This St Catherine travel guide covers the best things to do in St Catherine: St Catherine’s Monastery, a sunrise climb of Mount Sinai and Bedouin-guided hikes. Below you will also find the best time to visit St Catherine, how to get there and around, and a choice of hotels in St Catherine.
St Catherine is a small town set at about 1,600 m in the granite mountains of South Sinai, surrounded by peaks and wadis. It exists because of the Monastery of St Catherine, one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world, at the foot of Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the mountain where Moses received the Law. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History
The fortified monastery was built in the 6th century under the Byzantine emperor Justinian around the site identified as the Burning Bush. It has been home to Greek Orthodox monks ever since and holds one of the world’s most important collections of early icons and manuscripts. The local Jebeliya Bedouin have long lived alongside the monastery, and they still guide visitors in the mountains. The town is currently being redeveloped as part of a large government tourism project, so expect building works.
What to see and do
- St Catherine’s Monastery: see the basilica, the Burning Bush and the monastery walls. Opening is limited, typically mornings only and closed on Fridays, Sundays and religious holidays, so check before you go.
- Mount Sinai sunrise climb: most people start in the early hours to reach the 2,285 m summit for dawn. Two routes lead up from the monastery: the gentler Camel Path and the steep Steps of Repentance, around 3,750 steps; both join for the final 750 steps. Many people go up by the path and down the steps.
- Jebel Katherina: Egypt’s highest mountain, a demanding day hike with a Bedouin guide.
- Wadi walks and Bedouin gardens: half-day and multi-day treks, including sections of the Sinai Trail.
Practical tips
One or two nights is ideal: arrive in the afternoon, climb Mount Sinai before dawn and visit the monastery afterwards. Nights are cold even in summer and freezing in winter, so bring warm layers and a torch. Hikes require a local Bedouin guide. Carry your passport for checkpoints, and dress modestly for the monastery.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: whc.unesco.org, lonelyplanet.com, lonelyplanet.com, roughguides.com.
Historical background
Tourist ideas
At a glance
Arabic nameسانت كاترين
GovernorateSouth Sinai
Trip typeReligious, hiking
Best seasonMar–May, Sep–Nov
Ideal stay1–2 days
Nearest airportSharm (SSH); St Catherine (SKV) limited
Complete guide to St Catherine
About the city, its weather, the best time to visit and how to get there.
About St Catherine
- Arabic name
- سانت كاترين
- Governorate
- South Sinai
- Region
- Sinai
- Good for
- Religious, hiking
- Travel region
- Sinai
What is the weather like in St Catherine?
St Catherine lies about 1,600 m up in the Sinai mountains, so it is much cooler than the coast: pleasant days in spring and autumn, cold nights all year, and frost or snow possible in winter. Bring warm layers for the Mount Sinai sunrise climb.
When is the best time to visit St Catherine?
- Best season
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Ideal stay
- 1–2 days
How do I get to St Catherine?
Flights to Sharm El Sheikh and buses from Cairo. Carry your passport for road checkpoints.
What to see in St Catherine
- St Catherine’s Monastery
- Mount Sinai sunrise climb
Archaeological sites in South Sinai governorate
Museums in South Sinai governorate
Hotels near St Catherine
Things to do from St Catherine
Day trips with hotel pickup, run by a local operator. Book directly with them.
Where to eat in St Catherine
Rest House الاستراحة
Village favourite with friendly staff, outdoor seating and traditional Egyptian food at fair prices.
Catherine Plaza Hotel restaurant مطعم فندق كاترين بلازا
Hotel restaurant with buffet meals, useful before or after the Mount Sinai climb.
St Catherine Monastery Guesthouse دار ضيافة دير سانت كاترين
Guesthouse dining room serving simple set meals to guests near the monastery gates.
Last checked October 2026. Opening hours and menus change; check with the venue before you go.
Shopping in St Catherine
Fansina Bedouin Crafts فانسينا للمشغولات البدوية
Women's handicraft project selling Bedouin embroidery and beadwork.
Last checked October 2026. Opening hours and menus change; check with the venue before you go.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit St Catherine?
The best times to visit St Catherine are March to May and September to November.
How do I get to St Catherine?
Flights to Sharm El Sheikh and buses from Cairo. Carry your passport for road checkpoints.
What is the nearest airport to St Catherine?
The nearest airport to St Catherine is Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH); St Catherine International Airport (SKV) has limited flights.
How many days should I spend in St Catherine?
Plan to spend 1–2 days in St Catherine.
What are the must-see places in St Catherine?
The must-see places in St Catherine are St Catherine’s Monastery and the sunrise climb up Mount Sinai.
Where can I eat in St Catherine?
Popular choices include Rest House, Catherine Plaza Hotel restaurant, St Catherine Monastery Guesthouse. See the dining section above for more.
Where can I go shopping in St Catherine?
For shopping in St Catherine, try Fansina Bedouin Crafts. More options are listed in the shopping section of this page.
