Nuweiba Travel Guide
| Nuweiba Guide | Accommodation in Nuweiba | Getting to Nuweiba | Ferry to Aqaba |
A Thail style Beach resort with real potential
Located just 70 kilometres south of the Israeli border and with regular ferry crossings to Jordan, Nuweiba is often the first or last stop on any Egyptian travel itinerary.
Due to this proximity to Israel, young Israelis once comprised the majority of visitors to Nuweiba.
During Jewish holidays in particular one could expect to find the beaches around El Tarabin packed, the guest houses full and the local Bedouin touts and vendors speaking Hebrew to promote their services to passers by.
In recent years fewer Israelis have been coming to Taraben amidst security fears and the start of the second Intifada in 2000.
Meanwhile Dahab, 62 Km further south has emerged as the backpacker hub of choice among other nationalities.
As a result Nuweiba has fallen into decline.
Many of the guest houses, shops and restaurants are now closed and one can even work through the main thoroughfare without speaking to a single tout.
Today El Tarabin has something of a ghost town feel to it. A welcome point of difference in a country with predominantly developed resorts.
For the traveller in search of a sandy beach, cheap basic beach huts and a romantic and tranquil ambience, you could do a lot worse than spend a few days in El Tarabin.
Nuweiba encompasses three distinct areas:
Taraben Beach
To the north are the thick palm groves and sand dunes that form Taraben beach, the southern part of which consists of a large sandy dune. Head North over the dune and you’ll find a strip of restaurants, cafes and guest houses, emulating Thailand with their oriental ambience, beach huts and hammocks.
Nuweiba City
A fifteen minute walk to the south across the dunes is Nuweiba city, a fairly uninspiring settlement with an unremarkable bazaar, a number of restaurants and some large hotels.
The Port
The port is located to the south of the town (recognisable by the Pyramids shaped immigration building) where regular ferries depart for Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Excursion around Nuweiba
Around Nuweiba there is plenty to keep the traveller occupied and touts in Taraben will be only too happy to arrange the logistics for you.
Try snorkelling nearby at one of the many outstanding coral reefs such as Rashatan, or head out to the coloured canyon for a day hiking in the desert.
Saint Catherine's is only a couple of hours away and tours can be arranged locally to visit the Monastery of Saint Catherine and climb the sacred Mount Sinai.
Located close to Dahab, opportunities exist for outstanding diving and snorkelling. The Sinai Dive centre is located at the Northern end of Taraben beach (next to Nakhil Dreams resort) and can organise trips and courses accordingly.
The Israeli border is just an hour or so away by car so day trips to Eilat and even Jerusalem are possible. With daily ferries to Jordan departing from the port, Petra is also a plausible excursion from Nuweiba.
For More Information:
Nuweiba Travel Guide - How to get to Nuweiba?
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