The biggest problem you’re likely to face in Sharm el Sheikh is simply figuring out how to get the most out of your stay. There are a large number of options which depend heavily on the specific tastes of those traveling to Sharm, and they can appear almost overwhelming at first. Figuring out exactly what your priorities are will go a long way toward narrowing down how to use your vacation in Sharm.

Avid shoppers will be delighted by the world-class choices available all over Sharm el Sheikh. The experiences here can range from tiny, traditionally Egyptian fare to more familiar, expensive venues. Na’ama Bay, Il Mercato and La Strada offer international brands (and are peppered with many conveniently placed restaurants) for shoppers who want to buy from familiar labels and entertainment options. Old Market and Al Khan are traditionally Egyptian markets and provide an exotic flavour through their alleyways crammed with street vendors, bazaars and souks. Shoppers who want to grab a Sinai Peninsula or Egyptian style souvenir will find their greatest discoveries here, while also taking in a unique cultural experience throughout the process.

Divers need not worry about any sort of shortage of activities centred around their pastime while visiting. There is an incredible number of diving clubs available for patronage within Sharm el Sheikh and neighboring bays that have all added up to help create the location’s global renown as a diver’s paradise. The coral reef shelves and diverse marine life provide an otherworldly vista for scuba and snorkeling fans and are well worth looking into. It may be difficult to pick a diving club out of the many options available, but a run-down of some of the top choices may help the process along.

The Camel Dive Club, Ocean College and Red Sea Diving College all offer up exceptional classes and tours for those interested in exploring the water. Most options offer multi-lingual service (although many are catered toward English-speaking tourists) and different levels of accepted experience, from complete novice to expert divers who only really need a guide to the best dive sites. Depending on a visitor’s preference in diving experience, different sites will make up varying experiences. The Gulf of Suez offers astonishing views of shipwrecks while many of the clubs around Na’ama Bay and Shark’s Bay provide a more natural, scenic type of dive where the marine life of Egypt can be peacefully observed.

There are a plethora of gorgeous beaches suitable for relaxation, swimming and sunbathing in front of the gorgeous backdrop of the Red Sea’s serene waters. Each of the Sharm el Sheik neighbourhoods host exquisite, sandy beaches so that no matter which resort you choose you’re in no danger of getting a bad spot along the coastline. Water sports centres are also located around the surf in many places, including the fantastic Sun ‘N’ Fun facility that allows for great family fun. Windsurfing, boating and swimming are activities favourited by many tourists and are good choices at any time due to the water’s warm temperature all year round.

The golf courses of Sharm el Sheikh provide excellent links with beautiful scenery, making them an ideal location for those who love playing a game while abroad. The 18-Hole Championship Golf Course is only five kilometres from Sharm el Sheikh City’s hotels or resorts and is home to many exotic birds and an exquisite view. Its pro shop and clubhouse are both world-class and the course is also conveniently located next to the Golf Hotel, a five-star luxury resort for those who want to remain as close to the links as possible during their stay. The Golf Hotel hosts a water park along with its own variety of restaurants, bars, discos, diving centers and beach facilities, which makes it an ideal choice for many visitors (especially families) with differing interests.

For travelers interested in taking in as much history and culture as possible, Sharm el Sheik also hosts some extremely impressive sightseeing and notable locations. The Sinai Peninsula is home to many Bedouins with some resorts offering cultural tours which allow visitors to experience a bit of their lifestyle during a shared dinner. There are guided camelback trips across the desert as well as day trips to locales such as the Coloured Canyon (in the desert mountains outside of Nuweiba) where the beauty of nature can be taken in firsthand. The St. Catherin’s monastery was constructed in the 4th century on the site where the Biblical burning bush was believed to have been and many agencies offer tours around the location and surrounding fortress where monks still reside today. The historic Mount Sinai (where Moses received the Ten Commandments) can also be visited by camel for those interested in historic locations well-known from the Bible. Aside from these, there are also regular trips which can be scheduled to the enormous Egyptian city of Cairo or into the wilderness for an automobile-guided safari excursion.

Sharm el Sheikh is known as the City of Peace for its historic role in providing a neutral meeting place for the creation of pacts and negotiation agreements between Middle Eastern rivals. Due to its reputation, many students of the past may be interested in looking around municipal buildings to see fascinating documents and artifacts too.

All in all there is an enormous amount of choice presented in Sharm el Sheik with the difficult task of selecting them being left to the type of traveler coming to visit. Picking a category that interests you and your traveling companions most is the best step toward being able to explore your favourite pastimes best.