In this Egypt travel guide, I will share places to visit in Aswan like Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam, how to get to Aswan, what hotels in Aswan I love, and where to eat during your stay.

Aswan is a picturesque, slow-paced, historic city on the Nile River in Upper (southern) Egypt. It has a wealth of history and culture, and is a unique place to visit because many of its top attractions like island temples, Nubian culture and food, and the untouched Nile, are not to be found anywhere else in Egypt. For a couple days’ respite from the chaos of Cairo and a slower pace than the tourist hassle of Luxor, Aswan is a must for any adventurer to experience.

Getting to Aswan

Flying from Cairo to Aswan International Airport

I absolutely recommend flying to Aswan instead of taking the train, since train rides are notorious for being significantly longer than the 13-or-so-hours they are supposed to take. Once, after sitting on a train to Aswan for almost 16 hours, I decided that paying the $150 or so for a round trip flight is the way to go. 

Aswan's Airport (ASW) is close to the city center (a taxi ride should only be around $20-$30 and take 45 minutes), and there are several nonstop, direct flights from Cairo International Airport to Aswan International Airport every day. A flight from Cairo to Aswan is only 1 hour and 15 minutes, and you have several airlines to choose from, including EgyptAir, Air Cairo, and Nile Air. I usually opt for EgyptAir for domestic flights within Egypt, finding they offer the best service. Aswan Airport is very easy to navigate; it's small and compact, and has a couple of food offerings (nothing amazing, but gets the job done) for when you are flying back to Cairo.

Cairo to Aswan by Train

I do not recommend taking the train from Cairo to Aswan since it is a minimum of 13 hours, often up to 16-18 hours (there are usually delays), but for some travelers who are extremely budget-conscious, counting every penny, the train could save a small amount of money overall.

Flights are usually around $150 roundtrip, whereas a train ticket in a second-class train car (still quite comfortable) will cost around $90 roundtrip (for the non-sleeper train). Plus, a train will leave Cairo at Ramses Train Station, and arrive to Aswan Train Station, travelers are able to get to both train stations using public transit from the city center, saving the cost of taxis to the airport.

Tickets for the train can be booked on Abela's website (for the Cairo to Aswan Sleeper Train), or in-person at Ramses Train Station (for the normal, non-sleeper train - the most affordable train option).

Travel to Aswan by Bus

The best budget-friendly way to travel to Aswan is by bus, although I still do not recommend this (would you rather take a 14-hour overnight bus and arrive exhausted, or just a simple 1 hour 15 minute flight?).

For travelers wanting to try a bus from Cairo to Aswan, it costs around $20 USD one-way, and tickets can be booked in advance using Bookaway, for the company Al Eman Jet. However, I don't recommend using Al Eman Jet - reviews for them have not been good, and I much prefer using Go Bus when traveling between cities in Egypt by bus.

Go Bus, however, does not have a bus to Aswan, but travelers can buy a one-way ticket to Luxor from Cairo (around $11 one way and takes around 10 hours), and then take a train or microbus from Luxor down to Aswan (another 4 hours).

Travel Luxor to Aswan by Train

If you are staying in Luxor, taking the train to Aswan is a great way to experience the scenic countryside of Upper Egypt without needing to spend the better part of a day in transit. Train rides take around 4 hours, and the Aswan train station is very central, walkable to most of the downtown hotels. Tickets will still be much more expensive than a bus or microbus, though (starting at $25 USD one way).

Private Car to Aswan

One more option is taking a private vehicle, which can be booked from Cairo, Luxor, or any city, and take you all the way to Aswan. This is done through a travel agency, and costs vary, but often flying is much cheaper overall, unless you are in a larger group.

Where to Stay: Aswan Hotels

The best part of Aswan is the untarnished Nile River that flows right beside the city’s gorgeous downtown. There are many hotels that are located on or next to the river-wouldn’t you want to stay on a hotel on an island in the Nile?-here are my favorites:

Mövenpick Aswan

The Mövenpick Aswan Hotel is located on the northern end of Elephantine Island, an island in the Nile River that has been inhabited for over 5,000 years. This hotel is my top choice for luxury directly on the Nile River, and combines beautiful views of the river with a perfect infinity pool, smart, comfortable rooms, and great service. A free private ferry jets you back and forth between the mainland and your island paradise. Grab a cocktail or enjoy a meal at the top of the hotel’s tower in the Panoramic Restaurant.

Aswan Hotel Old Cataract

At the top end of the budget spectrum, a stay at the Aswan Old Cataract Hotel is a step back in time to the days of Agatha Christie (who stayed there) and a golden age of luxury travel to Egypt. This hotel sits directly on the Nile, but is on the city side of the river, making it more convenient for moving about Aswan. Even if you do not stay here, try Terrace restaurant for a shisha and tea and beautiful river views, or splurge and dine in the opulent 1902, the French-inspired fine dining experience with gorgeous Islamic-style decor and ambiance. Both restaurants require an advance reservation, have minimum charges, and often deny entry to those not staying at the hotel in order to have enough room for hotel guests.

Eco Nubia Aswan

Eco Nubia Hotel sits right across from Philae Temple, giving amazing views of the temple both by day, and also at night, when it is lit up for the sound and light show. This unique hotel has rooms that are made with local materials and in a local style, making them naturally cool in the hot weather, and giving the feel for what traditional architecture is like in the south of Egypt. The hotel's restaurant, Solaih, offer delicious Nubian food with gorgeous views of the Temple of Isis, and you can easily swim in the Nile River at the hotel's small, sandy beach. The only downside to this property is that you are isolated from the city of Aswan, having to cross to the mainland by boat, and then take a 20-minute taxi ride to the city center any time you want to visit downtown.

BenBen by Dhara Hotels

Another isolated property like Eco Nubia, BenBen by Dhara Hotels is a unique, 5-star hotel, and the perfect blend between the local culture and style of Aswan, but also the comforts of more luxury hotels like the Mövenpick or the Old Cataract.

Basma Aswan Hotel

My top budget-friendly choice, the Basma Aswan Hotel has a convenient, walkable location, close to all the action in downtown Aswan, and yet is much more affordable than the Old Cataract or the Mövenpick. Rooms are comfortable, service is decent, and you'll pay a fraction of the cost of the other luxury hotels in the city.

What to see in Aswan

Compared to Luxor, there are not as many Aswan attractions, but it still offers a lot to do and some especially unique sites. Here are my recommendations for things to see in Aswan.

Best things to do in Aswan:

Felucca Boat Ride

My favorite thing to do in Aswan is to ride a felucca boat (a traditional sailboat, although you can also opt for a motorboat in order to move more quickly and have more control over where you will visit) around the Nile River, looking at downtown Aswan and Elephantine Island from the water. You can also visit the Aswan botanic garden, on Kitchener's Island, to take a break from your boat ride.

Philae Temple (Temple of Isis)

Philae Temple is a floating masterpiece. After a short boat ride, you disembark on a small island that somehow has an ancient Egyptian temple crammed onto it--simply magical. What’s even more special is that the actual island this temple was originally built on is located further south, in an area that is now flooded because of the building of the High Dam, so the temple had to be taken apart and reconstructed on its current island, piece by piece. It’s best to visit this temple with a local guide, so you don't need to worry about communicating with (and bargaining with) the local boat captains.

Abu Simbel Temple

Although not in Aswan, Abu Simbel is a magnificent temple that should not be missed, if you have time. The biggest drawback and difficulty to visiting this temple is that it's a 3-4 hour drive outside of Aswan, which means it takes up an entire day of sightseeing just to drive there, see the temple, and drive back. There are daily nonstop flights, but in my experience, these don't really save time (with all the hassle of getting to the airport early, security, the flight, de-planing, etc.), and the planes can sometimes be delayed leaving Aswan, which means your time at the temple will be cut short.

Other great attractions in Aswan Egypt:

Nubian Museum

The pharaohs ruled Nubia (now northern Sudan/southern Egypt) during much of its history, and the influence can be seen on Nubian art found around Aswan, but Nubia influenced ancient Egypt in subtle ways as well, and Aswan's Nubian Museum does a great job of displaying the parallel histories of the two empires. Many of the artifacts here cannot be seen in any other museums in Egypt, so this is a must-see when in Aswan. The museum is much more modern than the museum in Cairo, with clear labels telling you what most of the objects are and an easy-to-follow layout.

Elephantine Island

A short boat ride across the Nile from downtown (locals do not pay a boat fare, but foreigners do), Elephantine Island gives travelers the opportunity to wander through an active archaeological site and gaze in wonder at the wealth of objects strewn about this open air museum. While on the island, be sure to look for the Nileometer (an ancient device used to measure the height of the river’s waters) and take in the beautiful views of the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel on the mainland. Elephantine Island also houses a very active village directly next to the ruins site, and locals there are super friendly.

Unfinished Obelisk

Ever wondered how obelisks were made in ancient Egypt? Aswan's granite quarry houses an unfinished obelisk that offers a key to that question, since this massive monument was only partially carved out of an enormous piece of granite, only to be abandoned part way because the rock was discovered to have a flaw. You can go up to the top of the piece of granite and stare down at the giant obelisk that is only partly formed, seeing the magnitude of what it took to form these enormous stone spires. 

El Kab Tombs and Monastery of St. Simeon

The opposite side of the Nile from downtown Aswan houses the El Kab Tombs (if you have already checked out tombs in Luxor, these can be skipped) and the Monastery of St. Simeon. Both are awesome sites to see, but be sure to take lots of water--the land on the other side of the river is quite barren.

Aswan High Dam

The Aswan High Dam is an engineering marvel that stopped the volatile yearly flooding of the Nile River, and created the reservoir of Lake Nasser. The dam itself is quite unremarkable, but for civil engineering aficionados it’s a must-see. The view is also nice, but nothing like the views that travelers get from the Nile sites closer to downtown or from the Nubian Village.

Kalabsha Temple

Seldom visited by tourists, Kalabsha Temple is a beautiful, ancient Egyptian temple, situated on Lake Nasser, within view of the Aswan High Dam. If you've already visited numerous temples in Luxor, Aswan, and also Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples, Kalabsha can be skipped, unless you want the magical experience of having a temple (almost) to yourself, away from the large tour groups.

Aswan Market (Souq)

Aswan's market (called "souq" in Arabic) is a long street in downtown that has all sorts of vendors, selling everything from spices, to books, to musical instruments. What I love about this market is that locals shop here just as often as tourists do, since the street has a good mixture of shops catering to tourists and locals alike. To find the souq, just walk a few streets in from the Nile River from downtown Aswan - you'll soon notice the long street filled with vendors on both sides, that stretches all the way from the city center to the train station.

Aswan Restaurants: Where to eat in Aswan!

Aswan is not as gastronomical a destination as Cairo or Alexandria, but it still has some great spots to get food.

1902 Restaurant in the Old Cataract Hotel

A French inspired fine-dining restaurant in the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel. Delicious food and pricy, but with an unparalleled level of service and ambiance. Dress sharply. Men may be requested to have a suit coat draped over their chair to further add to the fancy atmosphere (suit coats are provided by the restaurant). Reservations in advance are required, and the hotel will often deny outside visitors if there are many guests staying at the hotel, in order to ensure room for hotel guests. This restaurant has a minimum charge, which is good to ask about in advance.

Terrace Restaurant at the Old Cataract

Not as fancy as 1902, but better views (outdoors of the Nile River), Terrace Restaurant is a great spot for lunch or dinner, although those not staying at the Old Cataract may have difficulty getting in. Like 1902, there is a minimum charge at Terrace that varies, so guests should ask about this prior to dining here.

Makka Restaurant

Makka Restaurant in Aswan serves up tons of different meat dishes, with also plenty of vegetarian options and side dishes. Definitely a more local spot.

Panorama Restaurant at the Movenpick Hotel

The Movenpick's flagship restaurant, this spot gives panoramic views of the Nile River and the city, like its name suggests.

Solaih at Eco Nubia

The in-house restaurant at the Eco Nubia Hotel offers delicious Nubian food with the most amazing views of Philae Temple, right across the water.

Al Dokka Nubian Restaurant

Al Dokka Nubian Restaurant sits on an island in the Nile River, and offers great views, food, and service. There is a free ferry to take you back and forth from downtown Aswan.

Makani Restaurant Aswan

Makani sits directly on the Nile River, and offers good views, good food, and good service, and is easily walkable from most downtown hotels.

Bob Marley Restaurant

This fun rooftop is on top of a budget hotel on Elephantine Island, and the restaurant has cold beer and decent food, including, of all things, pizza!

Frequently asked questions about Aswan:

Is Aswan worth visiting?

For travelers with at least 6-7 days in Egypt, yes, Aswan is definitely worth visiting! Aswan has a unique history and culture, different from Cairo and Luxor, so once a traveler has taken in the main sites in those two major cities, going to Aswan is a great addition. Plus, it's easy to visit Aswan via a Nile Cruise, so cruising from Aswan to Luxor or Luxor to Aswan will include stops in Egypt's southernmost major city.

What is Aswan famous for?

Aswan has some very important sites of ancient Egypt, like Philae Temple, and it also has modern wonders like the Aswan High Dam. The city itself is home to hundreds of thousands of Egyptians, a major university, and is an important entry point for many coming to Egypt from the south from places like Sudan. Plus the Nubians are an important group in Egypt's ancient and modern history, and have a very unique culture that is interesting to learn about.

How do you spend a day in Aswan?

I recommend starting the morning by seeing Philae Temple, followed by the High Dam, and potentially the Unfinished Obelisk or Nubian Museum. Catch lunch at the Old Cataract Aswan Hotel, and then get in a felucca to see the city from the water. In the evening, enjoy a walk around the Aswan Souq, checking out all the vendors and locals out shopping.

Is there much to do in Aswan?

Yes, travelers can be entertained in Aswan with enough sightseeing to take up 3-4 days easily (if adding in a trip to Abu Simbel and more off-the-beaten places like Kalabsha Temple), however, my favorite part of Aswan is slowing down and simply enjoying time on the Nile River— whether it's a boat ride, on a beach, or spending a lazy afternoon at the pool or a riverside restaurant.

How far is Aswan from Cairo?

Aswan is a quick, 1 hour and 15 minute flight, or an excruciating 14-hour train or bus ride (that can often get up to 16-18 hours with delays). I highly recommend flying!

When you are ready for a slower-paced, relaxed, tranquil, and unique city, Aswan is waiting for you. I hope this Egypt guide helped with places to visit in Aswan, Aswan hotels, and where to eat in Aswan. What questions do you have about Aswan that I didn't answer? Do you have a spot in Aswan I need to add to this post? Let me know by leaving a comment!