Top things to do in Aswan

Things to Do in Aswan: a Quiet, Calm City full of Temples, Views and the Lovely Nile.

Luxor may be grand, but Aswan is calm. This southern Egyptian city is situated along the slow Nile River, somewhere between Cairo and the intriguing temples of Nubia, and it has its own pace. Palm trees sway in the breeze, feluccas lazily glide across the river, and the sunlight glistens on temples that have stood for thousands of years. If you’re interested in ancient history, wrapping your head around the depth of Egyptian culture, or simply relaxing and enjoying the river, you will find it in Aswan.

Below is a brief guide to the places to go and best things to do in Aswan— from visiting temples and islands to engaging with Nubian life.

Explore Philae Temple

One of the most sought-after places to visit in Aswan is Philae Temple. Located on Agilkia Island, it can only be accessed by boat. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, Philae Temple is an incredible example of Ptolemaic architecture and one of the last places in Egypt to practice the ancient Egyptian religion.

After the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1970s, Philae Temple was transferred to its present site, and now, it is still stunning in its detailing. The carvings, the columns, and especially the island make this temple a spectacular destination, particularly in the hazy morning or late afternoon light.

Take a Felucca Ride on the Nile

Few things are more relaxing than sailing down the Nile in a traditional wooden boat (felucca.) Let the breeze take you as you skim over the river. You can take a quick felucca ride around Elephantine Island or you can spend an hour or two gliding down the river at sunset.

Many felucca rides include tea and snacks, and many of the people who captain feluccas will share stories and even some insight into their life along the river. Regardless of the duration of your felucca ride, it is a lovely way to take in the beauty of Aswan without the structure of a timeline.

Discover Elephantine Island

Right near the city, Elephantine Island is home to a small Nubian village, ancient ruins and the Aswan Museum. You’ll walk around quiet streets, encounter local families and see remains of temples, nilometers and artifacts from when the island was an important trading post.

The pace is slower here and the views of the Nile are exceptional. Access is simple by either public ferry, or felucca.

Discover Nubian Culture

Aswan is the cultural heart of Nubia, a region with its own language, music and culture. Typically arranged by boat on the Nile, a visit to a Nubian village provides great insight into this formidable community.

You can expect colourful residences, welcoming people and traditional foods such as fatta (a type of rice) and tagine. Some homes will welcome you with henna painting, music or local meals. These visits are not staged, they are still warm, honest experiences rooted in everyday life.

Be impressed by the Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser

Built in the 1970s, the Aswan High Dam was one of the largest engineering projects of the 20th century. It created Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest manmade lakes, and helped mitigate the flooding of the Nile.

Visiting the dam gives you a small sense of Egypt’s relationship between its illustrious past, and the demands of the present. Nearby at the Viewpoint, visitors can gaze out over the desert and lake.

View the Unfinished Obelisk

Aswan was the location of a number of ancient granite quarries, one of which contains a giant Unfinished Obelisk still connected to the bedrock from which it was quarried. If the colossal structure were finished, it would have been the largest known ancient obelisk.

Walking around the massive stone illustrates ancient stoneworking methods, and the staggering ambitions of Egypt’s builders. It is also an easy stop if touring the east side of Aswan.

Take a Day Trip to Abu Simbel

You shouldn’t go to Aswan and not see Abu Simbel. Simply one of Egypt’s most incredible temple complexes, Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II, was carved directly into the sandstone cliffs, and its huge statues and inner chambers were also disassembled piece by piece to be relocated to safety at the same time they built Lake Nasser.

About 3 hours south of Aswan, the best way to see Abu Simbel is as a guided day trip. Most tours will leave early morning and return by early afternoon. The sheer size of the temple, along with the story of its rescue, make the trip well worth it.

Walk the Corniche and Enjoy Aswan by Night

The Nile Corniche is the perfect place to walk in the evenings. The palm tree lined promenade is a tranquil place to either sit and take in the views on the river or just pay a little too much for a drink in one of the quiet little cafés. At night, Aswan takes on a softer glow and street vendors sell everything from fresh juice to hand-made souvenirs.

There are also quite a few restaurants and a couple of rooftop bars serving traditional Egyptian and Nubian food, and many with live music entertainment.

Go to Saint Simeon Monastery

The Monastery of St. Simeon, a 7th-century Christian building that once housed monks in complete isolation, lies on the west bank of the Nile River, just above the desert cliffs. Today the monastery ruins are surrounded by sand and silence that creates a haunting beauty.

You can reach the monastery by camel or 4x4, and this journey is a lot of fun as the views are quite wide, and you will have fun anyway.

Shopping in Aswan Souk

Aswan souks are colorful and robust with spices, perfumes, scarves, jewelry, and Nubian handicrafts. The main souk runs parallel to the Corniche and it is a great place to buy unique souvenirs or just absorb the vibe of the local community while you do some shopping.

The pace here is significantly slower compared to larger cities, and your more likely to find shopkeepers, friendly instead of aggressive. It’s also a good place to practice a little bit of bargaining finding a good deal.

Concluding Thoughts

Aswan is not a city you rush through—it’s a place to slow down, explore deeply, and truly connect. Whether you’re drifting peacefully on the Nile, walking through ancient temples, or sharing a smile in a Nubian village, Aswan leaves an impression that lingers.

With expertly curated  Egypt Day Tours, scenic  Nile Cruises, immersive  Egypt Day Tours, and the chance to combine your journey with adventures across Luxor, Abu Simbel, or even beyond, Aswan is the perfect chapter in your Egypt travel story.

Ready to begin? Discover the best of southern Egypt with a customized Egypt Trips Package, and let the magic of the Nile guide your next unforgettable journey.