You already know what to pack for your Egypt trip , you have already figured out what to wear in Egypt, and now there is just one big piece left on the board: where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh? Not sure which area to choose? That is where things get a little messy, because Sharm el-Sheikh has plenty of options, and not all of them suit the same kind of trip. In this guide, we are breaking down the best areas to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh, with hotel picks for every style, budget, and holiday mood.

Where to Stay in Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the most popular beach escapes on Egypt’s coast and, honestly, one of our favorites too. This is where the Red Sea shows off: turquoise water, dramatic reefs, plenty of sunshine, and enough hotels to make your browser tabs cry for mercy. That last part is both a blessing and a headache. There is a huge range of places to stay, from cheap and cheerful budget rooms to glossy all-inclusive resorts where your only real problem is choosing between the pool and the beach.

So where should you actually stay in Sharm el-Sheikh? Which areas are worth it, and which ones are better for a quick visit than a full base? Let’s make the whole thing less confusing.

How much does it cost to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh?

The good news: there is something here for almost every budget. We found double rooms from around €20, and all-inclusive hotels starting at roughly €60. Then, naturally, the price ladder keeps climbing into international chain territory, polished resort compounds, and the sort of places where everything smells faintly of spa oil and money.

In other words, the answer depends entirely on what kind of trip you want. Budget hideout? Easy. Mid-range resort with a pool? Also easy. Full-on beach holiday with sea views and breakfast buffets the size of a small kingdom? Very possible.

Naama Bay

We stayed in Naama Bay, and it makes sense why so many travelers end up here. It is one of the liveliest parts of Sharm, packed with restaurants, bars, cafes, souvenir shops, and all the tourist basics you might need. If you want energy, convenience, and plenty of accommodation choices, this is the obvious contender.

The area is built around a main avenue lined with shops and businesses, with smaller side streets branching off it. Is it the most charming place in the world? No. Is it practical? Very much so. It gets the job done, especially if you want everything close at hand and do not feel like spending your holiday negotiating logistics every five minutes.

Naama Bay itself is a crescent-shaped bay with calm, clear water, though for us it felt a little too crowded. Still, if you like the idea of staying somewhere central, busy, and well set up for tourists, it is one of the best areas in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Accommodation here ranges from small family-run hotels to much larger resort-style properties, including some with private beach access.

We stayed at Naama Inn Hotel, a simple and fairly basic place, but one that offered very good value for money when we visited. It is not directly on the beach, though guests get free access to a Naama club with a sun lounger, which definitely softens the blow. The hotel has a basic room rate, and you can also add breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style, which was surprisingly tasty.

Other recommended hotels in Naama Bay:

Naama Blue Hotel €

What we love: Naama Blue is one of those practical budget picks that makes sense when we want to stay in the middle of the action without torching the whole travel budget on the room alone. It sits right in the heart of Naama Bay, close to the beach, restaurants, shops, and nightlife, which means we can walk almost everywhere and save the taxi drama for another day.
Highlight: The biggest advantage here is value plus location: free beach access, a central Naama Bay setting, and an easygoing budget-hotel setup that works well for travelers who care more about being out and about than lounging in a designer lobby.
Best for: Budget travelers, solo travelers, and anyone who wants a cheap, central base near the beach and nightlife.

Lido Sharm Hotel Naama Bay €€

What we love: Lido Sharm feels more intimate and boutique-like than the bigger resort machines nearby, which is a relief if we want sea views without the full all-inclusive circus. Its position directly on Naama Bay gives it a more scenic, laid-back atmosphere, while still keeping us close to the center.
Highlight: The rooftop pool and sweeping views across Naama Bay are the real stars here. Add the private beach and snorkeling access, and this is one of the prettier mid-range options in the area.
Best for: Couples and travelers who want a smaller beachfront hotel with character, views, and easy access to Naama Bay’s restaurants and bars.

Naama Bay Hotel & Resort €€

What we love: This is the kind of place we choose when we want classic resort convenience in a central location. It is right in the heart of Naama Bay and packs in plenty of facilities, so it works well when we want everything on-site but still like being close to shops, restaurants, and evening walks outside the hotel gates.
Highlight: The combination of a private beach, four swimming pools, and a small aqua park with slides gives it strong all-round appeal, especially for travelers who want plenty of built-in entertainment without upgrading to a pricier resort.
Best for: Families, mixed-age groups, and travelers who want a lively mid-range resort with lots of facilities in a very central Naama Bay location.

Novotel Sharm El Sheikh €€

What we love: Novotel is a safe bet when we want something polished, family-friendly, and reliably comfortable. It has a more refined feel than many mid-range resorts in the area, and the setup balances beach time, pool time, and kid-friendly facilities without making the whole place feel chaotic.
Highlight: The private beach, several pools, spa, and Kids Club make this one especially appealing for travelers who want both convenience and a little breathing room. It also benefits from the reassurance of a well-known international hotel brand.
Best for: Families, couples, and first-time visitors who want an easy, comfortable beachfront stay in Naama Bay with dependable facilities.

That said, while Naama Bay is clearly one of the best areas to stay in Sharm, we probably would not stay here again. Why? Because next time we would head straight to…

Ras Um Sid National Park (El Hadaba)

This is the area that really stole the show for us. One day, we went to El Fanar Beach, and wow. The “beach” itself is not much of a beach, to be honest. There is barely any sand to speak of. But the coral reef? Absolutely ridiculous. This is the kind of snorkeling spot where we lose all concept of time and come back out of the water wondering what year it is.

Without exaggeration, it is one of the most spectacular coral reefs we have ever seen.

That alone makes El Hadaba and the Ras Um Sid area incredibly tempting. We did not stay here overnight on that trip, but we already know that on a future visit, this is where we would start looking first. It feels calmer, more scenic, and much more appealing if your trip is about snorkeling, reef access, and a less hectic atmosphere.

The main downside is that it is a bit more isolated. There are fewer restaurants around, and the hotel selection is not as wide as in Naama Bay. But if you want somewhere quieter and more focused on sea access than nightlife, that trade-off may be exactly the point.

Some friends of ours stayed at Jaz Fanara Residence and absolutely loved it, so that would be high on our shortlist too.

Other hotels in Ras Um Sid / El Hadaba that are excellent:

Dive Inn Resort €

What we love: Dive Inn Resort is one of those lower-key, better-value stays that works well when we want something affordable without feeling grim or joyless. The tropical garden setting, lagoon-style pool, and dive-focused vibe give it a relaxed, unfussy atmosphere.
Highlight: On-site diving facilities and a free beach shuttle to Um El Seid make it especially handy for travelers who actually plan to get in the water, not just stare at it from a sun lounger.
Best for: Budget travelers, divers, and anyone who wants a quieter, more wallet-friendly resort base.

Safir Sharm Waterfalls Resort €€

What we love: Safir Sharm Waterfalls Resort feels like a step up when we want more resort-style facilities without going fully splurge mode. It has that classic Red Sea holiday formula: sea views, multiple pools, a private beach, and plenty to do on-site.
Highlight: The big draw here is the combination of a private beach and jetty, seven pools, and a diving center, which makes it a strong pick for travelers who want both easy relaxation and water activities.
Best for: Couples and families who want a full-service beach resort with plenty of pool time built in.

Renaissance Sharm El Sheikh Golden View Beach Resort €€

What we love: This one feels polished and spacious, with a more upscale international-resort mood and a dramatic setting between the Sinai landscape and the Red Sea. It is a solid choice when we want comfort, reliable standards, and a resort that feels established rather than improvised.
Highlight: Its Golden View beachfront setting and easy snorkeling access are major selling points, especially for travelers who want those classic Sharm reef-and-sea views straight from the resort.
Best for: Families, couples, and Marriott loyalists who want a dependable beachfront stay with good snorkeling access.

If snorkeling is one of your priorities, this area is hard to beat.

Shark Bay

Shark Bay is a solid option if you want to stay closer to the airport and prefer a more classic resort setup, away from the busier atmosphere of Naama Bay. It feels quieter, more self-contained, and particularly well suited to families or travelers who mainly want a comfortable resort stay with beach access and easy logistics.

That does not mean it is lifeless. It is just calmer. If you want a bit more action, staying near Soho Square is the smarter move, since that gives you nearby restaurants, cafes, and entertainment without throwing you into full chaos mode.

One of the nice things about Shark Bay is that the beaches often have very decent snorkeling. No, they are not on the same level as El Fanar, but they are still good enough to make the area very appealing. Another plus: hotel prices here are often quite competitive, especially for resort-style properties.

Recommended hotels in Shark Bay:

Grand Oasis Resort €

What we love: Grand Oasis Resort is a good-value all-inclusive option in a strong location, especially if we want beach access without paying Savoy prices. It has landscaped grounds, roomy facilities, and that easy holiday-resort feel that works well for laid-back stays.
Highlight: The Sharks Bay setting, private beach, and close proximity to Soho Square are the real advantages here, especially for travelers who want both sea time and nearby entertainment.
Best for: Budget-conscious couples and families who want a beachfront all-inclusive in a convenient area.

Sierra Sharm El Sheikh €€

What we love: Sierra gets points for being lively, practical, and very easy for families or mixed-age groups. It sits near Soho Square and includes access to the private beach, while the all-inclusive setup and multiple pools make the whole trip feel low-effort in the best possible way.
Highlight: Its location near Soho Square plus access to White Knight Beach gives it a nice balance of resort convenience and walkable entertainment.
Best for: Families, first-time Sharm visitors, and travelers who want a sociable all-inclusive with lots nearby.

Savoy Sharm El Sheikh €€€

What we love: Savoy is the classic upscale pick here: beachfront, polished, and right by Soho Square, so it feels both resorty and well connected. It has a more refined atmosphere than the mid-range options, with a stronger sense of full-on holiday comfort.
Highlight: The private beachfront location, large range of restaurants and facilities, and direct access to Soho Square make it one of the most convenient luxury-leaning stays in Sharm.
Best for: Couples, special trips, and travelers who want a more upscale resort with easy access to dining and nightlife.

For families, short stays, or anyone who wants a resort holiday without being too far from the airport, Shark Bay makes a lot of sense.

Where not to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh

This part is subjective, so take it as personal preference rather than absolute truth carved into the desert.

We would not choose to stay in the center of Old Sharm. It is definitely worth visiting for a wander. The mosque is stunning, and there are souks, restaurants, shops, and a more local feel than in the resort-heavy zones. But as a place to base ourselves, it did not really appeal. We found it noisy, a bit hectic, and not especially charming for a longer stay.

That does not mean it is an area to avoid, and we are absolutely not calling it dangerous. It is simply not where we would want to sleep at night.

One last recommendation

Book as early as you can. Yes, we know, groundbreaking advice. But in Sharm el-Sheikh it genuinely matters.

If your dates are already fixed, start looking now and lock in the hotel you like best as soon as you find a good rate. Just make sure it comes with free cancellation, so you still have some wiggle room if plans change or you spot a better deal later.

Prices can jump a lot as travel dates get closer, especially for well-rated beach resorts. So this is one of those rare times when being annoyingly organized really pays off. Backpacker’s honor.

Final thoughts on where to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh

If you want restaurants, nightlife, and convenience, Naama Bay is the easy all-rounder. If you are coming for snorkeling and want somewhere calmer and more scenic, Ras Um Sid / El Hadaba is where we would put our money. And if you want a family-friendly resort stay near the airport with good beaches and fewer headaches, Shark Bay is a very strong choice.

Hopefully this gives you a much clearer idea of where to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh and saves you from falling into the usual hotel-booking spiral of opening 47 tabs and trusting none of them.

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