Plizio Visual Lab
El Tor
ℹ️Practical info — El Tor
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the monastery and the hot springs (Hammam Musa) in the early morning before it gets too hot.
- The city is more conservative than tourist spots like Sharm El-Sheikh; dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites.
- The beach here is often untouched, but bring your own sun protection and snacks, as infrastructure is limited.
- Negotiate taxi fares in advance, as meters are often not used.
🍽 Food
Eat at the simple coastal restaurants where the daily catch is displayed on ice and grilled for you.
Enjoy a sweet black tea with mint or desert herbs at a local cafe.
Look for local grill spots that serve these meat skewers with fresh salad and tahini.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Buy fragrant spices and Bedouin herb blends for tea at the local market.
The region produces excellent dates, a great snack or souvenir.
Relax in the warm, sulfurous springs under palm trees, away from the city center.
The uncrowded beach invites you to take quiet walks at sunset.
Water temperature…
El Tor, also known as At-Tur, serves as the capital of the South Sinai Governorate in Egypt. Situated on the western coast of the Sinai Peninsula along the Gulf of Suez, the city possesses a history dating back thousands of years. In antiquity, it was known as Raithu and functioned as a vital port for maritime trade between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. During the Byzantine era, El Tor was a prominent center for Christian monasticism, and the remains of the 6th-century Monastery of Saint George still stand today. A significant local landmark is Hammam Musa (the Bath of Moses), featuring natural sulfur springs believed to have medicinal properties. The contemporary city acts as the administrative hub of the region, supporting a local fishing industry and a commercial port. Geographically, El Tor is defined by its arid climate and its position between the Gulf and the rugged Sinai mountains.
- Location: Egypt
- Nearby: Ras Mohammed (78 km)
- Population: ~38.285 (2023)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Nov, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 17 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 19 |
| Rain mm | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Geography
Facts
- Administrative capital of the South Sinai Governorate
- Known as Raithu during the Greco-Roman period
- Home to the therapeutic Hammam Musa sulfur springs
- The Monastery of Saint George dates to the 6th century
- Located roughly 100 kilometers from Sharm El Sheikh
- Serves as a key logistics hub for the Gulf of Suez
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town El Tor (1)
Frequently asked questions
Why is the city called El Tor?
Are there historical thermal baths?
Is El Tor a tourist center?
Can you do water sports there?
What is the Ray Monastery?
El Tor: where is it located?
El Tor: when is the best time to visit?
El Tor: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
More places
