This place in Egypt is a must-see. Every tourist gets in for free.

In Egypt, the opportunity to visit beaches other than the one at our hotel isn't as obvious as in Spain or Greece. Especially on the Sinai Peninsula, the coast is overrun with resorts that only allow guests to enter. Attempting to visit another resort can result in, at best, uncomfortable questions from a guard and a fee charged by the receptionist, or at worst, being immediately sent back to where you came from. However, this doesn't mean tourists are doomed to boredom and the same sea view all week long. In Sharm el-Sheikh, we find a beach that is completely free and open to everyone. It boasts one of the most beautiful cafes in the country.

Farsha Cafe is a must-see in Sharm el-Sheikh

Loud, chaotic, and in recent years a bit overly touristy, Farsha Cafe attracts crowds daily. Referred to online as a café, teahouse, or beach bar, it is described by the owners themselves as a "mountain lounge," owing to its clifftop location with impressive views of the Red Sea. The word "lounge" is intended to convey a sense of prestige that will attract an international clientele to the world of this fascinating Arabian fairy tale.

Established in 2010, Farsha is located in the Hadaba district, a fifteen-minute taxi ride from Naama Bay. From the Grand Hotel Sharm El Sheikh (available through Join UP! Poland, among others), I traveled there with a driver for five minutes for 400 Egyptian pounds (the price is for a round-trip trip; the driver dropped me off and picked me up after sending a message via WhatsApp, which everyone uses here). The alternative was a forty-minute walk, which, in the July sun, I considered excessively health-conscious.

Cliff Wall Cafe

Farsha Cafe has been "built" into the cliff. This isn't just any cafe, but a cascading space, the experience of which is entertainment on many levels. Bedouin style predominates here – on the way down the steep stairs, we pass successive wooden terraces, low seats and colorful cushions, swirling with shisha fumes. Arabic music flows from the speakers, and tourists snap photos of hundreds of recycled objects that serve as decoration. Old-school televisions, dismantled doors, furniture fragments, and old license plates were found in the port, the desert, or purchased at the local market. Here, you feel part museum, part landfill, and part tourist trap.

As with any popular spot, there's no shortage of Instagrammers thronging the viewpoints. This can be irritating for those who come to Farsha hoping to relax with a coffee or a drink away from the other tourists. This popular spot is also quite expensive for Egypt. A local Sakara beer costs 250 pounds (about 18.70 PLN), while more sophisticated drinks and cocktails cost 40 PLN and up. Entry is free, however, and visitors gain access to the sea.

Less than three kilometers away, on the very tip of the headland, lies El Fanar Beach. Here, at the Del Mar restaurant, prices are slightly lower, and the atmosphere is in no way inferior to the popular Farsha. It's not as ostentatious, but rather quieter and less crowded, and the sunset remains just as beautiful. Similarly, here, you can also enjoy a dip in the Red Sea. Entrance fee (200 pounds per person) is collected upon arrival, and the package includes a sunbed, umbrella, bottle of water, and the most beautiful reef in the area.

Free beach at Farsha Cafe

At Farsha Cafe, you enter the water directly from the sand, not from a jetty like many other spots in the area. There's no reef right on the shore, but the sparse marine life compensates for the opportunity to experience a classic beach experience, not just snorkeling. The beach may not be the prettiest, but those who aren't excellent swimmers will be satisfied – the owners have installed a dozen floating loungers and mattresses for free use. Renting a boat-shaped lounger for the day costs 200 Egyptian pounds, including an umbrella.

The café is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., with peak visitation occurring at sunset. Just after dusk, the staff begins the spectacle of lighting lamps, some of which are hidden within the decorations themselves. The thousands of lanterns, candles, and light bulbs, spilling warm light, are truly impressive. The beach is already closed at this time – in Egypt, swimming is permitted until 6 or 7 p.m., depending on your location.

Private beaches are a nightmare for tourists in Egypt

Egypt is dominated by all-inclusive tourism, and although some changes are already visible on the horizon , it won't be easy to completely abandon this type of vacation. Tourists rarely leave their resorts, not only because everything is laid out for them. Individual sightseeing in the country was, until recently, quite difficult – until early 2025 , organized coach trips from Sinai to Cairo were accompanied by escorts. Travel agency owners often discourage independent trips, both for safety reasons and to sell their packages.

Meanwhile, hailing a taxi from your hotel and taking a short trip around the area isn't particularly challenging, though, as with anywhere else, you have to be careful of overcharged rates or the driver accidentally "getting lost," which results in an extra charge. The problem is that once you get to that dream beach you found online, you might not even get there.

I experienced this firsthand when I tried to meet my parents, who were vacationing in Sharm el-Sheikh at the same time as me, at a different hotel, located right next to the famous Soho district. Although I found information on forums about "public" entry for a fee, this turned out to be a myth. The receptionist scanned my ID and then allowed me to meet in the hotel lobby. There was no question of any sunbathing.

It's certainly reassuring that no one will accidentally enter our beach or hotel. The series of bombings on July 23, 2005, which killed 88 people, kept tourists away from Sharm el-Sheikh for years, so ensuring the safety of foreign visitors is a top priority for the Egyptian government.

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