St. Catherine's Monastery
St. Catherine's Monastery
4.5
Monday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
About
This is the 6th century formidable fortification and still working Christian monastery. It has the second largest collection of illuminated manuscripts.
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4.5
574 reviews
Excellent
322
Very good
149
Average
74
Poor
14
Terrible
15
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s m
SC388 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
This is a short side trip from Mount Sinai, unless you are religiously devoted. Of the monastery you can only see the chapel of Saint Catherine, the burning bush, and Mose's well, for an additional fee you can see the illuminated manuscripts. All together maybe 30 minutes. Worthy of the historical and religious aspect but otherwise underwhelming. Realistically you can visit with a rented/hired car, but as of December 2023 it is more practical to take a tour bus due to security concerns.
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamer Farkouh
Egypt65 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt, at the foot of Mount Sinai, is a profound spiritual and historical site. The adventure begins with the climb up Moses Mountain, often done at night to reach the summit by sunrise. Walking under the stars, you feel deeply connected to the biblical story of Moses. The sunrise view is breathtaking, and the sense of holiness is palpable, perfect for reflection and prayer.
The monastery, founded in the 6th century, is a haven of peace. Monks dedicated to prayer and contemplation live here, preserving ancient rites and traditions. The monastery's rich collection of manuscripts, icons, and the revered Burning Bush add to its spiritual depth.
Visiting Saint Catherine’s is more than a historical tour; it’s a spiritual journey. The physical climb and the monastery's serene, sacred atmosphere offer a profound experience. This sacred site invites deep personal reflection, connecting visitors with its enduring faith and history.
The monastery, founded in the 6th century, is a haven of peace. Monks dedicated to prayer and contemplation live here, preserving ancient rites and traditions. The monastery's rich collection of manuscripts, icons, and the revered Burning Bush add to its spiritual depth.
Visiting Saint Catherine’s is more than a historical tour; it’s a spiritual journey. The physical climb and the monastery's serene, sacred atmosphere offer a profound experience. This sacred site invites deep personal reflection, connecting visitors with its enduring faith and history.
Written 20 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nara Simone
Hook, UK163 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Wow
Today was full of high emotions . I have been here before, but still you feel it’s your first time. Despite weather was chilly, we managed to walk around for few hours and also managed to visit the church and the museum.
So exciting was being in such a historical and biblical land .
And seeing almost 1700 years old church , which is as far as I know one of the first ones.
Powerful place, full of history’s and a lot to see and explore…
Today was full of high emotions . I have been here before, but still you feel it’s your first time. Despite weather was chilly, we managed to walk around for few hours and also managed to visit the church and the museum.
So exciting was being in such a historical and biblical land .
And seeing almost 1700 years old church , which is as far as I know one of the first ones.
Powerful place, full of history’s and a lot to see and explore…
Written 27 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert_The_World_Hunter
Warsaw, Poland667 contributions
May 2022
The Monastery is a real gem as far as attractions are concerned. You have to visit the Monastery while being in St. Catharine. However, please, be careful ... Outside there are some local people telling you that you MUST wear your mask for "your safety".
No one requires to wear a mask in the monastery, they simply want to make money on you. So, tell them you do not need a mast inside!
No one requires to wear a mask in the monastery, they simply want to make money on you. So, tell them you do not need a mast inside!
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vale
Cagliari, Italy4,398 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
This building is absolutely worth a visit, it is the oldest Christian monastery in the world, and stands near Mount Horeb. This place has been declared a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO, to reach it it takes about three hours of travel from Sharm el-Sheikh, we relied on one of the many tour operators present in Sharm. The place is fantastic, even if it is possible to visit only a small part of the monastery, the Basilica, the well of Moses, and the shrub where the burning bush was originally supposed to be located, and the icon museum.
The monastery is rarely visited by Italian tourists, while it is very popular among Russian tourists, or those of the Orthodox faith.
I absolutely recommend taking an excursion to this place, the monastery is splendid and the surrounding landscape is equally worth it.
The monastery is rarely visited by Italian tourists, while it is very popular among Russian tourists, or those of the Orthodox faith.
I absolutely recommend taking an excursion to this place, the monastery is splendid and the surrounding landscape is equally worth it.
Written 7 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AngelinaMich
Athens, Greece75 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
There are no words to describe the feeling and the energy you receive from this sacred place. Regardless even if your faith. I personally went for a pilgrimage to St. Catherine but Its a unique and cultural and historical heritage site.
The church is a fully standing and unchanged work of 580 ad from the time of emperor Justinian of the Byzantine empire.
The museum and library simply unique!
The church is a fully standing and unchanged work of 580 ad from the time of emperor Justinian of the Byzantine empire.
The museum and library simply unique!
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Starry-nite
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia215 contributions
Sept 2019
Those who do not want to walk had to take the local van. The driver then droe us to the monastery entrance. Return ride was US$2/pax. Sitting under the shade, the guide gave us a background history of how the name came to be. We then walked around the perimeters, taking in the areas the guide mentioned. Shortly after, we left the place. And that was that......disappointing.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vladimir C
Holsworthy, UK355 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We took the TUI trip from Sharm. The pickup was at 5 a.m. The journey took 5 hours, although the first hour was spent driving from one hotel to another doing pickups. It's a long way to go for a short stay, and the minivan is uncomfortable if you get stuck in the back. The monastery itself is at over 5,000 ft, so in January, when we went, it was bitterly cold, so dress warmly! It's interesting but doesn't take long to see. Lunch at Dahab on the way back is included. Ali Baba is deservedly the best restaurant there. We got home at 5 p.m., so it's a 12 hour day.
Written 1 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
4 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
This requires a 4 hour drive through the desert then you are only allowed to see a small part of the monastery. Public only allowed to see a small courtyard and a very small chapel. This takes about 10 minutes. The rest is off limits to the public.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew D
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Friends
If I’m being honest, I have to say that St.Catherine’s Monastery is a WONDERFUL place. I recently just got back from a trip there about a week ago and it was absolutely amazing. The view is gorgeous and climbing up Mt. Sinai was fun! It is such a peaceful place. It’s the PERFECT place to go if you wanna get away from the craziness of the world. I seriously recommend it to everyone. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So if you wanna go have a peaceful, relaxing vacation, go to St.Catherine’s Monastery.
Written 25 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, do you know is the monastery open on Friday a.m.? According to the homepage, it is closed on Friday but here I see that it is ope between 10-11:30a.m.
Written 16 March 2023
Hello,
I am not sure. I was there with the group of tourists, and it was a part of the Sinai Mountain excursion.
Written 21 August 2023
Hi, we would like to visit snt Ekaterina monastery and climp up to the mountain, 2 people , how can we get there from Cairo and how much it will be, maybe its possible to join the group??
Written 7 November 2019
Hi , you can use local transportation from Cairo to St katherine village and you just need a guide to Mt Sinai or if you want private tour you can contact sinai my love in Facebook m
Written 11 November 2019
How do I get there? Hotels to stay? Planes to where and transportation? Any details I’d greatly appreciate it.
Written 30 August 2019
If you want stay their we have in saint Cathrien more than 4 hotels, one 4 stars and other 3 stars and we also have camps their not expensive , we don’t have local bus from sharm to saint Cathrien , only guided tours ;)
Written 31 August 2019
Kako mogu da posetim manastir iz hotela Sanny days el Palacio iz Hurgade
Written 14 August 2019
Хотим посетить монастырь Екатерины без подъёма на гору Моисея. Реально ли доехать из Дахаба на своей машине? Есть указатели? Нормальная ли дорога? И реально ли пройти к монастырю с коляской с малышом? Пишут, что к монастырю в гору идти...
Written 30 October 2018
Не знаю какая сейчас там обстановка, но сами гиды и те кто при монастыре обслуживает и организует экскурсии говорили, что лучше заказать экскурсию или общую,или индивидуально, к стати есть такие и без восхождения на гору Моисея. Пока туда ехали несколько раз проезжали блокпосты с полицией, на одном из таких постов двое вооруженных полицейских остановили автобус и осматривали его внутри - мы показывали паспорта. Я считаю, что лучше не рисковать, и не ехать на своем авто на свой страх и риск, а заказать экскурсию с гидом и спокойно приехать в монастырь, да и экскурсовод уже в монастыре больше всего покажет и расскажет, нежели самим там ходить( а могут и не пустить!) Удачного отдыха!
Written 31 October 2018
I was told it is possible to watch the sunset as well? Is there a tour that does the sunset so you do not need to stay up all night?
Written 11 October 2018
Yes you can visit the mount and meet the sunset their but it will be a private tour because we don’t have buses go their for the sunset, you can take a private car and guide and go their for sunset
Written 31 August 2019
Is it better to stay at the monastery or is it ok to stay in Sharm El Sheik?
Written 11 October 2018
It’s better to stay at sharm el Shaikh Ofcourse and you can just go and visit saint Cathrien monastery for one day, but we have 4 hotels in saint Cathrien and some camps so you can stay their if you want
Written 31 August 2019
What tour company to visit Mount Sinai/Monastery from Sharm Al Shaykh as a day trip?
Many thanks
Written 3 September 2018
We had private tour to St.Catherine monastery for all day including diner. Wasn't any problems to ask in hotel ,and they call to local tour company to arrange car and guide. Also is nice go to bigger group as well and meet new friends ,and will be less price for bus
Written 3 September 2018
Hello;
Which tour company is the best to use because iam only one person and they are talking about 500 USD for the tour.i was hoping to be included in a group and maybe it would be cheaper.
Written 4 January 2018
If you are in Dahab talk to Salem from "Yalla Safari" Tours.
(find it on facebook: Yalla Safari)
He offered me a private tour for 1350 LE (approx. US$ 77).
With a group it'll be between US$ 20 - 30
Another good one is Barracuda (find it on facebook: barracuda adventures)
Written 4 January 2018
Добрый день! Как можно организовать экскурсию из Шарма. Отельный гид говорит, что экскурсий нет и гора зарыта. Спасибо!
Written 20 August 2017
Скорее всего правда - закрыли еще в начале июня...
Можно поехать самим, но тогда НИКТО НЕ несет ответственности, в том числе и по поводу возвращения денег за Экскурсию - у нас было так: мы услышали, что один из наших соседей из Отеля поехал сам (НЕ от агенства из Отеля) и его автобус развернули назад, а их (туристов) высадили и он был вынужден возвращаться сам назад на такси, поэтому мы купили экскурсию у гида из Отеля, но наша Экскурсия ТОЖЕ отменилась, но нам ВЕРНУЛИ деньги!
Так что СОВЕТ - спрашивать про эту Экскурсию ТОЛЬКО у официала - Вашего гида из Отеля
Written 21 August 2017
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