Sights in Sinai
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Pharaoh’s Island
About 7km south of Taba and 250m off the Egyptian coast is Pharaoh’s Island, a tiny islet in turquoise waters, dominated by the much-restored Castle of Salah ad-Din. The castle is actually a fortress built by the Crusaders in 1115, but captured and expanded by Saladin in 1170 as a bulwark against feared Crusader penetration south from Palestine. At the height of Crusader successes, it was feared that they might attempt to head for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Some of the modern restoration is incongruous (concrete was not a prime building material in Saladin’s time), but the island is a pleasant place for a half-day trip, with limpid and enticing waters and…
reviewed
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Zerenike Protectorate
Stretched along the Mediterranean coast from the eastern edge of Lake Bardawil until about 25km east of Al-Arish is this 220-sq-km protectorate, a haven for migrating birds and a good destination for nature lovers. There are more than 250 avian species here and for most of the year it’s possible to spot flamingos. The entrance to the protectorate, which was established by the Egyptian National Parks Office in 1985, is about 35km east of Al-Arish.
reviewed
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Hammam Musa
About 5km from town are some hot springs known as Hammam Musa, which tradition holds to have been one of the possible stopping points used by Moses and the Israelites on their journey through Sinai. It’s possible to bathe in the springs, and there are some paved walkways, a changing area and a small cafe.
reviewed
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Sinai Heritage Museum
The small Sinai Heritage Museum, on the outskirts of Al-Arish along the coastal road to Rafah, was established in order to inform visitors to the peninsula about traditional nomadic life in Sinai. Displays include Bedouin tools, handicrafts, clothing and traditional medicines, with the odd English explanation.
reviewed