Whether you’re stopping by as part of your Nile cruise, you’ve got some free time during your Abu Simbel visit or you’re just here to discover the city, Aswan is a beautiful place that is sure to surprise you.
When I saw in a recent travel thread online that someone had written “What is there to do in Aswan.. it looks like it’s just a few old remains.” I was irked – but instead of a mean rant I wrote out a few suggestions, that I now want to share here! It made me realize just how unique the city is and how much there is to explore in Aswan! I was fortunate to have spent 1 day in Aswan as part of our 4-day Nile Cruise and even spent an extra day after the tour to take in the city a bit more!
Aswan is popular city in Egypt to visit and is also known for being the home of Egyptian Pop Legend, Mohamed Mounir, here are a few other things not to miss when in town.
What to see in Aswan – 7 things not to miss!
By day or dusk, see the Philae Temple
If you haven’t been to any of the other Ancient Egyptian temples near Aswan or Luxor (Kom Ombo, Edfu..) then this is really a must. The Philae temple (or Temple of Isis) was re-located onto it’s present location, an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Dam. As you look at the vast temple, you appreciate the effort it must have taken to save the ruins from being overtaken by the waters of Lake Nasser. Rumour has it, the sound and light show that you can purchase tickets for to view at dusk takes you on quite the journey through the temple’s history.
Stroll around in the Aswan Botanical Gardens
In the middle of this desert landscape it’s pretty impressive to see such lush greenery as you do at the Botanical Gardens in Aswan. Take a short felucca ride over to Kitchener Island across the Nile bank from the main hub of Aswan. This little island is a paradise of trees and flowers from all over the world, that is the perfect spot to escape the heat. The gardens were first started by Lord Kitchener (hence the name of the island) but it’s been well cared for ever since.
Sleep, eat or experience the Nubian Village in Aswan
As you approach the village in your felucca and begin to hear the music and see the colors, you’ll notice that it’s unlike any place you’ve seen in Egypt so far. That’s because the Nubians are a unique ethnic group with a culture, history, traditions and language of their own. Walk around and take in the color all around you, from the building walls to the spices and Nubian dolls sold in the market.
Pay a visit to a traditional Nubian home either for a stay, a meal or a traditional Nubian dance performance. A beautiful place to experience it all is Anakato, relax on the terrace while you take in views of the Nile.
Enjoy the views at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract
Not only is the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract a gorgeous hotel, but it’s got a very interesting history. It’s housed royalty from all over the world, but is also where Agatha Christie wrote part of the famous Death on the Nile. While it’s a luxurious option in terms of accommodations, the old Palace grounds and restaurants are worth coming by for tea time or even dessert (or both – no judgement!).
Take a Felucca Ride on the Nile in Aswan
If you’re travelling to quite a few of the locations I’ve mention in this Aswan guide, it’s highly likely that you’ve already been on a felucca a few times by now! While Feluccas (traditional Egyptian boats) are not unique to Aswan, there is something special about them here unlike at any other vantage point along the Nile.
Travel to the Abu Simbel Temple
The Abu Simbel temples, similar to the Philae Temple, were transplanted to avoid the being buried by the water as a result of the Dam construction. As a result, they are actually located about a 3 hour drive outside of Aswan. We unfortunately didn’t make it out, but I’m hoping to get back to Aswan one day (as it’s one of my favorite cities in Egypt) but also to see this colossal temple. Apart from the Pyramids, this is one of the most famous Ancient Egyptian remnants.
Bargain at the Souk of Aswan
Similar to the Khan El Khalili market in Cairo, if you’re looking to take home some memories of your trip to Egypt, this is another great option. The prices here seemed better than in Cairo actually and some items were unique to Aswan. It has more variety than what you’ll see at the market on your way to the Philae temple or at the Nubian village.
What to avoid seeing when in Aswan
Like with anything, travel preferences are personal. If you are visiting Aswan as part of a tour, it’s unlikely that you’ll have much choice in avoiding some of these, but I’ll provide you my personal opinion as to why they were a miss for me!
Lake Nasser and the Aswan High Dam
If you’re limited on time in Aswan, and this is on your list of considerations, I’d skip it. This was a huge accomplishment for it’s time, took many years to build, and resulted in the creation of the largest man made lake in the world, Lake Nasser.
However, there wasn’t anything particularly remarkable about this dam – if you’ve seen a dam once, I think you get the jist of it… is that just me?
Perfumeries
If you’re here as part of any tour, they are likely to take you to one of the perfumeries. While it’s an interesting store to window shop in, the prices can be quite inflated. Oils are also available in the local markets in town, however their quality can be questionable. Unless visiting a perfume shop is high on your bucket list, this is really a cash grab you can consider doing without.
Edfu Temple
We saw both Kom Ombo and Edfu as part of our Nile Cruise voyaging. While it was a beautiful temple, the town itself was the most run down we had been to. Kom Ombo and Philae are much better overall experiences, without all the aggressive sellers!
Where to stay in Aswan for sightseeing
- Sofitel Legend Old Cataract: For a 5-star experience, stay in this historic and luxurious old Palace.
- Movenpick Resort Aswan: For a more affordable option, but still modern and luxurious feeling.
- Anakato: For a budget friendly, unique and traditional Nubian experience.
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I loved this post and I love Aswan! I do remember having a much better experience at the Edfu Temple than you seemed to have, but it’s different for everyone.
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I’m so glad Sarah! Yes, definitely subjective and depends on so many things!