Shop the Old Market

Away from the resort strip, the Old Market (locally El Souq) is where Sharm's everyday commerce actually happens — spice mounds sold by the kilo, papyrus paintings, leather goods and stalls of hand-painted ceramics packed into narrow, covered lanes.

Bargaining isn't optional here, it's the format: vendors expect an opening counter-offer, and settling around 30-40% below the first quoted price is normal for anything beyond food. It rewards a bit of patience and good humor more than aggression.

The market comes alive after sunset, when the heat drops and café terraces fill up for shisha and tea — a good way to close out a day that started underwater.