There are many reasons to travel to Taba. Egypt Here, land and sea are shared with Israel (Eliat) and Jordan (Aqaba), forming the end of the Gulf of Aqaba, which gives it the appeal of border locations. In addition, it has a very special natural charm, both on land and at sea. Routes through the desert and mountains provide a different charm for the most active and curious tourists, while diving enthusiasts will find good dive sites here.
And of course, we must add increasingly sophisticated and modern infrastructures, where travelers will find everything they need. The Taba hotels are, in some cases, of the highest category, and the variety of resorts offered by Taba Heights, south of the city, is one of the most remarkable in the country. Therefore, if you are planning to spend a vacation in Taba, Egypt Exclusivo can organize every last detail of your trip. And we will also offer you our help if you only want to spend a few days here as part of a larger tour.
Whatever your choice, the information we give you on this page is sure to be of interest to you. Take note of our tips and suggestions on what to do in Taba. Egypt and its Red Sea await you!
Taba is located in a very special place: at the eastern end of the Sinai Peninsula and, therefore, is one of the easternmost points in the whole country. It borders Israel and the city of Eliat is very close by. So at this point is the main checkpoint between the two countries and operates normally, unlike the one located in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip. In addition, it is also very close to Jordan and Saudi Arabia: the Jordanian city of Aqaba is just 20 km away as the crow flies, and the Saudi city of Haql is about 40 km away.
But beyond this geostrategic position of Taba in Egypt, its natural location is also extraordinary. It is bathed by the waters of the Red Sea, almost at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba, which is a narrow strip of sea that separates the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula. And inland, behind it, rise steep, golden mountains, with the desert just on the other side, so the possibilities for active tourism are very wide.
The town of Taba, in reality, has a very small urban center, but along several tens of kilometers to the south, its coast has been populated with tourist constructions. The most important is Taba Heights, about 20 km south of the border with Israel, where some of the best resorts and Taba hotels are located.
One of the strong points for tourism in Taba, and in Egypt in general, is its warm climate throughout the year, making it a destination highly appreciated by travelers from colder latitudes in winter. However, it should also be noted that in summer the maximum temperatures can be very high and the insolation very great, as rainfall is practically non-existent and cloud cover is almost nil. So we recommend that you always maintain total protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat for the head and bottle of water for hydration, especially if you are going on an excursion around Taba.
These are the reference values, which will help you get an idea of the climate you will find here:
The history of Taba as a settlement is very recent and has always been very marked by its strategic location. The geographical importance of this area became clear at various times, even before the emergence of Taba as such: this is demonstrated by the medieval fortress of Pharaoh’s Island, located off the coast of Taba, which Egipto Exclusivo can help you discover with a guide: it was a place of passage for the crusaders on their route from Cairo to Damascus, so they decided to build this castle, which was later seized by Saladin in the 12th century.
However, its conditions, which are not very conducive to cultivating the land, meant that until relatively recently, this area was the land of fishermen and Bedouin nomads, whose radius of action is practically the entire Sinai Peninsula. And even today they are, to a large extent, an important part of the local population of the area.
But it was in the late nineteenth century when Taba was born and assigned an important geopolitical role. Egypt was dominated by the United Kingdom in the form of a Protectorate and, in agreement with the Ottoman Empire, the border post between the two powers was established here, choosing Rafah as the other boundary point to the north. It was an attempt to limit Anglo-Saxon influence in the Gulf of Aqaba, preventing its dominance from spreading along the entire coast. Since then, both geographical points have remained as references for tracing the dividing line between Egypt and Israel, remaining so today.
Therefore, Taba was born with a border spirit and never lost it during the twentieth century. When the British Protectorate fell after the First World War and the independence of Egypt, Taba became part of its territory. And in the Sinai War (or Suez Crisis) of 1956, Taba maintained its status as a border Egyptian territory. However, it lost it momentarily after the Six-Day War (1967) , as in fact the entire Sinai Peninsula came under Israeli rule. And although the Camp David Accords of 1982 meant, among other things, the Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, Taba was the last territory to be returned to Egypt, which accounts for the strategic importance that has always been given to this place.
It was from then on when, here in Taba, Egypt decided to promote the tourism sector decisively, in line with what it was already doing successfully in other destinations in the area, such as Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. And although it has had a slower and more difficult development, the resorts and Taba hotels are already a benchmark within the wide Egyptian tourist offer.
Finally, another important chapter in the recent history of Taba and Egypt occurred at the beginning of the 20th century: despite the fact that this area was hit by extremist attacks, the name of this city will always be linked to an important summit, the Taba Summit, between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority in 2001. At that summit, both parties were very close to sealing historic peace agreements , although they were finally truncated by a change of Israeli government.
Although this tourist destination is not articulated around a large city but extends intermittently for kilometers of coastline, the truth is that it has an interesting variety of proposals, including historical-artistic ones. Undoubtedly, its great attraction is active tourism, both on the waters of the sea and inland, but there are also many other proposals. These are some of the great plans that you can organize in Taba with Egipto Exclusivo.
A good plan for those who come to spend a few days here is, simply, to relax and enjoy the sun and a good swim in the hotels of Taba. Here all the resorts and tourist complexes have, of course, their own swimming pool and outdoor rest area, surrounded by a natural environment full of tranquility.
And of course, the white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and turquoise background are here the order of the day, often associated with private resorts. This is a list of the most popular bathing areas:
Pharaoh’s Island represents the only historical-cultural attraction located in Taba, so its visit, between bath and bath, is very common for those who come on vacation here. It is a small rocky island, located several hundred meters from the coast, in whose heights is a medieval castle that has its origins in the early twelfth century in the Christian Crusades to the Holy Land, as it was part of the route between Cairo and Damascus.
At the end of that same century, Saladin conquered the island and rebuilt the fortress, establishing to a large extent the appearance that can be seen today, with its walls and crenellated towers very well preserved thanks to successive restorations. Since then, in addition to the military garrison and some Christian captives, a population of fishermen settled here, whose control was in charge of the Mamluk governors of Aqaba.
Currently this fortress is included in the Tentative List of World Heritage of UNESCO, waiting to receive greater protection in the future. And for the luck of those who visit this monument of Taba, Egipto Exclusivo can organize the visit to the site, which offers magnificent panoramic views of the gulf from several points.
Another proposal that enjoys many followers is to play golf in Taba. In Egypt golf courses are not abundant, so this is an option to consider for those who want to add this experience to their vacation. It is an 18-hole circuit located in the area of Taba Heights hotels and has the incentive of its unique views: towards one side, the golden desert mountains and towards the other, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Jordanian and Saudi coast.
As we said, the most active tourists will find many things to do outside the area of resorts and Taba hotels. One of the star activities is undoubtedly trekking, since among the golden mountains that rise behind it there are surprising corners that can be discovered on foot with specialized monitors. For example, heading to the Wishwashi Canyon, where there are natural springs and rock walls that seem taken from a movie.
Although the dive sites are not as spectacular here as in other parts of the Red Sea, especially in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, the truth is that it is also an option to consider. Especially for those who are starting in this activity, with diving centers that give classes and provide the necessary equipment for it. In addition, some companies have boats to make these dives in other parts of the Gulf of Aqaba, with the intention of spotting dolphins and even diving with them. There are several companies that are dedicated to it, often associated with the hotels themselves Taba hotels.
The Bedouin population is very present in Taba. And those most interested in knowing their culture will find different ways to achieve it. For example, by visiting traditional Bedouin shops, in some cases set up inside the resort itself, where it is possible to get in touch with handicrafts and typical foods of this population.
Another option is to carry out with them the activity they have developed for centuries: moving as nomads through the desert. Therefore, it is possible to join camel routes inland, of variable duration and with a cultural load that adds to the natural attraction of this unique environment.
In addition to the routes on foot or by camel through the mountains and the desert near Taba, Egypt Exclusivo puts at your fingertips another very popular activity: routes in 4×4 and other motor vehicles, such as quads, which add an adventure component in the form of a safari. In some cases, the experience is carried out with a professional driver, but in others it is a simple monitor who directs the experience with participants who pilot their own vehicle.
From the resorts and Taba hotels you can also make excursions to the main places of interest of the Sinai Peninsula, which are several. For this, it is necessary to dedicate a full day with private transport, as they are located a little more than two hours away by road. These are the most common proposals:
Below we add other information that may be of interest to you if you are planning to travel to Taba. Egypt Exclusivo can also take care of booking the services that we show you below, especially private transport and accommodation, as we have the best suppliers and are used to working with numerous Taba hotels.
The area of Taba, in eastern Egypt is not the best connected in terms of international flights, but its strategic location in the Gulf of Aqaba area means that there are different ways to get here from other countries. Below we explain it in detail:
At the level of transport, the option that every traveler has is the private taxi. In the absence of an urban bus network, this is the most used and almost the only possible means. In fact, vehicle rental is not very common either, not even in the area of Taba hotels Heights. The bicycle will only have, at most, recreational purposes, while walking is not practical in a tourist destination so scattered along the coast.
Therefore, if you are coming on vacation to Taba, Egypt Exclusivo recommends booking reliable private taxis. We will take care of providing you with the best tailor-made transport service, with a quality vehicle and professional driver. With the availability you need and to make all kinds of trips, both along the coast of Taba and throughout the Sinai Peninsula.
The hotels in Taba are, in general, more sophisticated than those of other nearby destinations, such as Dahab, where many of the proposals are aimed at backpackers and surfers (although not only). The recent development of Taba as a tourist destination has meant that most of the accommodations are very new. There is no shortage of 5-star proposals, although it is also possible to find hotels in Taba with a lower category.
The most exclusive area is Taba Heights, where the golf course of this tourist destination is located and the resorts have more space. On the other hand, in the urban nucleus located next to the border post there are other Taba hotels, including the famous Hilton, which has its own casino associated with it.
The concept of a tourist office does not exist in Taba, and in Egypt it is not as widespread as in other international destinations. Therefore, to ask any questions or collect information about services, the Taba hotels absorb this function, so for quick questions during your vacation, you can go to your reception.
And remember that for your trip to Taba, Egypt Exclusivo can provide you with an accompanying guide or any other assistance service, with which you will receive help at all times so that your stay in this tourist destination has everything you need.
