1. Activity
Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh: the group trip guide
Red Sea diving thrills, desert escarpments, and sun-soaked resort ease.
Perched on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm El Sheikh has long divided opinion, and understandably so. Strip away the sprawling all-inclusive package hotels and package-holiday sheen, however, and you are left with direct access to some of the finest marine life on earth. The sheer drama of the landscape hits you first: jagged, rust-red desert mountains plunging straight into water so clear and brilliantly blue it almost looks artificial.
Days here settle into an easy, amphibious rhythm. Serious crews will spend early mornings on day boats heading out to the sheer walls of Ras Mohammed or descending into the watery shadow of the SS Thistlegorm, where wartime motorbikes and Bedford trucks still sit frozen in time. Come late afternoon, the town dusts off the salt for chilled Stella lagers, beachfront shisha, and grilled seafood at the Old Market under the extraordinary copper-toned minarets of Al Sahaba Mosque.
It rewards groups of friends who want guaranteed sunshine without overthinking logistics, provided someone in the party holds a diving qualification or at least a snorkel. While parts of town can veer heavily into plastic tourist glitz, leaning into the outdoor pursuits—desert quad safaris across wind-carved canyons, late-night Bedouin stargazing, and world-class drift dives—turns a simple fly-and-flop into a genuinely thrilling gathering.
Who Sharm El Sheikh is best for
Certified dive crews. Few places on the planet offer such effortless access to legendary drop-offs and intact wartime shipwrecks like the SS Thistlegorm.
Winter sun escapes. It delivers reliably warm water and brilliant blue skies when northern Europe is shivering in bleak midwinter.
High-octane adventure groups. You can spend one day quad biking across rugged Sinai canyons and the next undertaking an overnight summit trek up Mount Sinai.
Low-stress group holidays. Expansive seaside resorts take all the friction out of accommodating varied budgets, morning workout routines, and late risers.
What Sharm El Sheikh is known for
Ras Mohammed Coral Reefs. Renowned globally for world-class wall diving and snorkeling amidst pristine coral gardens and teeming marine life at the tip of Sinai.
SS Thistlegorm Shipwreck Diving. One of the world's most famous scuba dive sites, featuring a sunken WWII British cargo vessel preserved with wartime motorbikes and trucks.
Mount Sinai & St. Catherine. The primary resort launchpad for overnight sunrise treks up Mount Sinai and excursions to the ancient Saint Catherine's Monastery.
Sinai Desert Quad Safaris. Action-packed ATV expeditions into the rugged Sinai canyons, paired with stargazing and traditional Bedouin camp hospitality.
Naama Bay Promenade. The lively pedestrian epicenter of the city, celebrated for its beachfront shisha cafes, bazaars, and vibrant Red Sea nightlife.
Naama Bay. The bustling resort bay and pedestrian promenade that serves as the primary tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh.
Ras Muhammad National Park. A world-renowned marine reserve at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula famous for its dramatic underwater reefs and dive sites.
Al Sahaba Mosque. A striking, intricately designed Ottoman-style mosque that dominates the city's Old Market.
Things to do in Sharm El Sheikh
The best-loved places, ranked by rating and how many people have reviewed them.
Read our full guide: the best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh with friends
2. Activity
Soho Square Dancing Fountain
3. Activity
The Heavenly Cathedral (Coptic Orthodox Church)
4. Activity
Al-Sahaba Mosque
5. Activity
Saint Catherine's Monastery
6. Activity
Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve
Where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh
Well-reviewed hotels. Live prices for your dates are in the planner.
Read our full guide: where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh with friends
1. Hotel
SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort
2. Hotel
Pickalbatros Palace Resort منتجع قصر بيكالباتروس
3. Hotel
Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
4. Hotel
Mövenpick Resort Sharm el Sheikh
Accessibility and dietary needs
- 17 bars, clubs and live-music spots.
Based on 105 places in our guide and details listed on Google. Always check accessibility with each place before you go.
More Sharm El Sheikh guides
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- How to plan a group birthday trip to Sharm El Sheikh
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