Old Market & SOHO Square: Sharm El Sheikh by Night
Sharm El Sheikh comes alive after sunset. The Old Market in Sharm El Maya is the place for spices, souvenirs and the lit-up Al Sahaba Mosque; SOHO Square, near Sharks Bay, has its dancing fountain, an ice rink and bowling; Farsha Café hangs on the cliffs above the sea; and Naama Bay's promenade is busy until late. Each is 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Naama Bay.
Quick facts
- Where is the Old Market in Sharm El Sheikh?
- In Sharm El Maya, the old town, next to the Al Sahaba Mosque, about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Naama Bay.
- When is the Old Market open?
- The lanes are always open; most shops trade from about 10:00 until after midnight. The best time is after sunset, when it is cooler and the mosque is lit.
- Is SOHO Square free to enter?
- Walking round the square and watching the fountain costs nothing; the ice rink, bowling, games and restaurants are paid for separately.
- When does the SOHO Square fountain play?
- The dancing fountain runs in the evening, from about 20:00 until midnight.
- How far is SOHO Square from Naama Bay?
- About 15 minutes by car, in the White Knight and Sharks Bay area, about 10 minutes from the airport.
The Old Market and the Al Sahaba Mosque
The Old Market sits in Sharm El Maya, the old town of Sharm El Sheikh, a short drive south-west of Naama Bay. Its pedestrian lanes are lined with shops selling spices, perfume oils, silver jewellery, scarves, galabeyas, leather goods and bottles of coloured sand, with cafés and fish restaurants in between.
Above the market rises the Al Sahaba Mosque, opened in 2017, its domes and minarets floodlit after dark. Visitors can look round outside the five daily prayer times; dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and women should bring a scarf to cover their hair.
Most shops open from about 10:00 and stay open until after midnight. The best time to come is between about 18:00 and 23:00, when the heat has gone and the lanes are at their liveliest.
Bargaining in the Old Market
Prices in the market are for haggling. Start at well under the first price, agree the currency before you pay, ask for a better price when you buy several things, and carry small Egyptian pound notes. If the price does not suit you, smile, say thank you and walk on: it is part of the game.
SOHO Square: the dancing fountain and more
SOHO Square is an open-air entertainment centre in the White Knight and Sharks Bay area, about 15 minutes by car from Naama Bay and about 10 from the airport. In the middle of the square is the dancing fountain, which plays to music and lights in the evening, from about 20:00 until midnight.
Around it are an ice rink, a six-lane bowling alley, an arcade and play area for children, VR games and a choice of restaurants and cafés, including a Greek restaurant and a British pub. The ice rink, bowling and arcade open from 16:00 until midnight. Walking round the square costs nothing; you pay for each activity, and for food and drink.
Farsha Café: a terrace above the sea
Farsha Café is built into the cliffs of the Hadaba area, near El Fanar beach, on several levels of terraces overlooking the Red Sea. It is decorated Bedouin style, with low tables, cushions and rugs, and after sunset it is lit by hundreds of lanterns. Come for sunset or later in the evening for tea, fresh juice or shisha. There is no entrance fee, but you are expected to order something.
Naama Bay promenade
Naama Bay is the centre of Sharm El Sheikh's nightlife: a pedestrian promenade along the beach, lined with hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars and shops. It is busy until late every night of the week, and it is the easiest place to stay if you want to walk out to dinner.
Evening trips with hotel pickup
If you would rather be collected from your hotel, two evening outings in Sharm El Sheikh include pickup and drop-off.
The evening dinner cruise with a live show sails along the lit-up coastline on a yacht or a pirate-style boat, with dinner, soft drinks and live entertainment, in about 5 hours; no alcohol is served on board. The desert safari with quad or buggy, dinner and show rides out into the desert at sunset, then has a buffet dinner at a Bedouin camp with belly dancing, a Tanoura dance and a fire show.
For families, the dolphin show is a 2-hour outing with hotel pickup that suits all ages; the tour page shows the show times.
Getting around at night
Taxis are the easiest way between Naama Bay, the Old Market, Farsha Café and SOHO Square; agree the fare before you get in. Some hotels also run their own evening shuttles to the Old Market or SOHO Square. For the day, our Sharm El Sheikh page lists every tour, from snorkelling at Ras Mohammed National Park to boat trips to Tiran Island.
Questions people ask
Where is the Old Market in Sharm?
In Sharm El Maya, the old town, next to the Al Sahaba Mosque. A taxi from Naama Bay takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
What time does the Old Market open?
Most shops open from about 10:00 and stay open until after midnight. It is liveliest between about 18:00 and 23:00.
Is SOHO Square free to enter?
Yes, walking round the square and watching the dancing fountain is free. You pay separately for the ice rink, bowling, games, food and drink.
How far is SOHO Square from Naama Bay?
About 15 minutes by car. It is in the White Knight and Sharks Bay area, about 10 minutes from the airport.