Holiday in Dahab

City in Egypt — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇪🇬

Country

Egypt

Type

City

Best time to travel

October to May ideal, summer very hot (40°C+), diving year-round, desert tours spring/autumn

Budget/day

35-60 € (hotel, restaurants, dive)

Getting there from Germany

Flight to Sharm el-Sheikh about 4.5 hours, then 100 km transfer (1.5 hours) to Dahab

About Dahab

Dahab is Egypt's coolest coastal town – a former Bedouin village on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula that has transformed from a hippie hangout in the 1980s to an international mecca for divers, freedivers, and digital nomads, all while retaining its relaxed charm. There are no hotel complexes and no mass tourism – instead, colorful beach cafés, a bohemian atmosphere, and one of the world's most famous dive sites right at your doorstep. The Blue Hole of Dahab is a circular, 130-meter deep underwater hole in the coral reef that attracts divers from all over the world. Although it is considered one of the most dangerous dive sites in the world, on the surface, it is a paradisiacal snorkeling spot with crystal-clear water and colorful fish. The dive sites around Dahab – Canyon, Blue Hole, The Bells, Eel Garden – are among the best and most affordable in the world. A complete open-water diving course here often costs less than half of the European price. The waterfront promenade of Dahab, known as the Lighthouse area, is the heart of the town: dozens of beach cafés with cushions right by the water serve fresh fish, shisha, and smoothies while you gaze at the turquoise sea and the mountains of Saudi Arabia across the shore. Dahab has also established itself as the freediving capital – several world records have been set in the Blue Hole. For adventurers, the Sinai Desert right behind Dahab offers endless opportunities: camel tours through colorful canyons, Bedouin camps under the starry sky, and the ascent of Mount Moses (Jebel Musa) at sunrise. The Colored Canyon and White Canyon are impressive gorge hikes. Dahab is significantly cheaper than Sharm el-Sheikh and attracts a younger, more alternative crowd. Sharm el-Sheikh Airport is about 100 kilometers away.

Adventure
90
Winter
75
Nature
70
Relaxation
70
Romance
65

Top 6 highlights in Dahab

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Blue Hole

World-famous 130-meter deep dive hole in the coral reef, also spectacular for snorkeling

2

Lighthouse Promenade

Beach cafés with cushions by the water, shisha, fresh fish, and views towards Saudi Arabia

3

Freediving Scene

International freediving mecca with world records, courses, and a unique community

4

Colored Canyon

Spectacular gorge hike through colorful striped sandstone formations in the Sinai Desert

5

Mount Moses (Jebel Musa)

Night ascent for sunrise on the biblical mountain, a spiritual experience

6

Dive Sites

Canyon, The Bells, Eel Garden, and three pools – top-notch diving at unbeatable prices

Hotels in Dahab

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

Über 700.000 Hotels
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Bestpreis-Garantie
Hotels in Dahab vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Reise-SIM für Dahab

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Dahab

Recommended travel time

October to May ideal, summer very hot (40°C+), diving year-round, desert tours spring/autumn

Summer

Extremely hot, 38-44°C, dry desert heat, water 26-28°C, wind in the afternoons

Winter

Pleasant, 18-24°C during the day, cold at night (8-12°C), water 20-22°C

How much does a holiday in Dahab cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

15-30 € (hostel, beach café, self-catering)

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

35-60 € (hotel, restaurants, dive)

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

70-150 € (boutique hotel, private diving, desert tour)

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

Book a package holiday to Dahab

Compare thousands of package holidays to Dahab and find the best deals with flight & hotel.

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5 travel tips for Dahab

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Dahab is incredibly cheap – for 30 euros a day, you can live comfortably here with hotel, food, and diving

Take an open-water diving course in Dahab – it often costs only 250-300 euros and the conditions are perfect

Visa on arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh: Sinai-Only visa is free (14 days), full visa 25 USD

Snorkel only at the Blue Hole, do not dive deep without experience – the place has a sad accident statistic

Book an overnight tour to Mount Moses (from Dahab about 25 euros) – the sunrise at the summit is unforgettable

Food & drink in Dahab

These specialties you must try!

Bedouin Pizza – flatbread with minced meat, cheese, and vegetables, baked in a Bedouin camp over a campfire
Shakshuka – poached eggs in spicy tomato sauce with cumin and paprika, perfect breakfast
Fresh grilled fish – grilled right at the beach café, often grouper or snapper with rice and salad
Mango Smoothie – thick and sweet, freshly blended in every beach café, the drink of Dahab
Feteer Meshaltet – Egyptian puff pastry, sweet with honey or savory filled with cheese
Suitable for:DivingBlue HoleBackpackerSinaiFreedivingNomadsBudgetAdventure

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