Dahab Egypt: Sinai’s Coastal Paradise

If you’re heading to Egypt or the Middle East and looking for a coastal destination or a diving destination in a naturally beautiful and peaceful little town, I have the perfect recommendation for you on the Sinai Peninsula.

The little town of Dahab, located on the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula facing Saudi Arabia, is a truly perfect and beautiful spot for so many different types of travelers.

Whether you’re a solo traveler, a scuba diver, a free diver, a family, or a digital nomad looking for a nice spot for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months, this is honestly the place for you.

Getting There Without the Stress

Dahab is located just north of Sharm El Sheikh airport and can be reached easily via land or air. Personally, I traveled from Cairo by land in a shared bus, which was a long journey but not too bad.

There are quite a few military checkpoints along the way as you cross the Suez Canal and enter the Sinai Peninsula, but everything felt very organized and safe.

You can also fly directly into Sharm El Sheikh from Cairo or other cities, or even enter Egypt through neighboring countries like Israel or Saudi Arabia and make your way down.

Once you’re in Sinai, it’s actually very simple to get around since there aren’t many main roads.

If you’re traveling by land, I definitely recommend booking transport with a tour company or local driver, as the military checkpoints are much smoother when you’re not navigating everything alone and you have an Arabic speaker or local guide with you.

A Town That’s Basically Built for Slow Living

The town itself is quite small and incredibly easy to navigate. Most people rent bikes to get around, and if not, there are taxis available for longer distances, but honestly, biking or walking is more than enough.

There are so many walking paths and bike paths along the coastline, and it feels like the town was designed for slow, peaceful living. Nothing feels rushed here, and that’s a huge part of the charm.

The View in Every Direction Is Unreal

One of the most insane things about Dahab is the setting. In front of you, looking out over the Red Sea, you can clearly see the mountains of Saudi Arabia every single day. You’re not far from the Arabian Peninsula at all, and seeing those mountains across the water is absolutely surreal.

Behind you, you have the dramatic mountains of the Sinai Peninsula, which are equally stunning and hold so much cultural, historical, and spiritual significance.

The Sinai Peninsula is worth visiting for so many reasons, but just being on this land feels special, whether you’re religious or not. It’s incredible to think about how important this region has been throughout history.

If you’re up for an adventure, you can even hike Mount Sinai (also known as Jebel Musa), where it’s believed Moses received the Ten Commandments. Many people do this as a sunrise hike, and it’s supposed to be an unforgettable experience.

The Safety Question Everyone Has

It’s also important to know that South Sinai, where Dahab is located, is much safer and more controlled than the north of the peninsula. I highly recommend staying in this region, as it’s more touristic, well-regulated, and comfortable for travelers.

I personally felt extremely safe my entire time in Dahab, even driving all the way from Cairo across the peninsula. The people are incredibly kind, welcoming, and helpful, and the culture here feels slightly different from the rest of Egypt.

Many locals are Bedouin from Sinai, and some have never even been to Cairo. It really feels like its own little world.