Seasonal & Lifestyle
Photography Spots in Sharm
Capture the Magic of the Red Sea
Sharm El Sheikh doesn't just look good in photos — it practically poses. The light here is extraordinary: clear, strong, and golden at the edges of the day. The landscapes shift from turquoise shallows to jagged desert mountains to the soft glow of a mosque at dusk. Whether you're shooting with a DSLR, a drone, or just your phone, the city gives you material that's hard to mess up.
After years of watching photographers work their magic across the Sinai coast, we've put together the spots that consistently deliver. Some are famous. Some are quiet corners most people walk past. All of them are worth your time.
The Best Photography Spots
The white lighthouse against the blue sea, framed by desert cliffs. Shoot from the headland for panoramic views across to Tiran Island. At sunset, the light turns everything gold. The nearby Farsha Café makes a stunning foreground element with its lanterns and terraces cascading down the cliff.
The mosque's Ottoman-inspired silhouette, two towering minarets, and intricate facade are breathtaking at blue hour when the sky deepens and the building's lights come on. Shoot from the Old Market square for context and atmosphere, or get closer to capture the carved details and calligraphy.
Swirling walls of red, orange, yellow, and purple sandstone. The narrow passages create natural frames and leading lines. Mid-morning light filters into the canyon and brings out the mineral colors. A wide-angle lens helps capture the scale. Details of the rock textures are stunning in macro.
The climb is brutal and the cold at the top is real — but the sunrise panorama over the Sinai mountains is one of the great photographic moments in Egypt. Layers of jagged peaks emerge from shadow. The light shifts from deep blue to pink to gold in minutes. Bring a tripod if you can manage the weight on the hike.
The coral walls, the schools of fish, the drop-offs into infinite blue. An underwater camera or a good waterproof phone case is essential. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef offer the most dramatic compositions. The wreck of the Yolanda — scattered toilets and bathtubs now colonized by coral — makes for surreal, unforgettable images.
The island itself sits in a zone of brilliant turquoise water, surrounded by coral reefs visible from the surface. Shoot from a boat for wide-angle seascapes. If you have a drone, the aerial views of the island against the deep blue of the Gulf of Aqaba are extraordinary. Check drone regulations before flying.
The ancient stone walls, the sixth-century church, the Burning Bush, and the charnel house of monks' skulls. This is a place of textures and history. The light inside the monastery walls is soft and diffused. Outside, the mountain backdrop adds scale. Be respectful — this is an active place of worship, not a photo studio.
The cliffside terraces, the scattered lanterns, the cushions and carpets and carved wooden details — Farsha is absurdly photogenic. Shoot wide to capture the layers of the café descending toward the water, or go tight on individual details: a lantern glowing, shisha smoke drifting, a cup of tea against the sunset.
"Sharm gives you light that most photographers dream about. The desert, the sea, the mosques, the reefs — every direction you point your lens, something extraordinary is waiting."
Practical Photography Tips
The golden hour in Sharm is shorter than you think. The sun drops fast here — you've got maybe 20 to 30 minutes of perfect light before it's gone. Arrive early, set up in advance, and be ready to shoot the moment the light softens. Morning golden hour is equally beautiful and far less crowded.
Protect your gear from sand and salt. The desert and the sea are both unforgiving on equipment. A UV filter on your lens protects against scratches. A dry bag for camera gear on boat trips is essential. If you're shooting near the water, a lens cloth for salt spray will save your shots. Changing lenses in windy conditions is asking for trouble — pick one lens and stick with it outdoors.
Respect cultural sensitivities. Al Sahaba Mosque and St. Catherine's Monastery are active places of worship. Dress modestly. Don't photograph worshippers without permission. During prayer times, put the camera down. The same applies in the Old Market — some shopkeepers are happy to be photographed, others aren't. Ask first.
You don't need expensive housing to get decent underwater shots in Sharm. Modern waterproof phone cases work well in the clear, shallow water of the reefs. The key is stability — hold your phone or camera with both hands, tuck your elbows in, and wait for the fish to come to you rather than chasing them. Red filters help restore color lost at depth. Shoot in the morning when the water is calmest and the light penetrates best.
The best photography in Sharm happens when you step away from the obvious. Yes, shoot the mosque at sunset. Yes, capture the reef. But also notice the smaller things: the old man playing backgammon in a Hadaba café, the patterns of salt on mangrove leaves in Nabq, the way the morning light falls across the stone steps at Ras Um Sid. Those are the images that tell the real story of this place — and they're the ones you'll look back on years from now.
Pack Your Camera First
The Red Sea is one of the most photogenic places on earth. Don't forget your lens — or your sense of wonder.
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