Egypt travel guide

What to see in Aswan

The most beautiful stretch of the Nile, among granite rocks, colourful Nubian villages and feluccas: the starting point for Abu Simbel.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

6 must-see places
Best time: April and from October to January

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0

Aswan highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

Philae Temple
Dedicated to Isis and moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island to save it from the waters.
Aswan High Dam
The great dam that created Lake Nasser and ended the Nile’s annual floods.
Unfinished Obelisk
In the granite quarry: the largest obelisk ever attempted, abandoned because of a crack.
Elephantine Island
Ancient ruins, a nilometer for measuring the floods and Nubian villages in the middle of the river.
Nubian village
Brightly painted houses on the west bank, reached by boat.
Kitchener’s Island
A botanical garden of tropical plants on an island in the Nile, perfect for a felucca trip.

Day trips from Aswan

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

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When to travel to Aswan

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Aswan are April and from October to January. If you can, avoid from May to September (extreme heat).

Jan no warnings
Feb with warnings
Mar with warnings
Apr no warnings
May with strong warnings
Jun with strong warnings
Jul with strong warnings
Aug with strong warnings
Sep with strong warnings
Oct no warnings
Nov no warnings
Dec no warnings

February, March
Ramadan (approximate dates)

During the day many restaurants close or open less and museum and shop hours change. The evenings, with iftar, are very special.

What to do: Out of respect, don’t eat or drink in the street during the day; book dinner for after sunset.
from May to September
Extreme heat

From May to September temperatures top 40 °C; there’s no shade in the Valley of the Kings.

What to do: Visits at 6 in the morning, a rest from noon to 5 pm and a Nile cruise with air conditioning.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a koshari joint. The dishes you can’t miss are in the Egypt guide.

Frequently asked questions about Aswan

What to see in Aswan?

Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Elephantine Island, Nubian village and Kitchener’s Island.

What to see in Aswan in one day?

Don’t miss Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Elephantine Island, Nubian village and Kitchener’s Island. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Aswan?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Aswan are April and from October to January. If you can, avoid from May to September (extreme heat).

What day trips can you take from Aswan?

Abu Simbel from Aswan, Felucca ride, Philae Temple and Nubian village.

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.