About Aswan
Aswan is a city in Upper Egypt and the capital of the Aswan Governorate. The city of Aswan is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities, with its recorded history spanning over 2,600 years.
Places to visit in Aswan
-
Philae
Religious · 5 mi from centreA temple complex dedicated to Isis, moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island. Reach it by a short motorboat ride, and return in the evening for the sound and light show.
-
Aswan High Dam
Landmark · 8 mi from centreThe vast dam that created Lake Nasser and controls the Nile's flooding. The visit is brief, so most travelers combine it with Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk on one tour.
-
Unfinished Obelisk
HistoricA massive obelisk left in the granite quarry after it cracked during carving. It shows how ancient builders worked stone, and the site is small enough for a quick stop.
-
Elephantine
HistoricAn island in the Nile with ruins of the ancient town, a Nilometer and colorful Nubian villages. Ride a felucca or the public ferry across, and explore the Aswan Museum on the island.
-
Monastery of St. Simeon
ReligiousThe ruins of a large Coptic monastery on the west bank of the Nile. Ride a camel or walk up from the riverbank, and bring water since there is little shade.
-
Nubian Museum
MuseumA well-organized museum on Nubian history and culture, including statues and objects rescued from sites flooded by Lake Nasser. Allow about two hours, and stroll the landscaped garden outside with its reconstructed Nubian house.
-
Aswan Botanical Garden
ParkA garden on Kitchener's Island filled with tropical trees and plants from around the world. Arrange a felucca ride to reach it, and visit in the late afternoon for cooler temperatures.
Things to do in Aswan by type
15 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
-
Art & culture 5 experiences Kalabsha Temple visit - Half-Day Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 3 experiences 4 Days / 3 Nights: 5 Star Nile Cruise to Luxor - From Aswan -
City tours 3 experiences Full Day Aswan Private Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 2 experiences Private Half Day Tour Philae Temple
- Flexible 1
- Over 6 hours 1
- 3-6 hours 1
- Youth 2
- Families 2
- Couples 2
- Senior 1
- Private 9
- Small group 1
Top experiences in Aswan
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 15 available.
Private Full Day Abu Simple by Bus
From $124 per adult
Full Day Aswan Private Tour
From $93 per adult
Private Nubian Village Tour by Motor Boat
From $28 per adult
Botanical Garden by Boat
From $28 per adult
Private Sunset Felluca Tour
From $21 per adult
Private Full Day Luxor
From $144 per adult
Sound & Light at Phiala
From $46 per adult
Private Half Day Tour Philae Temple
From $42 per adult
Private Local Market Tour by Horse Carriage
From $17 per adult
Private St. Semon Church in the Mountain
From $46 per adult
Kalabsha Temple visit - Half-Day Tour
From $64 per adult
Full day visit Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples
From $119 per adult
Where to stay in Aswan
Popular hotels in Aswan, out of 37 properties you can book.
Pyramisa Island Hotel Aswan
From $170 per night
Old Cataract Aswan
From $7,559 per night
Blue Lotus Nile Suites
From $92 per night
Obelisk Nile Hotel Aswan
From $156 per night
The Zen Wellness Resort
From $243 per night
Cleopatra Aswan
From $51 per night
Artika Wadi Kiki
From $164 per night
Kato Dool Wellness Resort
From $210 per night
Ekadolli Nubian House - By Kerma Hospitality
From $43 per night
Ekadolli Nubian House - By Kerma Hospitality
From $62 per night
Basma Aswan
Benben By Dhara Hotels ( Adults Only)
Best time to visit Aswan
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Aswan is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 76°F and rain falls on about 0 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Aswan weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 88° 67° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 89° 65° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 93° 68° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 95° 72° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 96° 72° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 96° 71° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Egyptian pound (EGP)1 US dollar ≈ £53.9
- Language
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +20
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Africa/CairoUTC+3
- Capital
- Cairo
Upcoming public holidays in Egypt
- Christmas Day (Orthodox)عيد الميلاد المجيد
- Revolution Day 2011 / National Police Dayعيد الثورة 25 يناير
- Sinai Liberation Dayعيد تحرير سيناء
- Labour Dayعيد العمال
- Easter MondaySham El-Nessim
- Islamic New Year
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Aswan
These are the airports closest to central Aswan. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ASW Aswan International Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
Getting around Aswan
For the sights on the river islands or on the West Bank, you must cross the river by motor boat or felluca. Be sure to pay attention to the price as operators try to overcharge tourists. The public ferry to Elephantine Island is LE5 for foreigners (LE1 for Egyptians, Nov 2018). The ferry to the West Bank is also LE5 for foreigners and LE1 for locals. Felluca trips will cost LE50-80 depending on your haggling (Nov 2018).
Aswan travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Aswan?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Aswan is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 76°F and rain falls on about 0 days a month.
What is the weather like in Aswan?
July is usually the warmest month in Aswan, with average highs of 108°F (42°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 53°F (12°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 6 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Aswan?
Aswan International Airport (ASW) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (16 km) from the centre of Aswan.
What currency is used in Aswan?
Aswan uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ £53.9.
What time zone is Aswan in?
Aswan uses the Africa/Cairo time zone (currently UTC+3). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Aswan?
For the sights on the river islands or on the West Bank, you must cross the river by motor boat or felluca. Be sure to pay attention to the price as operators try to overcharge tourists. The public ferry to Elephantine Island is LE5 for foreigners (LE1 for Egyptians, Nov 2018).
What are the best places to visit in Aswan?
Top sights in Aswan include Philae, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Elephantine. A temple complex dedicated to Isis, moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island. Reach it by a short motorboat ride, and return in the evening for the sound and light show.
What are the top things to do in Aswan?
Popular experiences you can book in Aswan include Private Full Day Abu Simple by Bus, Full Day Aswan Private Tour and Private Nubian Village Tour by Motor Boat. Destina Holidays offers 15 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Aswan?
The most popular types of experiences in Aswan are art & culture (5), cruise & water tours (3), city tours (3) and day trips & excursions (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Aswan?
Popular areas for hotels in Aswan include Aswan. Well-reviewed options include Pyramisa Island Hotel Aswan and Old Cataract Aswan.
How many hotels can I book in Aswan?
Destina Holidays currently lists 37 properties in and around Aswan, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
