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.
Top 6 highlights in Dahab
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Blue Hole
World-famous 130-meter deep dive hole in the coral reef, also spectacular for snorkeling
Lighthouse Promenade
Beach cafés with cushions by the water, shisha, fresh fish, and views towards Saudi Arabia
Freediving Scene
International freediving mecca with world records, courses, and a unique community
Colored Canyon
Spectacular gorge hike through colorful striped sandstone formations in the Sinai Desert
Mount Moses (Jebel Musa)
Night ascent for sunrise on the biblical mountain, a spiritual experience
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.
* 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.
Compare package holidays now5 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!
