A 5-day Sharm El Sheikh plan for Iraqi travelers: Naama Bay, Ras Mohammed snorkelling, a Tiran boat trip, the Old Market and a Bedouin evening, via RideFly.
🔍 Book your Sharm El Sheikh tripSharm El Sheikh, on the Red Sea in South Sinai, is one of the easiest beach holidays for Iraqi families: calm beaches, coral reefs close to shore and a wide choice of resorts. Five days is enough to balance two days at sea, an evening in the desert and time to rest and shop without wearing anyone out. This day-by-day plan comes with practical tips for families and for booking flights and hotels via RideFly.
Settle in on day one and walk the Naama Bay promenade in the evening; spend day two on a boat and snorkelling trip to Ras Mohammed National Park, day three resting before a quad-bike ride and a Bedouin evening in the desert, day four on a boat trip to the reefs of the Strait of Tiran, and day five at the Old Market and Al Sahaba Mosque in Old Sharm before heading to the airport. Stay in Naama Bay, Sharks Bay or Nabq depending on your family's style, and aim for spring or autumn. Book flights and hotel together on RideFly.
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is close to the hotel areas, so the ride to most resorts by taxi or hotel transfer is usually short. After checking in, rest on the hotel beach or by the pool, then head to Naama Bay in the evening, the resort's lively centre, where a pedestrian promenade lined with shops and cafés runs along the beach. The bay is sheltered with a sandy beach, which also makes it a good place for children to swim over the following days. Tip: keep the first day light, drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen even when the weather feels mild.
Ras Mohammed National Park lies at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba, and is one of the best-known reef areas in the Red Sea. The easiest way to see it is a full-day boat trip leaving in the morning from one of Sharm's marinas, with several stops to snorkel among colourful fish; there are also road trips to the park's beaches and viewpoints. Before booking, agree exactly what is included, such as hotel pick-up, lunch and snorkelling gear. Tip: wear reef shoes, never touch the coral or feed the fish, keep children in life jackets whenever they are in the water, and bring a hat, a towel and a change of clothes.
After a long day at sea, keep the morning for the hotel beach, or for easy snorkelling on a nearby reef if your hotel has one. In the afternoon, head out by quad bike or 4x4 into the desert around Sharm El Sheikh; these trips are usually timed to catch the sunset over the mountains, and many end at a Bedouin camp with tea and a traditional dinner, sometimes with a short camel ride and stargazing under the clear desert sky. Tip: ask the organiser about the minimum age for driving a quad and about children riding with an adult or in a jeep, and bring a scarf and sunglasses for the dust and a light jacket, as desert nights can be cool in winter. If your group is adults only, you can swap this day for an optional long trip to Saint Catherine and Mount Sinai in the heart of the peninsula.
Boats head north-east from Sharm El Sheikh to the Strait of Tiran at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, where some of the area's best-known coral reefs lie near Tiran Island. The trip is all about snorkelling in clear water over these reefs, with the island in view from the boat. Currents in the strait can be strong, so follow the guide's instructions, stay close to the boat, and don't get in the water without a life jacket unless you are a confident swimmer. Spend the evening at your hotel or on a relaxed stroll along the Naama Bay promenade. Tip: strong wind can change boat routes or postpone a trip, so keep days three and four flexible and swap them if needed.
On your last day, take a taxi south to Old Sharm to wander the Old Market among its spice, souvenir and gift shops, the best place to pick up presents before flying home. Right next to the market stands Al Sahaba Mosque with its striking architecture; if you want to walk around it and take photos, avoid prayer times and dress modestly. Haggling is normal in many of the market's shops, so bargain politely. Then leave plenty of time for the drive north to the airport, and ask your hotel whether it can hold your bags after check-out.
Sharm El Sheikh is easy with children because most activities are close to the hotels; many resorts have private beaches and children's pools, and some have a jetty over the reef so you can snorkel straight from the shore. For non-swimmers and small children, glass-bottom boats show the coral without anyone getting in the water. Avoid the midday sun, especially in summer, and space out long excursions as this plan does. On budget, compare breakfast-only and all-inclusive stays against how your family likes to eat, agree the taxi fare before getting in, and book sea trips with a reputable operator. Flight and hotel prices change with seasons and holidays, so check live prices on RideFly before fixing your dates.
Flights to Sharm El Sheikh run from Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, direct or with a connection (for example via Cairo) depending on the airline and season. Compare flights and live prices on RideFly and book your hotel in the same place. Where to stay: Naama Bay to walk to the promenade, restaurants and evening life; Sharks Bay, between Naama and the airport, for resorts overlooking the reefs; Nabq Bay, north of the airport, for larger, quieter resorts and long beaches; and Hadaba and Ras Um Sid near Old Sharm for sea views and reefs. Before booking, check the current official conditions for entering Egypt and South Sinai on the Egypt visa page, and check current official travel advisories, as conditions in the region can change.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) for comfortable heat and a warm sea. Winter is sunny and mild by day, but nights and the water are cooler; summer is very hot, so plan activities for early morning and evening.
Yes for a family beach holiday: two days of boat trips, an evening in the desert and time to rest and shop. Add a day or two for a Saint Catherine and Mount Sinai trip or more diving and downtime.
Naama Bay for walking and evening life, Sharks Bay or Nabq for quieter, larger resorts, or Hadaba near Old Sharm. Families should look for a resort with a sandy beach or easy access to the sea.
The airport is close to the hotel areas; take a taxi or a transfer arranged by your hotel. Around town, use taxis and agree the fare before getting in, and when booking boat or desert trips ask whether hotel pick-up is included. The Sharm El Sheikh airport guide has the details.
