A Complete Guide for Travelling to Aswan

Aswan city is one of the most beautiful Egyptian cities that is distinguished by the fragrance of history and embraces many tourist attractions that capture the hearts of visitors. Traveling to this city, therefore, will help you get a glimpse of Egyptian culture and know something interesting about people's live there.

Top Sights to Visit in Aswan

Abu Simbel Temples

Among all the world's magical wonders, a visit to Abu Simbel should be added to your list of the best things to do in Aswan. Abu Simbel is an area where you can see massive temples that were built during the reign of a great king Ramses II who wanted to prove to the world that with love and determination, anything is possible. The best time to visit Abu Simbel Temple is on October 22nd or February 22nd because you will be able to witness the Abu Simbel sun festival, which is held twice a year. Crowds gather before sunrise during the Sun Festival to see sunlight illuminate the innermost sculptures. The statues of the king and the sun god are kept in darkness inside the temple all year except on February 22 and October 22, when sunlight is shone on them to commemorate the king's coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel Temples

Temple of Philae

Have you ever heard of the temple of love? If you are still trying to decide on a perfect travel destination, the temple of love, Philae temple, comes highly recommended. This temple was dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love. It was actually built on Philae Island in the classical ancient Egyptian style. And now, the temple has been relocated to Agilkia Island after being destroyed by the Nile River flood, which put the temple in danger.

Temple of Philae

Kom Ombo Temple

The temple of Kom Ombo is evidence of the importance of the great Ancient Egyptian priests. Within the complex, there are two identical temples dedicated to Sobek "The Crocodile God" and Horus "The Falcon-Headed God." You may gain some unique and unforgettable experiences while being there, mummified crocodiles, amazing reliefs on temple walls, and clay coffins, all of which will remain in your mind as a beautiful memory. Until recently, the Nile River was infested with crocodiles, which naturally terrified ancient Egyptians. There was an ancient belief, however, that if they worshiped the animal, it would not attack them. There was also a small pool in which the reptiles were raised at the Kom Ombo Temple. And one of the highlights of your visit there is the Crocodile Museum, where many mummified crocodiles found in the area are exhibited along with intriguing explanations.

Kom Ombo Temple

Edfu Temple

Edfu Temple is an Egyptian temple built on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu, Upper Egypt. It was the falcon god Horus's burial ground and habitation. The temple, which was built between 237 and 57 B.C. under the Ptolemaic Kingdom, is one of the best-preserved Ptolemaic temples ever constructed in Egypt. Moreover, it is fascinating to note that the inscriptions on its walls contain crucial information about the Egyptian language, mythology, and religion throughout the Hellenistic period. When you see the temple, you will be surprised to see that it is in good condition, this is because the desert sand protected the place in an excellent manner. As the temple was devoted to God Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, you won't want to miss the most fascinating inscriptions and reliefs on its walls.

Edfu Temple

The High Dam

The fascinating Aswan High Dam was completed in 1970, during the reign of Egyptian President Gamal Abd el-Nasser, with financial assistance from UNESCO. Its significance far outweighed that of the previous Aswan Low Dam. The hydropower generated by the High Dam is 2.1 gigatonnes, which was roughly half of Egypt's needs in 1970. Soon after the completion of the Aswan High Dam, a large number of villages gained access to electricity for the first time, and the risk of flooding downstream in the Nile Valley was eliminated.

The High Dam

The Tabiya Mosque

Regarded as one of the largest and oldest mosques in the city, this amazing site has a distinct architectural style in Aswan. In fact, it is called "The Fortress" due to the fact that it was constructed at the top of a hill where the great Muhammed Ali Pasha built his fortress overlooking the Nile. The mosque can accommodate thousands of worshipers, besides, when you are enjoying your trip to Aswan, you can catch sight of the huge minarets of the mosque while being in any part of the city.

The Nile Museum

If you are a history buff and want to learn more about the Nile River's history, the Nile Museum is probably your best bet. Containing a three-story building, the Nile Museum narrates the entire history of the waterway. Pictures inside the museum that explain the river projects and how irrigation techniques have evolved over the past decades since the Ottoman Empire are all you need to learn about the Nile River's history. 

The Princess Ferial Park

This is a very attractive tourist attraction in the city of Aswan as well. Princess Ferial Park was established under the patronage of Queen Ferial, the daughter of King Farouk. It is renowned for its really unique design, and it is the unrivaled design of Princess Ferial Park that makes it an important tourist spot in Aswan.

The Unfinished Obelisk

When traveling back in time, you will come across another piece of art from the reign of Egypt's most successful queen, "Queen Hatshepsut." She was eager to construct something extraordinary and breathtaking, something out of the ordinary, a fanciful obelisk to complement the Lateran Obelisk that had been installed in Karnak Temple. However, everything changed when the obelisk cracked, and the queen decided to leave it soon after. The unfinished Obelisk has left some tool marks that teach us a lot about the construction methods used in Egypt during the ancient period.

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Best Places to Eat in Aswan

1902 Restaurant

The restaurant's name is charming and nostalgic: 1902, and it was originally the main hall where King Abbas Helmy ll entertained guests, including Queen Victoria, during the old Aswan Dam's opening in 1902. The signature restaurant of the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract hotel is a picture of elegance, serving fine French cuisine. The dining experience will remind you of a combination of magical decadence and classic Arabic warmth, with an alluring and highbrow atmosphere matched by exquisite food and wine.

Aswan Moon

Having a range of cuisines on its menu from basic Egyptian dishes to European foods such as moussaka and pizzas, you can take your pick here. Here is one cool thing about this restaurant, and that is you can lounge back and leisurely sip on fresh juice while staring across the sea due to its proximity to the Nile. Even though the service can be a little slow at popular times, a great view in the night breeze with the promise of good food to come will be pleasing enough for you to have your dinner here.

Chef Khalil

Chef Khalil is famous for the freshest seafood, which serves fish sourced from Lake Nasser and the Red Sea, and you can choose the fish from a chilled display as you wish. The fish is weighted and priced accordingly, so you can be sure you are paying for quality. The fish can be grilled, baked, or fried to your choice and served with salad and rice or French fries. Occasionally, lobster may be served when available.

Al Makka

Al Makka has been consistently recommended for its excellent food, impeccable hygiene, and welcoming staff. Its specialty is stuffed pigeon, which can be stuffed with rice of fereek, a type of green wheat native to Upper Egypt. Furthermore, the kebab and kofta are both delicious and are generally regarded as a far more popular choice for those unfamiliar with Egyptian cuisine. Don't forget to try the molokhia, a traditional soup served with rice that gets its name from its main ingredient, green Molohia leaves that are ground into a paste and boiled with the soup.

Orangerie

Orangerie, the signature restaurant of the Movenpick resort in Aswan, has a cool open-show kitchen concept where guests can watch the chefs in action. You can see the chef grill your kebabs and flip your steaks as you wait for the meal. Most notably, the view at the restaurant is formidable. Floor to ceiling glass windows on three sides allow you to view the garden, the pool, the Nile, and Aswan, not only that, you can also dine outside in the patio area where you can enjoy the evening breeze.

Salah El-Din

Serving great Mediterranean and vegetarian food, the Salah El Din is rather popular for its tagines and view of the river Nile. Nobody can reject dining on kofti and pizzas while watching the sunset and ships passing on the Nile River. The freshly pressed mango and strawberry juices, and the grilled fish, which is freshly caught and well-seasoned, are highly recommended. Salah El Din is a great place for drinkers as well, where you can enjoy good beers. Otherwise, Turkish coffee is also a lovely option.

El Dokka

What's the most impressive thing about the El Dokka is its unforgettable location. Situated almost in the middle of the Nile River on Elephantine Island, the restaurant has free ferry rides. And guests describe the atmosphere of El Dokka as one of its best points–friendly staff, majestic scenery and the general sense of historical richness. When it comes to the food, the eggplant salad, which is hearty and light, is definitely worth trying. Although no alcohol is served, feel free to try out their freshly pressed juices and coffee, which will equally make you feel refreshed.

Best Time to Travel Aswan

Generally speaking, the best time to travel to Aswan is in winter, from September to April. At this time of the year, the climate there becomes a bit tropical, with a warm atmosphere with a winter breeze.

You are also welcome to have a trip to Aswan during the summertime if you are a swimmer, but remember to protect your skin from the sun.

Nile River

Aswan, with its historical richness and travel attractions, will provide you with a completely refreshing sense while you are there. The natural beauty provided by the Nile River, as well as its rich cultural legacy, are the highlights of this city. You may wander along the Nile's vast banks and see the towering masts of boats sailing across the sky, or you can sit on Egypt's unique sailboat, a new angle to admire the ancient city's unique flair. When you walk into the temple, you can wonder at the ancient people's fine abilities and infinite wisdom. This tranquil and lovely town will always make you feel fully at ease. So, don't hesitate to head to Aswan and be astounded by its grandeur and beauty!