Dahab is a charming tourist town, located on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula, 90km north of Sharm El Sheik. This oasis town nestles between the mountains on the west and the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba to the east. On clear days Saudi Arabia can be seen in the east across the gulf. Dahab has at least 14 distinct areas, each with its unique characteristics.
Dahab is split in two by the large open flood plain in the middle that has no building on it. Occasionally flash floods come pouring down from the mountains and flow into the sea under the little wooden bridge between the Lighthouse district on the north side of town and Masbat on the south.
At its simplest, traditional Bedouins, along with Egyptians and Westerners, who appreciate their laid-back culture, tend to live in Assala in the northern end of town, while Egyptian businesses and tourists tend to concentrate more in the south end.
Assala
Assala is a residential area where most of the local Bedouins live. Many Bedouin keep goats and sheep, so it’s common to see them roaming the streets. A significant number of long-term Egyptians and foreigners live here, due to the quieter nature of the neighbourhood. Assala also has quality shops, a market and the beach within easy reach.
Old Mubarak (Mukarak El Adeem)
Old Mubarak is an estate of identical residential blocks of flats to the north of Dahab.
New Mubarak (Mubarak El Gideed)
New Mubarak is an estate of three-story identical residential blocks to the northwest of Dahab.
Urd El Shabab
Shabab is a new estate of privately owned two-story residential flats to the northwest side of Dahab backing onto the mountains.
Eel Garden
Eel Garden is a residential area, very close to the sea, the market in Assala and the more commercial and touristy area of Lighthouse.
Tanmeya
Tanmeya is a residential area close to Lighthouse and Eel Garden. It has a variety of houses ranging from upmarket to very simple.
Lighthouse
This may be the most popular central area of Dahab. Its restaurants and dive centres are used all year round. It has a lot of beachfront cafes and restaurants with access to the water and the spectacular reef to the north of the bay. Set back from the sea there are many residential properties and short-term lets, in addition to hotels and ‘camps’. The camps are basic accommodation with rooms rather than tents.
Masbat
Masbat starts south of the wooden pedestrian bridge. It has a variety of beachside restaurants and is the beginning of the Dahab shopping area. The Tourist police station is on the waterfront here.
Mashruba
Mashruba is one of the most popular areas for Egyptian tourist groups. The main promenade is normally quiet. It comes to life during the Egyptian holiday seasons when many come from Cairo and beyond to enjoy the Dahab’s charms. There are lots of restaurants and shops selling souvenirs, clothes and shoes. Many camps and hotels are also in this area. Set back a short way from the sea there are residential properties. The area is usually quiet.
Medina
Medina is the administrative centre for Dahab. The main police station, council building, water company, main phone company and government hospital are all here. Residents are mostly Egyptian, although some foreigners live there, too.
Urd el Gamma Aaya
Urd el Gamma Aaya has a large number of new villas built on it. It has few shops or landmarks, so it helps to save your route on a map app or arrange a lift before heading out.
Dahab Heights
Dahab Heights is a little way out of town on the south of Dahab. As the name implies, it is built on a hill with great views. The area is entirely residential. Some properties are used as short-term rentals and others have long-term occupants. Living here comfortably usually means having a car, or a good relationship with a trusted taxi driver. Many of the villas have great views over Lagoona Bay and Saudi Arabia in the distance.
Canyon
A small number of grander residential properties, villas and hotel around an hour’s walk north of Dahab.
Lagoona
The sandy crescent beaches at the south end of Dahab. This is a place where water sports such as kite and windsurfing are concentrated. It is also a place where upmarket hotels with sandy beach frontages are situated. On the west side of the beach, there is a public beach where sun lounges and chairs can be rented at a nominal fee. This is a nice spot to take children as the beach is sandy and coral free. There is also a glass-bottomed boat that gives rides from a pier at the west side of the beach.
Which area of Dahab is best to stay in?
Lighthouse and Mashraba suit first-time visitors who want cafes, dive centres and the promenade on the doorstep. Assala is quieter with local Bedouin. Lagoona is best for kite surfing and families with young children.
Open the interactive map of Dahab’s 14 areas
Getting Between the Areas
Dahab is small enough to enjoy on foot. The seafront from Lighthouse to Mashraba is a pleasant 20–30 minute walk. Most visitors walk everywhere within the centre. Now my wife and I have bikes, we like to cycle everywhere around town.
If you don’t fancy walking or cycling, taxis are easy to find. The Bedouin taxis tend to be Hilux pickup trucks. They usually have a large taxi registration sticker on the driver’s door. Keep some small change handy and agree the fare before you set off. As a rough guide, a dollar for a few minutes’ trip. Two across town. Four if going to the far ends such as Lagoona.
For buses and routes into and out of town, see Transport To, From and Around Dahab.
Related Reading
- Dahab History and Culture: Oasis to Resort — how a Bedouin oasis became the town on this map.
- Transport To, From and Around Dahab — buses, taxis and getting between areas.