St. Catherine's Monastery

Overview

St. Catherine's Monastery is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery located at the mouth of a gorge at the base of Mount Sinai in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. It is one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world and a significant site for early Christian history.

It houses the Burning Bush and is believed to be the site where Moses received the Ten Commandments. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Religious Historical Cultural

Location

Address

Saint Catherine, South Sinai

Neighborhood: Mount Sinai

Coordinates

28.555600, 84.083300

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Admission

Adults

EGP 100

Children

EGP 50 (under 12)

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

March-May, October-November

Best Time of Day

Early morning

fewer crowds, cooler temperatures

Duration Recommendations

Minimum

1 hour

Recommended

3-4 hours

Full Experience

full day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

mild to warm

• flowers
• gardens

summer

hot

• extended hours for Mount Sinai climb

autumn

cool

• fall colors
• harvest

winter

cold

• holiday lights
• snow on Mount Sinai

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

Book ahead for Mount Sinai climb
Bring ID
Check weather conditions
Respect religious sites

What to Bring

essential

ID water tickets comfortable shoes

seasonal

jacket umbrella warm clothing for winter

not allowed

large bags drones inappropriate clothing

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: moderate to high (for Mount Sinai climb)

• altitude sickness
• stairs
• uneven terrain

Medical facilities: first aid available, limited medical facilities

Payment Information

Accepted

cash (Egyptian pounds), cards (at some locations)

Currency

Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Typical Costs

entry EGP 100

Mount Sinai climb EGP 300-500

parking EGP 50

food EGP 50-150

souvenirs EGP 20-200

Dress Code

modest, respectful clothing (shoulders and knees covered), comfortable shoes for walking, walking shoes, sturdy footwear for Mount Sinai, shorts, sleeveless tops, revealing clothing

Booking Tips

• 2-3 weeks for Mount Sinai climb
• official website or registered tour operators
• 48 hours for refund
• available for monastery entry

Amenities

Restrooms

Gift shop

Atm

Wifi

Lockers

Wheelchair rental

Stroller rental

On site restaurant

Cafe

Picnic areas

Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

St. Catherine's Monastery Official Guide

Size: 40 MB

Features: Map, Audio guide, Tickets, Mount Sinai climb information, Local events

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: Visitor center, Cafe, Refectory

Charging Stations: Visitor center, Cafe

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport

Distance: 200 km

Travel Time: 3-4 hours

taxi

EGP 1500-2000 3-4 hours

private tour

EGP 2500-3500 3-4 hours

public_transport

EGP 100-150 5-6 hours

From City Center

Distance: About 250 km from Cairo, 100 km from Nuweiba, 50 km from Dahab

taxi

EGP 800-1200 from Dahab, EGP 1500-2000 from Nuweiba 1-2 hours from Dahab, 2-3 hours from Nuweiba

bus

EGP 50-100 1.5-2.5 hours

tour bus

Included in tour package 1-2 hours from Dahab, 2-3 hours from Nuweiba

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: Rich history, spiritual significance, unique architecture

Historical Significance: One of the oldest working Christian monasteries, believed to be built by Emperor Justinian I, houses the Burning Bush

Insider Tips

Free entry for locals before 9 AM
Best food at the monastery's refectory
Ask monks for stories and history
Visit the local market for unique souvenirs and crafts

Local Recommendations

• Try local Bedouin tea
• Ask for guide Mohamed
• Visit the local market for souvenirs
• Try Bedouin bread and tea at a local café

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello Marhaba

thank_you Shukran

where_is Wayn

how_much Bikam

beautiful Helwa

ticket Ticket

monastery Dayr

church Kanees

water Maya

Guide Languages: English, Arabic, French, German

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Main entrance

Best Time: Golden hour

Tips: Low angle for the entrance gate

Result: Great shot of the historic entrance

#StCatherinesMonastery #Sinai #Egypt #History #Travel

Burning Bush

Best Time: Daytime

Tips: Respectful distance

Result: Iconic photo of the Burning Bush

#BurningBush #ReligiousSite #HolyLand #BiblicalHistory

Mount Sinai viewpoint

Best Time: Sunrise

Tips: Wide angle for the landscape

Result: Breathtaking view of Mount Sinai and the monastery

#MountSinai #Sunrise #Landscape #Adventure

Photography Rules

allowed areas outdoor areas, gardens, viewpoints

prohibited areas churches, monks' quarters, museums

flash photography not allowed in indoor areas

commercial photography permit needed

drone policy prohibited without special permission

tripod policy restricted (only with permission)

selfie sticks allowed in outdoor areas

Nearby Attractions

Mount Sinai

Distance: 2.5 km

Walking: 30-45 min

Type: Mountain

Wadi el-Deir

Distance: 1 km

Walking: 15 min

Type: Valley

Musa Spring

Distance: 500 m

Walking: 7 min

Type: Spring

St. Catherine City