Aswan

Zones and districts in Aswan

There are three fundamental areas for sightseeing in Aswan and where the main monuments and places of interest are located.

• Elephantine Island. Located on the Nile River, in front of the city of Aswan, it is not officially part of Aswan but because of its proximity it can be considered an area of the same. An island known worldwide for its ancient ruins that UNESCO has considered a World Heritage Site.
• Zone of the Unfinished Obelisk. It is one of the quarries north of Aswan where this particular unfinished monument that attracts so many tourists is located. Nearby is the Nubia Museum and the Aswan Museum.
• Historical center. It brings together mosques, medieval architecture and the best restaurants and souvenir stores in town.
• Abu Simbel. It is not actually in the city of Aswan, but is an archaeological site almost 300 km away, but is part of the series of open-air museums in the southern part of Egypt, of which Aswan is the main city. In addition, the visit to Aswan includes, as a must, the visit to the famous temples of Abu Simbel.

What to see in Aswan

• Unfinished Obelisk. Today it is more than 40 meters long and it is believed that, if it had been finished, it would measure close to 42 meters. It was built during the reign of Hachepsut and it is believed that it could not be finished due to the appearance of a crack in its interior. Many architects continue to study it because, being unfinished, one can see inside the ornament and access the construction secrets of the ancient Egyptians.
• Temple of Philae. Located on the Nile River, on the island of Agilkia, it is accessible only by boat and is usually included in the guided tours of cruises. It is one of the best preserved temples in the country, dedicated to Isis, wife of Osiris, goddess of motherhood and love.
• Abu Simbel Temples. A site known worldwide for the four gigantic figures of Pharaoh Ramses II, it houses two temples: the Great Temple dedicated to this pharaoh along with the Amun, Ra and Ptah and the Lesser Temple dedicated to Nefertari, one of the wives of Ramses II.
• Mausoleum of the Aga Khan. Built as a resting place for Sultan Mahommed Shah the Aga Khan III, it is located on the western bank. It can be seen at the top of the bank from a falucca ride, built in pink limestone.
• Temple of Kom Ombo. Located very close to Aswan. Dedicated to the gods Sobek (god of fertility, represented with human body and crocodile head) and Haroeris, also known as Horus, the old. It is famous for its division into two symmetrical sectors, where each area has the same structure: an entrance and a covered hypostyle hall supported by columns. Next to the temple, you can visit the Crocodile Museum and see mummified crocodiles.
• Nubian village. Located on Elephantine Island, you can tour the Nubian village by camel and meet the direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians up close. It is noted for its colorful houses and stores selling handicrafts and spices.
• Aswan High Dam. It is one of the most important hydraulic engineering constructions of the 20th century. Construction began in January 1960 and was completed in July 1970 to curb the annual floods and droughts in the country. Today it generates a large part of the energy consumed in Egypt. It is 3,600 meters long, 111 meters high and has a base of 980 meters wide. The dam gave rise to Lake Nasser, 500 kilometers long and 16 kilometers wide, the largest man-made lake in the world.

Where to stay in Aswan

The best area to stay in Aswan is Elephantine Island, where you will find the best hotel service in the city. With the Botanical Garden, the Nubian village and other attractions within easy reach. In addition, from there you can hire a sailing falucca or motor boat ride on the Nile River.

Another recommended place to spend the night in Aswan is the area near the Unfinished Obelisk, with high-class hotels very close to the Nile River and with great views. If you stay here, you will be very close to the ancient ruins.

Getting around Aswan

Aswan can be reached by cruise on the Nile River, by plane to Aswan International Airport, by overnight train from Cairo or by bus from Luxor.

To move within the city, the best option is to use cabs or a hired guide service with their respective private transportation. There is a bus service, but it is similar to Cairo: they are only indicated in Arabic and are often complicated to understand, as they never stop in the same places.

An option for tourists are the rickshaws, somewhat expensive but can be a fun experience to tour some areas of Aswan with tranquility and a pleasant walk.