etraveladmin Aswan is a tiny, tranquil town with a wide range of incredible things to do that is situated along the banks of the great river Nile. Aswan is a fantastic location for you to explore Nubian ruins and learn more about the Nubian people of Southern Egypt due to its proximity to one of the greatest temples in Egypt, Abu Simbel.
You can discover all the information you require to plan a trip to Aswan inside of this guide. Here is a comprehensive travel guide to Aswan, Egypt, including the top things to do and must-see tourist attractions, as well as information on where to stay and how to get around.
Go to Abu Simbel
One of the highlights of your vacation to Egypt will be visiting Abu Simbel, right next to the Pyramids of Giza. This historic temple in Nubia is undoubtedly unique.
At the boundary of Egypt and Sudan, 230 miles from Aswan, are the two enormous rock-cut temples known as Abu Simbel. Bus travel there can take up to three hours one way, but trust me, it will all be worth it once you see the enormous sculptures of seated pharaohs in front of the Great Temple of Ramesses II.
Four enormous seated pharaoh sculptures line the facade of the magnificent temple of Ramses II, and as soon as you enter the temple, numerous additional standing sculptures welcome you.
You will encounter a man at the temple’s entrance who will forbid you from taking photos unless you pay him (typical scammers). He won’t disturb you any longer if you ignore him and simply enter the area to take shots while being somewhat sneaky if necessary.
Felucca rides on the Nile River are available.
I highly recommend you take a Felucca ride on the Nile River at sunset, which is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Aswan, after your travel from Abu Simbel on your first day.
The felucca trip typically lasts an hour or more and circles all of the Nile’s islands before returning you to Aswan’s East Bank. The fact that they are using wind power to travel along the Nile and have been honing their technique for many generations makes it interesting, and you can observe it in action.
The issue with booking a felucca ride in Aswan is that, like I did (they were really forceful about it), you will probably get conned out of your money from beginning to end. This may truly ruin your time in Aswan, so I suggest booking a tour instead.
You may arrange the pick-up time however you like with this Felucca Ride Tour, which will allow you to enjoy riding the Felucca on the Nile River in a more convenient and hassle-free manner without having to deal with touts and con artists at the pier.
Go to the Philae Temple
The Philae Temple, one of Aswan’s best-preserved Ptolemaic-era temples, will give you a glimpse of how stunning the temples were more than 2,000 years ago.
The Aswan Low Dam caused the temple to spend most of the year submerged until it was moved up onto its current location, which lies on what appears to be an island in the Nile River. The temple was originally located further down the river.
You can ascend a pylon at the temple for a breathtaking view of the structure and its surroundings. You should visit it before you leave Aswan because it is one of the best things to do there.
Explore the Nubian Village
On the Elephantine Island in the Nile, there is a little town called Nubian Village.
A small, vibrant village called Nubian Village was created for tourists with the aim of maintaining Nubian culture. There are several stores and cafes where you can relax and have a cup of tea on the street. Although the most of the goods are pricey, this is still a fun spot to visit in Aswan.
The Nubian Museum Has More History Information
the Nubian Museum in Aswan city if you are fascinated by the Nubians and their way of life and fascinating history that dates back to more than 7,000 BC.
A collection of approximately 3,000 rare Egyptian artefacts, dating from prehistoric times through the Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic eras, can be found inside the museum. These rare objects include the statue of Ramses II and the black granite skull of Tahraqa.
View the Unfinished Obelisk.
The Unfinished Obelisk, which is located in Asam and is, as its name suggests, an unfinished obelisk, would have been the largest standing obelisk in the world if it had been finished.
The structure, which was carved out of bedrock, is around 42 metres long. If finished, the obelisk would be 1/3 larger than any existing obelisk and weigh more than 1,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to almost 200 African elephants.
At the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel, unwind.
The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel is the ideal location if you’re searching for a peaceful setting to unwind by the Nile River and sip some tea. Famous historical figures like Winston Churchill and Tsar Nicholas II have stayed there in the past.
For a peaceful setting to unwind and escape the desert heat, stop by the Old Cataract Hotel for a cup of tea. The restaurant there is like a tiny oasis in the huge desert you are in.
Views from Qubbet El-Hawa Mosque should be seen.
Last but not least, I strongly advise hiking up to the top of a sand dune where Qubbet el-Hawa old mosque is located and spending the evening there if you’re searching for a good sunset site in Aswan for your second day.
All that’s left to do is cross over and proceed south toward Qubbet el-Hawa Mosque and climb the nearby sand dune. Avoid entering the Tombs of the Nobles to avoid paying the entrance fee. You should have no trouble reaching the summit if you simply go around it from the path west of the tomb.
