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The Nile at Aswan

Visit Aswan, Egypt

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Aswan is easily the prettiest town in Egypt, and our recommendation for the perfect place to unwind at the end of your trip. Although not as rich in sights as Luxor, it does still have the picture-perfect Temple of Philae, and the monumental Aswan High Dam.

Aswan, Aswan
The sands of the Sahara tumble over blackened rocks into the Nile at Aswan. Fringed with palms, the desert horizon is broken by the Aga Khan’s mausoleum and the faint outline of the Monastery of San Simeon, stunningly located amidst the arid landscape.

The river itself is choked with the rounded boulders that gave Elephantine Island its name, and over which the inundation used to surge and roar before the dam was built.

The town is modern, but sleepy, and has a wonderful little Nubian Museum. Nubian influence is strong, and their food, arts and crafts are best sampled here.

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Suggested itineraries featuring Aswan

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Aswan, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Aswan

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Aswan

    Photos of Aswan

    • Philae temple, Aswan, Egypt
      Philae temple, Aswan, Egypt
    • Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
      Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
    • Aswan, Egypt
      Aswan, Egypt
    • Aswan, Egypt
      Aswan, Egypt
    • Aswan, Egypt
      Aswan, Egypt
    • Aswan
      Aswan
    • Felucca boat, Egypt
      Felucca boat, Egypt
    • Mosque reflections at sunset on the Nile
      Mosque reflections at sunset on the Nile

    Accommodation choices for Aswan

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Aswan. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    • Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, Aswan

      The Old Cataract

      First Class

      Located close to Aswan’s corniche, The Old Cataract is steeped in history and provides the most glorious sunsets over the River Nile. Agatha Christie stayed here, and the furniture and décor reflects this era beautifully.

    • Movenpick Aswan, Aswan

      Movenpick Aswan

      Medium

      Located on Elephantine Island, the Movenpick Aswan offers excellent views, beautiful gardens, and good sports facilities.

    Ideas for experiencing Aswan

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Aswan, and which use the best local guides.

    • Abu Simbel

      Abu Simbel tour, Egypt

      Aswan

      The great Sun Temple of Abu Simbel epitomises the monumentalism of the New Kingdom during its imperial heyday, when Ramses II waged colonial wars from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon to the Fourth Cataract.

    • Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt

      Philae Temple Sound & Light Show

      Aswan

      The highlight of this excursion is crossing the Nile in a boat and being greeted by sights of the floodlit Philae Temple silhouetted against the rocks and surrounding water.

    • Philae Temple

      Philae Temple Excursion

      Aswan

      Take a short boat ride before disembarking into a colonnaded courtyard, which will lead you into Philae Temple itself, flanked by wonderfully carved pylons.