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TABA
At the extremity of
Egypt’s international borders, over looking
Aqaba
Gulf, some 70 km from Nuweiba, it boasts a most exquisite panorama of sea and mountains. The region is distinguished by its fascinating natural beauty, clear blue water and abundance of bays which are considered among the landmarks of this tourist region. There is also an international airport and lodging facilities.
The importance of Taba’s geographical location lies in that it links Egypt with Jordan and Israel and attracts tourists from East Asia, At the northernmost edge of the Gulf of Aqaba lies the small town of Taba, a picturesque beach town that in ancient times was once a stopover on caravan route to the Fort of Aqaba in modern times, it is best known as the last piece of land that was returned to Egypt following Israel’s occupation of Sinai.
Taba is situated right on the edge of the Israeli border, which can be crossed on foot.
Taba on the
Gulf of Aqaba offers a paradise of deluxe holiday resorts. Fancy 5* hotels are settled in a natural scenery - not many places in the world can compete with.
The coastline from Taba to Nuweiba is Sinai's most picturesque with dramatic mountain backdrops to stretches of golden beaches.
Salima Restaurant is overlooking the beautiful Fjord, a natural bay in outstanding scenery. On Coral Island known now as Gezirat Pharaon (Pharaoh's
Island) the Salah el Din Castle (12 C.E) was restored by the Egyptian Antique Organization. Further south an architectonic jewel, the Castle Zaman, attracts with its natural pool and pub and slow cooked food using Pharaonic recipes.
Between Taba and Nuweiba the huge tourist project - the Egyptian Riviera including Taba Heights - is in constant development, and provides tourists with the most attractive and luxurious accommodation. The Moevenpick Taba opened this year and is located just next to Hilton Taba, which will after renovation re-open in a few months.
Taba
Heights operates 5 hotels: Hyatt, Sofitel, Marriott, the Intercontinental and the 4* hotel Three Corners.The Golf course is open. A few km south the SAS Radisson and a few more 4 and 5* hotels are operating or soon to open.
Taba itself is an international border settlement. Within less than an hour one can cross from luxury Eilat into the fascinating wilderness of the Sinai. From here service taxis and car rental services provide transportation to the coastal towns of
South Sinai.
In November 2000
Taba
Airport opened up to charter flights that makes a visit to this part of the Sinai even more attractive. Unfortunately the domestic flihts by Egypt Air were cancelled some time ago. However, Taba is the closest resort to
Cairo with a 5 hours drive.
Since the end of 2005 the International Marina at
Taba
Heights invites for yachting and is the perfect gateway to
Jordan. Daily charter boats run a day tour to
Petra.
Due to the Peace Treaty of 1979 an agreement allows visitors to enter
South Sinai on a 14 days visa. This visa, which is free of charge at present, covers the area from Taba to Sharm el Sheikh (Ras Mohamed excluded) and St. Catherine.
Pharaoh's Island
Just a few kilometers south of Taba. at the very top of the Gulf of Aqaba and just a few hundred meters from the coast, lies Pharaoh’s
Island. Surmounted by the imposing crenellated bulk of the restored citadel of Salah ad-Din, Pharaoh’s
Island is one of the most blatantly picturesque spots in the entire gulf. While the restored fortifications have firmly imposed a medieval character upon the island, the history of Geziret Faroun in actually one of exceptional complexity and interest.
The earliest recorded constructions on the island are those of Hiram, king of
Tyre (c.969-936 B.C.), a friend to both David and Solomon.
Tyre, an ancient city situated just off the coast of present-day
Lebanon, was in Hiram’s time one of the most powerful cities of the
Mediterranean. Hiram figures prominently in the Bible (see Kings 9-1 0), where it is related that he supplied much of the cedar and gold for the
Temple of
Jerusalem. Hiram’s interest in Pharaoh’s Island, which he knew as Esiongaber, was to further develop trade with
Egypt, and he built up the island’s fine natural harbor.
Because of its location near
Jordan and
Israel, the island and its coral reefs have become a popular among tourists based in Taba, Eilat, and Aqaba.
Please contact us for special offers and excursions.
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