Aswan Egypt tourist attractions are beautiful places on the Nile, and some of the country’s most beautiful places are here. Travelers who want to learn more about Egypt’s past will find that Aswan is a great place to start, with its ancient temples, tombs, and beautiful riverside location.
Aswan has something for everyone, from the Philae Temple to Elephantine Island’s views. Aswan is the perfect place to go on your Egypt vacation packages, whether you want to relax or try something new. Visit some of Egypt’s most popular Aswan attractions and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Where is Aswan Egypt located?
Aswan, Egypt, is one of the most important places to see in ancient Egypt, and you need to go there to see everything.
The city is on the banks of the Nile River in the far south of Egypt, 850 km from Cairo. Aswan is the last big city before the Sudanese border, so it has become a place where people stop on their way to other sites, especially Abu Simbel.
As you walk through the streets of Aswan, though, you can see that it looks like a small town in the country. The buildings aren’t massive, the stores aren’t very fancy, and few cars are around.
What is the Best Time to Visit Aswan Egypt?
Winter is the best time to visit Aswan, Egypt, even though the cooler temperatures bring more people. Egypt is best seen in the spring, from March to May, or the fall, from September to November.
The city’s heat is probably the first thing newcomers notice. Temperatures in Aswan are higher than those in Luxor.
In the summer, it is usually very hot, with temperatures usually above 40 degrees Celsius and sometimes reaching 50 degrees Celsius.
As a result, the best time to explore the archaeological sites is in the morning, when temperatures are typically lower.
Top 10 Aswan Egypt Tourist Attractions and Things to Do
1. Nile River Cruise
Taking an Egypt Nile cruise is a great way to see southern Egypt. Many out-of-country visitors choose this option because of the high quality of life it provides them with.
Cruises typically last between three and four nights. However, longer itineraries are available. The best part is that you can see all the top sights in Egypt without paying extra, such as Luxor and Aswan.
Check out one of our best Luxor and Aswan Nile Cruises and get our special offers.
2. The Temple of Philae
Located on an island in the middle of the Nile River, the Temple of Philae is a shrine to the goddess Isis and the city’s most popular tourist destination. The temple, commissioned by Ramses II, was constructed on one of several islands in the Nile.
Once the Aswan High Dam was built, the temples were completely submerged. Being the most significant of the temples, Philae was relocated to a more elevated location on a neighboring island.
Philae has pinpointed a spot 7 kilometers from Aswan. The most prevalent method of transportation is to hire a taxi for the entire trip (one way).
The Aswan Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple, which you may catch if you visit the Temple of Philae, is the second-best light show in Egypt (after Abu Simbel, of course).
3. The Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk, a massive 42-meter-tall granite carved obelisk, is another one of the popular Aswan Egypt tourist attractions.
The unfinished obelisk is a monument in a quarry two kilometers outside Aswan. About a third larger than the rest, at 1200 kg, it would have been the heaviest obelisk in Egypt.
4. The Nubian Museum
Almost all of it was lost when the High Dam was built, flooding the ancient center of Nubia and forcing more than 100,000 inhabitants to find new homes.
The Nubian Museum displays relics from the Nubia region that document the history of the southern Nile Valley from prehistory to the pharaonic era, the introduction of Christianity and Islam, and the Dam’s construction in the 1960s.
5. Abu Simbel Temples
Although Aswan Egypt tourist attractions are so many, most visitors there are actually on their route to Abu Simbel, which is 280 kilometers away. Despite its enormous distance, Aswan is the closest city with enough infrastructure to the temple.
On the two days each year when the sun shines directly into the innermost temple room, where four sculptures are located, the Abu Simbel Sun Festival is held in their honor. Ramesses‘ birthday (in January) and the anniversary of his accession to the throne (in February) are both commemorated here (in October).
Book now our Day trip to Abu Simbel From Aswan by Flight.
6. Aswan High Dam
Between those years, between the 1960s and the 1970s, the High Dam was built. The plan aimed to boost hydroelectric power, control Nile floods, and expand agricultural output.
7. Aswan Souk
The Aswan Souk, also known as Sharia as-Souq, is the best value for money while shopping for souvenirs in Aswan.
The bazaar, which begins roughly four blocks from the Nile and extends about seven blocks parallel to the river, is stocked with Egyptian and African wares.
Merchants provide a wide range of products, including fragrances, peanuts, henna powder, dried hibiscus flowers, spices, T-shirts, and unique souvenirs inspired by Ancient Egypt.
Traders hawk Nubian artifacts like skullcaps, talismans, baskets, Sudanese swords, spices, carpets, and stuffed animals like crocodiles in backstreets and alleys.
8. Felucca ride in Aswan
Relax on a Felucca ride on the Nile in Aswan while taking in the sights and sounds of the city and the Nile. Highlights of your trip to Aswan include a sail by Elephantine Island and a stop at the city’s world-renowned Botanical Gardens.
9. Elephantine Island
One f the most popular Aswan egypt tourist attractions is Elephantine Island; before Aswan was built, a Pharaonic trading post known as Swenet thrived on Elephantine Island, using the island and the First Cataract’s tumultuous waters as defenses.
Caravans traveling from the south would discharge their wares here before continuing up the river, thanks to its convenient placement right below the cataract. Several ancient Egyptian buildings were constructed from granite mined on Elephantine Island, a central hub for the international ivory trade.
10. The Nubian Villages
Nubian villages are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Aswan Egypt; characterized by using mud bricks made from a mixture of clay, water, hay, and sand, it is immediately apparent upon entering the village, home to many brightly painted houses. Natural materials like clay in bricks are affordable and resistant to heat, making homes less susceptible to pests and other ailments.
Each cottage has a dome-shaped ceiling that is made to reflect the sun’s rays and heats the interior evenly. In addition, the Nubian people enjoy adorning their homes with simple yet lovely colors, and they frequently draw shapes from the Nubian culture, such as boats, camels, and palms, on the walls of their dwellings.
Is Aswan Worth Visiting?
A peaceful atmosphere, rich archaeological sites, and stunning Nile Valley scenery have made Aswan famous. It is an ideal winter getaway because of the year-round warmth. Sightseeing on the Nile in a felucca is made all the more enjoyable by the city’s location (Egyptian sailboat).
Enjoy the best vacation in Aswan Egypt, with Amon Ra Tours; book one of our best Egypt Vacation Packages, enjoy our special deals, and let the trip of a lifetime in Aswan begin!
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