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Private tours across Egypt, planned by a local team in Cairo

Alf Leila Wa Leila Show Sharm El Sheikh

A 4-hour evening at the 1001 Nights entertainment palace in Sharm El Sheikh: dinner, then a show of horsemanship, folk dance, tanoura and belly dance. Hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle, your show ticket and dinner before the show are included.

Duration
4 hours
Tour type
Private, your own group
Pickup
From your hotel
Guide
English-speaking rep, evening show
Entrance fees
Included
From$55 per person
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Overview

Alf Leila Wa Leila means "A Thousand and One Nights", and in Sharm El Sheikh it is the name of an evening entertainment complex built in the style of an old oriental palace, with domes, arches, lanterns and an open-air arena. It is one of the classic evening outings of a Sharm holiday: dinner in a palace setting, followed by a show that mixes Egyptian folklore, Arabian horsemanship and dance, from sound and light scenes of ancient Egypt to the spinning tanoura dancers and a belly dance finale.

Our driver collects you from your hotel in the evening and takes you to the complex. You have time to walk through the courtyards and the bazaar lanes before dinner, served before the show. Then you take your seats in the arena for about an hour and a half of performances. After the show the driver brings you back to your hotel, about four hours after pickup.

Who this evening suits

  • Families with children, who usually love the horses and the costumes.
  • Couples and groups looking for an evening out that is different from the hotel animation.
  • First-time visitors who want a light, colourful taste of Egyptian and Arab folklore.
  • Travellers who prefer an organised night with dinner and transfers taken care of.

It is a weaker fit if you are looking for authentic folk performance in a local setting or a quiet dinner; this is a large, staged show for an international audience. For daytime outings, see our Sharm El Sheikh day tours, such as the Ras Mohamed boat trip.

What the show includes

The programme changes from time to time, but it usually includes: a sound and light sequence about ancient Egypt; a horse show with riders performing to music; folk dances from different regions of Egypt; the tanoura, a whirling dance in multi-coloured skirts that comes from Sufi tradition; acrobatics; and an oriental dance. The commentary and music are designed for an international audience, so no Arabic is needed to follow it. The arena is large, and the show starts on time, so the transfer is planned to get you seated before the lights go down; you have time for a coffee or a mint tea after dinner.

What you will love

  • A palace by nightDomes, arches and lanterns lit up after dark, in a complex built like a scene from the 1001 Nights.
  • The horse showRiders and Arabian horses performing to music in the open-air arena.
  • Tanoura and folk danceWhirling tanoura dancers in coloured skirts and folk dances from different regions of Egypt.
  • Sound and light scenesA sequence that brings temples and pharaohs to life with music and lights.
  • Dinner before the showAn oriental buffet dinner in the palace setting before the performance begins.
  • Fun for all agesAn easy, colourful evening that works for children, parents and grandparents.
  • Hotel transfers includedPickup from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel and the drive back after the show.

Your stops

Times assume a 19:30 pickup in Naama Bay; the show schedule and your hotel's location can move them by up to an hour, and we confirm them the day before.

Stop1

19:30 Pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh

Our driver meets you at reception and drives you to the Alf Leila Wa Leila complex. Our representative checks you in at the entrance.

Stop2

19:50 Arrival and a walk through the palace

Before dinner you have time to walk through the courtyards, arches and lantern-lit lanes, take photos and look into the small shops selling lamps, spices, textiles and souvenirs.

Stop3

20:15 Oriental dinner

Dinner is served before the show: usually a buffet of Egyptian and Middle Eastern dishes such as mezze, grilled meats, rice and desserts. Drinks are paid separately.

Stop4

21:15 The show

You take your seats in the arena for about 90 minutes of performances: sound and light scenes of ancient Egypt, the horse show, folk dances, the tanoura, acrobatics and an oriental dance finale.

Stop5

23:00 Return to your hotel

After the show the driver collects you at the exit and takes you back to your hotel, where you arrive by about 23:30 to midnight.

Price

Group size and pricing

Prices are per person in US dollars. Children pay less, see the children policy below.

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What is included

Included5 items
  • Pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh and the return after the show.
  • An air-conditioned vehicle for the transfers.
  • Your ticket for the Alf Leila Wa Leila show.
  • Dinner served before the show.
  • All taxes and service charges.
Not included3 items
  • Drinks, souvenirs and personal expenses.
  • Tips for the driver and staff (optional).
  • Entry visa or other travel documents.

Practical information for this tour

Show times and the best night

The show runs in the evening after sunset; the usual pickup time is around 19:30 to 20:00, and you are back at your hotel at about midnight. We confirm the exact pickup time the day before, since it depends on your hotel's distance from the venue and the show schedule. Performances run on most nights; tell us your dates and we check availability.

Tickets and seating

Your show ticket and the dinner are included. Seating in the arena is arranged by the venue; arrive with the transfer and you will not wait at the gate. Drinks during dinner and the show are paid locally.

Photography rules

Photos and short videos for personal use are allowed during the show. Turn off the flash, especially during the horse show, since it can disturb the animals and the riders. The venue's own photographers also sell pictures.

What to wear and bring

  • Smart casual clothes; there is no strict dress code.
  • A light jacket or shawl from November to March, when the evenings in the open-air arena can be cool.
  • Some cash in Egyptian pounds, euros or dollars for drinks and souvenirs in the bazaar.

Pickup, timing and getting there

Pickup is from hotels in Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba, Ras Um Sid and Sharm's other resort areas. The drive takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your hotel. If you are staying further out, tell us and we adjust the pickup time.

Children, mobility and diet

Children are welcome, and the show is suitable for all ages; it finishes late for very young children. The complex has paved courtyards and some steps; tell us about wheelchair needs and we check the access with the venue. Let us know about vegetarian or other dietary needs before the day so we can pass them on.

Travel policy guide

Pricing policy

All prices are per person in US dollars and depend on the size of your group. Your quote lists the final price and what it covers. After the deposit, changes to your plan cost US$25 per request, plus any third-party fees.

Booking confirmation

A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost confirms your booking. We send you a secure payment link for the deposit; the balance is paid in cash or by card on arrival in Egypt, unless your written offer gives another date. We never ask for card details by email, chat or WhatsApp. We confirm every booking by email.

Cancellation and refund

  • 22 days or more before departure: 100% refund
  • 15 to 21 days: 70% refund
  • 8 to 14 days: 50% refund
  • 0 to 7 days: no refund

No-show travelers are charged 100%. During peak events in Egypt, hotels and Nile cruises do not refund deposits. Groups of more than 10 people may have different terms.

Children policy

  • Under 2: free, sharing the parents’ bed, meals not included
  • 2 to 5 years: 25% of the adult price
  • 6 to 11 years: 50% of the adult price
  • 12 and over: adult price

Add each child and their age in the enquiry form so the quote is exact.

Optional visits

Add a lunch stop, a longer visit or a second site to your day. Tell us what you want and we add it to your quote with its cost.

Extra expenses

Not included in the price: Personal spending or souvenirs; Gratuities (optional); Visa or additional entry requirements, if applicable.

Tipping guide

Tipping is customary in Egypt and is not included in the price. A usual amount for a private day tour is US$5 to 10 per person for your guide and US$3 to 5 for your driver.

Questions about this tour

How long is the evening?

About four hours from pickup to drop-off, with dinner and a show of about 90 minutes.

Is dinner included?

Yes, a buffet dinner before the show is included. Drinks are paid separately at the venue.

Is the show suitable for children?

Yes. It is a family show, and children usually enjoy the horses and costumes most. It ends late, so very young children may fall asleep on the way back.

Is it a private tour?

The show and dinner are shared with other guests. The hotel transfer can be private for your group on request.

Can I take photos?

Yes, for personal use, without flash. Avoid flash during the horse show in particular.

Can I book the show without dinner?

Usually yes, at a slightly lower price, if you prefer to eat at your hotel first. Ask us when you book and we arrange a later pickup so that you arrive in time for the start of the show.

What travelers say about Egypt Online Tour

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193 reviews
Ranked #121 of 2,706 tours and activities in Cairo
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Based on 6 Google reviews
60 Ahmed El Zomor, Cairo, Egypt
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Christiane SMay 2026
Traveled with family

Amazing Egyptian vacation! We did an 11 day private tour of Cairo, cruise on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor and a 4 day stay in Hurghada. The guided tours were very interesting, with extremely knowledgeable guides, attentive and helpful.

Ehrhart MAugust 2024
Traveled as a couple

Egypt package to the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara was a fascinating journey through Egypt's ancient past ,guide knowledge, the majesty of the pyramids, and the historical depth of Saqqara made this tour truly enriching!

Clayton Z973August 2024
Traveled in a group

our honeymoon to Egypt ,Giza and Saqqara was a magical escape into history The pyramids looming in the distance, the quiet serenity of the desert, and the ancient wonders of Saqqara created moments that will be with me forever!