The offers compared
| Offer | Duration | Price seen (Oct. 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurghada: St Anthony and St Paul Monasteries Tour (GetYourGuide) | About 14 h | About 137 USD per person | Our pick: air-conditioned van, English-speaking guide, entrance fees included, hotel pickup |
| Private day with driver (local agencies, Expedia) | About 13 h | From about 105 EUR per adult (Expedia offer seen) | Small groups who want to choose their start time |
| Private day with guide (guide platforms) | Full day | From about 135 USD per person | Travellers who want a dedicated guide |
| St Anthony Monastery only (agencies) | 8 to 9 h | About 72 USD seen on one platform | Those who want a shorter day |
On GetYourGuide the tour showed a rating of 5 out of 5 in October 2026, but from only three reviews: too few to judge, so read the recent reviews before booking. The listing mentions guides in English, Arabic and German, an air-conditioned van transfer and entrance fees included; meals and drinks are not.
Why the day is long
The monasteries are in the Eastern Desert, west of the Red Sea. Listings and travellers' accounts give about three hours' drive each way: first along the coast to the Zafarana area (about 2.5 hours), then about 45 minutes across the desert. The two monasteries are about 35 km apart according to Frommer's. Plan an early start and a late return, bring water and a lunch if the offer does not include one. The trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility or wheelchair users.
St Anthony's Monastery
St Anthony's Monastery, at the foot of a cliff, is considered one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world; the GetYourGuide listing dates it to 356. Its church is known for its wall paintings, and some tours offer a climb up to the cave where St Anthony lived (an optional climb). Day visitors generally follow a guided tour and the monks' rules; several sources note that an English-speaking monk is often present to show visitors around.
St Paul's Monastery
St Paul's Monastery, in a gorge of the same range, is linked to St Paul of Thebes, the hermit said to have lived in a cave on the site; according to descriptions, it grew from a group of hermitages in the cliffs. The visit includes the cave church, the oldest part. On the standard tour you visit St Anthony's, then St Paul's.
Dress, rules and visiting days
These are places of prayer, not museums: wear trousers or a long skirt covering the knees and a top covering the shoulders; hats and sunglasses come off inside the buildings. Opening hours could not be confirmed by an official source: one guide advises confirming the visit with the monasteries' headquarters in Cairo and says visits are generally possible except during Lent. When booking, ask the operator whether both monasteries are open on your chosen day.
Is it worth it?
Yes if you like Egypt's Christian history, desert landscapes and places off the beach circuit; no if you have few days or dislike long drives. For other desert days, see the Valley of the Kings from Hurghada, Dendera or a desert safari for a shorter outing. The ancient sites of the Eastern Desert are described in Mons Claudianus and Mons Porphyrites.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the monasteries without a guide? Day visitors generally follow a guided tour and the monks' rules. An organised tour also solves the transport, which is long and impractical without a car.
Do you need to cover up? Yes: shoulders and knees covered in both monasteries.
Can you go with children? It is possible, but the day is very long (about 14 hours); it mainly suits children used to long journeys.
Where to book? Through the link in the table above (partner link: if you book, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you) or through your hotel's agency. To plan the rest of your stay, see getting around Hurghada and Hurghada in 3 days.
