Sharm El-Sheikh: Cafe & restaurant – Farsha or New Panorama

Farsha Cafe is the more atmospheric choice, a hillside spot with traditional decor, sea views, shisha, and a sunset that gives the evening a natural rhythm. New Panorama is the better fit if you want a planned show program, with Tanoura, fire, belly dance, and traditional art dance included in its VIP option.

I like the private hotel transfer, which saves you the bother of arranging a late taxi, and I like having two very different evening styles to choose from. The main drawback is value: at $15 per person, some customers have found that the Farsha booking amounted to transport only, with no meaningful skip-the-line benefit and limited help on arrival.

Key points to know before booking

• Farsha begins around sunset: Choose the 6:00 or 6:30 PM start for sea views, evening light, shisha, and a five-hour visit.
• New Panorama is the entertainment package: The 8:45 or 9:00 PM option includes shisha, soft drinks, bottled water, and several live performances.
• The transfer is the clearest part of the deal: You receive hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned car with a private driver.
• Farsha has an evening entry rule: After 4:00 PM, it is open to couples, women, and adult mixed groups. Male family groups with children should go earlier.
• The package wording needs care: One section says a guide is included, while the inclusions say tour guide is not included.
• Allow five hours, but expect timing issues: A late pickup or return car can cut into the time you planned for the cafe.

Choose your evening: Farsha at sunset or New Panorama after dark

This is really two related outings sold under one title. That matters because the mood, timing, and inclusions are quite different.

Farsha Cafe is the earlier and more scenic option. You leave your Sharm El Sheikh hotel at about 6:00 or 6:30 PM, travel by private car, and spend up to five hours at a hillside cafe known for its traditional decor and views over the sea. The appeal is simple: settle in with a drink or shisha, watch the light fade, and enjoy a relaxed evening setting.

New Panorama starts later, at 8:45 or 9:00 PM, and also lasts about five hours. Its appeal is not the sunset. It is the programmed entertainment, with a Tanoura show, fire show, belly dance, and traditional art dance. The VIP package also includes shisha, soft drinks, and bottled water.

I would choose Farsha if the setting matters more than a stage program. I would choose New Panorama if you want the evening to keep moving and prefer entertainment to an open-ended cafe visit.

What the five-hour Farsha visit is really like

Farsha works best as a place to sit, look out, and let the evening unfold. The traditional decor gives it a distinctive feel, while the elevated position provides the sea view that makes the trip worthwhile. Sunset is the main event, so the 6:00 PM start is likely to give you more time in the changing light than the 6:30 PM option.

After dark, the mood changes. The cafe becomes a nighttime hangout, and the mountain setting makes it a reasonable place to bring binoculars or a small telescope for stargazing. The information provided does not promise a formal astronomy session, so think of this as a chance to look at the sky from the mountain, not a guided science activity.

Food and drinks are not included in the general package. You should budget separately for anything you order at the cafe. Shisha is mentioned as part of the New Panorama option, but it is not clearly listed among the Farsha inclusions, so confirm this before you book if it is important to you.

The biggest practical issue is seating. A poor table can change the whole experience. One customer was placed on a crowded terrace with a plant blocking the view, a tiny table shared by many people, and little room to sit comfortably. When the request for another table was refused, the customer chose to leave.

That does not mean every Farsha visit will be like this. It does mean you should not assume that paying for a transfer guarantees a prime table or a clear view. Farsha is a popular cafe, and the exact seating arrangement appears to matter greatly.

New Panorama offers more for the price, but only in the right package

The New Panorama option is easier to understand when you picture it as an evening entertainment package rather than a scenic cafe stop. You arrive later, receive shisha, soft drinks, and bottled water, and watch a series of live performances during the five-hour visit.

The Tanoura show is a traditional spinning dance, while the fire show adds a more theatrical element. Belly dance and traditional art dance round out the program. The result should suit you if you want a lively night with several acts rather than a quiet place to watch the sunset.

This option also has a clearer list of included extras. Shisha, soft drinks, bottled water, Tanoura, fire, belly dance, and traditional art dance are all tied specifically to the Panorama selection. Food is still not included, so do not treat the VIP label as a full dinner package.

The start time is late enough to suit a night out, but it may not suit young children or anyone who prefers an early return. You should also check whether the five hours includes the return journey or refers to the activity itself. The supplied details describe a five-hour experience and round-trip transport, but they do not give a precise return time.

The private car is useful, but it may be the whole value

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with an air-conditioned car and private driver. This is the part of the arrangement that appears most dependable. One customer gave the driver very high praise, even while criticizing the cafe experience.

A private transfer has real value in Sharm El Sheikh. You do not need to negotiate a late-night taxi, explain the destination to a driver, or arrange a ride back after several hours at the cafe. If you are staying outside the immediate center, that convenience may make the $15 price reasonable.

But compare the cost with a normal taxi before booking. Several customers felt they had paid around the same amount simply for transport, particularly on the Farsha option. Farsha itself does not charge an entrance ticket according to the information provided in those complaints, and a QR code was not needed at the door in at least one case.

That creates a clear question: are you buying an experience, or are you buying a prearranged ride? For New Panorama, the included drinks, shisha, and shows make the package easier to justify. For Farsha, the answer depends on how much you value the private pickup and the convenience of having the visit arranged.

Do not count on skip-the-line access

The most serious mismatch concerns queue-jumping. Some booking information has suggested a guide and skip-the-line entry, but customers arriving at Farsha were told that no guide or queue-jump service was included. One person waited three hours, while another reported that the driver arrived an hour late.

You should therefore book this only if you can tolerate waiting and do not have a tight evening plan. Do not assume that the online ticket guarantees fast entry, a reserved place, or access to the best viewing area.

The description also contains a contradiction about guides. It says a guide is included, yet the inclusions list says tour guide is not included. The safest approach is to treat the driver as your transport contact, not as a sightseeing guide, unless the operator confirms otherwise in writing.

English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic are listed as available languages. That may help with basic communication, but it does not establish that a multilingual guide will accompany you throughout the evening.

Farsha’s after-4:00 PM rule affects who should book

Farsha has a specific evening entry policy. After 4:00 PM, the cafe is open to couples, women, and adult mixed groups. Families with children that are made up of male members are strongly advised to visit before 4:00 PM.

This is not a small detail. If you are booking for a family group with children and male family members, the evening departure at 6:00 or 6:30 PM may not be suitable. The information says that groups already inside will not be asked to leave, but you should not rely on that as your arrival plan.

For couples and adult mixed groups, the rule is less of a concern. Still, I would confirm the current entry policy before paying, especially if your group does not fit neatly into one of the listed categories.

New Panorama does not have the same restriction in the supplied details, so it may be the simpler choice for groups who do not want to think about Farsha’s evening admission rules.

Timing problems can cost you the best part of the night

Farsha’s timing is especially sensitive. A 6:00 PM pickup is meant to put you there for sunset, but a delayed driver can turn that into a late arrival and a long wait. One customer had a pickup arranged for 6:00 PM but was told to be ready at 5:00 PM, then struggled to get a clear response from the operator.

The return transfer has also caused frustration. A delay described as ten minutes became 45 minutes in one case. That is not just annoying. After five hours at a cafe, you may be tired, and a late car can affect dinner plans, children’s bedtimes, or another reservation.

Keep your phone available and make sure you have the local contact details before leaving the hotel. Since communication has not always been quick, allow extra time and avoid scheduling anything immediately after the advertised end of the outing.

Who gets the best value from this experience?

I think this suits you if you want a simple night out and place a high value on hotel pickup and drop-off. The price is low enough to make the transfer attractive, especially if you are unfamiliar with Sharm El Sheikh or do not want to arrange a taxi late at night.

New Panorama is the stronger choice for value if you want the listed inclusions. You receive several drinks, shisha, and four types of live entertainment, making the $15 price easier to understand. You should still remember that food costs extra.

Farsha suits you if your priority is the setting. The traditional decor, sea view, sunset timing, and mountain night sky offer more atmosphere than a standard restaurant. It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed view, fast admission, a particular table, or a carefully controlled schedule.

I would be cautious about booking Farsha for a special celebration. The seating and waiting issues are too unpredictable for an evening that must go perfectly. For a flexible night where the private transfer is the main convenience, it can still work.

Should you book Farsha or New Panorama?

Book New Panorama if you want the clearest package: late evening entertainment, shisha, soft drinks, bottled water, and a set of traditional performances. Confirm that every item is included in your selected option, since the Farsha and Panorama details are not interchangeable.

Book Farsha if the sea view, sunset, traditional setting, and relaxed cafe time matter more than live shows. Choose the earlier departure when possible, keep your plans flexible, and do not pay extra expecting guaranteed queue-jumping or a personal guide unless the operator confirms it.

At $15 per person, this is best viewed as a convenience purchase. The transfer is useful, but Farsha may not offer much beyond what you could arrange yourself by taxi. New Panorama gives you more tangible extras, while Farsha gives you the more memorable setting, provided the seating and arrival go well.

FAQ

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $15 per person.

How long does the experience last?

Both options are described as five-hour experiences.

What pickup times are available for Farsha Cafe?

Farsha Cafe offers a starting time of 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM.

What pickup times are available for New Panorama?

New Panorama offers a starting time of 8:45 PM or 9:00 PM.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with transfer in an air-conditioned car and a private driver.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the package.

What is included with the New Panorama option?

The Panorama option includes shisha, soft drinks, bottled water, a Tanoura show, a fire show, belly dance, and traditional art dance.

Is shisha included at Farsha Cafe?

The supplied inclusions specifically mention shisha for the Panorama option, not Farsha. Confirm this before booking if you want shisha at Farsha.

Is a tour guide included?

The information is inconsistent. One section says a guide is included, while the inclusions list says tour guide is not included. Confirm this directly with the provider before booking.

Who can visit Farsha Cafe after 4:00 PM?

After 4:00 PM, Farsha Cafe is open to couples, women, and adult mixed groups. Male family groups with children are advised to visit before 4:00 PM.