Nuweiba Holidays

Nuweiba Holidays - Destination Profile

Nuweiba, on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Sinai Peninsula, is renowned for the beauty of its sunrises and sunsets when the sky is transformed into a palette of rose, magenta and crimson hues.

Nuweiba lies in an area of contrasts, surrounded by desert, backed by rugged mountains and facing glistening white sands and clear blue seas. The beach is dotted with palm-roofed sun shades and lined with cafes and small restaurants offering day long refreshments. The translucent water, with its shallow reefs, is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling as they are filled with a myriad of tropical fish, stunning in their variety and colour. There are also many opportunities for water sports activities. The Marina is north of the centre in Tarabin and it is from here that boat trips can be taken. Tarabin is a Bedouin village with many traditional restaurants and market stalls where you can buy local crafts.

With the desert on the doorstep, it is worth taking a trek into it either on camels or by jeep. The Coloured Canyon is one of the most popular visitor attractions. Another popular excursion is to St. Catherine's Convent which is said to have been built at the spot where Moses was given the Ten Commandments.

Nuweiba Holidays - Things to see

Bedouin Evening: An evening not to be missed, enjoy a spectacular sunset in the Sinai desert from the back of a camel. Arrive at a traditional Bedouin tent, relax and get ready for a typical dinner including entertainment, aromatic tea and soft drinks. This is a great opportunity to discover the real local life of the Bedouins.

St Catherine's Monastery: Depart for St Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai. The spectacular setting of this Monastery, built in AD330 around the site of Moses' Burning Bush, has remained largely unchanged over the centuries. Still inhabited by monks, you will have the opportunity to see the library, museum and Chapel of Burning Bush.

Boat Trip to Ras Mohammed National Park: For the joy of those who love uncontaminated nature, Ras Mohammed is without doubt an ideal spot. This is a fabulous boat trip with the opportunity to snorkel in one of the most amazing coral gardens and is always a popular choice.

Cairo Excursion: No visit to Egypt is complete without a visit to Cairo. The pyramids at Giza are the world's oldest tourist attraction and the Great Pyramid is one of the wonders of the ancient world. The day will include a tour of the Giza plateau to visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Also, just as famous the Egyptian Museum and the Tutankhamen treasures will be included. An Egyptologist will be on hand throughout the day to guide you around the museum and explain some of the history and legends behind the famous boy king and the other Egyptian pharaohs. Don't miss the chance to explore the souk area of the Khan el Khalili bazaar in the centre of the Cairo and enjoy lunch overlooking the river Nile. Travel by bus or plane.

For more information or to book any of the above excursions please contact your Olympic Holidays representative.

Things to do on a Holiday in Nuweiba

Mount Sinai: Mount Sinai, just south of the Monastery of St Katherine, is of great religious importance to Jews, Christians and Muslims. According to the Old Testament this is where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Throughout the centuries the mountain has drawn thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. You can ascend to the summit (2285 m, 7497 ft) to experience the ultimate spiritual high; either by climbing some 4000 steps built by monks or by following an easier but longer path. Both lead to an open area known as Elija's Basin where you walk up the remaining 750 steps to the top. At the summit you will find the Chapel of the Holy Trinity that was built in 1934 on the site of a much earlier chapel built in 363 AD. The climb takes about three hours but the view from the top is truly breathtaking, especially at sunrise.

Scuba Diving: Sharm el Sheikh, along with Hurghada, is where it all started. These where the first two destinations of the nearly 20-years-old diving history of the Red Sea. Diving sites in Sharm are world famous. A paradise for a perfect Red Sea diving holiday, Sharm has it all: hard and soft coral, turtles and dolphins, mantas and moray eels, napoleons and tuna, hammerheads, barracudas, reef and pelagic sharks, and much more, including the legendary World War II wreck of the Thistlegorm.

Snorkelling: Snorkelling is the watersport par excellence in the Red Sea. With the wealth of underwater life in all destinations, snorkelling is an easy and very enjoyable way to spend some time and discover the wonders of the marine life. Whether you go out from your resort beach, or you spend a day or half a day on a snorkelling boat, you will collect unforgettable memories.

Watersports: The Red Sea Riviera is not only scuba diving! The sea here is a paradise for a number of watersports, and some destinations are particularly famous because of their perfect conditions for one activity or the other.

Eating/Drinking During Nuweiba Holidays

There are a variety of ways to eat while you are in Egypt: local, either in homes or restaurants; tourist, restaurants that have a local flavour but cater to the tourist market; five-star, where you can choose to eat Western or "Egyptianised" cuisine; or western-style takeaway, yes, McDonald's is in Egypt!

So, what are some of the dishes you can hope to enjoy while you are in Egypt? Probably one of the first things you will try is grilled chicken or pigeon with salad.

Felafels, Shish Kebab and Kofta are almost staples in tourist restaurants as are Hommus, Tahini and Baba Ghannouj. Vegetarians will thrive in Egypt, most restaurants offering good vegetable soups, a variety of fresh salads, and wonderful dishes such as stuffed aubergines and zucchinis.

If you think that you can't possibly give up Western food while you are away, don't despair as most restaurants serve pizza, hamburgers and spaghetti. Hot chips are available absolutely everywhere!

But what do you drink in Egypt? Egypt is an Islamic country so alcohol is not widely available. The exception to this is Stella beer. This beer is made in Egypt and is available absolutely everywhere. An ice-cold Stella is great after a hard-day's sight-seeing. Bottled water is available everywhere, as are Western soft-drinks, including the diet varieties.

Tea is also available everywhere and no trip to Egypt is complete without a cup of Kakade (or Hibiscus tea), a deliciously refreshing beverage that can be served hot or cold. Coffee and Turkish coffee are widely available and the fruit juices are a must-try. Stalls in the bazaar or souk will sell you a refreshing glass of sugar-cane juice (this has to be the most refreshing drink ever invented).

Nuweiba Holidays Shopping

One of the great delights of Egypt is the shopping! However, there are many pitfalls: from learning how to bargain to knowing where the best places are to buy certain goods.

You will be truly amazed at the range of goods, from souvenirs to treasures, that you can purchase and package to take on the plane flight home with you. Everything from exotic spices to exquisite jewellery; gorgeously textured shawls and scarves to brilliantly coloured papyri; handcrafted brass and copperware to quality reproductions of antiquities; and delicately glowing alabaster to fabulously designed carpets and rugs.

Weather and climate information

5 Day Forecast - Nuweiba Holidays