Things to do in Aswan

Aswan, in southern Egypt, is home to many Nubian people who moved here when their original land was flooded by Lake Nasser due to the Aswan High Dam.The quarries in Aswan provided materials for many Egyptian statues, obelisks, and temples. A must-see is the The Unfinished Obelisk was discovered in the early twentieth century after it had been covered by sand for thousands of years. Unfinished Obelisk . Aswan is one of the sunniest places globally, with minimal rainfall (less than 1 mm per year) and around 4,000 hours of sunshine annually. Don't forget your sunscreen and leave your umbrella behind. Summers are scorching, with temperatures exceeding 40°C (over 100°F), while winters are more pleasant, with highs between 24 to 29°C (75 to 85°F).

When in Aswan, make sure to visit the stunning Philae Temple. It is one of the most well-preserved temples from the Ptolemaic era in Egypt, along with the temples of Dendera and Edfu. The majority of the temple complex was constructed during the Ptolemaic period, between 332 and 30 BC. The main deity worshipped here was Isis, but Osiris and Hathor were also revered. Interestingly, the Philae Temple was later used as a church by Christians, and you can still see carvings of Coptic Crosses inside. The Aswan Old Dam was finished in 1902, causing Philae Island to be flooded. The island and its temples were only visible during summer when the dam gates were opened. In the 1960s, UNESCO oversaw the dismantling and rebuilding of the temple on Agilkia Island nearby.

The Unfinished Obelisk was discovered in the early twentieth century after it had been covered by sand for thousands of years. Unfinished Obelisk , if finished, would have been the biggest in the world at 42 meters tall. Hatshepsut wanted it to match the Lateran Obelisk in Karnak Temple. Unfortunately, it cracked during excavation and was never completed. Despite this, the The Unfinished Obelisk was discovered in the early twentieth century after it had been covered by sand for thousands of years. Unfinished Obelisk provides valuable information on ancient Egyptian stone-cutting techniques.

The Nubian Museum (officially the International Museum of Nubia) is an archaeological museum located in Aswan, Upper Egypt. It was built following the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia, to a design by architect Mahmoud El-Hakim for an estimated construction cost of LE 75 million. Dedicated to Nubian culture and civilization, it was inaugurated on November 23, 1997, and was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001. The  The Nubia Museum, in Aswan, as a matter of fact, is deemed to be one of the most important Egyptian museums. Nubia Museum  includes a wide collection of artifacts that tell the history of Nubia since prehistoric times. These artifacts include examples of Nubian art, sculpture, and architecture from various eras.

Drifting on the Nile River in Aswan is an amazing experience, especially during sunset. It is considered one of the best things to do in Aswan. The price for a felucca ride can vary and is open for negotiation. Your negotiating skills will determine what you pay,  sailed on the felucca for an hour and then transferred to a motorboat to continue our journey to the In Aswan Nubian Village is a must visit to experience a traditional and very unique lifestyle. The Village is very colorful. Nubian Village . During the felucca ride,  explored The island of Elephantine is one of major Aswan attractions floating on the Nile. The island in 12000 meters situated in the center of the Nile. Elephantine Island and enjoyed the beautiful views of the monuments and ruins along the Nile River's shore.

There are mixed opinions about the In Aswan Nubian Village is a must visit to experience a traditional and very unique lifestyle. The Village is very colorful. Nubian Village - some love it, some think it's a tourist trap. in my opinion it is very enjoable , especially the boat ride to get there. The village is small and easy to explore. One of the highlights is visiting a local home, having tea, and learning about the Nubian way of life. Some homes even have pet crocodiles.

The tombs of the nobles are located on the west bank of the Nile River. It's a bit of a climb to reach the top, but the view of Aswan from there is breathtaking. I suggest including this in your itinerary for a special perspective of Aswan. To reach the tombs, simply hop on the public ferry from the east bank of the Nile River.

Aswan serves as a convenient starting point for various day trips. Many travelers even come to Aswan solely to visit Abu Simbel on a day trip. Abu Simbel is a remarkable monument in Egypt. Ramesses II constructed these two temples more than 3,000 years ago to showcase the power of the Egyptian empire. Similar to Philae Temple, the entire temple complex of Abu Simbel was relocated to higher ground due to the risk of flooding from the Aswan High Dam project. To reach Abu Simbel from Aswan, you have the option to travel by land or by air. For complete information on organizing your day trip, refer to our Abu Simbel Guide.

Kom Ombo and Edfu are two significant temples in Egypt. The Temple of Kom Ombo is unique because it is dedicated to two different gods. One part of the temple is devoted to Sobek, the god with a crocodile head, associated with fertility along the Nile River. The other part is dedicated to Horus, the god with a falcon head. On the other hand, the Temple of Edfu is the largest temple dedicated solely to Horus. It was built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Kom Ombo is situated 60 km north of Aswan and can be reached by car in about an hour. Edfu is located 64 km north of Kom Ombo and 124 km north of Aswan. If you are planning a day trip from Aswan, you can visit both Kom Ombo and Edfu, which usually takes around 9 to 10 hours. These temples are also included in Nile River cruises. During our journey from Aswan to Luxor, we visited Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Esna by land. However, if you are not cruising the Nile or traveling between Aswan and Luxor, but still want to explore more temples, adding this day trip to your itinerary is definitely worth it.

Aswan High Dam is located 16 km south of Aswan. It is a wide and flat dam that may not be visually appealing. In my opinion, it is more valuable to learn about the dam's history rather than visiting it. Constructed in the 1960s, the dam was built by Egyptian leader Nasser to prevent flooding of the Nile River and provide more electricity to Egypt. However, the completion of the dam resulted in the creation of a large water reservoir called Lake Nasser. This led to the relocation of 90,000 Egyptians and Nubians, as well as the costly transfer of various temples and historical monuments, including Philae Temple and the twin temples of Abu Simbel. If you are interested and wish to see it, it is a 30-minute drive from Aswan.

NEW KALABSHA
This tiny island showcases ancient temples moved from Old Kalabsha to avoid flooding from the Aswan High Dam. Located near the dam,new Kalabsha is a quiet spot with fewer tourists compared to Philae Temple.

St. Simeon is located on the cliffs of the west bank of the Nile River. It houses the Aga Khan Mausoleum and the Remains of a mud-&-stone monastery founded in the 7th century & rebuilt in the 10th century. Monastery of St. Simeon . The mausoleum contains the tomb of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, a generous leader with connections to Aswan. Visitors are unable to enter, but they can view it from the Nile River.

The beautiful Tomb of Mohammed Shah Aga Khan belongs to the 48th leader of the Ismaili sect. He played a significant role in the division of India and the establishment of Pakistan. Additionally, he was the father-in-law of Rita Hayworth. The Aga Khan used to spend his winters in Aswan for his well-being and was laid to rest here after his passing in 1957. His fourth wife, Yvonne Labrousse, also known as Begum Om Habibeh, was a Frenchwoman and is also buried here. The family's white villa can be found in the garden below the tomb. Begum Om Habibeh was renowned for her charitable endeavors, and the Om Habibeh Foundation continues to work towards enhancing healthcare in Aswan.

Daraw, located in Egypt, is known for having one of the largest camel markets in the country. The camels mainly arrive in caravans from Sudan's Darfur and Kordofan regions, traveling along the Darb Al Arba'een (Forty Days Rd) until just north of Abu Simbel. From there, they are transported by trucks to Daraw. It is a captivating sight to witness the trading activities, with sometimes up to 2000 camels present. The market operates every day of the week, but the busiest days are Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Upon arrival, the camels spend two days in quarantine before being sold by their Sudanese owners. Many of them are then taken to the camel market in Birqash, which is approximately 35km northwest of Cairo. In Birqash, the camels are either sold to Egyptian farmers, exported to neighboring countries, or used for meat production. It is important to note that this market may not be suitable for those who are sensitive to such activities.

Experience the entertaining Banana Island Tour in Luxor, focusing on fun rather than history. The tour offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience surrounded by the natural beauty of the Nile River. Visit the small island in the middle of the Nile, known for its lush banana plantations. Learn about banana cultivation and enjoy some delicious food and drinks at the outdoor cafe.