Historical in Red Sea Mountains, near Al-Zafarana, Red Sea, Red Sea
St. Paul's Monastery (Deir Anba Bola)
The Monastery of St. Paul the Anchorite lies in a hidden valley in the Red Sea Mountains, built over the cave where St. Paul of Thebes (227-341 AD) lived as a hermit for 91 years. The monastery predates St. Anthony's and is even more dramatically situated, with its buildings seemingly growing from the rock face. The cave church of St. Paul contains extraordinary 13th-century frescoes including a remarkable ceiling covered in stars. The monastery is home to around 130 Coptic monks.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily, closed during Coptic fasting periods
Best time: October to April
Best for: history lovers, religious pilgrims, culture enthusiasts
Location
Wadi Al-Dayr, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt
28.7000, 32.6000 — View on map
Tips
- Usually combined with St. Anthony's Monastery on the same day trip
- The church inside the cave of St. Paul is one of Egypt's most atmospheric spaces
- Photography inside the churches requires prior permission from the monks