Visiting St Catherine's Monastery

At the foot of Mount Sinai stands St Catherine's Monastery, built in the 6th century and still home to Greek Orthodox monks today. The area around it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What you'll see

• The walls: thick granite walls that have protected the monastery for about 1,500 years.
• The Burning Bush: a bush that tradition links to the story of Moses.
• The basilica: an old church full of icons and lamps.
• Parts of the famous collection of manuscripts and icons, when the museum is open.

Opening times

The monastery is only open for a few hours in the morning, and it closes on some days of the week and on religious holidays. Times can change, so check with us before you plan your day. We'll make sure your visit fits.

Dress and behaviour

It's a place of worship. Cover your shoulders and knees, speak quietly, and ask before taking photos inside.

Combine it with Mount Sinai

The classic plan: climb Mount Sinai for sunrise, walk down, and visit the monastery in the morning when it opens. It makes one unforgettable day.

See our monastery trip and Mount Sinai trip.