14 Best Things to Do in Dahab, Egypt & the Sinai Peninsula
Visiting the Sinai Peninsula would not be complete without a stop in Dahab. There are so many things to do in Dahab, whether you have one day, one week, or one month. This popular beach town offers incredible opportunities and is the perfect destination for backpackers and scuba divers. It’s actually rated one of the best dive spots in Africa and around the world!
Let’s take a look at the best things to do in Dahab, Egypt and the surrounding areas.
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11 Best Things to Do in Dahab
What brings you to Dahab? As it is a popular resort town, you’re likely there to explore the wonderful opportunities available in the natural surroundings. After all, Dahab is perfectly situated near the Red Sea and the Sinai Desert. Make your trip complete with these top things to do in Dahab.
1. Snorkel, Scuba Dive, or Free Dive at the Blue Hole
One of the main points of interest in Dahab is the Blue Hole. It is a popular snorkeling, scuba diving, and free diving site located in the Red Sea just a few miles north of Dahab.
Located close to the shore, it’s easy to access and reaches a stunning 463 feet in depth (130 m)! Additionally, at 172 feet deep, there’s a tunnel called The Arch that connects the Blue Hole with the open ocean. This tunnel is only accessible to technical divers, but recreational divers can explore the Blue Hole via the popular Bells to Blue Hole dive.
Recommended Tour: Blue Hole Snorkeling with lunch from Dahab. This tour offers you the option to choose between a jeep or a camel to transfer from your Dahab hotel to the Blue Hole. Here you’ll be provided snorkel equipment to explore Dahab’s Blue Hole.
Another great full day tour option is the Day Trip to The Canyon and Blue Hole from Dahab. This tour takes you not just to the Blue Hole, but also to the Canyon, which has an extensive underground cave system.
2. Learn to Scuba Dive
Don’t know how to scuba dive? No problem! Dahab is one of the cheapest places in the world to get scuba certified! It does however take 3 to 4 days to complete the certification, and you’ll then want time to dive some of the premier Dahab dives before you head out.
Some of the can’t miss dive spots in Dahab are the Canyon, the Bells, the famous shipwreck of the S.S. Thistlegorm, and the offshore reef Gabr El Bint.
3. Hike Mount Sinai at Sunrise
When you first arrive in Dahab, inquire about going to Mount Sinai. As long as you are capable of hiking, you will not regret it! This unique opportunity allows you to hike up Mount Sinai at night to see the sunrise from the top.
In case you are not familiar with Mount Sinai, it is the sight where Moses received the 10 Commandments. Even if this doesn’t mean anything to you, the scenery is breathtaking!
Recommended Tour: Mount Moses Sunrise and Saint Catherine’s Monastery from Dahab. This day trip to Mount Sinai from Dahab allows you to choose from sunrise or sunset on Mount Sinai, and you’ll receive a guided tour of Saint Catherine’s Monastery.
Find everything you need to know to hike Mount Sinai.
4. Visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery
If you’re headed to Mount Sinai, make sure to attach a visit to Saint Catherine’s Monastery, also known as Mount Sinai Monastery. Note that the monastery is closed on Fridays, Sundays, and important feast days of the Greek Orthodox Church. Otherwise it is open 9 – 11:30am daily.
It’s best to plan just one trip out to Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery, so take a look at the days you’ll be in town and plan ahead!
5. Experience the Colored Canyon
One of the best sights in the Sinai Desert is the Colored Canyon. This geological feature is a narrow, winding valley with layers of multicolored rocks that have eroded to reveal colorful swirls in the rock. This popular destination in Dahab is best for hiking and photography.
Recommended Tour: The Colored Canyon and White Canyon from Dahab. This full day tour takes you to some of the best views in Colored Canyon, including the Small Colored Canyon, White Canyon, Mushroom Rock and Ein Khudra.
6. Explore the Sinai Desert by Jeep, Quad Bike, or Camel Ride
Adventure into the Sinai Desert for a unique experience. There are a variety of tour options that include jeeps, camel riding, quad bikes, and in some cases even the option to stay overnight to stare up at the clear desert sky. Check around town to find the tour that’s best for you or check out these recommended tours.
Recommended Jeep Tour: 4×4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab. This tour takes you off-road to the Double Canyon where you can admire it’s deep ravines. It also offers sandboarding down the Sinai’s highest dunes and visits some of the Bronze Age desert tombs.
Recommended Camel Safari Tour: One Day Camel Safari to the White Canyon from Dahab. This tour takes you into the desert by camel to admire the White Canyon, the Ain Kudra oasis, and then onto a Bedouin lunch.
7. Go Rock Climbing in the Sinai Desert
The Sinai Desert offers endless mountains with hiking and climbing opportunities. Don’t miss the option of rock climbing in the heart of the desert. It will take you up historic volcanos and really put your climbing skills to the test. Not to mention the desert scenery is breathtaking!
Recommended Tour: 3-Day Expedition in the Sinai Desert Climb Seek and Find. This 3 day adventure allows you to immerse yourself in the desert and to learn about yourself as you tackle climbing some of its volcanic mountains. Additionally, you’ll get the joy of sleeping under the starry desert sky and experiencing sunrises and sunsets in the valley.
8. Challenge Yourself by Kitesurfing in Dahab
Dahab is the best place to kitesurf in Egypt with over 280 days of wind. No matter if you are a beginner or an experienced kitesurfer, you will find what you need here, from rental equipment to kitesurfing lessons from a range of providers like Kitesurfing Dahab, Harry Nass Dahab Windsurf & Kitesurf Center 1, or Soul Kiters Kitesurfing School.
9. Try the Local Cuisine at the Beach Front Cafes and Restaurants
While in Dahab, you’ll have to test out a variety of cute cafes along the beach. The main promenade through town is lined with restaurants serving up fresh fish and smoothies – and it’s all delicious! Eat all the things! You won’t regret it! Well… maybe when you go to put on your swim suit!
10. Shop at the Friday Dahab Community Market
The Friday Market takes place on Friday afternoons at Sheikh Salem House in the Eel Garden area of Dahab. In the summer it runs from 2 – 5pm and in winter its 12 – 4pm.
Just walk north down the beach walkway until you reach Eel Garden, then walk 2 more minutes until you hit the end of the promenade. Here you’ll find the market which sells a variety of homemade foods and other souvenir like items. It’s only about an 8 minute walk from the main Lighthouse area of Dahab.
11. Treat Yourself at Ralph’s German Bakery
A staple in Dahab is Ralph’s German Bakery. This bakery serves traditional Bavarian baking in cozy cafe settings. If you like bakeries, you’ll love Ralph’s! Make sure to stop by while you’re in town.
3 Epic Day Trips from Dahab
If you’re running out of things to do in Dahab or just want to see more of the area, you’re in luck. Dahab is located in a great central area to get out and explore some of the key sights in the region – including many bucket list destinations!
Here are some amazing options to consider adding to your itinerary when determining what to do in Dahab.
Day Trip to Petra from Dahab
From Dahab, it’s possible to reach one of the 7 Wonders of the World! Just take a day trip tour to Petra in Jordan. Although it will be a long day, you will be able to see all of the key features of this ancient city. Make sure to check out the famous Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, and Qasr Al Bent while you’re there.
Recommended Tour: Petra 1-Day Tour from Dahab. This tour takes you to Taba, Egypt where you’ll sail over to Aqaba, Jordan and then take a bus to Petra. You’ll have enough time to check out all of the key highlights of the ancient city. Let them handle the logistics!
Read more: 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Petra, Jordan
Day Trip to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Dead Sea from Dahab
Another once-in-a-lifetime destination is the Holy City of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is home to 3 great religions and offers top sights like Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was resurrected, and more.
Meanwhile, you can also visit neighboring Bethlehem. It is home to the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born, as well as a few other key sights.
Last but not least, you can also visit the lowest place on earth at the Dead Sea. It is famous for its high salt content and offers healing properties from its mineral rich waters. It’s definitely worth a stop!
Recommended Tour: Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Dead Sea Day Tour from Dahab. This day trip to Israel from Dahab is a long day but hits a number of bucket list destinations, including Dome of the Rock and the Dead Sea!
Learn more about How to Visit the Dead Sea: The Essential Guide for First Time Visitors
Day Trip to Cairo from Dahab
Another long day trip that takes you to epic bucket list sights is a day trip to Cairo. Here you’ll find the famous Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and more!
Being a distance from Dahab, there are multiple options to get there – by plane or by bus. Traveling by plane will give you more time in Cairo, but also comes at a higher price tag. Check out these awesome tour options from Dahab.
Recommended Tour by Plane: Cairo One Day by Plane from Dahab. Take an early morning flight to Cairo to explore all the must-see sights, including: Old Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, the pyramids of Giza, and the Saqqara pyramid. Fly back in the evening.
Recommended Tour by Bus: 1-Day Tour to Cairo by Bus from Dahab. This tour makes its way from Dahab to Cairo by bus, making it a long day trip, but certainly possible! Upon arrival, you’ll cover all of the highlights of the city including the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Valley Temple, and the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
Where to Stay in Dahab
Dahab has a wide variety of hostels and resorts, all at affordable prices. That’s right, there are hotel rooms for right around $20 – 25 USD. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can live in a bit more luxury.
The biggest thing I would take into consideration when admiring the many options available is location. I highly recommend staying within walking distance to the main promenade so you can walk to all of the cafes, bars, and restaurants that Dahab has to offer.
Budget Hotels in Dahab
As mentioned above, accommodations are extremely affordable in Dahab. That being said, there are some that are even more budget friendly than others. Here are my top picks for cheap hotels in Dahab:
Mid-range Hotels in Dahab
There are no super expensive hotels or resorts in Dahab. Fortunately, this means you can get luxury at a much lower price. Here are your best bets for the most bang for your buck while being close to town:
Explore More of Egypt
Egypt offers some of the top bucket list activities in the world. From history to beautiful natural scenery to mysterious manmade temples and pyramids, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in Dahab and beyond. Here are more posts to help you plan out your trip!
- Climbing Mount Sinai: Everything You Need to Know
- How to Spend 3 Days in Dahab: Paradise on a Budget
- How to Get an Egyptian Visa in Aqaba, Jordan
- Taking the Ferry from Jordan to Egypt: A Local Experience
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Thank you for this list! I’m thinking about maybe going to Dahab next year and this list will be very helpful if I eventually go.
Glad you found it useful! There’s a lot of fun activities in Dahab and the surrounding areas. Whether you want to hike or swim, you’ll love it!