Is Sharm El Sheikh safe?
Very heavily policed and low in street crime. Aggressive touts, shark and reef hazards and some regional tension are the main concerns.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-07-14.
- Homicide rate in Egypt: 1.3 per 100,000 people (2017, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Egypt: 10.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
Safety in Sharm El Sheikh at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Overcharging, pushy touts and petty theft from beaches or rooms. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Naama Bay is lively and well lit; other districts are quiet after midnight. Use hotel or app taxis rather than walking long distances. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable in resorts. Catcalling and touts are common; dress modestly in the Old Market and use trusted taxis at night. |
| Other risks | Strong sun and heat; Sharks and strong currents; heed beach flags; Sea urchins and sharp coral |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi drivers quoting resort-level fares or refusing the meter
- Dive and snorkel trips with prices changed at the pier
- Bazaar shops charging foreign visitors inflated prices
- Currency-exchange staff giving poor rates
Take care
- Dive boats: confirm instructors and safety equipment
- Quad bikes and unregulated desert safaris
- Roads to North Sinai and remote desert: avoid per government advice
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing people needs their consent; children, officials and military sites, including the Suez Canal, are off-limits.
- Importing or flying a drone without Defence Ministry permission can mean up to 7 years in prison.
- Criticising the government, including in social media posts, can lead to detention.
How Sharm El Sheikh compares in Egypt
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hurghada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Aswan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dahab | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marsa Alam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Gouna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siwa Oasis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Luxor | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Alexandria | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Sharm El Sheikh safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable in resorts. Catcalling and touts are common; dress modestly in the Old Market and use trusted taxis at night.
Is Sharm El Sheikh safe at night?
Naama Bay is lively and well lit; other districts are quiet after midnight. Use hotel or app taxis rather than walking long distances.
What is the crime rate in Sharm El Sheikh?
Overcharging, pushy touts and petty theft from beaches or rooms. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Egypt records 1.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2017).
What number do I call in an emergency in Sharm El Sheikh?
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
More about Sharm El Sheikh
Going to Sharm El Sheikh solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
- Go Bus
- UK FCDO travel advice: Egypt
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.