Heavenly Cathedral, Sharm El Sheikh

What is the Heavenly Cathedral?

The Heavenly Cathedral is the Coptic Orthodox cathedral of Sharm El Sheikh. Its Arabic name, Al Samaeyin (also spelled Al Samaayeen or As-Samayoun), means “the heavenly ones” — the full dedication is to all the saints who dwell in heaven. It opened in 2010.

It isn’t an ancient site. It was built for the Egyptian Christians who live and work in the resort and, according to Arabic Wikipedia, took eight years to build and was opened in the presence of Pope Shenouda III. Visitors of any faith are welcome, and it’s a standard stop on Sharm city tours.

From outside it’s a sand-coloured basilica with small domes, crosses and stone lions guarding the steps. The real reason to come is inside: every wall and vault is painted in bright colours, and the windows are stained glass. If you only give “the town” half an hour of your holiday, this is a good place to spend it.

What to see inside

• The painted ceiling and walls — murals of Old and New Testament scenes: the miracles of Christ, the Last Supper and a great Last Judgement behind the altar.
• The Last Supper — the most photographed scene in the church.
• Stained-glass windows — at their best around midday, when sunlight throws colour across the nave.
• Pews — Coptic congregations sit for much of the liturgy, unlike in Russian or Greek churches.
• The lions and the façade — the best outside photos are in the softer morning or late-afternoon light.
• Polished marble floors and arched windows — against the busy walls, the nave feels light and spacious.

Is it free, and when is it open?

There are no tickets: entry is free, and a donation in Egyptian pounds is welcome. The church doesn’t publish visiting hours. Unofficially it’s open daily from about 6:00 to 21:00; some listings say 24 hours. In practice the doors are open through the day, but after dark the nave may be unlit.

Come in the middle of a weekday, when the light through the windows is best and few worshippers are about. Service times aren’t posted in English, so if you walk in on a liturgy, you can stay — keep to the back, put the camera away and don’t wander along the pews.

Coptic, Orthodox — what’s the difference?

The Copts are Egypt’s native Christians. Their church belongs to the Oriental Orthodox family, with the Armenian, Ethiopian and Syriac churches, which parted from the Greek and Russian Orthodox world after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 over how to describe the nature of Christ.

The church is led by the Pope of Alexandria — currently Tawadros II — and services are in Arabic and Coptic. Christmas falls on 7 January. For a visitor, the differences are easy to see: pews, murals rather than framed icons, and a very different style of chant.

Heavenly Cathedral vs Al Sahaba Mosque vs Old Market

The cathedral and the mosque are 4 km apart, so see both on one trip: the cathedral is better inside, the mosque is better outside and floodlit at night, and the market next to it rounds off the evening.

Churches and mosques in Sharm El Sheikh compared

Places of worship in Sharm El Sheikh and Sinai rated by YesGo. Tap a column header to sort.

Nearby and on your route

39

Al Sahaba Mosque

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

30 min · Free · 42 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Al Sahaba Mosque

36

Old Market (Old Sharm)

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

1 h 30 min · Free entry · 43 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Old Market (Old Sharm)

How to do it right

• Pack a light scarf or long-sleeved shirt — easier than borrowing a wrap at the door.
• If someone from the church is around, ask what the murals show — the scenes are easier to read with a guide.
• No flash, and don’t photograph people at prayer.
• Do the cathedral, Al Sahaba Mosque and the Old Market in one taxi trip rather than three.
• On hot days come early or after 16:00 — it’s cool inside, but the walk from the car is in full sun.
• Candles and donations are cash only, in pounds, and change may not be available.

Questions