In recent years, more and more digital nomads have discovered Egypt’s Red Sea gem that is Dahab. This dusty desert town on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba enchants visitors with its laid-back vibes, quaint cafés and diverse community, leaving many of them wishing for more.
Are you considering staying in Dahab long-term? Let’s find out how to find the best long-term rentals. After staying in Dahab several times over the last few years, this is what we learned about renting apartments long-term in Dahab as a foreigner.
Key Takeaways
- Join local Facebook groups like “Dahab Longterm Rentals” to find informal rental listings and connect directly with landlords.
- Consider booking a short-term stay first to explore neighborhoods like Lighthouse, Assalah, and Eel Garden before committing to a long-term rental.
- Always get a clear rental agreement, preferably with a video tour or in-person visit, to avoid misunderstandings and scams.
- If you prefer convenience or need larger accommodations, hire a reputable local agent to help find suitable long-term rentals and navigate rental terms.
- Key Takeaways
- Why Digital Nomads Stay in Dahab Long-Term
- Where to Stay in Dahab as a Digital Nomad
- The Average Price of Long-Term Rentals in Dahab
- 3 Methods to Find Monthly Rentals in Dahab
- The Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Digital Nomads Stay in Dahab Long-Term
When asking a fellow traveler why they decided to stay in Dahab long-term, you’ll likely hear something like this: “When I came to Dahab for the first time, I only booked a stay for a few days, but ended up extending several times. The next year, I decided to come back and stay here for the season.”
But what is it exactly that makes travelers want to stay in Dahab long-term? Well, there’s more than a handful of good reasons to come back and stay in Dahab for several weeks or months at a time – especially for digital nomads.
For one, Dahab is a great destination for anyone that enjoys outdoor activities. Dahab is one of the best destinations in the world for snorkelling, free diving and scuba diving with dive sites such as the Blue Hole just a stone’s throw away from the town. To make it even better, diving in Dahab is possible year-round, with each season offering a different experience in the Red Sea.
Also, Dahab has developed from a dusty desert town into a hub for creative minds and digital nomads, bustling with laptop-friendly cafés, restaurants and co-working spaces bringing in long-term visitors from all over the world. This not only led to the creation of spaces for creative work, but also a vibrant community that comes together regularly to do sports, to grow and to have a good time, whether it is a morning yoga session, an evening of stand-up comedy or a night of music in the desert.
Crucially, Dahab also checks all of the boxes on the money side of things. As a digital nomad on a budget, you will find great long-term stays starting from as little as $200 per month or even less if you are fine with sharing your space with fellow travelers. The same goes for food, workspaces, transport and activities, which are all very affordable and accessible in Dahab.
Talking about snorkelling in Dahab, these are some of the best snorkelling sites in Dahab you need to check out.
Where to Stay in Dahab as a Digital Nomad
Are you trying to narrow down where to look for monthly rentals in Dahab. Depending on what type of traveler you are and what your budget is, there a different neighbourhoods you can consider staying in.
These are five neighborhoods in Dahab we have either stayed in or would recommend staying in:
- Lighthouse: The Lighthouse area is the modern center of Dahab. With its central location and proximity to the beach, cafés, restaurants, dive schools, a gym and even a co-working spaces, it is a great base for your long-term stay in Dahab. Due to its central location it tends to get a lot more busy, though, and is considered more expensive than other neighbourhoods.
- Mashraba: South of the Lighthouse area, you will find Mashraba, which is considered as the old center of Dahab. Here, you will find more traditional cafés and restaurants, that might not be as well-equipped to accommodate digital nomads (but still very happy to). On the upside, Mashraba is still very close to the beach and generally more affordable than central Dahab.
- Eel Garden: North of the Lighthouse Area, you will find Eel Garden, which might be the most picturesque area of Dahab. In Eel Garden, you can find plenty of beautifully furnished apartments that rank among the most expensive in Dahab. Within walking distance, you can find laptop-friendly cafés, restaurants and beach bars, making it a great long-term stay.
- Assalah: Further north and inland, the Assalah neighbourhood encompasses a large residential area that is commonly referred to as the Bedouin part of Dahab. Assalah its defined by Assalah Square, a commercial center with cafés and restaurants and a market selling fresh produce. From there, sandy roads lead into the residential area, where you can find plenty of affordable stays.
- Medina: The residential area located furthest from the center goes by the rather descriptive name of Medina. In Medina, many of the Egyptian families working in Dahab actually live. It has, however, also started to attract digital nomads looking for a budget stay. While you can find the cheapest rentals in Medina, we recommend factoring in rental fees for a bike to get around.
The Average Price of Long-Term Rentals in Dahab
When renting in Dahab, the average price of a monthly rental with two rooms and one bathroom should be 350€ (or $400), with variations according to the neighbourhood, the amenities and the proximity to the sea.
Medina is the cheapest neighbourhood with rentals under 200€, Eel Garden the most expensive with beach-front apartment of up to 1.000€. Assalah is our value pick with plenty of apartments for 350€ish and great access to services and businesses.
If you are looking for budget options in the center, you can opt for a stay in one of Dahab’ hostel and negotiate a discounted rate or look for shared apartments. This way you will be able to find long-term stays in Dahab for less than 200€ and still enjoy all of the perks of living in the center.
3 Methods to Find Monthly Rentals in Dahab
When planning a long-term stay in Dahab, there are several ways you can approach your hunt for apartments. Out of all approaches, we consider the following three the best methods to find monthly rentals in Dahab that fit your needs.
These are three bullet-proof methods to find monthly rentals in Dahab:
Finding Long-Term Rentals in Dahab Facebook Groups
While many apartment owners also operate through platforms such as AirBnb, the preferred method of renting apartments in Dahab is informal. Most Dahab apartments are listed for rent in public Facebook groups and subsequently rented out informally.
To find a long-term rental through a Facebook group, you must first join all of Dahab’s rental groups such as ‘Dahab Longterm Rentals’. Next, you need to get familiar with the market. Check new listings daily, compare photos and amenities, ask for prices and rental conditions and scout comments to learn, what other travelers say about the landlord and their prices.
When you find a listing that you like, reach out to the landlord and ask any questions that you might have about the apartment, such as the exact location, rental terms and included services. Be as specific as possible and make sure to get clear replies.
Many apartments in Dahab are rented out informally without a written rental agreement. This especially goes for shorter rental periods of a few weeks or months at a time. Therefore, it is very important to have a clear agreement to avoid misunderstandings down the line.
When deciding whether or not to rent an apartment through a Facebook group, we highly recommend getting a video tour of the apartment to confirm that it looks like in the photos. If you can, confirm the credibility of the landlord and the state of the apartment with former tenants. Be wary of sending large deposits or rents, before arriving to Dahab.
Looking for Rentals Upon Arrival in Dahab
If you don’t want to risk wasting time and efforts looking for an apartments through Facebook, just to be disappointed upon arrival, we recommend waiting to look for rental once you arrive to Dahab. Just book a short term stay in a local hostel or hotel and hand-pick your long-term stay in person.
The clear advantage of this strategy is that you can still access the same market, informal rentals off Facebook, but get much better impressions. Whenever you find a good listing, ask the landlord to see the apartment in person. Touring the apartment in person will give you a much better idea of its location, amenities and state.
A possible disadvantage of this strategy that you will invest up to a week of your time in Dahab, research, chatting, calling and walking all throughout town to find an apartment that fits your needs. This is well worth it, if you are staying in Dahab for several months, but if you are planning to stay just a few weeks, you might be better off finding an agreement in advance.
If you are convinced by what you see, you can reach a rental agreement on the spot and move in the next day. During low season, you might even be able to strike a better deal by negotiating with the landlord, as you have the leverage of guaranteeing them instant payment. When discussing payment terms, ask whether water, electricity and internet are included in the rent and check for signal.
If this is not your first time coming to Dahab, you can boost your chances of finding a long-term stay upon arrival by reaching out to your local friends. This way, you can find trustworthy and honest landlords without tedious Facebook searches. Just make sure that you rent from the actual landlord and not some middleman that will charge you more than the real price.
Hiring an Agent to Find a Long-Term Rental for You
For families with young children or older guests looking for a larger property, looking for apartments upon arrival might be a bit too much to worry about. In this case, we recommend reaching out to an agent based in Dahab that will facilitate your search for you.
Hiring a real estate agent in Dahab, just like in any other place, comes with the great advantage of accessing a much larger pools of properties, higher-quality accommodations and a much more formal and reliable process. Simply contact agents online and let them know what exactly you are looking for.
Make sure to be very specific about your needs: What is the purpose of your trip? Is it a beach holiday or are you working remotely? Are you travelling with children? Are you planning to bring along a pet? How many rooms do you need? Do you need one or two bathrooms? Do you have any special requests in terms of furniture or amenities?
Bear in mind that, when renting through a broker, you will not only pay the rent for your apartment, but also cover the broker fees. When renting a house in Dahab over an extended period of time, this will absolutely be worth it. Connecting with an agent early on, can bee especially useful if you plan to settle in Dahab eventually.
Just a word of caution: When hiring an agent in Dahab, make sure to hire one with an established network and a good reputation. Check reviews of their agency, ask local friends about them, look out for red flags during your first contacts. Your agent will not only pick apartments for you, but also navigate your legal questions, so make sure to find a partner that you can trust.
The Bottom Line
Whether you are planning an extended vacation, looking for a new remote work hub, hoping to settle in Dahab or simply wanting to explore Dahab a bit more, finding monthly rentals in Dahab is a great idea – and much easier than you think.
Follow one of our three bullet-proof methods for finding long-term rentals and find a stay that not fits your needs, budget and expectations, but turns your Dahab trip into an unforgettable experience. Good luck!
Already looking for things to do in Dahab? These are 10+ activities you cannot miss on the Sinai Peninsula.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Dahab?
If your are coming to Dahab for the first time, we recommend staying three to four nights. If you like it, you can extend your stay to your convenience. As a digital nomad, you can stay in Dahab for much longer, with many nomads choosing to stay for several months at a time.
Is Dahab cheaper than Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes, Dahab is generally cheaper than Sharm El-Sheikh. Contrary to Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab does not attract traditional resort tourism and also hosts a large local population of Bedouins and Egyptians. This gives you access to products and services at local rates and apartments at a much lower cost.
Is Dahab worth visiting?
Yes, Dahab is absolutely worth visiting. If you are into outdoor activities such as diving, windsurfing, rock climbing or hiking, you’ll love Dahab. Moreover, Dahab is a great hub for expats and digital nomads and boast a divers and active local community.
Where to go in Dahab, Egypt?
When planning a long-term stay in Dahab, we highly recommend going to Assalah. The neighbourhood in the north of Dahab is much more quiet than the busy center and a great place to stay on a budget. Other popular areas are Lighthouse and Eel Garden.
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