Top places to visit in Aswan

• Unfinished Obelisk

  Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest known ancient obelisk (41.75m), abandoned in the granite quarry when a crack appeared. Gives an unparalleled glimpse into ancient Egyptian stone-cutting techniques.

• Aga Khan Mausoleum

  Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  White marble mausoleum of Aga Khan III (1957) on a desert hilltop above the West Bank. Stunning views across the Nile. The Aga Khan spent his winters in Aswan for 30 years.

• Aswan High Dam

  Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the largest embankment dams in the world (1970), forming Lake Nasser. Required UNESCO to relocate Abu Simbel temples. Observation pavilion with panoramic lake views.

• Kalabsha Temple

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the largest free-standing Nubian temples (30 BC), relocated to an island near the High Dam by UNESCO. Dedicated to the Nubian god Mandulis. Reached by boat.

• Temple of Beit el-Wali

  temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Rock-cut temple of Ramesses II on New Kalabsha Island. The painted reliefs in the forecourt are among the most vivid Ramesside paintings outside the Valley of the Kings.

• Philae Temple (Temple of Isis)

  ancient island temple · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Temple complex of the goddess Isis relocated stone by stone to Agilkia Island (1972–1980) to save it from Lake Nasser. Reached by motorboat from Shellal dock — the approach by water is as memorable as the temple. Reliefs in the Sanctuary…

• Abu Simbel Temples

  rock-cut temples · 4.9 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Two rock-cut temples by Ramesses II (1264–1244 BCE), 280 km south of Aswan near the Sudanese border. The Great Temple's four 21-metre colossi of Ramesses guard the facade; the sanctuary aligns twice yearly (20 Feb, 22 Oct) so sunlight…

• Aswan Corniche & Felucca Sunset Cruise

  Nile waterfront · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Aswan's Nile Corniche — a palm-shaded promenade with views of granite boulders, felucca sailboats and Elephantine Island. A felucca sunset cruise is one of Egypt's quintessential experiences: the light on the desert dunes and the Aga Khan…

• Aswan Corniche Sunset Walk

  Nature · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Corniche at sunset is Aswan's great free pleasure. Feluccas sail in silhouette against crimson sky while the Aga Khan Mausoleum glows white on the West Bank hillside.

• Edfu Temple

  temple · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt (237–57 BC), dedicated to Horus. Massive intact pylons, complete roof and detailed reliefs on every surface — arguably the most complete religious building from the ancient world.

• Kom Ombo Temple

  temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Unique double temple on a Nile bend (180 BC) — one half for crocodile god Sobek, the other for falcon god Haroeris. Attached Crocodile Museum holds 22 mummified crocodiles.

• Felucca Sailing — Elephantine Island Circuit

  Activity · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  2-hour felucca circuit around Elephantine and Kitchener's Islands — wind-powered silence, granite outcrops, Nubian villages and a desert sunset. The quintessential Aswan experience.

Things to do

• Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan Sightseeing · 10 h · from EGP 4,000 per person
• Philae Temple Boat & Guided Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from EGP 730 per person
• Nubian Village Boat Tour from Aswan Cultural · 3 h · from EGP 440 per person
• Felucca Sail to Elephantine Island & Botanical Garden Nature · 2.5 h · from USD 20 per person

Day trips and tours

• Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan 12 h · from EGP 4,100
• Philae Temple, Aswan Dam & Nubian Village 7 h · from EGP 1,900

Where to stay in Aswan

• Aswan City Centre (Corniche) about EGP 3,200 per night

  The Corniche walkway along the Nile is Aswan's heart. Hotels with Nile-facing balconies, easy access to ferries and the souk. Best base for independent travellers.

• Aswan Old Cataract Area about EGP 12,000 per night

  The legendary hotel district on the Nile bend south of the city. Sofitel Legend Old Cataract and surrounding boutique properties. Quiet, green and historic.

Hotels

• Nubian Rest House — West Bank 2-star · EGP 450 to EGP 900 per night
• Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan 5-star · EGP 5,000 to EGP 18,000 per night
• Movenpick Resort Aswan 5-star · EGP 3,000 to EGP 8,000 per night
• Basma Hotel Aswan
• Pyramisa Isis Island Aswan

Where to eat

• Panorama — Old Cataract International, Egyptian · about EGP 650 per person
• Nubian House Restaurant Nubian, Egyptian · about EGP 220 per person
• 1902 Restaurant International, Egyptian · about EGP 675 per person
• Makka Restaurant Egyptian, Nubian · about EGP 85 per person
• Nubian Oasis Restaurant Nubian · about EGP 85 per person

Getting to Aswan

Airport: Aswan (ASW)

How visitors arrive in Aswan

• Train from Luxor or Cairo By train from Luxor / Cairo · common

  Aswan is the southern end of Egypt's railway network, with the line running north to Luxor and Cairo. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly into Aswan airport By air from Cairo · common

  Aswan International Airport is south of the city and is served from Cairo and Luxor. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Hurghada By road from Hurghada · possible

  Buses run to Aswan from Hurghada. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Nile cruise from Luxor By ferry from Luxor · possible

  Cruise ships sail between Luxor and Aswan on multi-day trips. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi

  Public buses do not go to the airport, so take a taxi and agree the fare before you set off. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Expect tight security on the road to the airport, which is on the west bank. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Train to Aswan station

  Aswan is the southern end of Egypt's rail network. The main station is at the north end of the centre; microbuses wait outside. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Boat

  Feluccas, motorboats and public ferries cross the Nile in Aswan and run to Elephantine Island and the West Bank.

• Taxi

  White and blue taxis run by individual drivers cover the whole of Aswan.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Nubian Village Boat Overcharging

  Aswan waterfront

  Boat operators claim the standard government-regulated price is "only for Egyptians" and quote tourists 5× the official fare to cross to Elephantine.

  How to avoid it: Use the official government ferry (EGP 5). Private boats should be EGP 100–150 return — refuse anything higher.

• Unsolicited "Free" Temple Guides

  Philae Island boat landing

  Men at the boat landing insist on being your unpaid guide, then demand EGP 200–500 at the end.

  How to avoid it: Keep walking and politely say "no thank you." Buy an official guided tour that includes guide fee before arriving.

Best time to visit Aswan

• Jan 23°C
• Feb 26°C
• Mar 30°C
• Apr 36°C
• May 40°C
• Jun 42°C
• Jul 42°C
• Aug 42°C
• Sep 40°C
• Oct 36°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 25°C

More in Egypt

• Cairo
• Luxor
• Sharm El-Sheikh
• Hurghada
• Alexandria
• Dahab

Frequently asked questions about Aswan

How many days do you need in Aswan?

A typical trip to Aswan is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Aswan?

The highest-rated places in our Aswan guide are Abu Simbel Temples, Philae Temple (Temple of Isis), Aswan Corniche Sunset Walk, Edfu Temple, Aswan Corniche & Felucca Sunset Cruise.

Where should I stay in Aswan?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Aswan: Aswan City Centre (Corniche), Aswan Old Cataract Area.

How do I get around Aswan?

Ways to get around Aswan covered in our guide: Boat, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Aswan?

Scams reported to us for Aswan include Nubian Village Boat Overcharging; Unsolicited "Free" Temple Guides. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Aswan?

Average daytime highs in Aswan run from 23°C in Jan to 42°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Aswan?

The nearest airport to Aswan has the code ASW.