Sharm el Sheikh holidays

There are plenty of delicious local dishes you need to try on your Sharm el Sheikh holiday. A favourite is Egyptian mezze, a platter of hot and cold dishes designed for sharing. Expect to find dozens of tasty bites including baba ghanoush, spicy kofta, and fresh pita bread. Another must-try is ta’ameya, a moreish street food that’s perfect for a hearty dinner or post-pub snack. Similar to falafel, ta’ameya are made with ground fava beans, then fried until crispy. Most places serve them in warm bread with salad and tahini sauce – a winning combo. For dessert, treat yourself to a slice of basbousa. This traditional cake made with semolina comes loaded with honey and topped with syrup and nuts. It’s as indulgent as it sounds – try it with a scoop of ice cream to take it to the next level.

While most beaches in Sharm charge a small entry fee you’ll usually get a sun bed and parasol thrown in with the price. One of our favourite stretches is Naama Bay, a curve of golden sand and clear, turquoise water. Grab a snorkel and enjoy the brightly-coloured fish swimming through the coral. Sharks Bay Beach is another top spot for swimming and snorkelling. The bay comes with coral reef and shallow water – spot clown fish, star fish, and – if you’re lucky – a sea turtle or two. It’s also popular with scuba divers – you’ll find a handful of schools on the beach that will set you up with exciting trips out to the reefs and wrecks nearby. If you’ve got little ones in tow, you’ll want a beach without spiky coral getting in the way of a good splash-about. Nabq Bay delivers the goods, with shallow water, a sandy bottom, and even a few colourful fish to spot. The beach is in a protected are, so you won’t find much in the way of facilities, but there’s are cafes a short walk away for snacks and drinks.

Visit a monastery: For an unforgettable day trip on your Sharm holiday, head out to the dessert for St. Catherine’s Monastery. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Sinai (said to be where Moses received the 10 Commandments), St. Catherine’s is the oldest working monastery in the world. Highlights include the Well of Moses and the 6th century library.

Buggy ride: How does zipping across the desert on a buggy sound? Your instructor with show you the ropes before you head out into the desert, powering up and down giant sand dunes and through ancient valleys. Many tours include a stop at a Bedouin village, where you can watch a traditional show and enjoy dinner with the locals.

Coloured Canyon: A 2 hour drive north takes you to the Coloured Canyon, an amazing multi-coloured rock formation. At 800m long, it’s easy to walk the length of the canyon – a fun experience for kids and adults alike. To make your day even more memorable, stop at the coastal city of Dahab on the way back for a swim in beautiful, unspoiled waters.

Water parks: If you’ve had your fill of sunbathing and snorkelling, then make a beeline for one of Sharm’s thrilling water parks. Award-winning SOHO Square takes some beating when it comes to keeping everyone entertained. This giant entertainment complex is designed for action, whether you’re into 10-pin bowling, ice-skating or video games. At night, grab a pint in the Queen Vic, and chill out in Egypt’s only ice bar.

Go karting: For high-speed thrills on your Sharm holiday, spend an afternoon at Ghibli Raceway – a karting track suitable for ages 7 and up. With specially-designed karts for kids and adults, it’s time to go full-throttle as your race your friends and family to the finish line.