, Aqaba sign twin-town agreement, 16. December 2015 |work=www.arabtoday |publisher=Arab Today |access-date=30 September 2020 |archive-date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103003218/http://www.arabtoday.net/83/sharm-aqaba-sign-twin-town-agreement |url-status=live }}</ref> ''(since December 2015)'' * Swakopmund, {{NAM|#}}<ref>[http://www.namibwolkie.com/download/July%202008%20Edition1.pdf Swakopmunder Lightbeams, Newsletter of the Municipality of Swakopmund: ''SISTER CITIES & TOWNS'', S. 6, July 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227190928/http://www.namibwolkie.com/download/July%202008%20Edition1.pdf |date=2016-12-27 }} (PDF; 940 kB)</ref> ''(since June 2008)''

==Gallery== <gallery widths="180"> File:Naama Bay R01.jpg|Naama Beach File:Surf_on_beach_at_Na'ama_Bay.jpg|Naama Beach File:Coral_reef_in_Ras_Muhammad_nature_park.JPG|Ras Muhammad National Park File:Naama Bay Promenade R03.jpg|Naama Bay Promenade File:Sharm el-Sheikh & Tiran island aerial view.jpg|Aerial view File:Red sea-reef 3206.jpg|Red Sea reef File:Red sea-reef 3990.jpg|Red Sea reef File:Bottle-nosed_Dolphin_by_Hatem_Moushir.JPG|Bottle-nosed dolphins at a local dolphinarium File:SharmView.jpg|View of the Red Sea from a local resort hotel File:Nabq Protected Area by Hatem Moushir 4.JPG|Nabq Protected Area </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

== Notes == {{notelist}} {{Reflist|group="note"}}

== External links == {{Commons category-inline}} * [http://egypt.travel/en/regions/red-sea/sharm-el-sheikh Sharm El Sheikh - Egyptian Tourism Authority]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharm El Sheikh}} Category:Sharm El Sheikh Category:Populated places in South Sinai Governorate Category:Port cities and towns of the Red Sea Category:Seaside resorts in Egypt Category:Red Sea Riviera Category:Cities in Egypt Category:Tourist attractions in Egypt