Due to safety risks in parts of this area, travelers should review the latest guidance and information from government agencies.
St. Catherine's Monastery Tours and Tickets
58 results
What are people saying about St. Catherine's Monastery
Nicole_F, Nov 2025
Dundee and co in Sinai
Great adventure from Cairo to St Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai . Overnight in accommodation with a start onto the mountain at midnight. Osama and driver from Sun Pyramid Tours really looked after us and our guide up and down the mountain (Ali) was a star. This trip is physically demanding but spiritually rewarding. A must do if you’re in Egypt. Many thanks again to Ali, Osama and driver. Sun Pyramid tours.
Hasan_K, Apr 2026
Sinai trip from sharm al Sheikh
The trip was great. Everything happened on time & guide was very friendly, he was very informative and helpful. Recommended
Saman_P, Apr 2026
Excellent tour
This was the best tour we had in Sharm. A really nice and well spoken guide who took the time to explain the history of St. Catherine and the surrounding areas. Also had a great lunch in Dahab right by the sea. We also had a great and safe driver adding to the mix.
SharonMichael_S, Mar 2026
Excellent value for money
Great communication from start to finish. Good escort and great informative guides for trek and monastery visit.
WAYNE_M, Jan 2026
What an outstanding trip!...
What an outstanding trip! My guide was extremely knowledgeable and conveyed a wealth of knowledge about the St. Catherine's area with friendliness and was always attentive to my wants and needs. I recommend him most highly.
Nicholas_N, Jan 2026
Nighttime Mount Sinai Climb
Bring the warmest clothes you own even for those experienced in cold weather. Double layer socks, 2 shirts, poncho or jacket, thermal pants. The hike is challenging and occurs in complete darkness but is absolutely safe. You will complete the hike with both a tour guide and a Bedouin guide (2 helpers). There are multiple shelters and stops on the way that serve food. It is a 3 hour hike for those in excellent shape with no stops for rest. Most rewarding hike of my life as a follower of Christ.
Hong_H, Dec 2025
Great tour company and great guide
The guide Marwan and driver Hisham were great! Very responsible, considering and attentive. They came on time to pick me up and explain things well. Made trip very enjoyable.
Rachel_R, Nov 2025
St Catherine’s monastery private tour
Early start, long day. Totally worth it
Modest dress as those who are shorts are asked to wear a wrap to cover up
My tour was ran by Sharm smile tours
The driver was excellent the guide Mahmoud clearly was passionate about the history of Egypt and Sinai.
As it was a private tour it went at your pace. Definitely worth the extra cost.
Lunch over looking the sea at dahba was very good.
Truly a great day !
Victoria_F, May 2026
Mount Sinai and St Catherine’s monastery from Sharm el Sheikh
This was a fantastic trip with our own driver and own guide looking after us throughout.
It’s a pretty hard climb and I was very glad I took a camel on the way up. I still had enough work to do to climb the steps to the top and get all the way back down under my own steam, so I didn’t feel I missed out on the hiking and LOVED the camel ride (this cost 850 Egyptian pounds extra plus tip). My husband walked the whole route and kept up with the camel fine, but he’s much fitter than me!
Our Bedouin guide Jamal was brilliant - he helped get blankets and a place to rest while we waited for sunrise, took photos of us and gave us lots of information about the Bedouin. He even showed us around St Catherine's monastery when we got to the bottom of Mt Sinai.
Jamal offered to show us the nearby Bedouin village but we were so tired after a sleepless night and the climb and still had the 3 hour drive to get back to the hotel so we didn’t do it (although looking back now I wish we had).
Overall, it was a magical experience and we were glad to have spent the extra money to be able to have our own driver and guide.
Yolanda_Y, Mar 2026
Fantastic views and history
I had an amazing experience with the tour guide Said, he was funny and very knowledgeable! The hike was fantastic with insane views and genuinely unforgettable moments. The monastery tour was spectacular and it was great to be around so much history.
David_M, Feb 2026
A well guided tour to St Catherine monastery
The tour was led by our expert guide Ibrahim who informed us about the history, geography and development of St Catherine's monastery. The journey from Sharm el Sheikh to the monastery is fairly long but the mountainous scenery is dramatic and changes colour as the day progresses. The monastery itself is a jewel and surpassed our expectations. On our return we stopped at Dahab for lunch and we then proceeded back to Sharm el Sheikh. A long day, but well worth the effort for this unique experience. Thanks also to Hamada our trusty driver.
Bernhard_R, Feb 2025
Russian versus English
perfect day, only disadvantage: The guide in the bus was speaking Russian for hours and hardly gave any information in English
St. Catherine's Monastery
4.5
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Know before you go
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When to visit

A must for history buffs and Bible aficionados, St. Catherine’s Monastery has a dramatic desert setting that also appeals to photographers.
Wearing shorts is prohibited for both sexes when visiting this working monastery, while women should cover their shoulders.
On occasion, there have been kidnappings on the road to St. Catherine’s Monastery. Follow your government’s travel advice as regards travel in the Sinai Desert.
People Also Ask
Can I visit St. Catherine’s Monastery?
Yes, you can visit St. Catherine’s Monastery. The monastery closes on Fridays, Sundays, and important feast days—note that it follows the Greek Orthodox calendar—but it’s open from 9–11:30am on other days. Many travelers pair a visit here with climbing neighboring Mt. Sinai, where many believe Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Is St. Catherine’s Monastery worth visiting?
Yes, St. Catherine’s Monastery is worth visiting. A fortified monastery in a spectacularly rugged setting, it’s the oldest Christian monastery still in use as a working monastery—it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can even see what some believe to be a descendant of the biblical Burning Bush.
What is St. Catherine’s Monastery known for?
St. Catherine’s Monastery is known for being the oldest still-working Christian monastery. A place of pilgrimage for more than 1,500 years, it houses priceless icons, precious manuscripts, a well where Moses is believed to have drunk, and a plant descended from what the monks believe is the original Burning Bush.
How old is St. Catherine’s Monastery?
The Roman Emperor Justinian built the current monastery during the 6th century AD, but a chapel at its core dates back to St. Helena and 330 AD. Depending on where you start your count, St. Catherine’s Monastery is more than 1,450 years old but less than 1,700 years old.
What religion is St. Catherine’s Monastery?
St. Catherine’s Monastery is a Christian monastery, Greek Orthodox to be precise. It commemorates the early Christian martyr St. Catherine of Alexandria and contains sacred icons and illuminated manuscripts. However, the area is sacred for people of all three Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
How do I get to St. Catherine’s Monastery from Sharm El Sheikh?
There are no public buses to St. Catherine’s Monastery from Sharm El Sheikh, and the 125-mile (200-kilometer) journey is too far for ridesharing or taxis. If you want to do the sunrise climb of Mt. Sinai, a tour is a much better option than self-driving, as you can sleep during the journey.
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