Great buys are the usual Egyptian suspects; water pipes, rugs, oriental lamps, shirts in different lengths with embroidery, backgammon games, silver jewellery, etc. Prices are geared for tourists, so haggling is a must. Pay 50-60% of the first price offered, anything else is a rip-off. If you are not sure about the price, go to the next shop, they all offer more or less the same stuff, and start bargaining again there.

Look out for Bedouin handcrafts, some beautiful pieces are available. Hand embroidered and made in Dahab, Saint Catherine and El Arish by Bedouin women. Sheikh Salem House has a good selection of items as does some of the other Bedouin establishments in Dahab.