Egypt · Region
Aswan
Aswan sits where the Nile narrows between granite hills and desert, its pace set by felucca sails rather than traffic. As Egypt's southernmost major city, it blends Nubian culture, ancient temples and the dramatic backdrop of the High Dam into a gateway for the deep south.
Top attractions
attraction Aswan Museum: Travel Guide (4.0★)
Aswan Museum sits at the southern tip of Elephantine Island in Aswan, across the Nile from the Corniche. 4.0★ (423 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Nubian Museum: Aswan Travel Guide (4.6★)
The Nubian Museum in Aswan sits on the hillside above the Corniche, near the Old Cataract Hotel. 4.6★ (4,276 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Temple of Horus: Aswan Travel Guide
The Temple of Horus in Aswan is a Google listing inside the Philae temple complex on Agilkia Island, the island of the Temple of Isis, which you reach by motorboat from Shellal marina near the Old Aswan Dam.
attraction Philae Temple: Aswan Travel Guide (4.8★)
Philae Temple in Aswan sits on Agilkia Island, south of the city near the Old Aswan Dam, and you reach it by motorboat from the Shellal marina. 4.8★ (15,046 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction The High Dam Of Aswan: Travel Guide (4.4★)
The High Dam Of Aswan sits about 13 km south of Aswan city in Egypt. 4.4★ (6,699 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Unfinished Obelisk: Aswan Travel Guide (4.3★)
The Unfinished Obelisk lies in Aswan's ancient Northern Quarries, a short taxi ride south of the city centre near the Fatimid Cemetery and the Nubian Museum. 4.3★ (5,788 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Aswan Botanical Garden: Travel Guide (4.4★)
Aswan Botanical Garden covers Kitchener's Island, which sits in the Nile just west of Elephantine Island in Aswan. 4.4★ (2,436 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Elephantine: Aswan Travel Guide (4.6★)
Elephantine is a small island in the Nile directly opposite Aswan's Corniche, reached by a short public ferry or a felucca. 4.6★ (180 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Old Cataract: Aswan Travel Guide (4.9★)
The Old Cataract in Aswan is the Victorian palace hotel on Abtal Al Tahrir street at the southern end of the Corniche, with a terrace looking straight across the Nile to Elephantine Island. 4.9★ (9,951 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Aswan
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Where to stay in Aswan
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Frequently asked questions about Aswan
How do I get to Aswan?
Most travellers fly into Aswan International Airport (ASW), roughly 16km southwest of the city, or take the overnight sleeper train that runs the length of the Nile Valley from Cairo via Luxor, terminating at Aswan's central railway station. Buses from the regional hub also connect Aswan to Luxor and other Upper Egypt towns for those travelling overland.
How many days should I spend in Aswan?
Allow ~2 to 3 days to cover the High Dam, Philae Temple and Nubian Village, with an extra day if adding a side trip to Abu Simbel.
What is Aswan known for?
Aswan sits where the Nile narrows between granite hills and desert, its pace set by felucca sails rather than traffic. As Egypt's southernmost major city, it blends Nubian culture, ancient temples and the dramatic backdrop of the High Dam into a gateway for the deep south.