Cairo Getaways - Ain Sokhna
City/town information
Ain El Sokhna is one of the famous tourist towns in Egypt, and a lovely holiday destination because of its beautiful nature. Ain El Sokhna is located on the coast of the Red Sea, near Suez City, about 55 km and about 120 km away from Cairo.
It was named after hot springs in the Ataka Mountains in Suez that are at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level.
Ain Al Sokhna has a fantastic atmosphere throughout the year. You can visit it in both summer and winter. Its sandy beaches are considered among the most beautiful in the world where you can do summer activities, such as camping, diving, snorkeling, and many others.
Ain Sokhna contains a large group of villages and tourist resorts which include cabins, chalets, and apartments.
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Ain Sokhna
Ain El Sokhna is one of the famous tourist towns in Egypt, and a lovely holiday destination because of its beautiful nature. Ain El Sokhna is located on the coast of the Red Sea, near Suez City, about 55 km and about 120 km away from Cairo.
It was named after hot springs in the Ataka Mountains in Suez that are at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level.
Ain Al Sokhna has a fantastic atmosphere throughout the year. You can visit it in both summer and winter. Its sandy beaches are considered among the most beautiful in the world where you can do summer activities, such as camping, diving, snorkeling, and many others.
Ain Sokhna contains a large group of villages and tourist resorts which include cabins, chalets, and apartments.
Sightseeing
Al Adebya Bay is located 20 km south of the Suez Canal. It is a famous and magnificent place to spend a great time with your family and friends and that is because of its wonderful nature for having birds of certain species that are spread all over the bay.
It is known as a great place for migratory birds to stay during their trips, that’s why it is a beautiful place for tourists to visit to watch the birds that inhabit the area.
Some of these birds are the white seagull and golden eagles and also there are archaeological sites that you can visit, such as the ancient shipwreck area. You can also enjoy other activities there, like fishing and surfing and other water sports.
Al-Adabiya
Al Adebya Bay is located 20 km south of the Suez Canal. It is a famous and magnificent place to spend a great time with your family and friends and that is because of its wonderful nature for having birds of certain species that are spread all over the bay.
It is known as a great place for migratory birds to stay during their trips, that’s why it is a beautiful place for tourists to visit to watch the birds that inhabit the area.
Some of these birds are the white seagull and golden eagles and also there are archaeological sites that you can visit, such as the ancient shipwreck area. You can also enjoy other activities there, like fishing and surfing and other water sports.
The Monastery of Saint Paul is one of the oldest and famous in Egypt and Al Ain Al Sokhna. It is located in the Eastern Desert near the Red Sea Mountains about 155 km southeast of Cairo.
The Monastery covers an area of about five acres, and it was built in the 5th century over a cave located there and this is where Saint Paul lived for more than 80 years.
It was said that when Saint Paul died, two lions were seen standing by the door of the cave in which Saint Paul lived there and that’s why when you visit any Coptic museum in Egypt you will see him flanked by two lions with a crown above his head.
The monastery has suffered through the years, but the worst one was in 1484 when all the monks were killed and the monastery plundered and it was occupied for 80 years. It was neglected for 119 years and repopulated by monks from St Anthony’s Monastery.
When you enter the monastery you will see three churches, the important one there is the underground Church of Saint Paul which contains the hermit’s cave and burial place. You will also see that the walls are painted with well-preserved frescoes, and the ceiling is hung with ostrich eggs, symbols of the resurrection.
You won’t find direct transportation to the monastery, you will have to take the bus from Cairo to Hurghada and get off at the turn-off for St Paul’s Monastery and take a road of 13 km until you can reach the monastery.
St. Paul Monastery
طريق دير الانبا بولاThe Monastery of Saint Paul is one of the oldest and famous in Egypt and Al Ain Al Sokhna. It is located in the Eastern Desert near the Red Sea Mountains about 155 km southeast of Cairo.
The Monastery covers an area of about five acres, and it was built in the 5th century over a cave located there and this is where Saint Paul lived for more than 80 years.
It was said that when Saint Paul died, two lions were seen standing by the door of the cave in which Saint Paul lived there and that’s why when you visit any Coptic museum in Egypt you will see him flanked by two lions with a crown above his head.
The monastery has suffered through the years, but the worst one was in 1484 when all the monks were killed and the monastery plundered and it was occupied for 80 years. It was neglected for 119 years and repopulated by monks from St Anthony’s Monastery.
When you enter the monastery you will see three churches, the important one there is the underground Church of Saint Paul which contains the hermit’s cave and burial place. You will also see that the walls are painted with well-preserved frescoes, and the ceiling is hung with ostrich eggs, symbols of the resurrection.
You won’t find direct transportation to the monastery, you will have to take the bus from Cairo to Hurghada and get off at the turn-off for St Paul’s Monastery and take a road of 13 km until you can reach the monastery.
Saint Anthony’s is one of the oldest ancient monasteries in the world, built-in memory of the saint after his death because he was the first to establish the idea of Christian monasticism in the desert of Egypt.
The monastery is located between the mountain range of Al Galala in the Arab desert in the Red Sea and before Zafarana about 48 km and it was built in the 4th century where the spring from which he was drinking and near the cave in which he stayed.
The area of the monastery is 18 acres, and it includes the Church of the Cross and Resurrection.
This church is a modern architectural landmark carved into the rocks of these mountains and the words of the Bible are engraved on its doors which say Christ has risen, in truth, he has risen and on its top, an ancient icon of the father of monks engraved with some words that say “If you want to be perfect, follow me”.
The monastery contains all the necessities of monastic life that were used by monks in the past and some of these things are a Water spring, grain mill, mill, olive press, and sacrifice kiln.
The main entrance of the monastery was used for the entry and exit of people and needs and it was called the saqia. It is called the saqia because the entrance system is a cylindrical reel that rotates around itself, and when the reel rotates, the thick rope attached to it can be pulled or dropped. The monastery is also a pioneer in the use of solar energy as a source of energy.
Monastery of Saint Anthony
Saint Anthony’s is one of the oldest ancient monasteries in the world, built-in memory of the saint after his death because he was the first to establish the idea of Christian monasticism in the desert of Egypt.
The monastery is located between the mountain range of Al Galala in the Arab desert in the Red Sea and before Zafarana about 48 km and it was built in the 4th century where the spring from which he was drinking and near the cave in which he stayed.
The area of the monastery is 18 acres, and it includes the Church of the Cross and Resurrection.
This church is a modern architectural landmark carved into the rocks of these mountains and the words of the Bible are engraved on its doors which say Christ has risen, in truth, he has risen and on its top, an ancient icon of the father of monks engraved with some words that say “If you want to be perfect, follow me”.
The monastery contains all the necessities of monastic life that were used by monks in the past and some of these things are a Water spring, grain mill, mill, olive press, and sacrifice kiln.
The main entrance of the monastery was used for the entry and exit of people and needs and it was called the saqia. It is called the saqia because the entrance system is a cylindrical reel that rotates around itself, and when the reel rotates, the thick rope attached to it can be pulled or dropped. The monastery is also a pioneer in the use of solar energy as a source of energy.
Porto Sokhna Resort is located in the middle of Ain Sokhna, which belongs to the Suez Governorate, and is 55 km from the city of Suez. It is about 150 km from Cairo. Porto is one of the best places in Ain Sukhna, which enjoys a majestic view due to its location as if it is in the heart of the mountain.
There, you will find the first cable car in Egypt that takes you from Porto Sokhna to the highest peak of Mount Ain Sukhna and is about 1.2 km away.
It will take you about 10 minutes, and the cable car can take eight people. It is better to take it in the daytime so you can watch the beautiful view from the top.
The beach in Porto Sokhna is a wonderful place to spend your day. You can enjoy eating delicious food between a special breakfast and regional dinner and it also offers some lovely trips.
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Porto Sokhna
طريق الزاعفرانهPorto Sokhna Resort is located in the middle of Ain Sokhna, which belongs to the Suez Governorate, and is 55 km from the city of Suez. It is about 150 km from Cairo. Porto is one of the best places in Ain Sukhna, which enjoys a majestic view due to its location as if it is in the heart of the mountain.
There, you will find the first cable car in Egypt that takes you from Porto Sokhna to the highest peak of Mount Ain Sukhna and is about 1.2 km away.
It will take you about 10 minutes, and the cable car can take eight people. It is better to take it in the daytime so you can watch the beautiful view from the top.
The beach in Porto Sokhna is a wonderful place to spend your day. You can enjoy eating delicious food between a special breakfast and regional dinner and it also offers some lovely trips.
Food scene
Estakoza Sea Food - Sokhna
Hurghada - CairoBest fish & seafood restaurant!
Borgartillaga
Samgöngur
How to get to Ain Sokhna from Cairo
The coastal town of Ain Sokhna is a 120km (75mi) journey from the centre of Cairo, and fairly easy to get to. You can organize a car with a chauffeur, or try Uber (enter Porto Sokhna as your destination to arrive at a central location on the coast). Better yet, check out Go Bus – an inter-city coach service that specializes in tourist destinations. You can book your ticket for any one of the 10-plus buses that leave from Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo through their website, or at the bus meeting point (which you can easily locate on Google Maps). Car rentals are available as well.
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Boat Trip #2: Glass Boat (yellow-royal sea scope)
Location: Marina Wadi Dome
Duration: one and a half hour trip
Departure Times:
First trip: 1:00 pm back @ 2:30 pm
Second trip: 3:00 back @ 4:30 pm
Price: LE 250.00 per person 10-year-olds pay 1/2 price.
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Boat Trip #3: Big boat مجمعة (Manchester)
Location: Marina Wadi Dome
Takes around 50 or 60 people
Duration: 4 hours
Price per person: LE 550.00
Half price ticket for 10 years & less than 5 years are free
Departure Times:
First trip: 12:00 pm till 4:00 pm
Second trip: 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm (nicer in the evening!)
*You need to check winter & summer for times*
Things to do:
You can fish, enter the water, lunch is an open seafood buffet, 3 kinds of salad and drinks.
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Boat Trip #1: A Private Boat for 10 (including kids)
Location: Marina Wadi Dome
Duration: around 10 hours, from 6:00 am till 4:30 pm.
Price: LE 3,000 to LE 3,500. Per trip *it’s higher on the weekends*
During the week from Sunday - Wednesday are the best prices. Weekends have different prices. It’s quieter during the week than the weekend.
Parking: If the car will be parked inside the marina LE 50.00 / outside parking LE 30.00
Every person pays LE 25.00 to enter the marina. Entry to the Marina is free for 10 years or younger.
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Parasailing
Location: Marina Wadi Dome
Price per person: LE 400
2 people: LE 550
One other person goes on the trip and takes pictures - this is a separate fee if you want pictures.
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Sea-doo Jet Ski
Location: Marina Wadi Dome
Price per person: LE 500 per 1/4 hour
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Ain Sokhna Cable Car
Open daily from 1 pm - 6 pm.
Price: LE 150 return ticket (both ways going and coming).
You can enjoy a tour on the top of the mountain, and take many pictures of the Ain Sokhna area, the cable cars and the Puerto that overlook the Red Sea.
You must enjoy a delicious local or international meal with amazing views in a seafood restaurant on top of the mountain.
Then go back on your return journey during sunset, so that you can take some panoramic photos of the city lights, porto and beach.