Aswan Attractions: Complete Aswan Guide

Aswan has a different feel to it in comparison to the rest of Egypt's main destinations. Granite boulders crop up all over the place along the Nile, islands dot the river and Nubian culture makes its mark on the city. When it comes to Egypt travel packages, a trip to Aswan is often included as part of a larger touring itinerary.

Aswan Egypt Travel Guide: What Makes Aswan Unique?

Whereas Cairo is a busy modern metropolis and Luxor has its main attractions concentrated around the riverfront, the ancient monuments of Aswan are located on islands and along the edge of the desert, accessed by a more leisurely means of transport: a felucca or motorboat. Even if you're only visiting Aswan for a couple of days, you'll find the pace of life here is generally more relaxed than in other Egyptian cities.

Aswan Egypt Travel Guide: How Many Days to Spend Here?

Two to three days in Aswan is enough time to see the main sights, including Philae Temple and take a felucca ride along the Nile, with an optional side-trip to a Nubian village. If you're planning on visiting Abu Simbel, it's worth allowing an additional day for the road trip to this ancient temple. Egypt Nile Cruises often include Aswan as an optional stop along the way, and our Egypt travel guide includes more information about how to fit Aswan into a larger touring itinerary.

A few sites dominate most tours and are a short walk or drive from the center of Aswan.

Philae Temple

The Philae Temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis and was moved stone by stone from its original location in the second century AD. After the construction of Lake Nasser began flooding parts of Aswan, the temple was again moved by boat to its current location on an island.

Unfinished Obelisk

The unfinished obelisk can be found in a quarry from which it was to be removed. The obelisk was abandoned when a crack appeared in the stone and would have been the tallest monument in Ancient Egypt had it been completed.

Nubian Museum

The Nubian Museum displays the history of Nubia's culture, of which many artifacts can be found in Aswan. In addition to exhibiting ancient relics, the museum also displays objects from the more modern era, including the Nubian tribes that were displaced when Lake Nasser was created.

Aswan's location on the river is part of what makes a visit here so special, from island excursions to more serene garden strolls.

Elephantine Island

Elephantine Island, a short walk away across the river from Aswan's Corniche, includes the remains of the ancient Temple of Khnum, a Nilometer (used to measure the height of the floodwaters) and Nubian villages with their colorful, hand-painted houses-think archaeology and anthropology, all in one easily accessible trip.

Aswan Botanical Garden

Kitchener's Island, features the lovely Aswan Botanical Garden, an escape from the urban feel of Aswan's ancient cities, which was originally planted with vegetation collected from all over the world in the early twentieth century and is located just a brief boat ride away.

Nubian culture is interwoven throughout much of Aswan, compared to anywhere else in Egypt, providing a different dimension to the ancient city beyond its well-known monuments.

Nubian Villages

The villages, which can be seen on the west bank of the Nile, feature hand-painted Nubian-style houses with unique patterns decorating them, and many are happy to offer you tea or a chat

Traditional Nubian Experiences

In addition to the architecture, you can try the local cuisine, shop for souvenirs made by the villagers, and enjoy traditional music. A visit to a Nubian village is a good opportunity to experience the culture of the locals, not as an observer, but as a participant – something that cannot be said for many other places in Egypt. If you're planning on visiting more than just Aswan as part of your Egypt vacation, you might want to read about what else to see in Cairo attracctions, after spending a few days in Aswan.

Aswan also serves as a base for one of Egypt's most popular day trips, further south.

Abu Simbel Temples

The Abu Simbel, which include two temples built by Ramesses II, are about three hours' drive from Aswan near the Sudanese border. The temples, like Philae, were also relocated in the twentieth century to avoid being submerged by Lake Nasser, and most visitors see them as a long day trip, leaving early to return the same day.

How Can You Plan Your Visit to Aswan?

Clustering the sights of Aswan by location lends itself to a short visit to this riverside city: Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk on one day, Elephantine Island and a Nubian village on another, with Abu Simbel as a separate day for those with the extra time. If you're spending more time in Egypt and want to extend your travels to a neighboring country, our Multi-Country Tours can help you craft a trip that includes both Aswan and another destination.

1- What are the top Aswan Attractions for a first visit?

These include Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, Elephantine Island, and a Nubian village.

2- How many days should I spend in Aswan?

It depends on whether you want to do the Abu Simbel tour. Two-to-three days in Aswan are perfect for exploring, leaving time for one day excursion tours

3- Is Abu Simbel worth the day trip from Aswan?

Although a bit of a drive from Aswan, seeing the two immense Abu Simbel temples is highly recommended, as both were relocated to their current position.

4- What makes Aswan culturally distinct within Egypt?

Aswan is one of the few places in Egypt where the local culture is distinctly Nubian, different from the rest of Egypt which is historically more influenced by Ancient Egyptian civilization.

5- Can Aswan be combined with a Cairo trip in one Egypt tour?

Yes, Aswan and Cairo are two of Egypt’s top destinations and are often combined in one vacation. This can include taking a domestic flight between the cities or even a Nile River cruise along the bottom of the country.