Best things to do in Dahab

Dive and snorkel around Coral Reefs to explore the aquatic treasures of the area. Dive sites range from easier options suitable for beginners to the notoriously challenging but rewarding spots, with hidden caves, underwater arches, and tunnels. A number of dive schools and rental companies operate along the main beaches, while many hotels have set up shop close to coral reefs that lie just offshore.

Explore the deep at Blue Hole, rich in marine life but notorious for the dangers it poses. Not without reason, the spot has been termed "Diver's Cemetery" by many in the scuba diving community. Despite this, the hole attracts many keen divers, largely because of its easy accessibility (the sinkhole sits just offshore) and its main feature, a tunnel located 56 m (184 ft) below the surface--it leads to the open sea and presents a major challenge to experienced divers.

Take the trek up Mount Sinai, said to be the peak on which Moses spoke to God and received the Ten Commandments. The 2,285 m (7,497 ft) mountain has two routes: most visitors prefer to take the easier Camel Path on the way up, and descend via the challenging 3,750 Steps of Penitence. A small chapel on the top and a World Heritage-listed monastery at the foot of the mountain mark this out as a place of pilgrimage, while the barren, rocky landscape has an evocative, reverential atmosphere all its own.

Pay a visit to the World Heritage Site of St. Catherine's Monastery, a still-functioning Eastern Orthodox monastery that dates back to the 6th century. Said to be one of the oldest active Christian monasteries in the world, the ancient walled complex lies nestled in the rocky foothills of Mount Sinai. Arrange a tour of the remote site, a popular pilgrimage spot for multiple religions, to discover a treasure trove of ancient manuscripts, icons, and artworks housed in the historic complex.

Dine like a pharaoh at Castle Zaman, a laidback tourist resort perched atop a desert hill overlooking the Gulf of Aquaba. The castle boasts a warm and cozy interior furnished with wooden furniture, local pottery, and handcrafted chandeliers made from recycled bottles. The onsite restaurant prepares meals according to ancient Egyptian and Bedouin recipes. Lounge on a beanbag next to a natural swimming pool while waiting for a mouth-watering meal, and if you're up for an adventure, embark on a treasure hunt for handmade crafts at the castle's dungeon. The castle also includes a pristine private beach.