Ṭābā - Ṭābā

Iconic flag square in Taba
Ṭābā · ‏طابا‎
GovernorateSouth Sinai
Residents
800 (2006)
height
12 m
no tourist info on Wikidata: Add tourist information
location
Location map of the Sinai in Egypt
Reddot.svg
Ṭābā

Taba (Arabic:طابا‎, Ṭābā) is a city on the Sinai Peninsula. It is located directly on the border to Israel. The nearest Israeli city Eilat is only about 10 km away. With several hotels and various water sports facilities, the city is also an important resort. The next holiday resort is also located Taba Heights only 20 kilometers further south.

background

The former Bedouin village made history as it had been a border town since 1906. With the internationally recognized demarcation between Egypt and the Mandate Territory of Palestine in 1906 after Egypt was separated from the Ottoman Empire Taba belonged to Egypt.[1] In the demarcation, the interests of the British were also reflected Suez Canal wanted to secure. This demarcation from 1906 was again in Armistice Agreement between Egypt and Israel of 1949 approved. During the Suez crisis In 1957/1958 Taba was captured by Israeli forces, but had to be returned after international pressure. As a result of the Six Day War came the entire peninsula in 1967 Sinai again under the control of Israel, what also after the Yom Kippur War In October 1973 nothing changed for the time being. Only with that Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty of March 26, 1979, Israel undertook to return the Sinai Peninsula completely to Egypt in 1982.

The affiliation of Taba remained controversial. A bizarre dispute developed between Egypt and Israel over two and a half square kilometers of land, and Israel claimed Taba as the "suburb of Eilat" (Yitzchak Shamir) continue to yourself. So Israel left it here between 1979 and 1982 Hilton Taba, at that time still under the name Avia Sonesta Beach Hotel, which was considered to be the most modern hotel in the Middle East. The Hilton was taken over by Steigenberger in 2017. The cause of the dispute was that the 1906 border could no longer be reconstructed precisely, also because the legendary boundary stone 91 "Parker Stone" was lost in the meantime. A five-person international arbitration commission with one representative each from Egypt and Israel decided in September 1988 Geneva to the affiliation of Taba to Egypt.[2] On February 27, 1989, Egypt and Israel signed the treaty, as a result of which Taba should be returned to Egypt.[3][4] The Israelis withdrew. On March 19, 1989, which is now celebrated every year as a government holiday, the then Egyptian President said Husni Mubarak raise the Egyptian flag here.[5]

But the Israelis did not go out empty. Egypt paid Israel $ 38 million for the hotel alone, and additional money went to the Israeli buildings in Taba. The hotel was under Israeli management for another twenty years. In addition, Israeli tourists were allowed to visit Sinai for 14 days without a visa and only with a passport Sharm esch-Sheikh to be able to enter. Israelis were also allowed to pay their bills in shekels. On October 7, 2004, the Hilton Hotel was damaged by a suicide bomber who killed 34 other people, including twelve Israelis.[6] On February 16, 2014, at least four people were killed in an attack on a coach.[7]

Due to the proximity to Israel this holiday resort is still very popular with Israelis, probably also because of the sandy beach, for which there is little comparable in Eilat. Taba, on the other hand, is not so popular with tourists from other countries.

getting there

Arrival from Israel

Egyptian side of the border crossing to Eilat

Entry to Israel has been suspended since March 12, 2020 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

From the central bus station in Eilat the bus line Egged # 15 runs every hour for 4.6 NIS to the 1 Border crossing(29 ° 29 ′ 27 ″ N.34 ° 54 '8 "E). You can also travel to the border crossing by taxi. The Israeli control body and the 2 Egyptian checkpoint are 150 meters apart. The Egyptian checkpoint is on the north side of the road. Taxi drivers are waiting on the Egyptian side. You can continue your journey from Taba from the “East Delta” bus station there, about 500 meters behind the border crossing on the eastern side of the road.

When leaving Israel, an exit tax of NIS 106 (March 2018) must be paid at the border crossing or the main post office in Eilat. At the Egyptian checkpoint about one kilometer behind the border, a Sinai tax of LE 120 (March 2018) must be paid in local currency regardless of whether or not you have a visa. The latter tax is collected directly on the bus when you continue your journey.

By plane

City map of Taba

The closest 3 Taba International AirportTaba International Airport in the Wikipedia encyclopediaTaba International Airport (Q690636) in the Wikidata database(IATA: TCP) is served by charter airlines, but currently not from Germany. Has due to low passenger numbers EgyptAir the regular service stopped. You can travel on to Taba by taxi or minibus for around LE 150.

Alternatively, there is the one about 250 kilometers away 4 Sharm el-Sheikh International AirportWebsite of this institutionSharm el-Sheikh International Airport in the Wikipedia encyclopediaSharm el-Sheikh International Airport in the Wikimedia Commons media directorySharm el-Sheikh International Airport (Q326268) in the Wikidata database(IATA: SSH) for an arrival. For the onward journey, which takes around three hours, taxis are available at the airport.

visa

For a stay of up to a maximum of 14 days on the Sinai, you receive the free Sinai visa. The entry card should then only read: "Sinai only". For onward travel outside of your own holiday resort or to mainland Egypt, however, you need a full visa for US $ 25. The visa is not available at the Egyptian-Israeli border. You have to purchase this at the Egyptian consulate in Eilat.

In the street

Taba Heights is located east of the Nuweiba – Taba or Cairo – Taba trunk road, which leads to the Egyptian-Israeli border.

By bus

Within Egypt, Taba can be reached with buses from "East Delta Travel". B. from Cairo, Sharm esch-Sheikh and Dahab to reach. The prices are around LE 190 (as of 2019) from Cairo and LE 60 from Dahab. The 5 Bus station is located about 1,200 meters west of the border crossing on the east side of the road.

Buses to Cairo leave at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tourists can use the direct traffic to Cairo again, the journey goes via Nuweiba and the St. Catherine's Monastery. Alternatively, you can take the bus via Dahab and Sharm esch Sheikh, it takes longer and is a bit more expensive. Buses from Cairo leave at 6:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. There are further bus connections at 7.15 a.m. Sue and at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. after Sharm esch-Sheikh above Nuweiba and Dahab.

With the ferry

There is a passenger ferry between the Jordanian Aqaba and Taba Heightsfor which only return tickets are sold. The Price for non-Egyptians has been US $ 90 since December 1st, 2017. Car ferries are available Nuweiba. Foot passengers pay US $ 75 one way.

Jordan levies an exit tax of 10 dinars.

mobility

Taxis are available.

Tourist Attractions

The resort has hardly any attractions. There are only a few hotels, cafes, and souvenir shops. There's one in the west, south of the police station 1 city ​​Park(29 ° 29 '38 "N.34 ° 53 ′ 33 ″ E). To the northwest of the park there is also a building with the inscription 2 Taba History Museum(29 ° 29 ′ 39 ″ N.34 ° 53 ′ 30 ″ E)but it's closed.

The is to the east of the Mövenpick Resort 3 Flag Square(29 ° 29 ′ 31 ″ N.34 ° 53 '47 "E.), also Flag Plazato commemorate the return of the place from Israel to Egypt on March 19, 1989.

Outside the settlement extends the 3,600 square kilometer Taba nature reserve.

activities

On site there are opportunities for swimming, diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea. The beach is rocky. Diving safaris are also offered.

Diving

Diving and snorkeling is possible on the house reefs of the hotel complex. Between Taba and Taba Heights there are different diving areas from north to south such as The Canyon, Ben Coral, Pharaoh Island, Fjord Bay, The Sun Pool, Maxwell’s Reef, Raʾs Amīra, The Aquarium, Angel Net, Marsā el-Muqābil, Napoleon Reef and Devils Head. The underwater world mainly includes reef inhabitants. Sharks and dolphins can be seen less often.

Diving centers on site:

  • Werner Lau (at the resort hotel Morgana Beach).

shop

Dahab or Nuweiba are suitable for shopping, as Taba is a pure desert area. If that is too far for you, you can shop in your own hotel, which is very expensive. Every hotel in Taba has its own little passage.

There are duty-free shops on both the Egyptian and Israeli sides of the border crossing. The 1 business on the Egyptian side is on the south side of the road opposite the Egyptian border control towards the border crossing.

kitchen

The cuisine is Arabic and very high in calories. There is a lot of fish.

The tap water is a bit salty.

nightlife

Unfortunately, there are no places to go out in Taba.

There is a casino in the Steigenberger Hotel. This is perhaps the most important reason to come to Taba.

accommodation

Map of the hotels in Taba

Hotels in 1 Taba Heights are listed there. Only the Steigenberger Taba Hotel with the Nelson Resort and the Mövenpick Resort Taba are located directly in Taba, the Tobya Boutique Hotel a short distance from Taba. Some hotels are even south of Taba Heights.

Cheap

medium

Upscale

4 star hotels

Steigenberger Taba Resort
Morgana Beach Resort
  • 2  Holiday Taba Resort (Dessole Holiday Taba Resort), P.O.Box 21, Nuweiba. Tel.: 20 (0)69 356 0000, Fax: 20 (0)69 356 0008. The holiday resort is located directly on the hotel's own sandy beach Gulf of Aqaba. The complex has 172 rooms, spread over the 2-storey main building and several auxiliary buildings. It offers a lobby with reception, a main restaurant with a non-smoking area, an a la carte restaurant (which is expensive), a bar and 5 shops. Outside there is a pool area with 2 swimming pools, one of which can be heated, a large sun terrace and a pool bar. There is a beach bar on the beach. On the way to the beach there is a replica of a Bedouin tent where you can smoke a water pipe. Loungers, umbrellas and towels are available free of charge by the pool and on the beach.(29 ° 8 '32 "N.34 ° 41 ′ 12 ″ E)
  • 3  Morgana Beach Resort, Nuweiba Road - 15 km south of Taba. Tel.: 20 (0)69 355 0021, (0)69 355 0022, Fax: 20 (0)69 355 0020. 4-star hotel with 235 twin rooms near the airfield. U-shaped building, up to two floors, in the garden two rows of bungalows, and several smaller houses with three to six rooms. Pool area with three swimming pools, two pool bars; Fitness center, disco and billiard room: rooms nicely furnished and large, hairdryer, refrigerator, safe available, small balcony.(29 ° 21 '34 "N.34 ° 46 '53 "E.)

5 star hotels

Other accommodation options along the road from Taba to Nuweiba can also be found at Nuweiba.

climate

The climate is warm and humid, which results from the high temperatures of the adjacent desert areas and the high evaporation rate of the Red Sea.

Ras el-NakbJanFebMarchAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec  
Mean highest air temperature in ° C161821263133343432272218O26
Average air temperature in ° C111215202426282726211612O19.8
Mean lowest air temperature in ° C45712141718181714106O11.8
Precipitation in mm344110000223Σ20

Practical advice

Gulf of Aqaba, view of Taba
Modern settlement

Currency exchange is possible at the Egyptian border checkpoint and in the hotels.

trips

Excursion options are still expensive because there are no competitors.

  • Colored Canyon - The Colored Canyon has vertical steep walls up to 60 meters high, which are very close together in some places. There is an incredible number of shades of red on the walls. Sometimes it even looks like there are prehistoric drawings on the wall, but that's just an optical illusion. Costs from around € 49.
  • Catherine's Monastery - The thorn bush from which God is said to have spoken to Moses is still growing in the monastery. In addition to the basilica, there is also a mosque in the monastery. Due to the different construction methods, the system is really a very special sight. Costs from around € 39.
  • Moses mountain - You have a really breathtaking view from Mosesberg, which is 2285 meters above sea level. The excursion can be combined with the St. Catherine's Monastery.
  • Dahab - a meeting place for young people. Many pristine beaches and numerous diving areas can be found here. The most beautiful beaches are north and south of Ghazala Bay. For all those who love peace and quiet and are not looking for a “remi-demi” holiday. The cost of a half-day excursion is around € 22.
  • Cairo - Capital of Egypt, pyramids, Egyptian museum. 1 day about 90 €, 2 days about 175 €.
  • Petra - famous rock city of the Nabataeans. Costs from around € 160.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑Kliot, Nurit: The Evolution of the Egypt-Israel Boundary: From Colonial Foundations to Peaceful Borders. Durham: International Boundaries Research Unit, 1995, Boundary & territory briefing; 1.8, ISBN 978-1-897643-17-4 .
  2. ↑Ibrahim, Youssef M .: Arbitrators Rule in Favor of Egypt on Sinai Enclave, Article in the New York Times dated September 30, 1988, Late City Final Edition, Section A, Foreign Desk, p. 1, column 3.
  3. ↑Brinkley, Joel: Signing of Agreement With Israel Turns Over Last of Sinai to Egypt, Message in the New York Times dated February 27, 1989, Late City Final Edition, Section A, Foreign Desk, p. 2, column 3.
  4. ↑Sweet dates, The mirror 10/1989 of March 6, 1989, pp. 206, 208-209.
  5. ↑Mubarak Raises Egyptian Flag Over Taba, AP notification dated March 19, 1989.
  6. ↑Terrorism: Bloody attacks in Egyptian seaside resorts - dozens dead, Message on Mirror online dated October 7, 2004.
  7. ↑Terror in the Egyptian seaside resort of Taba: tourists die in attack on bus, Message on Mirror online dated February 16, 2014.
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