Visit Nuweiba on Sharm el Sheikh Holidays

Nuweiba lies approximately 87 kilometres north of Dahab. It is a coastal town and many believe that it was the site mentioned in Exodus regarding the fabled account of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. Many people come on Sharm el Sheikh holidays and visit Nuweiba for the rugged mountains and the many sandy beaches. There is a range of accommodation here and the resort caters for the jet-set with its stylish restaurants and luxurious hotels. Nuweiba can be divided into 3 distinct areas; El Taraben Beach, Nuweiba City and The Port.

El Taraben Beach is a mix of palm trees and sand dunes. North of the beach lies the bars and restaurants. Nuweiba City has a bazaar, stylish restaurants and large, palatial hotels. From the port there are regular ferry trips to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

A mecca for divers with its crystal clear, warm waters, there are many diving sites. Popular ones include Ras Burka, Devil’s Head, Big Ruta and Maagana. There are plenty of shallow reefs here which are ideal for snorkeling. Trekking is another favourite pastime, either by camel or jeep into the captivating Sinai region or through the coastline’s mountains. For something a bit more leisurely, take a walk along the marina by the peaceful Nuweiba Bay, which has plenty of places to sit and relax with its bamboo beach huts and bars. Some of the beach bars serve local delicacies and freshly caught fish. A kilometre outside Nuweiba, the villages of Taraben and Habbiba are big tourist attractions and are known for their Bedouin-style camps where you can rent cheap huts.

Mount Sinai is not far from Nuweiba in the St. Catherine region. At 8,625 feet it is the tallest mountain in the Sinai region. Cited by Jewish, Islamic and Christian sources as the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments, it regularly attracts pilgrims from around the world. Even tourists on Sharm el Sheikh luxury holidays visit this place to explore the sacred places on it. On the summit is a mosque, much frequented by Muslims. There is also a Greek Orthodox Church which was built in 1934 on the site of an earlier 16th century church, although unfortunately it is not open to the public. Also on the summit is ‘Moses Cave’ where the prophet is reputed to have waited to receive the Ten Commandments.

St. Catherine’s Monastery lies at the mouth of an inaccessible gorge at the foot of Mount Sinai. The monastery is of the Greek Orthodox faith and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is reputed to be the oldest working monastery in the world. There was a fire at the monastery in 1971, and when the building was being rebuilt in 1975, some 1,100 manuscripts were discovered in the crypt. After much investigation, they were found to be the earliest existing treatise on the Christian religion and were found to have been written in the 5th and 6th Centuries.

The Coloured Canyon is a great attraction for those in the area on holiday deals. It’s one of the most stunning rock formations in the world. Accessible by car, the canyon is only a short walk into the hills along a paved walkway. It’s a much photographed attraction with contrasting textures of rugged and smooth stones with many different colours. Local Bedouins will give guided tours through the canyon and it’s best to go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and avoid the sun. Also the light levels at this time of day are the best for viewing the formations.

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