When people think of the Sinai, they usually immediately picture colorful coral reefs and endless sandy beaches. I felt the same way! But I asked myself: What is there to discover in terms of culture and history? Is an excursion into the city actually worth it?
The answer is a resounding “Yes.” Between the desert sand and the Red Sea hide places full of atmosphere and exciting history. Discover my personal highlights and the most beautiful Sharm El Sheikh sights.
A Fairytale from 1001 Nights: The Al-Sahaba Mosque
As soon as we step off the bus, we see it glittering in the sun. We have arrived at the Al-Sahaba Mosque in the “Old Town” of Sharm El Sheikh. This district is known for its authentic and lively atmosphere, characterized by traditional shops, restaurants, and markets, and the mosque literally towers over it all.
The Al-Sahaba Mosque is one of the most impressive contemporary architectural structures in Egypt. Even though it appears otherwise at first glance, the mosque was actually only opened in 2017. A conscious decision was made for this magnificent structure to offer not only a place of prayer for the local population but also a true highlight for us tourists.
A Look at the History
Construction began in 2011 and took six years. It was funded by the Egyptian government as well as private benefactors. The estimated construction costs: 35 – 40 million Egyptian Pounds (more than €650,000). The design for the mosque comes from a renowned Egyptian architect. He planned a deliberate fusion of different historical Islamic styles. The idea behind it: to honor Egypt’s entire Islamic cultural heritage in a single building. Anyone familiar with architectural history will discover elements of Ottoman, Mamluk, and Fatimid architecture.
As we walk towards the building, I marvel at the two soaring minarets. The towers rise a good 76 meters into the height, and from below, it looks as if they are reaching the sky. From a distance, the large copper-colored domes are particularly striking. As we get closer, we discover the filigree ornamentation, artistic mosaic details, and intricate stonework. What craftsmanship! It looks beautiful, like something out of a fairytale from One Thousand and One Nights.
The Interior of the Mosque
Outside of prayer times, it is possible to enter the mosque. The main prayer hall offers space for 3,000 worshippers. Great importance has also been placed on artistic details in the interior. Artfully decorated chandeliers hang from the ceiling, the floors are covered with hand-woven carpets, and the walls are adorned with Arabic inscriptions.
How to find
The mosque is easily accessible for tourists and locals alike. Getting there from the city’s central tourist areas, such as Naama Bay, is particularly quick and easy. A taxi ride from Naama Bay takes only about 7 minutes and is extremely cheap, costing an estimated $1 to $2 (USD).
Opning hours
Like all active places of worship, the mosque is closed to tourists during prayer times. The five daily Islamic prayer times are based on the position of the sun and therefore vary from day to day. It is advisable to ask your hotel for the current times in advance.
It is generally recommended to visit the mosque in the morning or afternoon.
Entrance fees
Admission is free for tourists.
Clothes
Compliance with the dress code is a prerequisite for visiting the Al-Sahaba Mosque.
For women:
Arms and legs must be completely covered; long trousers, skirts and long sleeves are required. In addition, hair must be covered with a scarf or headscarf. Care should be taken not to wear tight-fitting clothing.
For men:
Men must wear long trousers; sleeveless shirts (tank tops) or shorts that do not cover the knees are not permitted. Hats must be removed.
Abayas (long robes) and scarves are provided free of charge at the entrance.
All visitors must remove their shoes when entering the prayer areas.
Haggling and Scents: The Old Market (Al-Souk)
Directly at the foot of the mosque lies the Old Market. It offers an Egyptian shopping experience that, while geared towards tourists, is still charming. Here you can find everything: fresh food, spices, teas, carpets, shishas, and handmade jewelry.
It is like almost every souk. The merchants actively approach tourists. If you are not interested, you should say a friendly but firm “La, shukran” (No, thank you). If you let yourself get entangled in a long sales pitch, you’ve almost already lost and will eventually end up buying.
My tips for trading: Haggling is mandatory here and part of the culture! Simply accepting the first price mentioned is almost considered rude (and is bad for your wallet).
- Assume that the starting price is massively inflated.
- Counter with an offer (often 30–50% of the initial price).
- Remain friendly, smile, but stand your ground.
- Can’t reach an agreement? Simply walk away. Often, the best offer is then shouted after you.
The spice stalls particularly stuck in my memory. The scent of cinnamon, cumin, and coriander hangs heavy and alluring in the air—a great souvenir for the kitchen at home.
Those looking for more typical “souvenirs” will find papyrus, lamps, shishas, and of course works made of alabaster and stone. Silver jewelry is also frequently offered. Our tip: It’s better to check the quality twice and not let the merchants pressure you.
Coptic Catholic Church “Our Lady of Peace”
The Sinai is holy land for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Therefore, it is not surprising to find houses of worship other than mosques here. We visited the church “Our Lady of Peace.”
It is the first and historically most significant Coptic Catholic church on the Sinai Peninsula (consecrated in 2015). Although it is smaller and less known than the huge Coptic Orthodox “Heavenly Cathedral” (which is also worth a visit!), I liked this quietness in particular. The congregation consists mainly of tourists and foreign workers.
First, we all had to go through a security checkpoint, so it is best to leave all bags in the bus or at the hotel.
The church is small but worth seeing! I particularly liked the beautiful colorful windows depicting biblical scenes. These are designed in a very modern style and are visually rather untypical for a church.
Also remarkable are the painted images adorning the walls. These are painted directly onto the wall and show biblical scenes. I haven’t discovered church decoration like this in other churches before.
Peace Square and the Peace Icon Memorial
Several high-ranking international conferences and diplomatic meetings have already taken place in the city of Sharm El Sheikh, where negotiations with various leaders were conducted. The city officially bears the nickname “The City of Peace.”
Peace Square (Midan El Salam) is a vast public space located on Peace Road. It is strategically situated at the entrance to the city, not far from Airport Road. Thus, it is often the first and last landmark seen by arriving and departing diplomats and tourists. The exact size of the square is given as 36,000 to 70,000 square meters, depending on the source. The centerpiece of Peace Square is the monumental sculpture known as “The Peace Icon Memorial” or the “Sign of Peace.”
The Peace Icon was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest and tallest metal artwork in the world. The pure steel structure reaches a height of 36.50 meters. It weighs about 100 tons and carries eight massive wings with a span of 24 meters.
We took a closer look at the monument. The base is formed by a metal lotus flower resting on a colossal concrete pedestal clad in black granite. Eight wings encompass a globe of 10 meters in diameter. Eight doves fly away from the globe carrying olive branches.
The eight wings are precisely aligned with the eight main directions of the compass (North, East, South, West, and the four intermediate directions). This conveys the clear message that peace is all-encompassing and should be carried to every corner of the world.
Further Sights
Soho Square – The Modern Contrast
Anyone looking for a contrast to Old Town must go to Soho Square. Everything here is ultramodern, extremely clean, and almost a bit futuristic. There is a “Dancing Fountain” (water features with music), upscale restaurants, classy bars, and even an ice skating rink in the middle of the desert. By the way, you are hardly approached by merchants here—a very relaxed evening stroll.
Sharm El Sheikh Museum
This new museum is an attempt to integrate culture into a beach vacation. It houses over 5,000 artifacts. A highlight is the “Animal Hall,” which displays mummified animals (cats, falcons, crocodiles) and explains their role in ancient mythology. Statues from the Greco-Roman period that were recovered from the sea can also be seen.
King Tut Museum (Genena City)
Located in the basement of the Genena City Mall. It shows 1:1 replicas of the treasures of Tutankhamun. Since the originals are in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, this offers visitors in Sharm the opportunity to see copies of the Golden Mask and the chariots.
Farsha Cafe
Finally, a real “insider tip” that has meanwhile achieved cult status. The Farsha Café is built into the cliffs of Ras Um Sid. It consists of countless small terraces, stuffed with antique doors, lanterns, old radios, and floor cushions. The atmosphere is pure “Bedouin-Bohemian.” Especially after sunset, when everything is illuminated only by the warm light of countless lamps, it is magical. You drink tea or smoke shisha and look out at the sea.
Tip: Come early (before sunset), as long queues often form!
My Conclusion
Sharm El Sheikh surprised me. Yes, the beaches are dreamy, but those who take the time to explore the Sharm El Sheikh sights dive into a world full of contrasts between ancient history and modern art. I will definitely be back!
The visit took place as part of a press trip.
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