St. Catherine’s Monastery, Mount Sinai

St. Catherine’s Monastery is located at the foot of Mount Sinai in the heart of the Sinai Peninsula, about a three-hour drive from Sharm el-Sheikh. Surrounded by barren mountains and desert, the sudden sight of this fortress-like monastery makes a striking impression. In 2002, the Saint Catherine Area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History

According to tradition, a chapel was built here in the 4th century on the site of the biblical Burning Bush; the monastery itself dates from the 6th century and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world. It was here, according to tradition, that God revealed Himself to Moses in the flames of the bush, and on the mountain above, Moses later received the Ten Commandments.

Between about 548 and 565, the Byzantine emperor Justinian I had massive stone walls built, turning the monastery into a fortress. According to tradition, the Prophet Muhammad granted the monks a written guarantee of protection (the Ashtiname), and the monastery remained safe under both Arab and Ottoman rule. As a result, it has never been destroyed or looted throughout its long history.

From the 11th century onward, the monastery has borne the name of St. Catherine of Alexandria, whose relics, according to tradition, were found on a nearby mountain around the year 800 and have been kept here ever since.

Visiting the Monastery

The monastery attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year—both pilgrims and tourists. The easiest access is from Sharm el-Sheikh by bus or private car (about 3 hours).

In June 2025, the monks temporarily closed the monastery to visitors in protest against an Egyptian court ruling on the ownership of its lands. It reopened a few months later, but the dispute has not yet been resolved, so check the current situation before your trip.

Key highlights include:

• The Burning Bush – believed to be the biblical bush that spoke to Moses.
• Relics of St. Catherine – venerated by Christian pilgrims.
• Icons and manuscripts – the monastery holds one of the world’s finest collections of early icons, and its library of ancient manuscripts is second only to the Vatican’s; some of the treasures are on display in the Sacred Sacristy museum.

Visitor tips:

• Only certain areas are open to tourists.
• Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered.
• The monastery is open to visitors Monday to Thursday and on Saturday from 8:45 to 11:30 am, and on Friday from 10:45 to 11:30 am (icon gallery closed); it is closed on Sundays and Orthodox holy days.
• Souvenirs are best purchased in the official shop inside the monastery.
• Food is available near the entrance, but prices are high—bringing a packed lunch is recommended.

Pilgrims who venerate the relics traditionally receive a small ring as a keepsake.

Climbing Mount Sinai

Excursions often combine a monastery visit with a night climb to the summit of Mount Sinai (2,285 m). Most people take the camel path (about 7 km) and then the final 750 steps to the top; the steeper alternative is the Steps of Repentance, about 3,750 stone steps. The ascent is demanding and not suitable for children, elderly visitors, or those with health issues. Warm clothing is essential, as it can be very cold at night even in summer.

The reward is breathtaking: witnessing the sunrise from the peak before returning to the monastery.

Excursion Prices

Tours from Sharm el-Sheikh typically cost from about $45 per person (2026), depending on the package (with or without mountain climb, with or without lunch, or combined with other stops such as Dahab on the Red Sea). Night-climb tours leave in the evening and return around midday the next day.