Aswan
๐ Location: Upper Egypt, at the First Cataract of the Nile ย ยท ย ๐บ Period: Predynastic to Modern ย ยท ย ๐๏ธ Tickets: vary per site
Aswan was the southern frontier of pharaonic Egypt, the gateway to Nubia, and the source of nearly all the pink granite used in royal monuments from the pyramids onward. The city is among the most relaxing in Egypt โ the Nile is deep blue, narrow and dotted with granite islands, and Nubian villages line the west bank.
Aswan's archaeological wealth is unusually concentrated: within a 10-km radius are the Unfinished Obelisk still attached to its bedrock in an ancient quarry; Elephantine Island, the original town with temples of Khnum and Satet; the Qubbat al-Hawa cemetery of provincial governors carved into the west cliff; Philae Temple on its relocated island; the relocated Nubian temples of Kalabsha and Beit el-Wali by the High Dam; and the engineering marvel of the High Dam itself, which created Lake Nasser. The excellent Nubia Museum ties the whole picture together.
The city is also the launching point for Abu Simbel, Lake Nasser cruises, and felucca trips down to Kom Ombo and Edfu.
Highlights
- Unfinished Obelisk โ 42 m, still in its bedrock
- Elephantine Island โ Khnum and Satet temples, Nilometer
- Qubbat al-Hawa โ cliff-cut governor tombs
- Philae Temple
- Nubia Museum โ see our page
- High Dam and Lake Nasser
Visiting
- Opening hours: sites generally 7 am โ 4 pm
- Tickets: typically 100โ450 EGP each
- Best time: OctโApr; midwinter days are perfect (~25 ยฐC)
- Nearby: all the above + Nubian villages of Gharb Soheil