Holidays to Dahab

On a holiday to Dahab you can indulge your inner adrenaline junkie, historian, beach-lover or water sport enthusiast. Whether you’re looking for thrills, spills or want to delve into Egypt’s past you’re well placed in Dahab to explore every option. Situated close to the Sinai Desert, you can swap your swimwear for khakis and head into the dunes. Best explored by camel or by quad bike, you can uncover towering pyramids and sphinxes on your arid adventures. Away from the sand dunes, the nearby city of Sharm el Sheikh is overflowing with Egyptian architecture, old and new. Churches and Cathedrals nestle among fun-filled water parks and shopping centres. Back in Dahab, the coast offers divers the chance to explore the hidden treasures lurking in the Red Sea. If you haven’t got your diving credentials yet, the snorkelling here is second to none. A trip to Dahab isn’t complete without a trip to the Blue Hole. A world-famous snorkelling spot the crystal-clear waters are home to parrot fish, triggerfish, unicorn fish, grouper and angel fish - to name just a few.

If you’re more keen to exercise your wallet, visit Dahab in July. Sharm el Sheikh plays host to International Shopping and Tourism Festival which sees huge discounts for shoppers looking for those all-important holiday souvenirs.

One of the main draws on a Dahab holiday are the stunning beaches. With the temperatures soaring into the 30s in the summer months, and staying balmy during the winter, Dahab is a beach-lover’s paradise. Soft sands stretch along the shores of the Red Sea and meet warm clear waters - perfect for diving and water sports. The infectious, laid-back atmosphere spills out onto the beaches, where sun loungers and umbrellas line the sands. Many hotels have their own sections of private beach - ensuring top notch facilities and nearby shade and opportunities to grab a bite to eat. Dahab’s breezy coastline also makes the offshore waters a mecca for windsurfers and kite boarders. Head to one of the nearby schools to learn the sport or enjoy watching the colourful sails and kites whizz by along the blue horizon.

Once a small Bedouin fishing village, Dahab has evolved into a laid-back tourist destination. Away from Dahab, Bedouin hospitality can still be experienced. Take an expedition into the Sinai mountains to enjoy an authentic Bedouin style meal. Freshly prepared and served under the stars in the desert, this is a meal to remember for so many reasons. Back in Dahab, over 100 restaurants serve up a range of flavours from across the globe. Close proximity to the coast means there’s a focus on fresh seafood - a highlight on many menus. Track down a locally owned restaurant for traditional Egyptian food. Expect a simpler menu than the rich dishes on Italian or French menus. Egyptian food uses staples such as vegetables and pulses to create delicious dishes. One of the best examples is the besarah. Try it with some traditional baladi bread, this herby dip is made from leeks, fava beans, parsley, dill, onions, hot chilli pepper and spices.

Bustling with beach-goers and divers during the day, Dahab’s nightlife is a little more low-key. To really kick off your holiday once the sun goes down, head to Sharm el Sheikh for its fantastic night club scene. The action hots up in Naama Bay, a top night spot. Clubs, casinos, lounges and hotels all compete to serve up the best entertainment on the Egyptian Riviera. Budget-conscious travellers should check a drinks menu before ordering glamorous cocktails. Expensive due to the alcohol tax laws, your wallet may suffer a pricey hangover the morning after, although the experience is well worth it. Shisha fans can head to one of the many lounges, where you can choose from a huge range of tobacco flavours. Strictly tee-total, the lounges serve herbal teas, juices and coffee alongside the tobaccos. Back in Dahab, you can enjoy a chilled-out evening in the local bars or enjoy a night out with a difference. Dive schools take out night diving tours or Bedouin groups offer star gazing trips into the desert.

Families looking for a laid-back beach destination need look no further than Dahab. With 12 hours of sunshine in the summer months, Dahab was made for long, lazy days on the beach. Kids will love to swim in the warm waters or learning to snorkel and spot the colourful marine life. To kick things up a gear, nearby Sharm el Sheikh has water parks, a skating rink, a bowling alley and go karting to keep everyone entertained. Back in Dahab children will love trying out horse riding, camel trails or star-gazing in the desert. Marine life fans who aren’t quite ready to dive or snorkel can take advantage of the Red Sea’s diverse and colourful coral reefs with a glass bottomed boat trip. There’s a wealth of fun waiting for families on Dahab holidays.

Is there anything more romantic than enjoying a meal under the stars in a remote desert? Sitting together, exploring new dishes and enjoying Bedouin hospitality you can spot familiar constellations under the dark skies of the desert. Far away from any light pollution, stars sparkle like diamonds in the night sky. The perfect setting for a proposal perhaps? Dahab’s golden, sandy coastline is made for spending long days together, sunbathing on sun loungers and soaking up the warm Egyptian sun. Candlelit meals in the laid-back Dahab restaurant scene are a must. If you’re looking for a more lively ambience, head to Sharm el Sheik where you can dance the night away in a club or try your luck at the roulette table in a casino. If you’re looking to enjoy some retail therapy together, there’s a huge range of boutiques to pick out the perfect outfit.

A Dahab holiday is an ideal base for adventures on sand, sea or mountains. The nearby Sinai Desert offers everything from Bedouin adventures on camel-back to 4x4 safaris or quad biking over the sand dunes. If the arid wastes of the desert don’t tempt you, the warm Red Sea waters have so much to offer inquisitive explorers. Divers and snorkelers can discover the stunning coral reefs and marine life. Eel Garden near Dahab’s shores is aptly named - be sure to invest in an underwater camera for that all important eel selfie! Explore famous wrecks, dive with sharks or snorkel in the calm waters of the world-famous dive spot - the Blue Hole. Keen climbers can head to Mt Sinai to scale the heights and take in the substantial views when you reach the top.

Far from the bustling cities of Cairo and Alexandria, you can still explore Egypt’s culture and history on your Dahab holiday. Local Bedouin communities are welcoming and run tours exploring the desert. Excursions include authentic Bedouin meals, star-gazing trips and camel rides which take in many of Dahab’s attractions. If you prefer to explore on your own, a climb of Mt Sinai rewards you with incredible views. Away from Dahab, impressive pyramids and tombs can be found in Giza.  Giza is a lengthy bus journey away but with so much to see - a two centre holiday is worth considering. A relatively new town, Dahab has grown from a small fishing village into a quietly bustling tourist hotspot - particularly popular with divers. Seeing how the area has flourished and how the Bedouin people have adapted to the influx of visitors is perhaps Dahab’s cultural legacy.