Things to Do in Aswan
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Aswan, Egypt, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Aswan. Quieter than Cairo, a slower pace, better nights, and some of Egypt's most extraordinary ancient engineering both old and disconcertingly modern sitting side by side. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Aswan: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the felucca ride. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Aswan High Dam & Lake Nasser
The Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, was built to control flooding of the Nile and created Lake Nasser, one of the largest artificial lakes anywhere, flooding a fair stretch of ancient Nubia in the process, a complicated legacy that reshaped the region. It also generates a huge share of Egypt's electricity, a proper feat of engineering even if you're not especially interested in dams generally.
The viewpoint over the dam and lake is worth the short visit, and it's often combined with a trip to the nearby Unfinished Obelisk and the Nubia Museum for a fuller picture of what the dam's construction meant for the region and its people.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–5pm
Getting there A short taxi ride from central Aswan
Abu Simbel
Ancient temples at Abu Simbel, near Aswan, were famously relocated in the 1960s to save them from rising water caused by the new dam, cut into massive blocks and reassembled higher up, piece by piece, in one of the great feats of archaeological engineering of the 20th century. The two temples, built by Ramesses II, are properly awe-inspiring in scale, four colossal seated statues guard the main entrance.
It's a full day trip from Aswan (about 3 hours each way), most visitors go by organised convoy or tour, worth the early start given the distance involved.
Hours Daily, roughly 6am–5pm
Getting there About 3 hours from Aswan by road, or a short flight
Felucca Sailing
A traditional wooden sailing boat trip on the Nile is one of the best things to do in Aswan, and the city is one of the best places in Egypt to do it properly, unhurried, wind-powered, and a completely different pace from the felucca trips further north. Sailing around Elephantine Island and the Nubian villages along the riverbank at sunset is the classic route.
Prices vary by negotiation and trip length, agree the price and duration clearly before setting off, and tipping the captain at the end is customary and expected.
Best time Late afternoon into sunset
Nubia Museum
An excellent museum covering Nubian history and culture, including artefacts rescued during the international effort to save monuments from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Well laid out and considerably less crowded than Cairo's big-name museums, a good way to spend a couple of hours understanding the region's deep history beyond just the famous temples.
It pairs naturally with a visit to a Nubian village along the Nile, several of which welcome visitors for tea and a look at traditional Nubian architecture and colourful house painting.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–1pm and 5pm–9pm
Address Central Aswan
Philae Temple
Dedicated to the goddess Isis, and, like Abu Simbel, relocated block by block to save it from flooding, in this case moved to the nearby island of Agilkia after the original site was submerged by the Aswan Dam (the earlier, lower dam, not the High Dam). Reaching it requires a short boat ride, part of the appeal, arriving at a temple complex on its own island in the Nile.
The evening sound and light show here is a popular option if you want a different way to experience the site after dark.
Hours Daily, roughly 7am–4pm; evening shows separate
Getting there Short boat ride from the dock near the old dam
The Unfinished Obelisk
Still attached to the bedrock it was carved from, abandoned partway through construction after cracks appeared in the granite, and properly fascinating for what it reveals about ancient Egyptian quarrying techniques. Had it been completed, it would have been the largest obelisk ever raised in Egypt.
It's a compact, quick stop, easily combined with the High Dam and Nubia Museum on the same day given how close they all sit to central Aswan.
Hours Daily, roughly 7am–5pm
Address Northern Quarries, Aswan
Best time to visit Aswan
October through April is the only sensible window, Aswan sits in Upper Egypt and summer temperatures regularly climb well past 40°C, uncomfortable for the amount of outdoor sightseeing this list involves.
December and January are the coolest, most comfortable months and the busiest as a result, book Abu Simbel transport and accommodation ahead if travelling then.
Getting around Aswan
Central Aswan is walkable, and the Corniche along the Nile is a pleasant way to get between riverside sights on foot. For Abu Simbel, join an organised convoy or tour rather than travelling independently, it's the standard, straightforward way most visitors make the trip. Feluccas and small motorboats are the way to reach Philae Temple and the islands in the Nile.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Aswan worth visiting?
- Yes, genuinely one of the more relaxed stops on an Egypt itinerary, Abu Simbel alone justifies the trip, and the felucca sailing and Nubian culture add real depth beyond the temples.
- How many days do you need in Aswan?
- Two days covers the city and a day trip to Abu Simbel comfortably; three lets you add Philae Temple and a proper felucca sunset sail without rushing.
- Is Aswan expensive?
- Moderate, similar to Egypt's other major sights, Abu Simbel's entry fee is one of the pricier single tickets in the country given the distance and scale involved.
- What is Aswan famous for?
- The Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser, the relocated ancient temples at Abu Simbel and Philae, and its Nubian culture and history.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
