Mountains, desert, and sea… Sinai has much more to offer than most people imagine. The High Mountain Region, with its religious and historical importance, orchard gardening tradition, and unique nature, is unlike anywhere else in the world. The desert is every bit as beautiful as those elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa, and within a relatively small area you will find an amazing variety of landscapes. The coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba are internationally recognised among the best in the world, while a number of coastal protectorates and their different ecosystems offer peaceful escapes from the resort towns.
Sinai is divided into two governorates: North Sinai Governorate and South Sinai Governorate. The administrative border runs roughly along the route from the Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel to Taba, although the Bedouin traditionally place the divide further south along the edge of the Tih Plateau. Much of North Sinai is restricted for foreigners, but the vast majority of attractions are located in South Sinai anyway, which is generally peaceful and laid back.
Map of South Sinai
The capital of South Sinai Governorate is El Tur (1), although the largest and most developed city is Sharm el Sheikh (2). Another popular destination is Dahab (3), a smaller and more relaxed town attracting mostly independent travellers. In Nuweiba (4), the gateway to Jordan, and further north along the coast towards Taba (5), there are many simple beach camps offering huts directly by the sea. Beyond Taba lies the border crossing to Israel.
In the centre of the mountainous interior is the town of Saint Catherine (6), famous for Mount Sinai and St Catherine’s Monastery. Wadi Feiran (7) and Serabit el Khadim (8) are smaller settlements with important historical and archaeological sites. The coastal town of Abu Zenima (9) is a small settlement with a few shops and cafeterias, from where transport can be arranged to Serabit el Khadim. Ras Sudr (10), further north, is a seaside destination popular with visitors from Cairo.
The road connects through the Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel beneath the Suez Canal to Suez and Cairo (11), and from there another road continues towards North Sinai. A second road, once part of the ancient caravan route used by pilgrims travelling from Cairo to Mecca, cuts across the peninsula through the interior at Nakhla (12) before reaching the Gulf of Aqaba.