Abu Simbel and Aswan: The Complete Guide

Far in the south of Egypt, where the Nile becomes Nubia, are two of the country’s most unforgettable places. Aswan is a relaxed town of granite islands, white-sailed feluccas and colorful Nubian villages. About 280 km further south, on the shore of Lake Nasser, the temples of Abu Simbel guard the old frontier with four colossal statues of Ramesses II, a monument that was cut into blocks and lifted to safety in the 1960s. Here’s what to see, how to get to Abu Simbel and how many days to spend.

Planning a trip? Start with our complete Egypt travel guide and our Egypt itineraries.

Abu Simbel and Aswan at a glance

Abu Simbel: the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari

The Great Temple

Carved straight into the sandstone cliff, the Great Temple was built by Ramesses II for the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun and Ptah, and for himself as a god. Its facade has four seated statues of the king, each about 20 m (66 ft) tall. Inside, the halls are lined with giant statues of Ramesses as Osiris, and the walls show his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. At the very back, in the sanctuary, sit four statues: Ra-Horakhty, Amun, Ptah and Ramesses himself.

The Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari

Next to it, a smaller temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and to Ramesses’ beloved wife, Nefertari. On its facade, statues of the queen stand as tall as those of the king, a rare honor in ancient Egypt.

The temples that moved

In the 1960s, the building of the Aswan High Dam threatened to drown Abu Simbel under the rising waters of Lake Nasser. In one of the greatest rescue projects in history, led by UNESCO, the temples were cut into huge blocks, lifted about 65 m (213 ft) up the cliff and reassembled on higher ground, exactly as they had been, inside an artificial hill. The work was completed in 1968. Look carefully and you can still see some of the cut lines.

The sun festival

Twice a year, on February 22 and October 22, the rising sun shines through the temple’s entrance, deep into the sanctuary, and lights up the statues of Ra-Horakhty, Amun and Ramesses. Only Ptah, a god linked with the underworld, stays in the shadow. Thousands of people gather before dawn for the moment, and Abu Simbel celebrates with music and dancing. Book early if you want to be there. See the best time to visit Egypt for other 2027 dates.

How to get to Abu Simbel

• By road from Aswan: about 3.5 hours each way across the desert. Most day trips leave Aswan before dawn and are back by early afternoon. Go with a driver or a guided trip.
• By air: there are flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel’s small airport, which save the long drive.
• Stay the night: a few hotels in Abu Simbel village let you see the temples at sunrise or in the evening, without the crowds.
• By Lake Nasser cruise: some cruises sail between Aswan and Abu Simbel over several days.
• On a Nile cruise: many Aswan–Luxor cruises offer Abu Simbel as an extra excursion.

Things to do in Aswan

• Sail a felucca around the islands at sunset or sunrise, with birdlife along the banks.
• The Temple of Philae: the temple of the goddess Isis, reached by boat, and itself moved to Agilkia Island between 1977 and 1980 to save it from the dam waters. Philae holds the last known hieroglyphic inscription, carved in AD 394.
• A Nubian village: brightly painted houses, Nubian food and music on the West Bank; Gharb Soheil is the best known.
• Elephantine Island: the ruins of ancient Abu, Aswan’s oldest settlement, and the Nilometer that measured the river’s flood.
• The Unfinished Obelisk: a giant obelisk abandoned in the granite quarry when it cracked, showing how obelisks were carved.
• The Nubian Museum: the history and culture of Nubia, much of which was lost under Lake Nasser.
• The High Dam: the huge dam that created Lake Nasser, completed in 1970.
• The souk: spices, karkade (hibiscus) and Nubian baskets in Aswan’s market street.

How many days?

• 2 days in Aswan: Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam on day 1, with a sunset felucca; Elephantine, the Nubian Museum and a Nubian village on day 2.
• Add a day for Abu Simbel, by road or air.
• Combine with Luxor: a 3–4 night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu, or a 3–4 hour drive.

See our 7, 10 and 14-day itineraries and our guides to Luxor and Karnak.

Tips

• Aswan is hot. In summer, temperatures often pass 40 °C (104 °F), so visit from October to April if you can.
• Start Abu Simbel early and bring water, a hat and snacks for the drive.
• Check tickets and hours for Abu Simbel and Philae on the official site, egymonuments.gov.eg.
• Agree felucca prices first, or book with a trusted local.
• Try karkade, the hibiscus drink Aswan is famous for.

Local-guided experiences

Khaled Zaky, a local host in Aswan, and Hassan Tayea, from Luxor, run these trips:

Find a local guide: meet our local guides in Egypt.

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