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Egypt

Aswan

Nile cataract town of granite islands, Nubian villages and island temples. Stay 2–3 nights. Below: 4 sights, 2 activities and 1 outdoor spot, plus how Aswan fits into a longer trip.

Plan Aswan with friendsBrowse 10 places
Aswan, Egypt
Places
10

4 See · 2 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Egypt: Pyramids & the Nile

Best season
Oct – Apr

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

44°C / 110°F avg high

Coolest month
January

24°C / 76°F avg high

Wettest month
January

about 0 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Aswan

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Aswan.

  • Philae Temple in AswanPhoto: Holger Uwe Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Philae Temple

    Temple of Isis rebuilt on Agilkia Island, reached by motorboat.

    Tip Stay for the evening sound and light show.

    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Morning
  • Unfinished Obelisk in AswanPhoto: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Unfinished Obelisk

    Abandoned 42 m obelisk still lying in its granite quarry.

    • $
    • 45 min
    • Morning
  • Nubian Museum in AswanPhoto: Marc Ryckaert · CC BY 3.0
    See

    Nubian Museum

    Museum of Nubian history and the temples saved from Lake Nasser.

    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Afternoon
  • Kom Ombo Temple in AswanPhoto: Olaf Tausch · CC BY 3.0
    See

    Kom Ombo Temple

    Riverside double temple to Sobek and Horus, with a small museum of mummified crocodiles.

    Tip Most Nile cruises stop here at dusk.

    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Late afternoon

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Aswan across Corniche and West Bank.

  • Felucca sail around Elephantine Island in AswanPhoto: Nagh Hesen · Google
    Do

    Felucca sail around Elephantine Island

    Traditional sailboat trip past granite boulders, Kitchener's Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum.

    Tip Agree the price and duration before boarding.

    • Corniche
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunset
  • Nubian Village of Gharb Soheil in AswanPhoto: Nubian Eco Village · Google
    Do

    Nubian Village of Gharb Soheil

    Painted Nubian houses on the West Bank reached by boat, with home cafés and crafts.

    • West Bank
    • $
    • 2.5 hr
    • Afternoon

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Aswan.

  • Aswan Botanical Garden in AswanPhoto: Ewa · Google
    Outdoors

    Aswan Botanical Garden

    Kitchener's Island garden of tropical trees and palms in the middle of the Nile.

    • $
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon

Eat

2 places to eat, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • El Dokka in AswanPhoto: Andrej Sepcic · Google
    Eat

    El Dokka

    Island restaurant serving Nubian dishes, reached by its own free boat.

    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner
  • El Masry Restaurant in AswanPhoto: Diana Parrao · Google
    Eat

    El Masry Restaurant

    Local grill house for kofta, kebab and pigeon.

    • $
    • 60 min
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Old Cataract Terrace in AswanPhoto: Old Cataract, Aswan · Google
    Drink

    Old Cataract Terrace

    Afternoon tea on the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract terrace, where Agatha Christie stayed.

    Tip Reserve and dress smart; there is a minimum spend.

    • $$$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunset

How to fit Aswan into a trip

Aswan is stop 3 of 3 on our Egypt: Pyramids & the Nile route. Follow it as-is or lift Aswan into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Aswan month by month

Average daily highs run from 24°C / 76°F in January to 44°C / 110°F in August. January is the wettest month, with about 0 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Aswan weather and the best time to visit →

Near Aswan

1 other destination from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.

Aswan questions, answered

How many days do you need in Aswan?

Our route notes suggest 2–3 nights in Aswan. On our Egypt: Pyramids & the Nile route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 10-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 15 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Aswan best known for?

Nile cataract town of granite islands, Nubian villages and island temples. Stay 2–3 nights. Standouts on our list: Philae Temple (Temple of Isis rebuilt on Agilkia Island, reached by motorboat); Unfinished Obelisk (Abandoned 42 m obelisk still lying in its granite quarry); Nubian Museum (Museum of Nubian history and the temples saved from Lake Nasser).

When is the best time to visit Aswan?

Our Egypt: Pyramids & the Nile route is best Oct – Apr. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (44°C / 110°F), the coolest in January (24°C / 76°F) and the most rain in January (about 0 mm).

What are the best things to do in Aswan?

Start with Philae Temple, Felucca sail around Elephantine Island, Aswan Botanical Garden, Nubian Village of Gharb Soheil and Unfinished Obelisk. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 2 activities, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Aswan?

Our picks: El Dokka; El Masry Restaurant.

Plan Aswan with your crew

Open the Egypt: Pyramids & the Nile route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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