Nikhel (Arabic: نِخِل; also spelled and pronounced Nikhl) is administratively a city and the capital of the eponymous markaz (county) North Sinai Governorate, Egypt. It is located in the heart of the Sinai Peninsula bordered to its south by the South Sinai Governorate, and is bordered from the west by the Sinai side of the Suez governorate, from the east by the international border of Egypt with Israel, and from the north by Al-Hasana markaz. It is located at the skirts of al-Tih Mountains and foothills at an elevation of 420.6 m (1,380 ft). The coordinates of the city is 29°54'N; 33°45'E. In addition to the town of Nikhel, the markaz comprises 10 other towns and settlements: al-Contilla, Wadi al-Haj, Sadr al-Hitan, al-Tamad, Bir Grid, al-Khafaga, al-Buruk, al-Netila, Ein Twibah and al-Salam.

Nekhel was always part of the Egyptian Empire throughout history and it was part of the province of "Du Mafkat" in Ancient Egypt. Nekhel was the ancient capital of the entire Sinai province of Egypt, thanks to its outstanding strategic location at the exact center of the peninsula. In the 16th century BC, the Egyptian Pharaohs built the way of Shur across Sinai to Beersheba and on to Jerusalem. The region provided the Egyptian Empire with minerals, turquoise, gold and copper, and well-preserved ruins of mines and temples are excavated there.

Being located on the new Hajj Route, Nekhel gained additional significance. In addition to its previous role as a strategic fort capital of Sinai. Hence, the city became a main rest and trade destination for Muslims who passed through the Hajj Route during Hajj season from entire Africa and Egypt towards Mecca for pilgrimage.

During Islamic rule of Ayubid Caliphate and Mamluks in turn. Several Sultans built forts and castles in Nekhel to defend Egypt from Crusades of Middle East and Red Sea. Nekhel played a significant role as an influential military base for the Egyptian Army during Middle Ages in defeating Crusades and freeing numerous provinces of the Islamic Caliphate.

Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies the town's climate as borderline hot desert (BWh) and cold desert climate (BWk). The mountain ranges of El Tih look at the city from different directions, with several valleys leading from the Mediterranean in the north, the Red Sea and Suez Gulf to the city and the mountains in all directions. The altitude of the city is about 420.6 m (1,380 ft) above the sea level, however nearby El Tih mountains are of higher elevation. Therefore, nearby foothills and mountains result in a cooler temperatures. The summer days are quite hot reaching 40 °C (104 °F), yet with moderate nights. At night, Nekhel is one of the coldest cities in Egypt, along with Saint Catherine and the mountainous provinces of Sinai.

The area is very dry and averages less than 50 mm a year. Making one of the driest regions on earth. Although there are still many permanent water sources in the mountains, the area is continuously drying.

The city also puts a great pressure on the water resources, as ground water in the valley is from the mountains. There is work under way to connect the city to the Nile via a pipeline.^{[citation needed]}

Nekhel was an important destination on the Hajj Route for Muslims from Africa to the cities of Mecca and Medina.