Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
2 cities
Province · Sinai
South Sinai
South Sinai between two gulfs of the Red Sea: the reefs of Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Mohammed, Dahab’s Blue Hole, Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine’s Monastery.
In the photo: The terrain of Mount Catherine, in South Sinai.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know South Sinai
South Sinai occupies the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, the part of Egypt that lies in Asia, between the Gulf of Suez to the west and the Gulf of Aqaba to the east. Inland are red-granite mountains, dry valleys and oases; the coast is ringed by coral reefs. The capital is El Tor, on the Gulf of Suez.
At the southern tip is Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort town stretched along bays such as Naama, with diving and snorkeling on the reefs of the Strait of Tiran. Ras Mohammed National Park, at the peninsula’s end, protects reefs, mangroves and coral walls where the two gulfs meet.
On the Gulf of Aqaba coast, Dahab is a smaller town on a bay, known for the Blue Hole, a sinkhole in the reef sought by divers, and for its seaside campsites and cafés. Further north are Nuweiba and Taba, with beaches fronting the mountains of Arabia.
In the center of the peninsula, at around 1,600 meters altitude, is the village of Saint Catherine, with Saint Catherine’s Monastery, founded in the 6th century, at the foot of Mount Sinai, where tradition places the giving of the Tablets of the Law to Moses. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Climbing Mount Sinai at dawn to watch the sunrise is a traditional excursion, often with Bedouin guides.
The Bedouins of Sinai tribes lead treks through the mountains, such as the Sinai Way, and host visitors for tea and meals in the valleys.
Destinations
2 destinations in South Sinai
Cities
3 cities in South Sinai in the guide
South Sinai
Dahab
Town on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba in the southern Sinai that grew from a Bedouin fishing village. It has a seafront promenade with cafés and dive schools, coral reefs a few meters from the sand, the Blue Hole to the north and a shallow lagoon in the south used for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It is a departure point for Ras Abu Galum and for Saint Catherine.
South Sinai
Saint Catherine
Bedouin and pilgrim village high in the granite mountains of the southern Sinai, next to Saint Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bedouin guides depart from here for the night climb of Mount Sinai and for longer hikes, such as Mount Catherine.
South Sinai
Sharm El Sheikh
A resort city at the southern tip of the Sinai, spread across bays such as Naama, Sharks and Nabq, with the Old Market and the Al Sahaba Mosque in the south and a marina where boats depart for Ras Mohammed and the Strait of Tiran. Coral reefs begin near the shore at many beaches.
When to go
On the coast, the sea welcomes bathers and divers year-round. From June to September daytime highs often exceed 35 °C; from December to February the water is cooler and winds can be strong. In Saint Catherine, winter is cold, with nights below zero and sometimes snow on the peaks; spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for hikes.
Getting there
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) receives flights from Cairo and from cities in Europe and the Middle East. Dahab is about 90 km from Sharm el-Sheikh, and Saint Catherine about 220 km, by car or bus. From Cairo the road goes through the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel under the Suez Canal and follows the west coast. Depending on nationality, visitors arriving by air who will stay up to 15 days only in Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba may enter with a stamp valid only for that area: confirm before traveling.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about South Sinai
How many days should you allocate for Sharm el-Sheikh?
Four to seven days allow you to alternate beach time, diving or snorkeling on the reefs, a day at Ras Mohammed and a trip to Dahab or Saint Catherine.
How do you climb Mount Sinai?
The most common ascent starts from Saint Catherine’s Monastery at dawn, with a Bedouin guide, to reach the summit at sunrise. There is the camel path, longer and gentler, and the Staircase of Repentance, with about 3,750 steps. Bring warm clothing: it is cold at the top at dawn.
Does Saint Catherine’s Monastery accept visitors?
Yes, at scheduled times, and it usually closes on Fridays, Sundays and religious holidays: confirm before you go. You must wear clothing that covers shoulders and legs.
How do you get from Sharm el-Sheikh to Dahab?
By car, taxi or bus along the road that crosses the mountains: about 90 km, roughly an hour and a half.
Is South Sinai in Asia?
Yes. The Sinai Peninsula is on the Asian side of the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Suez. The rest of Egypt is in Africa.