Top Attractions in Sinai Peninsula

Sinai peninsula is a place widely famous for its exquisite diving and snorkeling experience, rich history as the land of Moses, unique culture, mountain ranges, including Mount Sinai (also known as Moses' Mountain), the renowned monastery of St. Katherine, beautiful and vibrant canyons, and desert safaris.

However, today Sinai is mostly popular for its holiday offers, which are limited to hotels and resorts located on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Here's below the list of the top-rated destinations to visit in the Sinai Peninsula:

St Catherine's Monastery

St Catherine's Monastery is an ancient monastery established around AD 330 when Byzantine empress Helena commissioned the construction of a chapel and a fortified refuge for local hermits beside the burning bush from which God spoke to Moses. The monastery has been continuously functioning for centuries and is one of the oldest of its kind in the world. If the monastery museum is locked, visitors can request the key from the Church of the Transfiguration.

The monastery, along with the surrounding area, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is named after St Catherine, the legendary martyr of Alexandria, who was executed for her faith. It is believed that her body was carried away by angels from the torture device and onto the slopes of Egypt’s highest mountain peak, which is located about 6km south of Mt Sinai and is known as Gebel Katarina. Her body was discovered about 300 years later by monks from the monastery in a state of perfect preservation.

 Castle of Saladin

If you like Ayyubid, Abbasi, Crusades, and Mamluk ruins, you will surely admire the Castle of Saladin. The iconic castle is the most well-preserved ancient Ayyubid Castle outside Cairo. It dates back to 1116 AD and was a significant city on Egypt's ancient trade route.

The castle can be reached by a day trip from Taba city. You can also stay at various affordable hotels and resorts in Taba and take a day touring the area.

Taba

Located near the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, it is a frequent vacation spot for both the Egyptians and tourists, especially those from Russia on their way to other destinations in Egypt or as a weekend getaway. It is the most popular resort of Egypt's eastern coastline along the Red Sea, Egypt's Red Sea Riviera.

Nearly, the majority of current residents of Taba are Bedouin who are originally nomads, herding their goats and sheep around the desert, moving frequently and setting up temporary settlements as they went.

While some of them continue to maintain a traditional nomadic lifestyle, the majority now live somewhat permanently in Bedouin Village - the only settlement in the protected area - and are heavily involved in the area's tourism industry. Many elements of Bedouin life remain ubiquitous in Taba, allowing visitors to enjoy an authentic cultural experience during their visit.