Egypt's tranquil southern frontier, where the Nile is at its most beautiful.
Aswan tours explore Egypt's gentle southern city, set where the Nile is at its most scenic — islands, granite boulders and golden desert running right down to bright blue water. It is the most relaxed of the Nile towns and the gateway to Nubia, with a distinct culture, cuisine and music of its own.
From Aswan you can sail to the island Temple of Philae, take a felucca around Elephantine Island and Kitchener's Island, and make the journey south to the colossal rock temples of Abu Simbel. The High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk tell the more recent story of a city shaped by the river it controls.
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Top attractions
Island temples, sailboats and the road to Abu Simbel — Aswan rewards a slower pace than anywhere else on the Nile.
The colossal rock-cut temples of Ramesses II, about 280 km south of Aswan, moved block by block to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
The graceful temple of the goddess Isis, relocated to the island of Agilkia during the High Dam campaign and reached by boat.
The traditional sailboat of the river; an afternoon around Elephantine and Kitchener's Islands is the classic Aswan experience.
Brightly painted riverside houses, Nubian food and warm hospitality, usually reached by boat across the Nile.
The 1960s dam that created Lake Nasser, ended the Nile's annual flood and reshaped modern Egypt.
Abandoned in its ancient granite quarry, it reveals exactly how the Egyptians cut their giant monuments.
Explore the city
This is the Nile at its most beautiful, and the doorway to Nubia and the far south of ancient Egypt.
Island temple
When the High Dam threatened to drown it, the whole temple of Philae was cut apart and rebuilt stone by stone on higher ground at Agilkia Island.
Reached by a short boat ride, it is one of the loveliest settings of any temple in Egypt, especially in the soft light of early morning.
Under sail
Nothing captures Aswan like an afternoon under a felucca's white sail, tacking between granite islands as the sun drops.
The river here wraps around Elephantine Island and the botanical gardens of Kitchener's Island, both easy to weave into a sail.
The modern Nile
Completed in 1970, the Aswan High Dam tamed the Nile's floods and created Lake Nasser, one of the world's largest reservoirs.
The project reshaped Egypt — and forced the epic rescue of Abu Simbel and Philae from the rising water.
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Plan your visit
As the southernmost of Egypt's main cities, Aswan is hot for much of the year and searing in high summer. November to February brings warm days and cool, clear nights — ideal for temples and river time.
The Abu Simbel Sun Festival, when sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary, falls on 22 February and 22 October and draws big crowds.
Getting around
Aswan lies on the Nile in Egypt's far south, about a one-hour flight from Cairo or an overnight train.
Abu Simbel is roughly 280 km further south, reached by road or a short domestic flight. Many visitors arrive or leave by Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor.
