The Story of Aswan

Aswan offers a unique lens into Egypt’s rich heritage and culture. The city has a mild climate—perfecting for sailing the calming waters of the Nile as you visit a wealth of ancient temples and interact with the native Nubians.

Where is Aswan, Egypt located?

The ancient city is located in southern Egypt on the banks of the Nile, straddling the border between Egypt and Aswan and housing the country's first river waterfall.

What is Aswan’s story?

Aswan was once called Taseti and was later renamed Syene, which translates to "market. This is because the city was once a booming commercial central located on the border of Egypt and Nubia, aka modern day Sudan. Ivory, animals, gold, wood, incense and other materials passed through the city, giving it a reputation as a gateway to the rest of Africa. The ancient Egyptians and the Nubians had a bit of an antagonistic relationship but experienced extended periods of peace and cooperation.

During the English colonization of Egypt, the city sent foreign forces to quell revolts in Sudan. It was only after the consolidation of Egypt as a Republic in 1953 that the Nubian territory was split up between Egypt and Sudan.

Who are the Nubians in Aswan, Egypt?

Nubia may have been divided between the two countries, but the Nubians continued to inhabit the region until today making them one of the oldest civilizations in the world with their own language that is still passed on from generation to generation as a way of preserving their traditions.

Today, Aswan has a plethora of tourist attractions and offers a peaceful environment that attracts people from all around the world. The warm hospitality of the Nubians, the beauty of the Nile, colorful houses, handicrafts and welcoming spirit delights everyone who passes by.

What to do in Aswan?

Philae Temple is one of the main highlights of Aswan. This sacred temple is dedicated to Isis, the ancient Egyptian goddess of fertility and motherhood. The temple was one of the last built b before the country entered its Ptolemaic era. Through the wall inscriptions, visitors will be able to follow the story of the temple and the timeless love story of Isis and Osiris. It was located originally on Philae Island and was relocated to Agilkia Island in the 1960s as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam, otherwise the temple would be completely flooded.

Abu Simbel:  The Abu Simbel temples are not in Aswan. It takes approximately two to three hours from Aswan to the grand monument by car. This attraction is what brings most tourists to the city. Like Philae, Abu Simbel's temples were also relocated thanks to a million-dollar and mutinously precise operation supported by UNESCO. These rock-carved temples are Egypt’s second most visited tourist attraction after the Pyramids of Giza, and is considered a masterpiece of architecture during the Pharaonic period.

Nubian Village: This is a vibrant and spirited island that encompasses the lively spirit of Aswan and offers splendid tours of magnificent sites. Visitors can take the opportunity to snap photos in front of the variety of houses robed with bright colors and folkloric geometric shapes. Take the chance to do some shopping and purchase some original handmade handicrafts produced by the local Nubians. Alongside these delights, the village is known for its Nile crocodiles and there is even a small museum dedicated to them. Visitors even have the privilege of petting these fabled creatures.

Unfinished Obelisk: Situated in the old quarry of the city of Aswan, this unfinished obelisk was set to be the largest in Egypt. If completed it would have measured in at 42 meters high. Unfortunately, a crack interrupted the construction. It is believed that it was commissioned by the famous Queen Hatshepsut. Although it was never completed, the obelisk is a wonderful attraction as it helps us understand how the stone extraction process functioned at the time.  

Aswan High Dam: This dam is the second built in the city as a solution to the floods caused by the Nile and to supply the country's energy demands during periods of drought. The construction is impressive for its size measuring at 3.5 km in length—a feat for a dam made entirely of granite.  

Nubian Museum: This is an intriguing stop to learn first-hand about the rich history of the Nubians and ancient Egyptians. The exhibition is chronologically organized and spells out the culture and history of the Nubians through various artefacts and informative texts.

Felluca ride on the Nile River: Fellucas are single-masted boats made of wood that sail gently along the Nile and offers a new perspective of Aswan. Take the time to appreciate the serene waters and placid surroundings.

Botanical Garden: Another place to relax and enjoy unique wildlife and unspoiled nature. The Botanical Garden of Aswan is home to more than 400 species of vegetation from all around the the world. Although only measuring in at 750 meters in length, the garden is brimming with extradorinary views and vistas. It is located on Kitchener Island and can be reached by felucca.  

How to get to Aswan, Egypt?

From Cairo to Aswan: If your travel by plane it will take about one hour. However, if you opt for the train option, you are in for a long but relaxing 11 hours of travel.

From Luxor to Aswan: Most tourists who travel from Luxor to Aswan, usually board a cruise, which allows you to now worry about the route or the excursions as it covers the most famous attractions that cannot be missed along Upper Egypt’s stretch of the Nile. Cruises range anywhere from three to eight days. Another option that some people choose is to embark on the trip by car. Keep in mind the distance between Aswan and Luxor is about 250km. If you choose this option, you will need to stop and check in at hotels along the way. You can also take a train to travel between the two cities but the quality of the train in not on par with the quality of the trains that leave from Cairo.