Winter is just around the corner, so you started planning your winter trips? Let’s tell you the top 15+ things to do in Aswan. But why Aswan?
It is one of Egypt’s top winter destinations, with plenty to do for a fun escape. Filled to its brim with many fun activities, sightseeing sites, and shopping venues, the town offers its visitors a perfectly enjoyable vacation experience.
This blog will tell you about the top things to do in Aswan, giving you an overview of the entire city. We will tell you about the boundless activities you can do, the places you can visit, and how to make the best out of your enjoyable stay
Top Things to Do in Aswan
In Aswan, you can enjoy many things to do:
- Sightseeing, thanks to the many historical places and temples it has
- Shopping and souvenir-buying
- Many fun activities
The following sections will list each of these points in a bit of detail, mentioning the top landmarks to visit, shopping zones, and the day activities you can do.
Aswan Sightseeing
One of the most exciting things that should be at the top of your list to do in Aswan is visiting and sightseeing these places:
- Aswan High Dam
- Abu Simbel Temple
- Philae Temple
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Kalabsha Temple
- Nubian Eco Village
- Nubian Museum
- Monastery of Saint Simeon
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Elephantine Island
- Botanical Garden
- Edfu Temple
- Aga Khan Mausoleum
- Tombs of the Nobles
- Aswan Market
- Famous dams
- Kitchener Island
- Lake Nasser
Shopping in Aswan
When it comes to shopping, Aswan is filled to the brim with many shopping and souvenir shops:
- The Market
- Sharea El Souk
- Marina El Souk
These are the places where you can get souvenirs and gifts. You can also get the memorable products of the city, such as vintage jewelry, colorful homeware, Nubian products, fresh food spices, and handcrafted ornaments.
Aswan Other Fun Activities
Fun in Aswan is not only restricted to sightseeing and shopping; rather, there are other things to do that include:
- Explore the remaining traces of the Nubian civilization that coexisted with the Ancient Egyptians. Nubia is a fantastic location to purchase souvenirs, spices, and locally made crafts, in addition to the popular Souk
- Visit or take a day trip or cruise from Aswan to Luxor to enjoy its warm winter weather and its historical and cultural value
- Enjoy a hot air balloon ride in the skies of the city of beauty
- Go on a safari in the marvelous desert
Many things to do, but how will you be transported to and around the city?
How to Travel to Aswan?
How you will get there and how to move through the city itself, you might be wondering. First of all, as for traveling to Aswan, you have four main transportation routes:
- Flights
- Trains
- Cruises
- Cars
As for the flights, Aswan to Cairo takes about one hour and twenty minutes. You have two options: either book an expensive taxi or ask your lodging to send a car to pick you up from the airport. Getting there by air is significantly faster than by land.
Regarding trains, you need to be extremely patient. You can travel to Aswan by train from Cairo. The trip takes approximately 12 hours. However, sleeping cabins are available for an additional fee.
The cruises are the most fun. You can take a cruise from Cairo to Aswan, or you can travel to Luxor and take a cruise from there. But you need to know that this trip will be days long.
Finally, going by car might be easier if you are taking this trip from Luxor, as it will be a 4-hour drive. However, it will take you 14 hours or more to take off from Cairo.
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Moving Inside Aswan
When it comes to moving inside Aswan and getting around, you have many options, among which:
- Letting the hotel where you are staying arrange it for you
- Taking a boat
- Making a deal with one of the drivers there
- Taxis
The first option implies what most of the hotels do, which is offering transportation for their guests upon the guest’s request and for a fee. The hotel makes a deal with several cabs to use in these cases.
The second alternative is the same as the first, with the difference that you are the one who makes the deal with the drivers, not your hotel. Also, since most of the sights in Aswan are on the Nile, at times, you will not find any alternative for moving around except boats.
Finally, if you can’t arrange any of the previously mentioned options, no worries; you can simply rely on the taxis that are available all over the city.
By now, you know all about the city, all the top things to do, and the transportation options, and it is time to know the origin of the city.
About Aswan
We cannot talk about the top things to do in Aswan without giving you an overview of the city itself:
- It is located in the southern part of Egypt; its strategic location as a gateway to the South gave rise to its moniker
- The city’s old name is Swenett. The term “Soun” in ancient Egyptian is the root of the word “Aswan,” meaning “souk” or “market”
- It served as the primary source of granite for obelisks and other ancient sculptures
- The town is renowned for its serene atmosphere, important archaeological monuments, and stunning scenery of the Nile Valley
- Thanks to its year-round pleasant weather, it is an ideal winter getaway
- The city offers breathtaking vistas. From Lake Nasser, the river meanders softly through several islands encircled by verdant surroundings and black granite
- It hosts many historical locations like the Agha Khan Mausoleum, Philae, the Elephantine Island, the Aswan Museum, the Monastery of St. Simeon, the Botanical Island, the Temple of Abu Simbel, the Temple of Kom Ombo, the Nubian Museum, and the Aswan High Dam, Nubian Village, Gharb Seheyl
Final Thoughts
The magical city of Aswan bewitches all travelers and locals, captivating them with historical landmarks, boundless leisure activities, and unmatched hospitality.
With all these transportation routes, luxurious hotels, and sightseeing spots, be ready to experience Aswan’s enchanting vibes with convenience and beauty sprinkled on top.
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FAQs
How Far is Aswan from Hurghada?
Hurghada is around 6 hours and 56 minutes (546.2 km) away from Aswan.
How long is the flight from Cairo to Aswan?
The flight from Cairo to Aswan is a mere 80 minutes.
How far is Aswan from Cairo?
Aswan is 10 hours and 25 minutes (894.9 km) away from Cairo. You can get to Aswan by train, flight, cruise, or car.
What to Do in Aswan?
As mentioned in the previous sections of this article, you can go sightseeing, go shopping, and do other activities, such as a safari, and take a hot air balloon.
What to See in Aswan?
In Aswan, you have a lot of temples and museums to see, such as Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kalabsha Temple, Beit el-Wali, Temple of Dakka, Nubian Museum, and Animalia Museum.
What is Aswan known for?
Aswan is very well-known for many landmarks; however, the most well-known of them are the Aswan High Dam, Abu Simbel Temple, and the Philae Temple. These famous landmarks make it one of the top destinations on any traveler’s list.
Where to stay in Aswan?
Concerning your stay in Aswan, you have two options: either stay on the cruise you’re taking if you came to Aswan by a cruise from Cairo or Luxor. Or, you can simply stay in one of the high-end resorts and hotels in Aswan, including Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, Movenpick Resort Aswan, Sonesta Nouba Hotel Aswan, and Nubian Farm Hotel & Restaurant.
