⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Due to regional instability and the persistent threat of terrorism, government agencies (including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) advise travelers to exercise a high degree of caution in the Sinai Peninsula. While air travel to Sharm el-Sheikh is generally permitted and the resort areas are considered safer, overland travel through the peninsula and visits to North Sinai are often restricted or advised against (Reconsider Travel). The security environment is unpredictable. Families are strongly urged to consult their own government's official travel advisory before considering a trip, as circumstances and risk assessments vary.
Located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, the Sinai Beach Resorts are famous for some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Sharm el-Sheikh is the primary destination, a purpose-built resort city featuring sprawling hotel complexes that cater specifically to families. Many resorts here offer private beaches, multiple pools, and kids' clubs. In the evenings, families often head to Soho Square or Naama Bay, pedestrian areas filled with fountains, ice rinks, bowling alleys, and restaurants.
The underwater scenery here is breathtaking. A boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park allows families to snorkel in waters teeming with thousands of colourful fish and pristine coral gardens. For a more laid-back vibe, the town of Dahab offers a bohemian atmosphere where cafes line the water's edge and the famous Blue Hole attracts divers from around the globe. Dahab's shallow lagoon is also an excellent place for children to learn windsurfing in safety.
Inland, the scenery shifts to dramatic copper-coloured mountains. While deep desert travel requires caution, organised excursions to Saint Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai are popular. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the oldest working monasteries in the world. Families staying in the resorts can also enjoy desert dinners, star gazing trips, and short camel treks that provide a taste of Bedouin culture without venturing too far from the secured tourist zones.
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Activities & Best Times
Beach resorts, marine activities: diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, wind surfing, sailing
Home to the Red Sea's world-renowned coral reefs and elite diving infrastructure that rivals the Maldives. Peak months offer the perfect balance of 25-32°C air temperatures and warm waters, while mid-summer (Jul-Aug) exceeds 35°C and winter months are too cool for comfortable swimming.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
A global hub for kite surfing, windsurfing, and elite-level scuba diving with exceptional visibility and consistent winds. Seasonal timing is dictated by air temperature comfort for families, with spring and autumn providing the most reliable world-class conditions.
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Features the dramatic Sinai mountains and protected marine parks like Ras Muhammad, offering world-class desert trekking and snorkeling. Peak conditions occur during the cooler months when temperatures are moderate (16-28°C), whereas the intense summer heat makes outdoor exploration hazardous.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Boasts significant historical and scientific value, including the UNESCO-listed St. Catherine’s Monastery and unique desert geology. The mild temperatures of the winter and shoulder seasons are ideal for families to explore these archaeological and natural history sites comfortably.
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
Offers high-end spa retreats and luxury wellness enclaves that utilize the tranquil desert and sea environments. Peak months avoid the biting winds of mid-winter and the oppressive humidity/heat of the summer, providing an optimal climate for outdoor yoga and meditation.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
While Sharm is a modern resort hub, nearby Dahab and Saint Catherine offer authentic Bedouin and monastic culture. It is rated marginal as it lacks the world-class urban density or museums found in major global cultural capitals like Cairo or Rome.
Attractions (39 total)
Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Albatros Aqua Park
Sharm El Sheikh
One of the largest water parks in the Middle East, offering over 60 different water slides and diverse aquatic play areas for all ages.
Visit website →SOHO Square
Sharm El Sheikh
A premier outdoor entertainment hub featuring ice skating, bowling, and a variety of family-oriented activities centered around a musical fountain.
Visit website →Cleo Park
Sharm El Sheikh
An Ancient Egyptian-themed water park where visitors can experience modern water slides amidst monumental pharaonic statues and architecture.
Visit website →Ghibli Raceway
Sharm El Sheikh
A professional-grade international go-karting center providing high-speed racing experiences on tracks modeled after world-famous circuits.
Visit website →Theme Park / Amusement Park
Aqua Park City
Sharm El Sheikh
One of Egypt's largest water parks, featuring over 60 diverse slides and water games suitable for all age groups.
Visit website →Hollywood Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh
An entertainment park and open-air mall featuring life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, musical fountains, and cinema-themed statues.
Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Mount Sinai
Saint Catherine
An iconic sacred mountain peak offering profound historical significance and world-famous sunrise views for adventurous visitors.
Saint Catherine's Monastery
Saint Catherine
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world, perfect for history-loving families.
Visit website →Peace Icon
Sharm El Sheikh
A massive monument in Peace Square that represents Sharm El Sheikh's identity as the 'City of Peace'.
The Heavenly Cathedral
Sharm El Sheikh
A magnificent Coptic Orthodox cathedral featuring elaborate exterior stonework and breathtaking ceiling frescoes inside.
Al Sahaba Mosque
Sharm El Sheikh
An architecturally stunning Ottoman-style mosque that serves as the visual centerpiece of the Old Market district.
Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Mount Sinai (Jabal Musa)
Saint Catherine
A significant cultural and religious landmark where visitors can hike to the summit to experience a world-famous sunrise over the desert peaks.
Sharm El Sheikh Old Market
Sharm El Sheikh
A vibrant cultural area and historic district featuring the ornate Al Sahaba Mosque, traditional bazaars, and authentic Egyptian architecture.
Beach / Coastal Recreation Area
Naama Bay
Sharm El Sheikh
The central hub of Sharm El Sheikh, known for its wide sandy beaches, calm swimming waters, and family-oriented coastal promenade.
Ras Mohammed National Park
Sharm El Sheikh
Egypt's first national park offers world-class snorkeling, pristine beaches, and unique mangrove forests at the confluence of the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba.
The Blue Hole
Dahab
A world-renowned submarine sinkhole famous for its deep blue waters, vibrant coral walls, and exceptional clarity for snorkeling and diving.
Shark's Bay
Sharm El Sheikh
A peaceful bay known for its accessible house reefs, clear waters, and spectacular views of the uninhabited Tiran Island.
Nabq Protected Area
Sharm El Sheikh
A diverse coastal ecosystem featuring the northernmost mangrove forest in the world, dunes, and tranquil lagoons perfect for nature-loving families.
Ras Abu Galum Protectorate
Dahab
A secluded coastal wilderness where high granite mountains meet the sea, offering remote beaches and spectacular snorkeling reachable by boat or camel.
Ras Um Sid
Sharm El Sheikh
A scenic peninsula featuring a cliffside coastline known for its high concentrations of fan corals and excellent shore-based snorkeling.
National Park / Nature Reserve
Saint Catherine Protectorate
Saint Catherine
A UNESCO World Heritage site encompassing Mount Sinai and the historic monastery, offering dramatic mountain scenery and profound cultural significance.
Visit website →Taba Protected Area
Taba
A vast landscape of stunning desert canyons, natural springs, and caves, providing some of the most scenic hiking opportunities in the Sinai.
Abu Galum Protectorate
Dahab
A remote coastal reserve where high mountains meet the sea, known for its pristine coral reefs and the famous Blue Hole diving site.
Nabq Nature Reserve
Sharm El Sheikh
Egypt's largest coastal protectorate featuring unique mangrove forests, desert dunes, and diverse bird species, perfect for nature walks and quiet snorkeling.
Botanical Garden / Formal Gardens
Saint Catherine's Monastery Garden
Saint Catherine
A historic UNESCO-listed orchard featuring ancient olive trees, cypresses, and the legendary Burning Bush, set within the rugged Sinai mountains.
Visit website →Peace Park (Botanical Garden of Peace)
Sharm El Sheikh
A large landscaped public park featuring a specialized collection of rare medicinal plants from the Sinai Peninsula and impressive memorial monuments.
Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
Sharm El Sheikh Museum
Sharm El Sheikh
A premier cultural institution showcasing the intersection of Egyptian civilization and Sinai's heritage through ancient artifacts and art.
Visit website →The Sacred Sacristy (Museum of Saint Catherine's Monastery)
Saint Catherine
A world-renowned museum within the monastery walls housing a priceless collection of early Christian icons, vestments, and religious art.
Visit website →King Tut Museum
Sharm El Sheikh
A popular family-friendly gallery featuring high-quality replicas of the gold-laden treasures found in King Tutankhamun's legendary tomb.
Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Animal Care Center (ACC)
Sharm El Sheikh
A well-regarded rescue sanctuary where families can interact with and help socialise rescued desert dogs and cats in a safe, caring environment.
Visit website →Bedouin Village of Nabq
Sharm El Sheikh
A traditional coastal settlement within a protected mangrove forest where visitors experience authentic Bedouin lifestyle and desert-meets-sea heritage.
Habiba Organic Farm
Nuweiba
A pioneering desert oasis offering educational tours focused on sustainable organic farming and Bedouin community development.
Visit website →Zoo / Wildlife Park / Safari Park
Dolphina Park
Sharm El Sheikh
A modern marine animal park in Nabq Bay offering educational dolphin presentations and interactive swimming experiences with marine mammals.
Visit website →Saint Katherine Protectorate
Saint Catherine
A high-altitude mountain reserve and UNESCO World Heritage site protecting rare species like the Sinai Baton Blue butterfly and the Nubian ibex.
Water Park / Splash Park / Aquatic Centre
Cleo Park Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh
A unique pharaoh-themed water park featuring Ancient Egyptian decor and a variety of family-friendly slides and wave pools.
Visit website →Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Coloured Canyon
Nuweiba
A striking geological formation featuring narrow winding passages with multi-colored sandstone walls in shades of red, purple, and gold.
Nabq Protectorate
Sharm El Sheikh
A diverse nature reserve featuring the northernmost mangrove forests in the world, salt marshes, and unique coastal wildlife.
Tiran Island
Sharm El Sheikh
An uninhabited island located at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, known for its pristine waters and magnificent coral reef systems.
Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Saladin Citadel on Pharaoh's Island
Taba
A 12th-century island fortress offering restored stone fortifications and panoramic views across the Gulf of Aqaba toward four countries.
