Egypt (Sharm el-Sheikh)

Egypt (Sharm el-Sheikh) – What you should know

Sharm el-Sheikh at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula is one of the driest destinations in the world: it rains here on average less than 10 mm per year, and the sun shines almost daily. The location on the Gulf of Aqaba, between the Sinai desert and the coral reefs of the Red Sea, creates an extreme desert climate that is simultaneously buffered by mild sea temperatures.

The optimal travel time is October to April: pleasant temperatures of 22–30°C, clear air and calm seas. The Red Sea is excellent for diving and snorkelling — visibility frequently reaches 20–30 metres, particularly in the winter months when fewer tourists frequent the reefs.

High summer (June to August) with monthly average daytime highs of 38–39°C is only suitable for the very heat-resistant. One distinctive feature of Sharm el-Sheikh compared to Hurghada: the Gulf of Aqaba is narrower and framed by mountains, which favours afternoon winds — an interesting shoulder season especially for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Those who travel in winter should pack a light jumper for the evenings: with clear desert skies, temperatures drop to typically 12–17°C.