Aswan · Egypt

Aswan and Abu Simbel

The Nile among granite islands and dunes: the Temple of Philae, Nubian villages, the High Dam and, on the shore of Lake Nasser, the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel.

Upper Egypt

In the photo: Feluccas on the Nile in Aswan, with the Corniche on the opposite bank.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
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Aswan lies at Egypt’s southern tip, on the stretch of the Nile that once held the First Cataract, among dark granite rocks, islands and golden dunes on the west bank. It was the southern border of ancient Egypt and the gateway to Nubia, and Aswan’s granite quarries supplied obelisks and statues for the country’s temples.

Felucca rides, on the Nile’s traditional sailing boats, circle Elephantine Island, with ruins and a nilometer, and Kitchener’s Island, with a botanical garden. On the west bank are the tombs of the nobles at Qubbet el-Hawa and the Monastery of St. Simeon, and further south there are painted Nubian villages such as Gharb Soheil.

South of the city, the High Dam created Lake Nasser, and UNESCO organized the rescue of Nubian monuments, now a World Heritage site. The Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, was reassembled on a nearby island; about 280 km to the south, on the lake shore, the temples at Abu Simbel—of Ramses II and Nefertari—were cut into blocks and moved to higher ground.

North of Aswan, the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu are stops for the cruises that sail up the Nile to Luxor.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Aswan, Abu Simbel.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Aswan and Abu Simbel is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Aswan and Abu Simbel

✈ Aswan International Airport (ASW), in Assuã · 25 km to Aswan

The arrival city is Aswan, which has an airport (ASW) with flights from Cairo. Trains run from Cairo and Luxor, including a sleeper train. Abu Simbel is about 280 km away, by desert road or by air.

Suggested arrival point: Aswan

Aswan · Aswan and Abu Simbel Capital Suggested arrival point

Aswan

Capital of Aswan governorate, on the east bank of the Nile, facing Elephantine Island. The Corniche has hotels, the felucca and cruise docks, and a parallel street holds the market. Around town are the Temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam, the Nubian Museum and the Nubian villages on the west bank.

Aswan · Aswan and Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel

Small town on the shore of Lake Nasser, about 280 km south of Aswan and near the border with Sudan. Next to it stand the two rock-cut temples ordered by Ramses II—the Great Temple and the temple of Nefertari—moved to higher ground during the UNESCO campaign. It is the site of the Sun Festival in February and October.

The local experience

Things to do in Aswan and Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel · Aswan · Temple

Great Temple of Abu Simbel

Rock-cut temple ordered by Ramses II, with four colossal seated statues of the pharaoh on the façade, saved from the waters of Lake Nasser and reassembled at a higher location.

Aswan · Aswan · Temple

Philae Temple

Temple of Isis on an island south of Aswan, from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, dismantled and reassembled on Agilkia Island by UNESCO to save it from the dam waters.

Aswan · Aswan · Archaeological site

Unfinished Obelisk

Granite obelisk that cracked during quarrying and remained attached to the bedrock in an ancient Aswan quarry, showing how the Egyptians cut these pieces.

Abu Simbel · Aswan · Temple

Small Temple of Abu Simbel

The smaller temple at Abu Simbel, dedicated to Hathor and Queen Nefertari, with six statues on the façade: four of Ramses II and two of the queen, all the same size.

See 9 more places in Aswan and Abu Simbel

Aswan · Aswan · Dam

Aswan High Dam

Dam on the Nile south of Aswan, completed in 1970, which formed Lake Nasser, with a viewpoint over the lake and the river and a monument to Egyptian–Soviet friendship.

Aswan · Aswan · Island

Elephantine Island

Island in the Nile facing Aswan, with Nubian villages, the ruins of the ancient city of Abu, temples of Khnum and Satet and a nilometer, which measured the height of the floods.

Aswan · Aswan · Garden

Kitchener's Island

Island on the Nile, west of Elephantine, with a botanical garden of tropical trees and plants brought in at the end of the 19th century; also called Kitchener's Island.

Aswan · Aswan · Necropolis

Tombs of the Nobles

Tombs of rulers and nobles from the Old and Middle Kingdoms excavated on the Qubbet el-Hawa hill on Aswan's west bank, with views of the Nile and the islands.

Aswan · Aswan · Monastery

Monastery of St. Simeon

Ruins of a large Coptic monastery from the 7th–13th centuries in the desert on Aswan's west bank, with walls, a church and monks' cells.

Aswan · Aswan · Museum

Nubian Museum

Museum in Aswan about Nubian history and culture, from prehistory to the Islamic period, with statues, temple objects rescued and reconstructions of Nubian houses.

Aswan · Aswan · Village

Gharb Soheil

Nubian village on the Nile's west bank, south of Aswan center, near Soheil Island, with houses painted in bright colors, earthen domes and homes that host visitors for tea.

Aswan · Aswan · Temple

Kom Ombo Temple

Double temple on the Nile shore, north of Aswan, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god, and to Haroeris, with a small museum of mummified crocodiles.

Aswan · Aswan · Temple

Edfu Temple

The Temple of Horus at Edfu, between Aswan and Luxor, from the Ptolemaic period, one of Egypt’s best preserved temples, with its pylon, sanctuary and sacred barque.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From October to April the days are dry and pleasant, and this is the cruise season; from May to September the heat is intense, with daytime highs often exceeding 40 °C. Twice a year, in February and October, the rising sun illuminates the back of the Abu Simbel temple.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days allow two days in Aswan—enough for Philae, a felucca ride, the islands and a Nubian village—and one day for Abu Simbel. With an overnight in Abu Simbel you can see the temples at sunrise and at night.

Which city to stay in

In Aswan, the Nilefront avenue (Corniche) concentrates hotels with island views; Elephantine Island and the Nubian villages on the west bank have Nubian-style guesthouses, quiet and connected by boat. In Abu Simbel there are small hotels and guesthouses near the lake for those who stay overnight.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Aswan and Abu Simbel

How many days should you stay in Aswan?

Two days for Philae, the felucca, the islands, the High Dam and a Nubian village; three days if you include Abu Simbel.

How to go from Aswan to Abu Simbel?

By car or bus on the desert road, about 280 km, roughly three and a half hours; by plane, a little over half an hour; or by cruise on Lake Nasser.

Do you need a car in Aswan?

No. The islands and the west bank are visited by boat, and taxis and drivers take you to Philae, the dam and Abu Simbel.

When is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?

On the mornings of approximately February 22 and October 22, when the rising sun reaches the back of the great temple.

What is the best time to visit Aswan?

From October to April. In summer the heat often exceeds 40 °C.

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Aswan and Abu Simbel

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.