89 Things To Do In Dahab, Egypt

Contrary to popular belief, Egypt is a safe country. Especially Dahab is one of the friendliest and most welcoming places on earth. In fact, it is so amazing that I (a solo female traveler) first visited in 2016 and decided to live here ever since (here are my Top 10 Reasons Everyone Should Visit Egypt).

I feel safer than in any bigger city in Europe, honestly. I created this list of Things To Do in Dahab to convince people to come to this wonderful little beach town on the Red Sea that I call home now and help you have a fantastic time.

It is so diverse, there is no way you will ever feel bored. If you don’t fall in love with the sea, you will fall in love with the desert. Or the people. Or the animals. Trust me. You WILL fall in love one way or another 😉

I’ve divided the list into three different parts – Activities, Food & Drinks, and Daytrips

Activities in Dahab 

1. Put on a snorkeling mask and jump in the water at Lighthouse or Eel Garden – the reefs are amazing! No need to take a boat or swim far out.
2. Go to the Friday Market to enjoy some homemade international food cooked by locals and buy handcrafted jewelry, pottery, etc. (Update: Since Covid, the original Friday Market doesn’t exist anymore, unfortunately. It is now happening on THURSDAYS at Amanda Hotel in the Eel Garden area.)
3. Take a peek into the underwater world and book a Discover scuba diving trip.
4. Hooked? Then do your PADI Open Water in Dahab. You won’t find it much cheaper or more beautiful anywhere else in the world! Here is my guide to scuba diving in Dahab.
5. Experienced diver? Go on a Night Dive with and explore the fluorescent nightlife underwater. If you have some more time, you could also go on a liveaboard dive safari!
6. Pet the stray animals. Dahab wouldn’t be the same without its cats and dogs. They’re friendly and won’t hurt you. Quite the opposite actually, they love to cuddle!
7. Watch the sunset at the Laguna. In the last years, there are cushions and shades set up by the Bedouins for a small fee (optional of course, still a public free beach), and locals ride around on their bicycles selling juices, cakes, coffee, snacks.
8. Finally see the world famous Blue Hole for yourself. You can’t miss this world-renowned site.
   
9. While you’re there, try Freediving. Dahab is one of the most popular places for Freediving (especially the Blue Hole), thanks to the lack of current and accessibility from the shore.
10. Tired of the water? Go on a quad tour into the desert.
11. If you don’t like to drive and would rather move your lazy ass – go hiking! No matter where you go, it’s always beautiful, but St. Catherine is the prime destination for sure. If you just want to go for a sunset hike up the mountains around Dahab to see our small town from above, take a taxi to the end of Assalah (before Blue Hole road begins) or to the south side close to Ecotel and just walk up the small mountains from there.
12. Stargazing! You can see thousands of stars from anywhere in Dahab, but if you go into the mountains, away from the city lights, you will really be hypnotized by the beautiful star sky.
13. Take a Yoga Class at Coral Coast Hotel, there is a variety of a lot of styles, including aerial yoga, kids yoga, etc.
14. Go horseback riding into the desert or on the beach! You can even go into the water with some horses. There are guys walking around town and laguna with horses, or you can go to the stable at 3 Pools.
15. Ride a camel. You can’t leave Egypt before you’ve done that. It’s not exactly comfortable, but fun!
16. Swim out to the sea around sunset to see the mountains glowing all around you.
17. Sip a fresh juice at Lighthouse and watch the fish and the kite & windsurfers jumping.
18. Looks like fun? Take some lessons. Dahab is one of the best places in the world to learn kite- and windsurfing.
19. At night, share tea over a campfire and exchange stories.
20. Go rock climbing in the nearby mountains of Dahab. You’ll be provided with all the equipment and assistance you need when you book a tour.
21. Take a few Arabic lessons so you can talk to the friendly locals in their language.
22. Haggle over a souvenir at one of the many shops between Lighthouse and Mashraba.
23. If you want to see a surreal underwater garden, rent a bike and go to Ras Abu Helal for snorkeling!
24. Go paddle boarding on a day with little wind. On some days you can even see paddle boarding dogs in Dahab 😉
25. Watch the sun rising over the Red Sea.
26. Enjoy the view on Dahab from above. Just climb any of the surrounding mountains.
27. Try an Oriental Dance Class or attend salsa or Bachata night at Jackie’s Mexican restaurant.
28. Relax at Three Pools for an afternoon and snorkel the three connected underwater pools.
29. Go to Wadi Gnai (by foot, horse, camel, quad, or car) and admire the beauty of an oasis in the middle of the desert.
30. If you’re lucky, you get to watch dolphins! They’re not always seen around Dahab, though. In summer, your chances of seeing them are especially high around Tiran Island in Sharm El-Sheikh.
31. I bet you haven’t tried sandboarding yet. Now’s your chance! Read all about my sandboarding day trip here.
32. Interested in alternative healing methods/energy healing? Paola offers all sorts of sessions, from Reiki to Pranic Healing to Morphological Massage. You can even do a full Reiki course with her.
33. Talk to the locals. Everyone in Dahab is incredibly welcoming and nice. It’s worth getting to know them and their stories. Many of them struggle with problems we never even thought about, yet they are always smiling.
34. Go on a short camel safari to Wadi El-Toalat and a small narrow canyon for a panoramic view of Dahab.
35. Ever wanted to see a traditional Bellydancing show? In that same wadi (toalat), there’s an event every night. I was extremely surprised how many people there are, and it’s super interesting for foreigners as it’s really Egyptian and in Arabic only. Not an issue since it’s mostly a show and not much talking is involved (2 bellydancers, 1 sufi dancer). Costs 200le (as of August 2024). It’s not a high quality production but very fun to see young Egyptians party.
36. Finally, there’s a traditional Bedouin food restaurant (HKAYT) in Dahab and it’s in a beautiful setting in the mountains. Absolutely stunning, with fire and traditional music and everything!
37. Give your body a rest from all the sporty activities and enjoy a wellness day at one of the high-class spas at the Laguna (Meridien Hotel (now Retac Qunai) and Ecotel are amazing). While overlooking the sea, sweat out some of those toxins, get a body scrub and a relaxing massage. You’ll leave feeling like a new person!
38. Take a free Salsa class on a Saturday night at Coral Coast Hotel.
39. Since it does get a bit cold on winter nights, you might want to heat up at Malakot, a sweat lodge with a traditional sauna at Wadi Gnai oasis. 
40. Wave to Saudi Arabia! On most days you can see the Saudi Mountains on the other side of the sea. 
41. Join a Drum Circle in the desert and dance to the melodic beats.
42. Need to get some work done? Visit the local coworking space and set up your laptop with a view of the sea. The places are often changing locations, names, and owners, but currently there is a nice one with proper desks and chairs at Blue Beach Hotel in Eel Garden.
43. Cuddle some baby goats. They’re incredibly soft and super funny!
44. Get a private boat and spend the day on the water.
45. Relax from a day full of activities with a Shisha by the Sea.
46. Buy traditional herbs as medicine/tea for whatever health issue you have – Just ask a local Bedouin and they surely know what herb works best for your specific problem. If you have time, visit Dr. Ahmed Saleh in  St. Catherine.
47. Enjoy not caring about make-up and chic clothes – put on some harem pants and embrace your dirty feet.
48. Dive the mysterious Caves south of Dahab and relax at the camp “The Caves” after. Unspoiled nature and home-cooked food at its best!
49. Get hair braids or get your headphone cables, phone charger cables etc. braided. That way every time you charge your phone you will be reminded of your amazing time in Dahab 🙂
50. Dive the Underwater Museum at the Lighthouse in Dahab. The i-Dive Tribe built a museum underwater, consisting of several artworks statues (including a huge elephant) made by Egyptian hands and representing the culture. Scientists expect that most of the coral reefs worldwide will die within the next 70 years, except those inhibiting the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. This museum serves as a new home for coral reefs. 

51. On a calm day (shouldn’t be too windy), rent a kayak and paddle out on the beautiful Red Sea to see Dahab in its full beauty, with the mountains in the background and the water in the front.

52. Test your performing skills – go to CarmInn for a fun karaoke night. And run if you ever see me there, you don’t want to hear that 😀

53. Let someone paint a henna tattoo on your body to get the holiday vibe going. Don’t worry, it will disappear after 1-3 weeks. Be creative!

54. Visit the Art Exhibition at the Meridian Hotel that is held every three months. It’s a wonderful place where local artists share their work with everyone.

55. Get some tailor-made clothes from Nadr, a super-talented tailor. His shop is located in a small alley opposite Ali Baba Restaurant, and he’ll sew you a stunning custom dress for much less than an H&M dress in Europe, eg.

56. Admire Dahab’s Street Art and take that famous angel wing shot (the exact location is in that article)!

57. Nothing! Yes, that’s right! One of the best things you can do in Dahab is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! It’s the perfect place to forget about work, home, stress and problems.

Food & Drinks in Dahab

I have an overview of traditional Egyptian food here, you should try at least some of them!

58. Have Bedouin dinner in the desert (you could combine this with a camel ride or quad tour e.g.).

59. Hungover and in need of a proper breakfast? Ralph’s German Bakery has better bread rolls than my bakery at home in Germany. You also need to try the apple cake!

60. Everyday Café will spoil you with delicious cakes while you sit on their swing enjoying the view over Dahab – it also offers live music every night in a cool atmosphere.

61. A hot summer afternoon without Ice Cream from Ice Bubble? No chance!

62. Need some healthy food? Try the Vegan Lab, Ascension, or Marine Garden for tasty vegan and/or raw food, including burgers, pancakes, etc.

63. Take a break from your diet and indulge in Sahleb, my favorite Egyptian dessert.

64. Look out for this food cart and take some Koshary to enjoy on the beach.

65. Have Bedouin Tea every day and with everyone. No chance you’ll get around it.

66. Have dinner at Ali Babas – The award-winning restaurant not only impresses with delicious food but also the best service you’ve had in a long time.

67. Try some Mexican burritos at Jackie’s. The nachos are to die for!

68. Get a falafel sandwich at Yum Yum Falafel in Mashraba or even better: a big Egyptian breakfast. Egyptian Falafels are the best in the world, and they are not made from chickpeas! You can only get those in Egypt!

69. King Chicken is always busy – good sign for all chicken lovers!

70. Try the taste of Molokhia, a traditional Egyptian stew or soup made from leaves of Nalta jute. Some people say it’s too slimy, but Egyptians love it!

71. Missing some Italian flavor? Dai Pescatori’s got you covered! Indulge in their famous pizza and pasta and feel like you’re in Rome – but next to the sea 😉

72. You need to try Om Ali – a traditional Egyptian desert equivalent to North America’s bread pudding. You can serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or two. 😉

Day trips from Dahab

73. Spend a night in Ras Abu Galum, a protected natural area and Bedouin village. You can either walk (1.5hrs), take a camel or go by boat as it is not accessible by car from Dahab.

The local families will take care of you and serve fresh fish (or veggies) for dinner after spending the day snorkeling and… well, that’s it. It’s the perfect place to wind down.

74. A short drive from Ras Abu Galum is the Blue Lagoon, possibly the most stunning spot in all of Egypt, where you can watch kite surfers perform their spectacular jumps.

75. Walk or take a camel through El Wishwash Valley & Oasis, where you will see water running between the impressive rock formations.

76. Visit Sharm El-Sheikh for a day to see the beautiful mosques and do some shopping or even go snorkeling or scuba diving in Sharm.

77. Go to Gabr El Bint by boat or foot (17km), it’s an amazing day hike or trip.

78. The national park of Ras Mohammed close to Sharm El-Sheikh is one of the most beautiful diving and snorkeling spots in the world with more than 1,000 different species of fish. It is my favorite in Sinai!

79. Visit St. Catherine’s monastery, the oldest working monastery in the world. You can book a tour anywhere in town.

I have an extensive guide about St. Catherine that includes tips on visiting the monastery, opening hours, how to avoid the crowds, etc.

80. If you’re up for a great hike, climb Mount Sinai. Watch the sunrise or sunset on top of the mountain where Moses supposedly received the Ten Commandments.

Read my guide about climbing Mount Sinai before, though, as there are lots of things you need to know before you go.

81. Spoil yourself at Castle Zaman in Nuweiba. This place is more expensive than all other places in Sinai, but well worth the money. You get access to the castle overlooking the sea for a full day.

Sweat in the sauna and then enjoy a good drink by the pool while you wait for your amazing fresh served dinner.

82. Walk around Nabq National Park to the mangrove forest and snorkel as long as you want.

83. See the magnificent Colored Canyon, a canyon that is 1 km long with rocks varying from sandstone to limestone and granite in all the colors of the rainbow.

84. Go on a trip to the White Canyon & Salama Canyon, see the famous Mushroom rock and have lunch at Ain Khudra Oasis & spring.

85. Can’t get enough of the incredible rock formations? You’re in for a treat! Another magical place for nature lovers is Rainbow Canyon. Not far is the Bir El Birea Oasis, where you can have lunch and relax.

86. Go on a tour to Serabit El-Khadem in the south-west of Sinai. You can visit the Hasthor Temple and Gebl el Fuga, the forest of pillars. The ancient Egyptians used to mine turquoise here.

87. Go on a mountainbike adventure to Abu Galum or Nabq. It can get challenging, so you should be fit, but for sure you’ll have an awesome time and a great workout!

If you’re up for a challenge, you can even go to St. Catherine. You can rent bikes from Dahab Cycling Club. There’s a Russian group called Velovuyki that organizes cycling tours in Sinai as well.

88. Go on a 4×4 jeep excursion to see the “Eye of the desert” and the big sand dunes on the way to St. Catherine. Bring a board – this is where you can go sandboarding (read more about my Sinai sandboarding trip here).

89. Go on a jeep safari to White Canyon and Salama Canyon.

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