The most famous of the rescued temples of Lake Nasser are those at Abu Simbel, although they are the least Nubian in influence.
They were built by Ramses the Great on the edge of his empire, to impress his might and power upon all those entering Egypt through this southern border.
The Temple of Ramses is the larger of the two, and the huge famous statues of Ramses that form the façade are one of the defining images of Egypt.
Visiting the temples at Abu Simbel
Most people visit on a day-trip, flying in and having a standard quick-fire tour of the two temples.
A far better way to appreciate them is to arrive by boat on a Lake Nasser cruise, which allows you to spend much longer at the site, and also, for those prepared to get up early enough, to view them at dawn.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to Abu Simbel by contacting one of our Egypt specialists
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Places near Abu Simbel
- Aswan 235 kilometers away
- Upper Egypt 276 kilometers away
- Luxor 389 kilometers away
Photos of Abu Simbel
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Abu Simbel
Our expert guides to exploring Abu Simbel
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Abu Simbel, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Abu Simbel at its best.
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