Aswan

Aswan Destination Guide

Today, Aswan is characterized by its abundance of palm trees and tropical gardens standing beside one of the wildest parts of the Nile River. As such, it has many islands dotted off its shores. Nubian Dancers perform live in several hotels, and are surely a sight not to be missed. Nubian villages must be visited, as they have an enchanting taste of Egypt in addition to the warm hospitality and fascinating culture, and The Nubian Cultural center is also a good option.
Hugely attractive, Aswan is the busy market center of the region. In fact, its ancient name of Sewent means “trade”. Aswan is still keeping its bustling spirit, as it’s lively with its colorful shops and bazaars.
Cruising the Nile in Aswan is definitely a memorable experience as you will be enjoying an enthralling blend of nature’s exquisiteness and the grace of the Pharaohs. Being a serene destination with magnificent scenery.
Aswan has a gorgeous winter climate and is a popular sun resort from November through to March with Egyptians as well as International vacationers.

Facts about Aswan

Best time to visit

Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec

Language Spoken

Arabic

Currency

EGP : Egyptian Pound

Best time to visit

Jan COLD Feb COLD Mar MODERATE Apr MODERATE May MODERATE jun HOT Jul HOT Aug HOT Sep HOT Oct MODERATE Nov MODERATE Dec COLD

The City Maps

🎁 Choose the Perfect Tour Package in Aswan with Exclusive Prices! 💼✨

Jaz Crown Jewel @ 4 nights – Luxor / Aswan

Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Egypt

Jaz Crown Jewel @ 3 Nights – Aswan / Luxor

Aswan, Egypt

Jaz Crown Jewel @ 7 nights – Luxor / Aswan

Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Egypt

🚤 Experience Adventure with Exciting Activities and Entertainment in Aswan! 🎡🌆

Explore the Nubian Village by traditional felucca plus authentic lunch

Aswan, Egypt

2025-04-23 09:52:46

Aswan by night with the Spice Market on horse-drawn carriage

Aswan, Egypt

2025-04-23 09:52:46

Guided tour of Abu Simple Temples from Aswan

Abu Simbel Temples, Abu Simbel, Egypt

2025-04-23 09:52:46

🏨 Enjoy the Best Hotels and Resorts in Aswan! 🌟✨

Reasons to visit Aswan

History
Family
Art
Religious

⛵ Top Reasons to Visit Aswan 🌴✨

  • Nile Cruises:
    🚢 Relax on a scenic Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan.

  • Historical Wonders:
    🏛️ Explore ancient temples like Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, and the Temple of Kom Ombo.

  • Unique Culture:
    🎨 Experience the colorful Nubian culture and hospitality.

  • Beautiful Landscapes:
    🌅 Witness stunning sunsets and picturesque views over the Nile.

  • Relaxing Atmosphere:
    🍃 Enjoy tranquility and peaceful vibes away from city crowds.

  • Warm Weather:
    ☀️ Perfect sunny destination, especially in winter months.

  • Traditional Markets:
    🛍️ Discover local products, spices, and handicrafts at vibrant markets.

Aswan Tourism

Aswan is a city in southern Egypt located on the bank of the very famous Nile River. It is the capital city of the Aswan Governorate and is known for its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and unique Nubian culture. It has been an important center of trade and commerce for thousands of years.

Aswan is known for its beautiful natural setting, including the Nile River, the Sahara Desert, and the nearby Nubian Desert. The city is also home to several famous historical sites, including the temples of Philae and Abu Simbel. It is a popular destination for those interested in ancient Egyptian history and culture.

Additionally, Aswan is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is a popular place to relax and unwind, offering a range of hotels, restaurants, and shops. Here are reasons why you should visit this ancient city:

  • Ancient monuments: Aswan is home to some of Egypt’s most famous historical sites, including the temples of Philae and Abu Simbel.
  • Nile River: The city is located on the Nile River and is a popular starting point for Nile River cruises.
  • Nubian culture: Aswan is known for its solid Nubian cultural heritage and is a great place to learn about the history and traditions of this indigenous African people.
  • Relaxation: The city is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is a beautiful famed destination for those seeking a relaxing getaway.
  • Weather: Aswan has a warm, sunny climate, making it an attractive destination for those looking to escape the cold winter weather.
  • Natural beauty: Aswan is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, including the Sahara Desert and the Nile River, offering opportunities for adventure and outdoor recreation.

Aswan Activities

Kitchener’s Island

Kitchener’s
Island, also known as Geziret el-Nabatat, is a small island located in the Nile
River in Aswan, Egypt. The island is named after Lord Horatio Kitchener, a
British general and colonial administrator who owned the island during the
early 20th century.

Kitchener’s
Island is renowned for its lush botanical gardens, which were established by
Lord Kitchener himself. The gardens showcase a diverse collection of exotic
plants and trees from various regions around the world, including India,
Africa, and the Americas. Visitors can explore the beautifully landscaped
gardens, stroll along shaded pathways, and admire the vibrant colors and
fragrances of the flora or simply sit back and enjoy the scenic views of the
Nile River.

Kitchener’s
Island also offers a small museum that provides information about the island’s
history and the plants found within the gardens. The museum showcases artifacts
and photographs related to Lord Kitchener and his time on the island.

Kitchener’s Island

Elephantine Island

Elephantine
Island is a picturesque island located in the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt. It is
one of the largest islands in the region and holds significant historical and
archaeological importance.

The island
has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, with evidence of human
settlement dating as far back as the pre-dynastic period. It was an important
trading center and strategic location due to its position on the Nile River.

Elephantine
Island is home to several archaeological sites and ruins that offer a glimpse
into its past. One of the most notable sites is the Temple of Khnum, dedicated
to the ram-headed god of creation. The temple’s ruins showcase impressive
architectural features and hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Visitors to
Elephantine Island can explore the island’s narrow streets, lined with
traditional Nubian houses painted in vibrant colors. The island also offers
stunning views of the Nile River and the surrounding landscapes. Visitors can
enjoy leisurely walks along the riverbanks, relax in waterfront cafes, or take
a boat ride to explore the island’s natural beauty.

Elephantine Island

Cultural Centre
One of Aswan’s attractions is its Cultural Centre. Every night Nubian dancers and musicians give performances just off the cornice, and folklore troupes recreate from village life and perform the famous Nubian mock stick-fight dances.

Cultural Centre

The High Dam

The world-famous High Dam was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s. Today it provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt and, together with the old Aswan Dam, 6 km downriver; it is a wonderful view for visitors.

The High Dam

Lake Nasser

Lake Nasser
is a vast reservoir located in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. It was
created as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam, completed in
1970. With a surface area of approximately 5,250 square kilometers (2,030 square
miles), it is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The lake serves
as a crucial water source for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation,
contributing to agricultural development and electricity production in Egypt
and Sudan.

Lake Nasser
is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with its crystal-clear waters
surrounded by vast desert landscapes and rocky shores. The lake is home to a
diverse range of wildlife, including various species of fish, birds, and
reptiles.

The lake is
also dotted with several archaeological sites and ancient temples. The most
famous of these is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abu Simbel, featuring the
iconic temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. Visitors to Lake Nasser can embark
on boat cruises or felucca rides to explore its vast expanse.

Lake Nasser

 

The Temples of Abu Simbel

Situated near Egypt’s southern borders with Sudan, 280 km south of Aswan, the Temples of Abu Simbel are amongst the most interesting of all Pharaonic temples. There are two temples cut into the rock dating back to king Ramses II – one is for Ramses and the other for Nefertari..

The Temples of Abu Simbel

The Great Temple

Ramses II built this for himself to be adored beside the gods Amun-Re, Re-Horakhty, and Ptah. It is 33m high and 38m wide and 56m deep. King Ramses II built this temple for himself not only as a king but also as a god as the facade of the temple shows how king Ramses was worshiping himself as a god. It also showed him as a warrior and after that as a peace maker when he signed the first peace treaty in history and married the daughter of the Hittites.

The Great Temple

Temple of Nefertari

The Temple
of Queen Nefertari is located 120m from the Temple of Ramses II and was also
built by Ramses II, dedicated to the Goddess Hathor and to his wife Queen
Nefertari. Queen Nefertari was the principal, and the most beloved, wife of
King Ramses II.It is also a rock-cut Temple with a façade of about 28m long
and 12m high, which contains 6 standing colossi. Four of them represent Ramses
II and the other two represent Queen Nefertari, each accompanied by two smaller
figures of their children.
The temples got world fame when an international
UNESCO operation was needed to save them from the rising water of Lake Nasser. 
The bright colors in the carvings are essentially intact.

Temple of Nefertari

The Temple Of Edfu

This city played a major role in the history of Aswan, and is located 60 km south of it. Edfu was a flourishing city in ancient times and the center of the cult of triad of Gods, including the infamous Horus and Hathor. The temple of Edfu dates back to the Ptolemaic period, and the temple and its inscriptions were completed over a period of 180 years. This glorious temple includes a Nilometer and a chapel dedicated to the Goddess Nut. Various walls depict scenes of wars, the ritual foundation of the temple, and the divine marriage of Hathor and Horus of Behdet.

The Temple Of Edfu

The Temple of Philae

This magnificent temple is located on a small rocky island in the middle of the Nile, south of Aswan, and was built by the Ancient Egyptians for the Goddess Isis. It was submerged by Nile floods when the first dam was built in Aswan in 1906. In the 1970s, with the completion of the High Dam of Aswan, attempts began to save the temple. A new island, Egilika, was chosen and reshaped to resemble the island on which the temple resides. Over a period of nine years, the temple was dismantled, transferred, and assembled again on Egilika.

The Temple of Philae

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