St. Anthony's monastery and its neighbor St. Paul's are the oldest monasteries in Egypt.

Hidden deep in the Red Sea mountains and relying on springs for their water supply, both still observe rituals that have hardly changed in 16 centuries. They are accessible by special tours form Cairo, Suez or Hurghada and a stay in either monastery can be arranged in advance.St. Anthony's was founded in 356 AD, just after the saint's death.

Today it is a self contained village with gardens, a mill, a bakery and five churches with exceptional wall paintings and icons. There is also a library that boasts over 1700 manuscripts. St. Anthony's Cave, where he lived as a hermit, lies 2km away form the monastery and 680 meters above the Red Sea. It offers stunning views of the mountains and the sea offers the chance to see a wide range of bird life.