St Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai: Visitor Guide

St Catherine's Monastery is a Greek Orthodox monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai in South Sinai, founded in the 6th century and, according to UNESCO, the oldest Christian monastery still used for its original purpose. It is part of the Saint Catherine Area World Heritage site, listed in 2002. Most visitors come on a day trip from Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab, or climb Mount Sinai overnight for sunrise and visit the monastery afterwards.

Key Takeaways

• The monastery's own website says it is closed on Fridays, Sundays and major Greek Orthodox feast days, and open from 9:00 to 11:30 on other days. Check before you travel.
• Mount Sinai (Gebel Musa) rises to 2,285 meters, and about 3,750 stone steps, the Steps of Repentance, lead to the summit.
• The monastery library holds about 3,300 manuscripts, two-thirds of them in Greek, and Guinness World Records lists it as the oldest library still in operation.
• The UNESCO World Heritage property covers 60,100 hectares around the monastery and the mountains.
• Mount Catherine, Egypt's highest peak, stands nearby; its height is given as 2,642, 2,646 or 2,653 meters depending on the source.

A Short History

The monastery was built under the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th century, on the site that Christian tradition links to the Burning Bush of Moses. Sources differ on the exact years: UNESCO says only that it was founded in the 6th century, Britannica gives 527 as the founding and 530 as the start of building, and the monastery's own history dates the basilica to between about 548 and 556. It has been in use by its monks ever since.

What to See

The monastery

Inside the walls are the 6th-century basilica and the site associated with the Burning Bush. The monastery's library is one of its treasures: the monastery calls it the oldest and most important Christian monastic library collection, with about 3,300 manuscripts.

Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai, called Gebel Musa (Moses Mountain) in Arabic, rises to 2,285 meters above sea level. There are two ways up: a camel path, and the Steps of Repentance, a stair of about 3,750 stone steps. Most climbers start in the night to reach the summit for sunrise, as on our St Catherine and Moses Mountain trip or the Mount Sinai tour from Sharm El Sheikh.

The Colored Canyon

The Colored Canyon near Nuweiba is often combined with St Catherine. It is a narrow canyon with colored sandstone walls. Published figures put it at almost 800 meters long, with walls up to about 40 meters high, but no official measurement exists, so treat these as approximate. The St Catherine and Colored Canyon adventure visits both in one day.

Ways to Visit

Trip	What you do	Good for
Monastery day trip	Drive from Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab, visit the monastery in its morning opening hours	Visitors who do not want a night climb
Mount Sinai sunrise climb	Night climb to the summit, sunrise, descent, then the monastery	Fit walkers and anyone keen on the sunrise view
St Catherine and Colored Canyon	Monastery visit and a walk through the canyon near Nuweiba	Visitors who want the desert scenery as well
St Catherine and Dahab	Monastery visit and an afternoon in the town of Dahab	A gentler day combining the mountains and the coast

For the combined day see the St Catherine Monastery and Dahab excursion, and our Dahab guide for the town.

The Bedouin of St Catherine

Six Bedouin tribes live in South Sinai, according to the monastery. The Jebeliya are the tribe most closely tied to the monastery, while the Mzeina are the largest Bedouin group in Sinai and many of them work in tourism in Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab. Bedouin guides and camel drivers work on the Mount Sinai paths.

Practical Tips

• Time your visit. The monastery's short morning opening, closed on Fridays and Sundays, decides the whole trip. Confirm the day before.
• Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered inside the monastery.
• Bring warm clothes for the climb. The summit is at 2,285 meters and nights are cold, especially in winter.
• Check your visa. The free entry stamp at Sharm El Sheikh covers the resorts; ask your operator whether you need a full visa for the trip inland.
• Know the travel advice. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of South Sinai beyond the St Catherine–Nuweiba road, except the coasts; the town of St Catherine is on that road.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Mount Sinai climb?

It is a long walk uphill in the dark to 2,285 meters, either on the camel path or up the Steps of Repentance, about 3,750 steps. You need reasonable fitness, good shoes and a flashlight.

Can I visit St Catherine from Sharm El Sheikh in a day?

Yes, day trips from Sharm El Sheikh are the most common way to visit.

Is the monastery open every day?

No. The monastery says it is closed on Fridays, Sundays and major feast days.