The Monasteries of St Anthony and St Paul featured on this website are both located in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The Eastern Desert incorporates the desert areas to the east of the Nile river and the Red Sea Mountains to the west of the Red Sea. 

The monasteries themselves are located in the foothills of the Red Sea Mountains, a long drive from the coast, and isolated from it by vast tracts of barren desert sand. They are fed by natural springs, which have been harnesses in ingenious ways by the monasteries who rely on the water for daily life.

To reach the monasteries it is necessary to drive along the Red Sea coast, where a road runs along the edge of the coastline, and then head inwards along narrow but good paved roads through the desert. 

Although some of the guide books say that women are not permitted to enter St Anthony’s, it was certainly no issue in 2006, when three of us were granted admittance without the bat of an eyelid.

You will need to remove your shoes before entering any place of worship. Each monastery has several churches/chapels, some with very beautiful early Coptic art.

All visitors are accompanied by a monk whose job it is to provide background history and an explanation of how the monasteries work. It is not permitted for tour guides to provide a commentary whilst within the walls of the monasteries. The monks are well informed and helpful.