21 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN DAHAB, EGYPT- 2023 GUIDE
Dahab is a coastal town in the Sinai peninsula. It is surrounded by mountains and the desert and just right in front the coast of Saudi Arabia.
Dahab is one of the most underrated destinations in Egypt and a bohemian paradise There are many interesting things to do in Dahab. It is the hidden gem in the Middle East for adventure travelers. It was discovered by hippies in the 60s but its development as a tourist destination stopped during the war between Israel and Egypt.
Dahab is one of the safest places I have visited as a solo female traveler and one of the top world destinations for scuba diving.
Dahab means gold in Arabic and this name refers to the color of its gold shimmering sandy beach. It used to be a Bedouin fishing village and despite all the touristic development in the area in the last years, it still remains one of the most off the beaten path and laid back places in Egypt.
I spent almost one month on my first visit to Dahab and I left still wanting to stay longer. Do not forget to add this amazing place to your Egypt itinerary.
In this guide, I will describe some of the main activities and day trips you can make from Dahab and give you some tips on where to eat and stay.
HOW TO GET TO DAHAB
Dahab is located in the Sinai peninsula in Egypt and you can get there using different modes of transport that I am listing below.
BY PLANE
There is no airport in Dahab but you can always fly to Sharm el Sheikh and just take a bus or a car from there to Dahab.
It is only one hour and half drive from the airport to Dahab centre.
The best airline offering frequent flights to Dahab is Egypt air.
BY BUS
The cheapest way to get to Dahab is by bus. The trip can be a bit long as there are many security controls in Egypt. But this is for the sake of your security.
I traveled from El Cairo to Dahab with WE BUS as I was doing some long term solo travel in Egypt They have minivans, what makes the trip shorter and more comfortable.
Prices vary depending on the sit you chose or the period of the year.
BY CAR
You can come by car from El Cairo or Sharm el-Sheikh but I do not recommend it as all the security controls will make your trip stressful while traveling alone.
THINGS TO DO IN DAHAB
CLIMBING MOUNT SINAI
Mount Sinai is perhaps the holiest mountain in the entire world. It has spiritual significance in three of the world’s main religions and it is mentioned in several sacred scripture. Climbing Mount Sinai was one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in my life.
You can hike up the mountain at night to watch an epic sunrise at the summit. You can book your trip with an agency in Dahab or if you want to secure your spot, you can book in advance.
Book: Mount Sinai climb from Dahab
SAINT CATHERINE’S MONASTERY
Saint Catherine’s monastery is located at the base of Mount Sinai and most of the Mount Sinai sunrise tours will include a short visit to the monastery.
It is one of the oldest monasteries in the world and is located two hours drive from Dahab. It was declared a world UNESCO heritage site and it you are interested in visiting the site I would arrange to spending the night there.
The Sinai climb route visit to the monastery was too short in my opinion.
THE FAMOUS BLUE HOLE
The Dahab Blue Hole is located 10 Km away from Dahab and it is one of the most beautiful places for snorkeling and scuba diving in the vicinity of Dahab.
The blue hole is a submarine sinkhole that drops to 100 meters just at 6 meters distance from the coast. The depth and its proximity to the coast makes it an ideal place for free divers. People come from all over the world to dive the Blue Hole.
Book: Day trip to the Blue Hole
However, the Blue Hole has gained an international reputation for being the deadliest dive site in the world. It is estimated that 200 divers have lost their lives in the dive site in the last 15 years.
Most of the deaths in the Blue Hole are due to divers getting over confident in their abilities and diving beyond their limits.
If you dive the Blue Hole with a local guide and stay within the limits of your training you will enjoy a dive site of breathtaking beauty.
SCUBA DIVING
Dahab is a top world destination for scuba diving and free diving. There are around 20 dive sites in Dahab suitable for all training levels.
The coral is extremely well preserved and you will find a wide variety of marine life. From moray eels to turtles and blue-spotted stingrays among others.
Dahab is one of the most affordable places in the world for scuba diving, You can dive for under 30 dollars per dive with all the equipment included.
SNORKELING
Dahab is one best places in the world for snorkeling. You do not need to get a boat. You just walk in the water at any place in Dahab sea front and you will find a stunning coral reef, full of marine life.
Book: Snorkeling day trip Dahab
THE COLORED CANYON
The color canyon is located 90 KM away from Dahab, in the Sinai desert. It is 800 meters long and its names comes from the beautifully colored rock formations in the canyon.
The best way to go there is on a group trip from Dahab. You can either look around and find a local agent in Dahab, or you can secure your spot by booking in advance on line.
RIDE A CAMEL OR A QUAD IN THE SINAI DESERT
There are several different trips from Dahab that will take you to ride a camel or quad in the Sinai desert.
One of the most popular trips is combining snorkeling in the three pools with a quad bike tour from there into the Sinai desert.
LAGOONA BEACH
Lagoona beach is located in the Urban area of Dahab but a couple of km away from the main area where all restaurants and bars are located.
Its mesmerizing turquoise waters are great for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The beach is home to one of the most beautiful dive sites in Dahab, “Islands”
The dive site consists of some massive very well-preserved corals and an abundance of marine life.
The beach is a nice spot to see the sunset or bring your own beer at night and watch the stars.
There is little light pollution in this beach so astrophotography shots are possible.
KITESURFING AND WINDSURFING
Dahab is an excellent location for windsurfing and kitesurfing. If you are already into these sports you will enjoy a lot here. And if you would like to get introduced to these sports there are several sports where you will learn surrounded by the magical landscapes of the Sinai desert.
THE MAGIC LAKE
This little lake, separated from the sea just by a strip of sand, is called magical as the local people believe the mud in the lake can heal ailments and several diseases.
I was told that the water of the lake is just water that filtrates under the Earth and resurfaces on the lake.
The water on the lake is colder than the sea water and very salty. It was not easy for me to find the magic lake as it is not a place where tourists usually go.
I share a pin here with you so that you can find it easily.
WADI EL WESH WASH
This place was one of my favorite day trips when in Dahab. It is located in the Nuweiba mountains and very close to the Rash Itan camp. The spot is reachable hiking for around one hour through desert landscapes and bit of climbing to get to the pools.
The pools are green Emerald color and they were formed after centuries of rainwater collecting in the folds of the mountains.
The water is deep enough to allow some off cliffs jumping. The place, despite its beauty, is not yet too busy with tourists and you can enjoy a moment of peace in the wild rawness of nature.
ENJOY DAHAB NIGHTLIFE
Dahab’s nightlife of restaurants and sea front terraces is very lively and safe. This is a video a recorded during a walk a night.
EXPLORE BY SCOOTER
Renting a scooter is a very popular activity in Dahab. It will allow you to explore the surrounding area at your own pace. It costs around 10 dollars a day to rent a scooter.
RAS ABU GALUM TO BLUE HOLE HIKE
You will not want to miss this beautiful coastal hike from the Ras Abu Galum protected area to the world famous Blue hole in Dahab.
WALK ALONG PROMENADE STREET
Promenade street is the main street in Dahab. There many restaurants on the sea front where you can just ask for a coffee and leave your belongings while you jump into the water. Do not forget to bring your mask, as snorkeling is top in all the Dahab sea front.
VISIT THE “WHY NOT” BAZAR
The “Why Not” bazar is one of the most instagrammable spots in Dahab. It is an arts and crafts store where they sell all sorts of trinkets and antiques.
WATCH THE SUNSET OVER SAUDI ARABIA
The “Eel garden” area of Dahab is the best to watch the sunset. There are several high class restaurants and bars in the area where you can see the sun setting behind the mountains in “Saudi Arabia” while enjoying a nice meal or a beer.
GO SHOPPING
Next time I go to Dahab, I rather go with an empty case and buy clothes there. There are so many beautiful shops with really affordable and nice dresses.
GET A MASSAGE
You can get a massage in Dahab for as cheap as 15 dollars. There are several massage places in the promenade area. You just need to walk around and for prices to chose for your most suitable massage.
GO HORSE RIDING
Horse riding is very affordable in Egypt and I am sure you will enjoy the ride.
ROCK CLIMBING
The mountains behind “Dahab” are a great place to practice some rock climbing. I did not try myself this activity but I met people who did and were really satisfied.
WHERE TO STAY IN DAHAB
There are three main areas to stay in Dahab. At the main promenade, Mashraba and “Eel Garden” area.
The Mashraba is where most local tourists stay and the “Eel garden” is where most of the foreigners stay.
“Eel garden” is the most quiet area during the night.
If you are traveling with your family check out some of these stunning Red Sea resorts.
Find here my recommended accommodation for Dahab.
Happy Land hotel – this hotel located in the Mashraba area is a great value for money. It features a lovely lounge by the sea where you will eat your breakfast. The reef in front of the hotel is one best snorkeling spots in the Dahab center.
Dahab Soliman house: This place is such a great value for money and excellent for those who prefer self catering while traveling
Jaz Dahabeya resort: For those whole like to enjoy a bit more luxury, this is an excellent choice
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN DAHAB
I love Egyptian food. You can have so many tasty dishes in Egypt for such affordable places. Dahab is even special as it has delicious fish dishes to try.
These are my favorite restaurants in Dahab:
- Yum, Yum falafel restaurant– You can eat delicious falafel for a couple of dollars here. You can also ask them to pack the falafel for takeaway. I used to order a package and bring it with me during my scuba diving trips so that I could have an affordable meal during my dives.
- Sader El Samak – This restaurant is specialized in fish dishes and they are delicious. It is not located in the main promenade area so the prices are pretty affordable.
- Athanor– When you are craving for some pasta Athanor is the place to go. They serve delicious pasta dishes some other Italian delicacies.
- Lemongrass Thai cuisine – Lemongrass Thai cuisine is a Thai culinary delicacy in Dahab. If is located just 20 meters away from Athanor and they cook Thai dishes as the Thai people do. I eat here a couple of times and the owner told me they learn everything from a Thai cooker who used to live in Dahab
DAHAB FAQs
Is Dahab safe to visit?
Dahab is one of the safest cities I traveled to in the world. There are police all around and lots of police controls to enter and leave the area. In fact people do not lock their shops during the night. Nothing has really happened since the 2006 bombings. However as a solo woman traveler avoid going out alone at night until too late.
Cost of living in Dahab, Egypt
The cost of living in Dahab is very affordable. Meals and accommodation are very affordable. Mid range accommodation in the sea front area will cost you around 20 dollars per night. You can eat a meal for 7 or 8 dollars in most of the restaurants.
Can you get to Dahab from Hurghada?
Yes I would recommend flying from Hurghada airport to Sharm el-Sheikh, and get a taxi or bus to Dahab.
When is the best time to visit Dahab?
Best time of the year to visit Dahab is from March to May and September to November. I can get extremely hot in Summer as it is a desert area and will get chilly in Winter time to enjoy the water sports in the area.
How long should I spend in Dahab?
Dahab is the of place that will keep you hooked. Many people come for a few days and end up staying for very long. I planned for a 20 days stay in Dahab and left wanting more.
I would recommend a stay of at least a week to be able to do the main activities in the are and relax by the beach
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