Upper Egypt
Aswan
Where the Nile flows clear and blue past rounded granite boulders, Aswan is the tranquil, beating heart of southern Egypt. Uncover majestic island temples, sail on traditional feluccas, and wander through incredibly vibrant, colorful Nubian villages to experience authentic local life and rich, aromatic spice markets.
Aswan is a place where Egypt slows down. The Nile widens and clears here, dotted with granite boulders and lush green islands. The desert meets the water on the west bank, and the town's pace is a far cry from that of Cairo or even Luxor.
The Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, was relocated block by block to Agilkia Island when the High Dam raised the water level. You can reach the temple by motorboat, which adds to the experience. The unfinished obelisk still remains in its granite quarry, cracked and abandoned, offering more insight into ancient stonework than any museum display. Elephantine Island and the Nubian villages on the west bank are colorful and vibrant, perfect for a leisurely afternoon visit.
Abu Simbel is located three hours south by car or a short flight away. For many visitors, it is the most impressive sight in Egypt: two temples carved into a cliff by Ramesses II. These temples were relocated in the 1960s as part of a remarkable engineering effort. Most people make a day trip from Aswan to see them.
Another reason to visit Aswan is the Nile River. Taking a felucca ride at sunset around the islands is the most affordable and enjoyable experience you can have on your trip.
Main attractions
- Temple of Philae on Agilkia Island
- Abu Simbel
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Nubian villages on the west bank
- Elephantine Island
- Aswan High Dam
Things worth doing
- Sail a felucca around the islands at sunset
- Take the early convoy
- Have lunch in a Nubian house on the west bank
- Watch the river from the terrace of the Old Cataract
On the map
Questions about Aswan
Either a three-hour drive each way — usually leaving very early — or a short flight from Aswan with a couple of hours at the site. Both are done as a day return from Aswan; almost nobody stays overnight.
For most visitors, yes. The scale of the four seated colossi is hard to convey, and the interior is remarkable. If a 3am departure is genuinely out of the question, the flight is the alternative.
A traditional wooden sailing boat with a single large sail, worked by hand with no engine. An hour or two around the islands at sunset costs very little and is the most pleasant thing in Aswan.
Luxor, if monuments are why you came — it has far more of them. Aswan, if you want the river, a slower pace and Abu Simbel. A Nile cruise between the two solves the problem.
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