Alternative History
Sharm El Sheikh
شرم الشيخ (Arabic)
שארם אל שייח (Hebrew)
—  City  —
Nickname(s): Pearl of the Sinai
Administered by Israel
District Sinai
Government
 - Type Mayor–council
 - Mayor Salma Majadele (Labor)
Population
 - Total 373,000
Time zone Sinai Standard Time

Sharm El Sheikh (Arabic: شرم الشيخ, Hebrew: שארם אל שייח) is an Israeli city of predominant Arab population on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in the Sinai District, on the coastal strip along the Red Sea. Its population is approximately 373,000 as of 2023. Sharm El Sheikh is the administrative hub of Sina's Southern Municipality, which includes the smaller coastal towns of Dahab and Nuweiba as well as the mountainous interior, St. Catherine and Mount Sinai. The city and holiday resort is a significant centre for tourism in Israel - particularily among Arab Israelis as well as tourists from neighboring Egypt, while also attracting many international conferences and diplomatic meetings. It is considered one of the "top three cities" of the Sinai District.

Tourist attractions[]

  • Naama Beach (Arabic: خليج نعمة, Hebrew: מחוז רמת הגולן) - famous tourist beach and luxury resort location
  • Ras Muhammad National Park (Arabic: رأس محمد or راس محمد; Hebrew: הפארק הלאומי ראס מוחמד) - marine preserve national park, one of the most important national parks in Israel
  • Pharaoh's Island (Arabic: جَزِيْرَةُ فِرعَون; Hebrew: האי פרעה) - complex of luxury tourist spots, as well as an amusement park
  • Sharm El Sheikh Entertainment Complex (Arabic: مجمع شرم الشيخ الترفيهي, Hebrew: מתחם הבילוי של שארם א-שייח) - entertainment and performing arts complex, including an opera theater, cinema theater and stage for musical performances and festivals
  • Sharm El Shiekh Grand Aquarium (Arabic: شرم الشيخ جراند أكواريوم, Hebrew: האקווריום הגדול של שארם א-שייח) - aquatic exhibit, one of the largest maritime tourist locations in Israel
  • Center of Arab Culture and Arts in Isarel (Arabic: مركز الثقافة والفنون العربية في إسرائيل, Hebrew: מרכז התרבות והאמנות הערבית בישראל) - performing and exhibit center for Arab culture in Israel

Religious sites[]

  • Sharm El Sheikh Grand Mosque and Islamic Center (Arabic: مسجد شرم الشيخ الكبير والمركز الإسلامي, Hebrew: המסגד הגדול של שארם א-שייח והמרכז האסלאמי) - one of the margest Islamic centers in Israel, includes a mosque and madrasah
  • Southern Great Mosque (Arabic: المسجد الكبير الجنوبي; Hebrew: המסגד הגדול הדרומי)
  • Coptic Church of Sinai (Arabic: الكنيسة القبطية بسيناء, Hebrew: הכנסייה הקופטית של סיני)
  • Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (Arabic: كنيسة القديس نيقولاوس للروم الأرثوذكس, Hebrew: הכנסייה היוונית-אורתודוקסית הקדוש ניקולס)