The Heavenly Cathedral in Sharm El Sheikh: Visitor Guide

The Heavenly Cathedral in Sharm El Sheikh is the town's Coptic Orthodox cathedral, completed around 2010 in the Hay El Nour district, and it is famous for the biblical scenes painted over every wall and ceiling. Entry is free for visitors of any faith, there is no ticket, and a visit takes 30 to 45 minutes. It is one of the few places in Sharm that is not about the sea, which is exactly why our guests like it.

Its Arabic name, Kenisat Al Samaeyeen, means the "Church of the Heavenly Ones", the angels and saints; English speakers simply call it the Heavenly Cathedral or the Heavenly Church. Below is what you need to know before you go, based on the visits our guides make on Sharm city tours.

We last checked these details on 4 November 2026. The church has no official visitor website, so times can change on feast days.

The painted interior

From outside the church is a tall, pale building with bell towers, a modern design with domes and arches that some visitors find closer to a European basilica than to the old Coptic churches of Cairo. The surprise is inside. The ceiling and upper walls are covered in bright frescoes of Bible stories: the creation, scenes from the life of Christ, the Last Supper, the apostles and the saints, with angels filling the vaults, which explains the church's name. Travel guides credit the murals to a team of painters.

Look up at the central dome first, then walk along the side aisles where the smaller scenes are easier to see. The light is best in the late morning, when the sun comes through the windows.

The Holy Family in Sinai

Among the scenes you will find the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, a story that matters to Egyptian Christians because Coptic tradition holds that Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus crossed northern Sinai on their way to the Nile valley. If the story interests you, read our article on how long Mary and Joseph stayed in Egypt.

A working church

This is not a museum. The cathedral serves the Coptic Christians who work in Sharm's hotels, shops and offices, and it is busy on Friday and Sunday mornings, when the main liturgies are held, as in most Coptic churches in Egypt. Visitors are welcome at other times, and quietly at the back during services.

Sharm El Sheikh grew from a small fishing and military post into a resort town from the 1980s, and with the hotels came thousands of workers from the Nile valley, many of them Coptic Christians. The cathedral was built to give them a large church of their own and was completed around 2010. It belongs to the Coptic Orthodox Church, the ancient church of Egypt, which traces its founding to Saint Mark the Evangelist in Alexandria in the first century.

The Al Mustafa Mosque in the Old Market (Sharm El Maya), the town's landmark mosque, is often visited on the same city tour. Seeing both in one afternoon is a good way to understand the town beyond its beaches.

• Taxi or ride-hailing: about 10 minutes from Naama Bay, 15 from Sharks Bay or Nabq. Agree on the taxi fare before you get in, or ask your hotel to book a car.
• Minibus: local microbuses do not stop at the door; drivers usually drop you near the Carrefour or the Sharm International Hospital, about 1 km away.
• City tour: most half-day Sharm city tours include the cathedral, the Al Mustafa Mosque and the Old Market, which is the easiest option.

There is a police checkpoint at the gate, as at most churches in Egypt. Have your passport or a copy with you, and expect a quick bag check.

• Dress: cover shoulders and knees. Beachwear is not acceptable; women do not have to cover their hair.
• Photos: photos without flash are generally allowed when no service is running. Do not photograph people praying without asking.
• Behaviour: speak quietly, do not sit on the altar steps, and turn your phone to silent.
• Best time: late morning on a weekday (Monday to Thursday) or the late afternoon, when the light is warm and there are no services.
• Combine it: the Old Market is about 10 minutes away by car and comes alive after sunset, so a visit at about 16:00 followed by the market and dinner works well.

The Coptic Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, so Christmas is celebrated on 7 January, with the main liturgy on the night of 6 January. Coptic Easter usually falls a week or more after Western Easter (some years on the same day). The cathedral is decorated and full on these nights; visitors who want to attend should arrive early, dress formally and expect security checks. Many Sharm hotels also mark 25 December for their European guests. Our guide to celebrating Christmas in Egypt explains both dates.

Yes, if you have a free half day in Sharm and want to see something of Egypt beyond the reefs. It is free, close to the hotels and visually striking inside. Do not expect an ancient site: the church is modern, and its value is the art and the living community. If you want history, the 6th-century Saint Catherine's Monastery in the mountains of South Sinai is about three hours' drive away and makes a full-day trip.

• Snorkel or dive in Ras Mohamed National Park, the reef reserve at the tip of Sinai.
• Spend an evening in Naama Bay; our guide to things to do in Naama Bay has ideas.
• Plan your stay with how many days to spend in Sharm El Sheikh, and check whether you need a visa in our Sharm visa guide.

Our Sharm El Sheikh day tours can include the cathedral with the mosque and the Old Market, or take you further: the Saint Catherine Monastery tour from Sharm El Sheikh is the natural next step for anyone interested in the Christian heritage of Sinai.

Is the Heavenly Cathedral in Sharm El Sheikh free?

Yes. There is no ticket; donations are welcome.

Can non-Christians visit the Heavenly Cathedral?

Yes. Visitors of all faiths are welcome outside service times, with modest dress.

When was the Heavenly Cathedral built?

It was completed around 2010 for the Coptic Orthodox community of Sharm El Sheikh.

Where is the Heavenly Cathedral?

In the Hay El Nour district of Sharm El Sheikh, about 10 minutes by car from Naama Bay and the Old Market.