21 Exciting Things to Do in Dahab Egypt

Things to do in Dahab Reading time: 27 minutes

You’re here because you’re looking for things to do in Dahab, no? Well good news, you’ve come to the right post. I spent one week in Dahab Egypt in January 2024. While this may be a small fishing village, it has slowly become a haven for like-minded people looking for a chill life along the Red Sea in Egypt.

Dahab attracts remote workers, digital nomads, adventurers, yogis, and divers- both international and Egyptian. It has a wonderful mix of people from all over the world, cohabitating in the same, very chilled out space. I’ve heard countless stories of people who went to Dahab to stay for one week and ended up living in Dahab for months or years. Maybe that will be you?

In this travel guide, I’ll discuss the places to visit in Dahab, nightlife in Dahab, getting to Dahab, etc.

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Read more: Everything you Need to Know Before going to Egypt.

Where is Dahab Located in Egypt?

Dahab is located on the east coast of the South Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. The Sinai Peninsula is in the northeastern corner of Egypt, bordering with occupied Gaza and Israel. Dahab is located one hour north of Sharm El Sheikh along the Gulf of Aqaba coast (which feeds into the Red Sea).

Things to do in Dahab

This may be a small town, but there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Several of the activities involve tour groups or private transport out of the city, but many of them can easily be done on foot without leaving the borders of town.

Walk the Dahab Boardwalk

One of the first things you should do when arriving in this coastal town is take a stroll along the boardwalk. This is the best way to get acquainted with the place. You’ll notice that there are very distinct vibes in each section of the walk, which is exactly parallel to the sea.

The more north you go, the quieter the walk becomes. It’s very peaceful and calm. There are restaurants and cafes on the north end, but they tend to be less crowded. If you keep going north, even those cafes will end, and you’ll arrive at a very chill beach.

The center of the walkway is full of restaurants, cafes, massage and nail salons, diving companies, tour companies, shops, etc. It is very crowded and full of people and movement.

If you keep going south, you’ll cross a bridge. On the other side of the bridge, the vibe changes again. It’s quieter over, there are several jewelry and soap shops, but no real beaches. Once you reach Yum Yum (I’ll talk about this below), things start to get very local. You will rarely see a tourist on the road beyond Yum Yum. It is full of locals going about their daily business.

Buy Handmade Jewelry

Once you cross the bridge on the south end of the boardwalk, you’ll start to notice many jewelry shops. They have very reasonable prices for high-quality work. My favorite shop was Abo Karem (pictured below). The jewelry is beautiful and all handmade by the man in the red in the photo below. He is teaching his son the trade as well. The duo was adorable and made the buying experience even more fun. The young boy spoke English and did all the translations for his father. I bought the ring below for 800 EGP (25 USD), which I found to be a great price. It is all silver, but more importantly, I love it!

Make friends and join activities

Dahab is one of the easiest places to make friends. There is one long main strip that goes through town, and you’ll start to see the same people every day. On our bus from Cairo to Dahab, we met a local guy, Mo. Without planning, we ran into Mo every single day. Mo introduced us to new people and before we knew it, we had friends.

Even if you don’t find yourself a Mo, you can still make friends easily in Dahab. There are multiple Whatsapp groups with posts every single day, inviting you to do yoga on the beach, come to the market, do this event or that. Several bars hold weekly events.

For example, we found a place called Tota to be a great center for nightlife in Dahab (chalkboard above). If you plan to spend some time in Dahab, throw yourself into these social events and you’re sure to make friends quickly and easily. This is a place where everyone is open to new people and new experiences. Side note, you can find beer at Tota.

Dahab Nightlife: Join open mic

One of the best social events in town is the open mic. It was started a few years ago by a German guy out of his apartment. From there it kept growing every week and now it is a huge weekly event, held at Tota’s (mentioned above).

The open mic event is held every Tuesday at 7:30 pm. However, I suggest you arrive early. When we went, we arrived around 7:45 and the place was already packed with at least 100 people sitting on cushions facing the ‘stage.’ We were lucky to get a spot. People sang (including my friend), told stories, and read poetry. The crowd was very supportive, and it had an overall good energy. Even if you don’t plan to perform, just existing there is a great time.

Have a beer by the sea

There is truly no purer heaven than enjoying a beer under the sun next to the sea. If I had my choice, it would be a craft hazy IPA, but alas, things aren’t always perfect. So the next best thing is a local 10% Egyptian lager called Sakara, which is surprisingly rich and easily drinkable.

Several bars or restaurants in the center of the boardwalk have seaside tables and beach chairs where you can spend a relaxing afternoon. It is okay to wear a swimsuit at these places. A few of my favorites were the Yalla Bar and Nirvana.

Try local cuisine

Dahab is full of fantastic international cuisine from Chinese to Thai to Mexican, etc. However, prices for the majority of restaurants in this town loved by foreigners tend to be more expensive than in other parts of the country. But if you want to try the local food, you’ll be treated to both amazing food and fair prices.

My two favorite local spots in Dahab are Abo Ahmed and Yum Yum. They are both standard Egyptian foods such as falafal, fuul (fava beans), shakshuka, baba ganoush, etc. A falafal sandwich at Abo Ahmed was 50 EGP (1.60 USD), and a full meal for 2 people at Yum Yum was between 60-100 EGP (2-3.25 USD).

Looking at the photos above, the two on the left are of Abo Ahmed (in the center of town), and Yum Yum (photo on the right) is at the end of the southern part of the main street.

Have an Egyptian breakfast with a sea view

In my opinion, the best part of Dahab is in the northern section of the main street. Here some beautiful restaurants and cafes offer free wifi. Most of the restaurants in the center do not have wifi. These restaurants are also quiet, peaceful, less visited, and have an amazing view of the sea.

Some of the best meals I had in Dahab were in this area. My two favorite restaurants in this area were L’Beach (photos above) and Mirage Restaurant (photos below). Delicious food, great views, and perfect ambiance. Spending time eating, reading, and enjoying these places were some of my best moments in Dahab.

Enjoy a quiet beach day

The center of Dahab can quickly start to feel monotonous or overwhelming. More people, more movement, more shops, etc. If you want a quiet beach to enjoy, just head north. Follow the main street north until the seaside restaurants and cafes end. Then you’ll arrive to a beach that looks like a postcard.

The red rocky mountains extend in the distance. The palm trees jut out of the ground and run parallel to the coastline. The water is calm. Small boats oscillate back and forth on top of the waves. This is the perfect spot to get up early and watch the sun rising in the east over the water. It’s also the perfect spot to enjoy a warm day under the sun or a relaxing time as the sun goes down behind you. It’s also a great place to come to meditate or do yoga, as it is so peaceful and calm.

Watch the Sunset on the Dahab Cliffs

One of the best places to visit in Dahab is the northern cliffs to watch the sunset. You can find this on Google Maps as “Footpath to viewpoint.” It takes about 30 minutes to walk to this point from the center of town. You can walk along the beach for a more beautiful journey to get there.

Once you pass an open field to your left, and the beach to your right, you’ll reach the Bedouin Moon Hotel. Just before the hotel, you should turn left onto a dirt road. Walk about 5 minutes up the dirt road, and you’ll see a small path on the right leading up into the hills. It looks more intimidating than it is in reality. I did this “hike” in sandals.

As you walk up the path, you’ll see a few a small makeshift tea shop with pillows. You can keep going up until you see a white flag on a flagpole. From there you can enjoy the sunset. However, if you arrive a bit before the sun goes down, you can keep following the path and enjoy a little hike. The views are amazing from up here. You can see both the city, the sea, and into the distance on the red cliffs.

I use AllTrails Plus when I go hiking. I highly recommend it as you can download offline maps, and send out “lifelines” to friends and family to let them know exactly where you are. You can rate trails, and get inspired to try new ones. The membership is $35/year, but with this discount, it is just $25 for the year. That’s barely $2/month.

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Hike to Mt Sinai at Sunrise

Taking a trip to Mt Sinai was a highlight of my time in Dahab. It’s an overnight trip, and you will be tired the next day, but you’ll also be very happy. You can do this trip on your own but you will have to arrange for permits and a driver. The easiest thing to do is pay for the tour, which includes permits, transportation, and a local Bedouin guide who leads you to the peak. For just $25, it is well worth the money. Tip: It is better to pay with USD than EGP, so make sure to bring cash with you.

With the tour, you’ll probably leave Dahab about 10-11 pm and drive to the St Catherine area. From there you’ll hike to the peak of Mt Sinai, see the sunrise, and then head back down. You can see the monastery once you reach the bottom of the mountain again the next morning. You’ll arrive back in Dahab the next day around 11 am.

Read More: Everything you Need to Know About Hiking to Mt Sinai

Visit St Catherine’s Monastery

If you are not a hiker, but you’re still interested in the historical or religious importance of St Catherine’s Monastery, you can arrange a trip for just this. Some tours provide just the tour of this Orthodox Church without all the outdoorsy stuff. This is the oldest Christian monastery in the world that has been continuously inhabited. It is also the site of the “burning bush” mentioned in that famous religious text called The Bible. You may have heard of it.

Read More: Everything you Need to Know About Hiking to Mt Sinai and St Catherine’s

See the White Canyon and Colored Canyon

These are thin red rock canyons that are reminiscent of Antelope Canyon in the US.

Because this is outside of Dahab a bit, it does require a tour, unless you prefer to arrange transport and permits on your own. This tour usually includes White Canyon, Colored Canyon, and the Mushroom Stone. Tours usually leave at 8 am, and return to Dahab at 4 pm. Transportation, a guide, and lunch are all provided. The price is about 25 USD, and you should make sure to bring cold hard cash in USD to pay this.

Go Scuba Diving and Free Diving

Dahab is the most well-known for scuba diving and free diving. People come here from all over the world just to dive. There are diving centers focused on Koreans, Russians, etc. If you are a diver or want to learn how this is the ideal place. I might be the only person on earth who doesn’t like scuba diving (yes, I’m certified and I’ve done it before), so I didn’t try it in Dahab, but from what I’ve heard, you can see some of the most incredible underwater sights here.

Visit the Blue Hole in Dahab Egypt

Dahab owes its growing diving community to the Blue Hole. This is what made Dahab famous. It is apparently also one of the most dangerous places to dive in the world because it is so deep. If you join a diving course, you will likely come here at some point.

But if you don’t want to do an entire scuba course, you still have options to come and see it. There are several tours offered for a day trip of snorkeling and admiring the surrounding area with its coral reef. It is located about 30 minutes from Dahab.

Many of the tour operators offer various versions of the same thing. You can come solely to the Blue Hole, or you can combine it with a trip to Abu Galum and the Blue Lagoon as well, for about 30 USD. Snorkeling equipment should be provided as part of the tour. It is usually a full-day tour from 9 am to 5 pm.

Swim in the Wadi El Wishwashi

When I went to Dahab in January it was warm, but a bit too cold for a big swimming day. But if you come to Dahab in the warmer months, this is a highly recommended experience. The Wadi El Wishwashi is a big swimming hole in the mountains. The hole fills up due to the rains that fall every winter.

Tours here usually start at 9 am and return to Dahab at 4 pm. Transportation, guide, snorkeling gear, and lunch are included. Some tours combine Wadi el Wishwashi with Ras Shitan. The trip is usually from 8:30 am to 5 pm and costs 25 USD.

Go Kite Surfing

Because of its location along the Gulf of Aqaba, the area around Dahab is a paradise for kite surfers. The best thing to do is arrive in Dahab and ask around where are the best spots. Everyone knows each other and someone can find you the info. They’ll probably even invite you to go along with them.

Take a Boat Trip

One of the biggest things to do in Dahab is take a boat trip. There are several versions.

You can take a glass bottom boat at Laguna Beach and go out in the water to snorkel at the Napoleon Reef. This tour usually lasts 1.5-2 hours.

You can also go on a tour with a much bigger boat that will take you out into the middle of the sea. They have both half-day and full-day tours. Both tours include transportation, snorkeling equipment, and meals. The full day should cost around 25 USD.

Share an evening with Bedouins

The Bedouins are the indigenous people in this area. There are several opportunities to spend time with them and see a bit of their customs and cultures. There are Bedouin parties, Bedouin dinners, drum lessons, etc.

You can usually arrange these evenings with a tour company or your hostel. Many of the hostels provide this activity in their weekly schedule.

For example, if you would like to spend an evening with the Bedouins, the cost is usually around 250 EGP (10 USD) for 2 hours. The price included door-to-door pick-up/drop-off transportation, tea, and a drum lesson around a campfire in the mountains.

Ride a camel in the desert

Riding a camel in the desert is a quintessential experience everyone should have if you are interested in this type of landscape. I have ridden camels through the desert in both India and Morocco and it’s amazing (though your bum will be sore by the end of the day).

The tour operators in Dahab usually offer a one or two-day overnight camel trip into the desert. You can ride a camel in the White Canyon, Ain Hodra Oasis, Arada Village, etc. Transportation, camels, lunch, and a guide are included.

If you decide to do this type of trip, I suggest inquiring into the care of the camels. Animal tourism can often be detrimental to the health of the animals that are being promoted. Therefore, I suggest doing your research to find a group that treats their camels well.

Do a Jeep Safari into the desert

If riding camels is not for you, then taking a jeep safari into the desert is another great option. There are several jeep tours offered from Dahab that last 2 days, sleeping overnight in the desert with the stars above you.

You will start at 9 am, and return to Dahab the next day around 4 pm. On the desert tour, you’ll have the chance to visit the White Canyon, Ain Hodra Oasis, Colored Canyon, Nawamis, Hedoda Sand Dunes, and Dragon Head Mountain.

The price includes transportation, food, and a guide.

Ride a Quad Runner in the Desert

Another way to see the desert in Dahab is to ride a quad runner. This trip is usually 2 hours long, from 3-5 pm. The times may change depending on when you are there, as they revolve around seeing the sunset at Twailat Mountain. The cost for a 2-hour trip is 25 USD.

How to choose your tour guide

There are so many tour companies in Dahab. You will notice this quickly as you walk along the boardwalk. The majority are in the center of town, where all the movement happens. As you walk around, you’ll see that each company offers a very similar experience for similar prices, with slight variations.

A lot of times they are just the sellers of the experiences. You’ll notice that when you actually get picked up, you’ll be combined with people who have arranged the same tour from another company. It’s like a funnel system. There are honestly so many things to do in Dahab, far more than I have listed above, including cycling trips, plane rides to Luxor, or long-distance rides to Jerusalem or Petra, etc.

Everyone who works in tourism in Dahab knows each other and they are all connected. For example, when I tried to do the Colored Canyon trip, my guide Jimmy canceled on me at the last minute. Then I contacted Mohamed from Planet Safari to see if they had any availability. They did not, but Mohammed contacted Jimmy to see if he had any room without knowing he had already canceled on me. It was a big game of tour telephone.

Because everyone is connected, and all the experiences are similar, you will probably enjoy the trip regardless of who you choose. However, you should definitely ask around at many places, and use your intuition to do the trip that feels the best to you.

Tips for taking tours in Dahab

• Ask about the trip you’re interested in at several locations to see price/experience differences.
• Pay in USD- it will be much cheaper if you pay in USD.
• Don’t pay in EGP- they will charge you the Black Market price, which nearly doubles the cost.
• Ask a ton of questions before you go- how will the weather be? What should I wear/bring? additional costs?
• Try to organize the trips you’re interested in earlier in your trip, in case there is a cancellation.
• Ask local friends. Usually, you can get cheaper prices from personal recommendations.
• Communication with tour operators will be through WhatsApp.

Dahab Tour Companies

While there are several tour operators in Dahab, I’ve listed a few here in case you want to start your research in advance. You can contact them directly to ask questions and verify prices.

Planet Safari

Planetsafari.dahab@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +20 109 616 0373 OR +20 127 301 2274

Safari One

Whatsapp: +20 120 000 6003 OR +20 101 127 0981

Jimmy’s Tours

Whatsapp: +20 100 548 8708

Getting to Dahab

If you’re only going to Dahab or the South Sinai Peninsula area, you may be able to enter visa-free for two weeks. However, if you are planning to go anywhere else in Egypt, you’ll need to get a 30-day Egyptian visa. Below I’ve listed the most common ways to reach Dahab from Hurghada, Cairo, and Sharm El Sheikh.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know Before Coming to Egypt.

From Hurghada

Previously there was a ferry that went between Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. This was our original plan. However, we were saddened to learn upon our arrival in Dahab that this ferry was no longer running. Hopefully, it will again in the future because it makes the most sense.

To take a bus to Hurghada, you would have to go back up to Cairo, and then back down to Hurghada. Hours of wasted time. Because we couldn’t take the ferry, we bought last-minute flights between Sharm El Sheikh (one hour south of Dahab) and Hurghada.

Most people in Egypt use Skyscanner for flights, or GoBus for buses. Our one-way flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada was 40 USD.

Bus from Cairo to Dahab

You can fly to Sharm El Sheikh from Cairo, and then take a taxi to Dahab. However, the most cost-effective way to reach Dahab is via bus. The website GoBus will show you all the timetables between the two cities. There are two options: bus or minivan. The bus takes about 10 hours and is not very comfortable. The minivan is a Sprinter van and takes about 7.5 hours. I recommend the latter.

We had trouble purchasing tickets online with our international credit cards and needed a local friend to help us out. If this happens to you, ask a local to help, or buy directly from the station in each city.

In Cairo, the GoBus station is near the Ramses Hotel in downtown Cairo (top left photo). In Dahab, it is a small office at the intersection of the large main road and the road that enters town (top right photo). It took us just 15 minutes to walk from the Dahab GoBus stop to our hotel.

Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Cairo

From Sharm El Sheikh to Dahab

Plane

The closest airport to Dahab is in Sharm El Sheikh. It is a small airport with very few options for eating or drinking. Don’t expect much. You’ll need to pass through many X-ray machines inside the airport. Most people in Egypt use Skyscanner to look for flights.

Taxi

The driving time between Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab is about 1 hour. The easiest thing to do is get a taxi. From the airport, they may try to charge you more. However, the going rate between the two cities should be about 900 EGP (30 USD).

This is the taxi driver’s number we used: +20 106 722 1603

Where to stay in Dahab

Dahab is full of fantastic hostels, hotels, and guesthouses for all budgets.

Elite Residence

We stayed here for an entire week and loved it. We had the best internet here in all of Egypt coincidentally. The room was clean, modern, and comfortable, and included a kitchen. The owner is a great guy and will do anything to help you. The rooftop is a super cool place to hang out. It’s a 5-minute walk to the main street.

Check availability and BOOK the Elite Residences in Dahab here.

My Hostel in Dahab – Dive center

This is a very popular hostel in Dahab. It includes breakfast and arranges several activities each week. It is a great place if you want to do a dive course as well, as this hostel also moonlights as a dive center.

Check availability and BOOK the My Hostel in Dahab here.

Dar Dahab

The Dar Dahab is in the perfect location. It’s up in the northern beach area that is super calm and chill. It’s easy enough to walk to the center if you want more movement, but it’s the perfect place to sleep and exist in a quiet area. It is a beachfront property and has amazing views of the sea. You can pay a bit extra if you want breakfast.

Check availability and BOOK the My Hostel in Dahab here.

Things to do in Dahab Final Thoughts

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Dahab when I went. I worried it would feel like a town taken over by foreigners causing it to lose its charm, like another Tulum or San Marcos along Lake Atitlan. But by the end of the week, I was in love. Dahab has amazing people, good energy, and a very chilled-out vibe. I would absolutely return for another visit. I was surprised by how much there was to do and see in Dahab and its surrounding area. My only regret is not doing more.

If I didn’t already have accommodation booked in Luxor, I would have easily decided to stay longer in Dahab. It’s truly a magical place.

Read More: Necessary Things to Know Before Visiting Egypt

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