Best Things To Do in Aswan

Aswan or Aswan is a small city with a particular charm that is directly related to the ancient Nubian culture. Here you will find many destinations to explore that will show you the history, culture and customs of these Egyptian lands.

If you have already decided to go sightseeing in Aswan, you will need to know what to see and do in this city. For example, take a walk through the main streets to discover its hidden gems, visit the Animalia House Museum, get in touch with nature at the Lord Kitchener Island Botanical Garden, sail down the Nile and take a look at the unfinished Obelisk, among other things.

A Pharaonic Egyptian landmark in Aswan is the Unfinished Obelisk. It is a stone carving over 40 meters long dating back to the 18th Dynasty, 15th century BC, during the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut.

As you view this important find preserved in its original position (lying on the ground), you will notice that one of its sides is still attached to the rock, a sign that the structure was never removed. You will also be able to learn about the efforts made by the people of the time to create these monoliths.

This is a place of great historical importance, as it will allow you to learn about part of the legacy of Pharaonic Egypt in the city. In fact, a visit to this destination is often incorporated into some guided activities such as the tour of the Aswan Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.

Information of interest

• Price: access to the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan is approximately 3€ per person.
• Hours: daily from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

On your way through the city of Aswan you can not miss the Abu Simbel Temples, dedicated to the pharaoh Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. You will be amazed by the grandeur of this important archaeological find.

On this day trip to the Abu Simbel Temple from Aswan you will have the opportunity to access both the Pharaoh's Temple and the Queen's Temple, which are adjacent to each other. In both temples, you will see a series of statues of different sizes that refer to Ramses II and Nefertari.

You will also find hundreds of hieroglyphs describing the exploits and life of this pair of Egyptian characters. This is one of the best tours and excursions in Aswan that you can do on your own or join a guided activity.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee to the Abu Simbel temple complex in Aswan is about 5€ per person (Approx.).
• Hours: 5:00 am to 6:00 pm (every day).

Another of the things to see and do in Aswan is to sail down the Nile to visit the Nubian people. You can learn about the past and present of this ancient people settled in the Nile Valley and considered the first cradle of civilization.

Through this boat tour of the Nubian people from Aswan you will have the opportunity to travel the calm waters of the Nile, discovering on your way some islands where the Nubian people are located. You can stop at, for example, Elephantine Island or Sohail and explore the place at your own pace.

You will be amazed by the traditional Nubian-style houses, which stand out for their picturesque facades and geometric shapes. Also, as you walk through the streets you will see some domestic crocodiles. You won't be able to avoid taking lots of pictures. And, if you want to enhance the experience, you will have the opportunity to visit the home of a Nubian family.

If you want to enjoy a very original adventure during your stay in Aswan, you will have the opportunity to get on a horse-drawn carriage and tour the city. You'll have fun while seeing a different perspective of this Egyptian town, dotted with cultural and historical sights.

As the carriage rolls along, you'll have the opportunity to see the day-to-day life of the locals, as well as some iconic destinations such as:

• The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel, which has hosted the likes of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and British author Agatha Christie, among others.
• The Corniche Street, better known as the city's pedestrian promenade and boat mooring area.
• The El-Tabia Mosque, with its imposing balanque-colored structure.

This is a very popular activity in the city that you can incorporate into your itinerary along with a visit to the temples of Aswan, a 3-night cruise on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor, among others.

Useful information

• Price: the approximate value of this horse-drawn carriage tour in Aswan is 84€ per person.
• Duration: this horse-drawn carriage ride can take about two hours.

Aswan has many hidden gems in its streets, which you can easily discover by taking a walk through the so-called modern area of the Egyptian city. You will feel like a local as you delve into the fascinating culture of this town.

Throughout this free tour of Aswan you will see iconic sites, which combine great architectural and religious significance. For example, the El-Tabia Mosque, surrounded by picturesque gardens. Also, the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, with its pristine whiteness and its bell towers.

You can approach the Corniche pedestrian promenade, located on the banks of the Nile, and enjoy a privileged panoramic view that becomes even more attractive at sunset. Also, don't miss the picturesque Aswan Market, with its characteristic aromas and flavors, as well as craft and fashion stalls.

The Spice Market, or Souk of Aswan, is a less luxurious place but with a very lively atmosphere. Here you can have a different view of the city, interacting with the locals as if you were one of them and, incidentally, experience the famous culture of bargaining.

Once you are in the souk, you will be dazzled by the picturesque scene of this place. As you walk around you will see dozens of stalls and vendors offering their products with the most authentic smile.

You can buy shoes, local fashion, handicrafts, souvenirs and a variety of spices such as fennel, curry, thyme, among others. You will also find hibiscus flower, Arab coffee and fresh juices to taste. And don't forget that before buying a product you should negotiate the price with the seller. You will be surprised at the discounts you can get.

Interesting information

• Price: entrance to the Aswan Spice Market is free.
• Hours: daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Another place to visit in Aswan is the Animalia House Museum. There you will discover how the real life of the Nubian people was : culture, customs, handicraft work, gastronomy, among others. You will feel like you have traveled back in time.

This destination is located on Elephantine Island, about 7 minutes drive from the center of Aswan. Upon arrival you will meet Mohamed, the owner of the house. He will guide you through all the corridors and rooms, where you will be able to see photographs, old paintings, handicrafts, work tools and cooking utensils, among many others.

Mohamed will also tell you how life was in the homes, the roles that each of the family members played, the daily diet they had, etc. In this way, it will be easier for you to understand the culture and history of the Nubian people.

Information of interest

• Price: to visit the Animalia House Museum in Aswan you will have to pay around 2€ per person.
• Hours: daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature, then the Aswan Botanical Garden is a must-see destination for you. You will have the opportunity to see dozens of exotic plants and beautiful native birds.

Once you are in this important natural lung of Aswan, you can walk along the pedestrian walkway lined with lush vegetation with a variety of palm trees and a picturesque flora consisting of acacias, mimosas, etc.. Also, if you keep an eye on your surroundings you will spot some parakeets, egrets, kingfishers and a variety of migratory birds.

The garden is located on Lord Kitchener's Island. Therefore, you will have to sail by falucca along the Nile bank in the direction of the western area to access it. In fact, this is one of the places you usually spot while enjoying a Nile cruise from Aswan.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee to Lord Kitchener's Island Botanical Garden is about 3 Euros per person.
• Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (daily).

The Monastery of St. Simeon or Deir Anba Hadra is a sample of the roots of Christianity in the Egyptian lands. During your stay in Aswan, join an excursion to this important destination, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You will have to travel about 40 minutes by car from downtown Aswan towards the western bank of the Nile, very close to the Mausoleum of Aga Khan. Upon arrival, you will find the ruins of the imposing Coptic monastery, built to honor the 4th century bishop St. Simeon.

You will have the opportunity to explore the different areas of this monastery, while discovering its history dating from the 7th century, through destruction and reconstruction in the 10th century to the present day. You will see the huge terraces of the basilica, a series of frescoes of the apostles and wall decorations, as well as a stretch of at least 9 meters of the wall and the monks' quarters, among other things.

Information of interest

• Price: the average cost of this type of excursion is about 70€ per person.
• Duration: the approximate time to carry out this activity is 4 hours (Approx.).

The Nubia Museum is a destination of great cultural importance in Aswan. This compound preserves the history of the very ancient Nubian people, from prehistoric times to the present day, housing an important collection of more than 3000 pieces.

During the tour of the museum you will have the opportunity to contemplate archaeological finds such as:

• A series of statues: the pharaoh Taharqo, belonging to the XXV dynasty; the pharaoh Ramses ll, the third pharaoh of the XIX dynasty of Egypt; King Shabitko, a Nubian pharaoh of the XXV dynasty of Egypt, among others.
• Mummies of sacred rams, preserved in honor of the god with human body and ram's head, Amun.
• Horse ornaments, as these animals were very important for the Nubian culture (transportation, rituals, pets).

In this museum you will also have access to the library area, to expand your knowledge or solve any doubts. There is also a microfilm and photography room. And if you want to recharge your batteries, you can go to the cafeteria.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee to the Nubia Museum in Aswan is approximately €1 per person.
• Hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm (daily).