Walking in Sharm el-Sheikh

October 31, 2026

Travel advice, as of October 2026: The UK Foreign Office calls the Red Sea resorts of southern Sinai generally low risk, but it advises against all travel to North Sinai and against all but essential travel to parts of northern South Sinai away from the coast. The hikes at Mount Sinai and Colored Canyon lie inland, so check the FCDO advice for Egypt and use an organised operator.

Sharm el-Sheikh is not a walking destination. The resort bays are spread along the coast, the distances between them are too long on foot, and the roads are hot and fast. There is no continuous pedestrian town and no old quarter of lanes to follow. Short, pleasant walks do exist, and they are best done in the early morning or after sunset. Between areas, take a taxi and agree the fare first, since there are no meters.

Naama Bay promenade

The beachfront promenade at Naama Bay is about 1.3 km long and is lit at night. It runs past cafes, dive centres and shops, and it is the easiest place to stroll in the evening. The glass-bottom boat jetty is here, near Al-Bostan beach, and the Near and Far Gardens reef lies just offshore.

Old Market lanes

The Old Market, in Sharm el-Maya, is the other place to stroll. It is about ten minutes by car from Naama Bay. The alleys around Al-Sahaba Mosque hold spice and perfume stalls and fish cafes. Bargaining is expected, and touts work the lanes, so do not engage unless you plan to buy. If you step into the mosque, go outside prayer times, take off your shoes in the prayer areas and dress modestly.

Soho Square

Soho Square is a pedestrian plaza in north Sharm near the airport. It is an evening spot with an ice rink, bowling, a dancing-fountain show and the Culturama cinema show. Walking around costs nothing, and each attraction charges separately.

Guided hikes inland

Mount Sinai has two pilgrimage routes: the Camel Path and the 3,750 Steps of Repentance. The climb takes three to four hours up, starts before dawn and needs a licensed Bedouin guide. It is a day of about 220 to 230 km each way by road, so it is a pilgrim’s outing, not a city walk. Colored Canyon, near Nuweiba, includes a short guided scramble within a long jeep day of 8 to 12 hours. Neither is a walking tour in the usual sense.

Walking tips

Carry bottled water, since tap water is not drinkable. Wear a hat, sun protection and closed shoes. Never walk on or stand on coral if you wade in at a beach, because Egyptian law bans it. Women travelling alone should take care at night and in taxis, as the FCDO advises. Organised walking tours are not a feature of Sharm, so most visitors fill the day with a boat or desert outing instead, and the Wikivoyage guide lists the options.

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