Aswan overview

Aswan with its distinctly African atmosphere boasts a slow and relaxed way of life combined with unparalleled access to superb Nubian sites and splendid temples including Abu Simbel and the Temple of Philae. Combine a stay in this historic city with an unforgettable Nile or Lake Nasser cruise.

Located 130km south of Luxor on the East Bank of the majestic Nile, Aswan, more atmospherically African than Middle Eastern, was once the gateway to Nubia: an area of southern Egypt now mainly submerged under Lake Nasser.

Aswan boasts a slow and relaxed pace of life ideal for a leisurely holiday. Visitors can stroll along the Corniche and visit the colourful bazaar, itself heady with the scent of spices, or while-away the hours enjoying delicious freshly-caught fish in one of the fine restaurants boasting views of traditional feluccas sailing between the Nile’s many picturesque islands. You can even take afternoon tea on the Old Cataract Hotel’s terrace where Agatha Christie penned ‘Death on the Nile’.

Aswan hotels

Movenpick Resort Aswan

A five minute shuttle boat ride across the river takes you to the Movenpick Resort Aswan's splendid location on Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile

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Aswan sightseeing

Culture addicts and history lovers will want for nothing as there’s plenty to explore in and around Aswan including the Temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, and further afield, Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser.

One of Egypt’s most beautiful and notable museums is the Aswan Nubian Museum which retraces the history and importance of the Nubian civilisation, and the Aswan High Dam, built during the 1960’s to stem annual floods and provide hydro-electricity, boasts fantastic views over Lake Nasser. When the dam was built, the process threatened to flood many important Nubian monuments so, aided by UNESCO, many were dismantled and moved elsewhere.

The famous Temple of Philae, built over a period of several hundred years, was one such monument, and it was removed piece by piece from its original site to the small island of Agilika where today a fantastic sound and light show can be enjoyed. Around Aswan, the Nile is sprinkled with islands; including the two most famous, Kitchener’s Island, boasting the exotic Botancal Gardens, and Elephantine Island, the largest, is home to the Temple of Khnum with its ram mummies on view at the museum, plus a Nilometer which was used until the 19th century to measure the water level of the Nile.

The Unfinished Obelisk is located in the Northern Quarry and is a giant stone measuring 42m long: it would have been one of the world’s largest obelisks had it not been abandoned when a crack was found in the granite. Located on the western bank of Lake Nasser is the magnificent Abu Simbel, two huge rock temples which have been a tourist attraction since Victorian times. During the Aswan High Dam project, the temples were saved by UNESCO and are now one of Egypt’s most visited sites.

Cruising

Many Nile cruises begin or end in Aswan and, combined with a stay in this attractive city, visitors will enjoy a truly memorable experience. The sleek M/S Oberoi Zahra offers luxury, fine cuisine and personalised service, and an eight day cruise will take in places of interest such as Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and Edfu Temple. Also starting in Aswan, a five day cruise on Lake Nasser onboard M/S Omar El Khayam will provide the opportunity to see magnificent Nubian temples including Kalabsha Temple, Beit El Wali Temple and, of course, Abu Simbel. Click here to view our selection of nile cruises.

Aswan offers