Aswan, a city on the Nile River, has been southern Egypt’s strategic and commercial gateway since antiquity. For many tourists, Aswan is either a starting or ending destination of a cruise trip. Aswan is the home of the famous Abu Simbel temple, surrounded by nubia villages and feluccas that sail the Nile River. Aswan looks and feels very much different from many other places in Egypt.
We’ve taken a Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan and finished our cruise trip with a visit to Aswan’s most popular tourist attractions. I must say that the views over the river Nile in Aswan are spectacular! Definitely very different and much nicer views here compared to Cairo. No wonder that in the eyes of many, Aswan is the most beautiful of Egypt’s riverine cities.
What to do and see in Aswan?
Philae Temple
The Temples of Philae were venerated from the Pharaonic era through the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods with each ruler making their own additions to the stones here. The only way to get to this island of temples is by a small motorboat, it is an experience on its own seeing the temple from the boat.
Did you know that the island where Philae Temple is on is not the original Philae Island? Saved from a watery grave by UNESCO’s rescue project during the building of the Aswan High Dam, the temples were transferred block by block from their original place on Philae Island to Agilika Island.
The unfinished obelisk
It may seem like a pile of rock in the middle of the city, but it is actually an unfinished obelisk, and one of the biggest one. You may see other obelisks in Karnak Temple in Luxor, and when this obelisk cracked during excavation, the project was abandoned. However, this unfinished obelisk gives a lot of insight into how the ancient Egyptians cut stones and how much work it is to transport them to their final destination.
Nubian Village
The Nubian village is one of Aswan’s attractions. Although it is a very primitive and colorful place painted in the rainbow. You can have a glimpse of what traditional houses and food Nubian local people had here. Nubians moved from Sudan over 8000 years ago, and visiting a Nubian Village now can be a great half-day trip from Aswan. To get here you need to arrange a motorboat to cruise up the Nile through shallow waters passing some stunning scenery.
Take a felucca cruise
Taking a traditional felucca out onto the Nile is one of the pleasures on offer in Aswan. These white-sailed low-draughted crafts ply their way effortlessly through the water, and it is possible to view many of the town’s attractions from them.
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel
The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel, also known as the Old Cataract Hotel, is a historic British colonial-era 5-star luxury resort hotel located on the banks of the River Nile in Aswan. Especially famous for its beautiful gardens and terraces overlooking the river Nile. It was built in 1899 and the impressive guest list includes Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Jimmy Carter, and Princess Diana, just to name a few. It is a great place to stay if you are in Aswan. otherwise, a great place to go out for food and drinks as well.
Qubbet el-Hawa
Qubbet el-Hawa is a site on the western bank of the Nile, opposite Aswan. The name is derived from the dome of the tomb of an Islamic sheik. The Tombs of the Nobles date mainly from the Old Kingdom and provide an insight into the burial traditions of Upper Egyptian Nome 1 during the later Old Kingdom. You can get here by public ferry and the view of Aswan here is amazing!
Aswan High Dam
The Aswan High Dam was built to stem the annual floods that plagued the country and provide hydroelectricity to power growth in the industry. Completed in 1972, the dam has achieved both objectives, but the fertility of Egyptian farmland is falling without the yearly layer of fresh nutrients brought by the flood. A visit to the dam brings home the immense engineering feat achieved and allows you to gaze out over Lake Nasser, created by the blocking of the river, which is now over 500km (310 miles) in length, spanning the border with Sudan.
Feryal Garden
If you have a chill day, walk up to Feryal Garden for some greenery space and spectacular views over River Nile.
