St Catherine Monastery & Dahab Day Trip from Sharm El Sheikh

Sinai’s sacred history, mountain air, and Dahab’s relaxed coast

You’ll travel from Sharm El Sheikh across Sinai’s wild landscape to explore St Catherine’s Monastery with a local guide—see the legendary Burning Bush up close, then unwind over lunch by Dahab’s blue sea before heading back. Expect quiet moments among ancient stones and lively color in town—a day that lingers longer than you’d think.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in an air-conditioned van from Sharm El Sheikh, guided entry to St Catherine’s Monastery with visits to key sites like the Burning Bush and Moses’ well, free time for exploring or panoramic views nearby if you want them, then lunch at a seaside restaurant in Dahab before returning comfortably back to your hotel.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit St. Catherine Monastery and Dahab

• Pick up from hotel at 7:00am
• Drive 2.5 hours to St. Catherine City
• Visit St. Catherine's Monastery
• See Burning Bush and Moses Well
• Explore Transfiguration Church
• Free time to climb nearby mountain
• Drive to Dahab City
• Lunch at sea front restaurant
• Shopping in Dahab
• Drive back to Sharm el Sheikh

The Experience

I didn’t really know what to expect from a day trip to St Catherine’s Monastery from Sharm El Sheikh. The drive out is long—about two and a half hours—but I kept watching the desert flicker past, all that pale gold and blue haze. Our guide, Mahmoud, had this way of pointing out little things—goats perched on rocks, or a patch of wild herbs he said Bedouins use for tea. The van was cool inside but you could feel the sun pressing down whenever we stopped for photos. I actually liked that contrast; it made stepping into the shade of the monastery feel like entering another world.

Walking through St Catherine’s Monastery itself was quieter than I expected. There were a few monks moving silently around, their robes brushing stone floors older than most countries. Mahmoud showed us the spot where Moses is said to have seen the Burning Bush—there’s a living bush still growing there, tangled and green against the old walls. It smelled faintly herbal, almost smoky if you leaned close (I did). Inside, icons glimmered in dim light and someone whispered a prayer in Greek. I felt weirdly small but also sort of peaceful—maybe it was just being so far from city noise.

Afterwards we drove on to Dahab for lunch by the sea. The restaurant was simple: plastic chairs, grilled fish that tasted like salt and charcoal, bread warm enough to steam when you tore it open. A cat tried to climb onto my lap (I let it). There was time to wander through shops—Dahab is busier than I thought, with bright scarves flapping everywhere and shopkeepers joking in Arabic and English. I bought some dates for later; they’re sticky-sweet here.

The drive back felt slower somehow. Maybe because my head was full of old stories or maybe just tiredness—I’m not sure. Sinai looked different in late afternoon light; softer, even a little pink along the ridges. I keep thinking about that hush inside the monastery chapel, how everything outside seemed to pause for a second when we stepped inside.

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Sharm El Sheikh to St Catherine's Monastery?

The drive takes about two and a half hours each way; expect a full-day tour including stops at St Catherine's Monastery and Dahab.

Is lunch included on this St Catherine Monastery tour?

Yes, lunch at a seafront restaurant in Dahab is included after visiting the monastery.

What do you see at St Catherine's Monastery?

You’ll see the Burning Bush site, Moses’ well, Transfiguration Church, and historic icons inside the monastery complex.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh is included by air-conditioned vehicle.

Can you climb Mount Sinai during this day trip?

This tour gives free time for panoramic views nearby but does not include climbing Mount Sinai itself.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The tour suits all fitness levels; infants can ride in prams or strollers.

How far is Dahab from Sharm El Sheikh?

Dahab is about 100 km from Sharm El Sheikh; it's visited after St Catherine's Monastery for lunch and shopping.