The Evolution of Sharm El Sheikh City Tours: From Fishing Village to Cosmopolitan Resort
Bedouin Beginnings (Pre-1960s)
Long before luxury resorts dotted its coastline, Sharm El Sheikh was a quiet fishing village known only to local Bedouin tribes. The area’s original inhabitants, the Muzeina tribe, called the bay “Sharm El Sheikh” (Bay of the Wise Elder) after a prominent tribal leader. These nomadic people lived in simple palm-frond huts along the shore, fishing the rich Red Sea waters and guiding occasional travelers through Sinai’s rugged mountains. The Bedouins’ intimate knowledge of the desert and sea would later become the foundation for Sharm’s tourism industry, though few could have imagined how dramatically their ancestral home would transform.
Military Outpost to Tourist Destination (1960s-1980s)
Sharm’s modern history began when Israel occupied Sinai in 1967, recognizing the strategic value of its sheltered harbor. The Israelis built the first paved roads and basic infrastructure, renaming the area Ofira. After Egypt regained control in 1982, President Mubarak envisioned transforming Sharm into Egypt’s premier resort city. The first organized “city tours” in the late 1980s were informal jeep excursions showing visitors the handful of hotels, the small marina, and Ras Mohammed’s stunning cliffs. With no real urban center yet, these early tours focused primarily on natural attractions, often ending with Bedouin-style barbecues on desert beaches.
The Golden Age of Development (1990s)
The 1990s saw explosive growth that created the Sharm visitors know today. Naama Bay evolved from a sleepy beach into a bustling tourist hub, while new districts like Hadaba and Shark’s Bay emerged. City tours expanded to include the Old Market (Sharm Al Maya), where visitors could haggle for spices and silver jewelry, and the new marina developments. The 1995 opening of the Peace Road connecting Sharm to other Sinai cities made day trips feasible. Tour operators began offering structured itineraries combining shopping stops, cultural experiences, and sunset viewpoints. This period also saw the introduction of “sound and light” shows at historic sites like Al Mustafa Mosque, blending entertainment with cultural education.
Post-9/11 Security and Reinvention (2000-2010)
The global tourism downturn after 2001 forced Sharm to reinvent its city tour offerings. New security measures led to the development of gated commercial areas like Il Mercato and Soho Square, which became standard stops on city tours. The Sharm Heritage Museum opened in 2005, providing cultural context previously missing from beach-focused itineraries. Evening tours gained popularity, showcasing the city’s vibrant nightlife with visits to famous spots like Pacha Club and Hard Rock Cafe. The introduction of hop-on-hop-off bus routes in 2008 gave visitors more flexibility, while luxury private tours catered to high-end travelers wanting customized experiences.
Cultural Renaissance (2011-2019)
Following the 2011 revolution, Sharm’s city tours placed greater emphasis on authentic cultural encounters. Bedouin experiences became more immersive, with visits to family homes in the desert and traditional coffee ceremonies. The Old Market expanded its handicraft offerings, supporting local artisans. New attractions like the Al Sahaba Mosque (opened 2017) with its stunning Ottoman-inspired architecture became highlight stops. Food tours emerged as a popular option, introducing visitors to both high-end restaurants and hidden local eateries. Evening light shows at Mount Sinai and Colored Canyon brought new dimensions to after-dark touring options.
Pandemic Adaptation and Innovation (2020-Present)
COVID-19 closures led to creative reinvention of city tours. Operators developed “open-air” itineraries focusing on outdoor spaces like the Heavenly Cathedral’s gardens and the Montaza Beach promenade. Virtual reality elements were added, allowing visitors to see how key locations looked before development. Post-pandemic tours emphasize smaller groups and unique local interactions, such as visits to Sharm’s only remaining traditional fishing boat workshop. The 2023 opening of the new Marina Boulevard has added fresh energy to city tours, with its mix of upscale shopping and entertainment options.
Modern City Tour Experiences
Today’s Sharm city tours offer diverse experiences catering to all interests:
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Cultural Tours: Deep dives into Islamic and Coptic heritage sites
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Shopping Excursions: From luxury boutiques to authentic market bargaining
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Culinary Journeys: Sampling everything from koshari to fresh seafood
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Photography Tours: Golden hour visits to panoramic viewpoints
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Eco-Tours: Showcasing sustainable initiatives like solar farms
Economic Impact and Community Benefits
City tours have become vital to Sharm’s economy beyond resort walls. Over 3,000 locals work as guides, drivers, and at tour-included businesses. A portion of tour fees funds community projects like the Sharm Women’s Handicraft Cooperative. The focus on authentic experiences has helped preserve traditional crafts and culinary traditions that might otherwise have disappeared amid mass tourism.
Future Directions
Emerging trends include augmented reality tours overlaying historical images onto modern landscapes, and “secret Sharm” itineraries revealing hidden gems most tourists miss. Electric vehicle conversions for tour fleets align with Egypt’s sustainability goals, while new walking tours explore the city’s growing street art scene.
Conclusion: A City Forged by Tourism
Sharm El Sheikh’s remarkable transformation from fishing village to cosmopolitan resort city is best understood through the evolution of its city tours. What began as simple jeep rides past construction sites has matured into sophisticated cultural experiences that connect visitors with both the glitz of modern resorts and the enduring spirit of Sinai’s landscapes and people. As Sharm continues evolving, its city tours will undoubtedly keep revealing new layers of this fascinating destination where desert, sea, and urban energy meet.
Sharm El Sheikh is an Egyptian city on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in South Sinai Governorate, on the coastal strip along the Red Sea. Its population is approximately 73,000 as of 2023. Sharm El Sheikh is the administrative hub of Egypt’s South Sinai Governorate, 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 Egypt, while also attracting many international conferences and diplomatic meetings. Sharm El Sheikh is one of the Asian cities of Egypt.
