Sharm, as it is simply called by locals, has many names for tourists: Old City, Old Sharm, Old Market, Sharm El Maya, etc.
The Eastern Old Market and the Old City are located in the southwest of Sharm el-Sheikh, near the small closed bay of Sharm el-Maya. There are many sandy beaches, both private and public, with a comfortable gentle entrance to the sea. In the port of the Old Town, most yachts go on sea trips in the morning.
There are a few hotels near the Old Town: the elegant Iberotel Раlace 5*, family hotels of the Albatros chain, the cozy Seti Sharm 4*, as well as several modest hotels, including Turquoise. All of them are conveniently located near the Old Town.
Walking through the "Old Market", you can notice that the old city is here only in name. Despite the presence of old buildings, mosques and other attractions that can be found on the streets, tourists will not find a real old town in Sharm el-Sheikh, as it is a young city.
The bazaar in the East, known as the Old Market, is a large shopping center. The only entrance and exit is a massive gate built in an architectural style inspired by ancient Egyptian motifs. This is the only thing that can be correlated with his name.
Directly opposite the entrance to the eastern Old Market, there is a currency exchange office, just like in any other market. Behind it is a passage to a cafe located near a rock with waterfalls. It is especially beautiful here in the evening and at night thanks to the good lighting. The whole Old Town looks much more attractive at this time - the dirt that is sometimes present in such places is not so noticeable. Therefore, it is worth visiting the Old Market at least once during the day.
The Old Market is a real colorful kaleidoscope of Eastern culture. Here you can find many interesting things: souvenirs with figurines of Egyptian gods, papyri, oils, spices and much more. Colorful goods, noise and bustle, vendors-calling and mountains of fresh fruit - all this creates a unique atmosphere of the market. Of course, many goods can be bought cheaper in large supermarkets outside the market, but if you want to enjoy the real oriental flavor, take a walk through the Old Market. Even if you don't need to buy anything anymore, just enjoy the atmosphere of the market. Leaving the market gate, you will understand that you have experienced all the beauty of the eastern bazaar.
In the Old Market, you can not only buy traditional souvenirs and goods in ordinary shops, but also find specialized shops selling camel and crocodile skins, as well as high-quality Egyptian cotton. Russian-speaking tourists can feel comfortable in the market, where there are many signs and sellers. Among them there are also original ones, for example, "For the oligarchs", "Kopiyka".
When visiting the Old City in Sharm el-Sheikh, you can enjoy fresh mango, guava and pomegranate juices, as well as taste the unique taste of sugarcane juice, known as "Asir Asab" in Arabic culture. Near the city there is a plant nursery shop, a bus station and a police station, and a large mosque is under construction.
Walking through the Old Town can be a little tiring due to the persistence of local sellers, but this is one of the features of the oriental flavor. You will remember this experience for a long time, because there will be many impressions. If you are traveling with children, it is better to visit the local dolphinarium "Dolphinella" in the Hadaba area.
