Sharm El Sheikh International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Sharm el-Sheikh airport is surrounded by resorts along almost the entire stretch of coast it serves, from the Nabq nature reserve in the north to the Om El Sid hill in the south, so almost every area still stays within 10-30 minutes of the terminal. Those who want the shortest transfer choose the resorts of Sharks Bay and Ras Nasrani, right north of the airport; those looking for restaurants, dive centres and a walkable evening scene head for Naama Bay, the tourist heart of the city; those who prefer the reef below the cliff and a few extra minutes of quiet look to Om El Sid, in the south; those wanting near-total isolation in a nature reserve choose Nabq Bay, further north.

Sharks Bay and Ras Nasrani

Airport area · About 8-10 km from the terminal, 10-15 minutes by car: it is the stretch of coast closest to the airport among those with large resorts.

Best for: Travelers who want the shortest possible transfer from the terminal, in an exclusive resort away from the Naama Bay crowds.

Pros

The shortest transfer from the terminal among all the areas of Sharm el-Sheikh
Reef accessible directly from the beach, great for snorkelling without a boat

Cons

Isolated from the evening life of Naama Bay, which still remains a 10-15 minute taxi ride away
Few independent restaurants nearby: you almost always eat at the resort

Recommended hotels in this area

Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh: On the northern tip of the peninsula, at Ras Nasrani, about 10 minutes from the terminal according to the official website; a kilometre of private beach among limestone cliffs and access to a protected marine reserve.
DoubleTree by Hilton Sharm El Sheikh Sharks Bay Resort: At Sharks Bay, 182 Ras Nusrani, with multiple pools and a view of the Red Sea; among the hotels with the shortest transfer from the terminal in the whole area.

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Naama Bay

Neighbourhood · About 10-12 km from the terminal, 15-20 minutes by car; shuttles from the large resorts need to be booked in advance with flight details.

Best for: Nightlife, restaurants and historic dive centres, on a pedestrian seafront that exists nowhere else in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Pros

The only area with a real pedestrian promenade of restaurants, bars and shops
A concentration of historic dive centres, like Camel Dive Club, active since 1992, for those who dive every day

Cons

A very busy, touristy area that is noisy in the evening, especially on weekends
Some resorts are on a slope above the bay and require stairs or an internal shuttle service to reach the beach

Recommended hotels in this area

Hotel Novotel Sharm El-Sheikh: In the heart of Naama Bay, among the highest-rated in the area on nearly every platform; beach and pool mentioned as the strong points in reviews.
Mövenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh Naama Bay: In an elevated position above Naama Bay, with a panoramic view of the bay and its five beaches; airport shuttle available on request.
Naama Bay Promenade Beach Resort Managed By Accor: 520 units overlooking either the beach or the hillside, in the heart of Naama Bay; formerly a Marriott, now managed by Accor, about 10 km from the terminal.
Camel Dive Club & Boutique Hotel: In the pedestrian centre of Naama Bay, 5 minutes on foot from the pier where the dive boats depart; the reference dive centre of the bay since 1992.

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Om El Sid and Ras Um Sid

Neighbourhood · The Sheraton states on its own website 10 minutes from the terminal and 4 km from the nightlife of Naama Bay; the Renaissance Golden View, on the same hill of Om El Sid, is a similar distance away.

Best for: Travelers who want the cliff and reef of Ras Um Sid reachable on foot, while still staying just minutes from Naama Bay.

Pros

Direct access to the reef at the Ras Um Sid cliff, among the best-known snorkelling spots in Sharm el-Sheikh
Quieter in the evening than Naama Bay, while still staying just minutes by taxi from the nightlife venues

Cons

A hilly area, with smaller and rockier beaches compared to Naama Bay or Nabq Bay
Few independent restaurants outside the hotels: you depend on the properties themselves or on a taxi

Recommended hotels in this area

Renaissance Sharm El Sheikh Golden View Beach Resort: On the Om El Sid hill, with a long private beach and direct access to the reef, with views of Tiran Island.
Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort, Villas & Spa: On the Al Pasha coast, near the Ras Um Sid cliff; the official website lists it as 10 minutes from the terminal and 4 km from Naama Bay, with a private beach and reef for snorkelling.

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Nabq Bay

Neighbourhood · Inside the Nabq nature reserve, north of the airport: sources agree on about 20-30 minutes by car, with some variation depending on the exact point of the bay.

Best for: Travelers looking for an isolated resort in the Nabq nature reserve, with a wide beach and views of Tiran Island, accepting to stay far from everything else.

Pros

A 1,100-metre private beach and views of Tiran Island and the Gulf of Aqaba
The Nabq nature reserve around the resort, less dense with properties than Naama Bay

Cons