Aswan, Egypt’s sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town located south of Luxor, has a distinctively African atmosphere. Its ancient Egyptian name was Syene. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish.

Aswan has many attractions you can see:

Botanical Gardens

Located on Kitchener’s Island. Boasts amazing plants and flower assortments including rare species.

High Dam

Lies seven kilometers south of the old Aswan Dam. Completed in 1971, it is a massive structure of stone, sand and clay with a concrete facing, 17 times the volume of the Pyramid of Cheops.

Nubian Museum

Located in front of the Basma Hotel houses over 2,000 Nubian antiquities depicting the Nubian culture. Open daily from 9am to 1pm and 5 to 10pm.

St. Simeon Monastery (Deir Anba Samaan)

Dates back to the sixth century. It exhibits paintings showing Christ and St. Simeon.

Temples of Philae

Were saved from drowning under the water of Lake Nasser by an impressive international effort and transported to the higher island of Agilka. They are relatively late structures, having been erected during Ptolemaic and Roman times, with the largest of these being the beautiful Temple of Isis.

Tomb of the Aga Khan

Is a magnificent mausoleum which was built according to the third agha’s wishes on the western bank overlooking the Nile. The elegantly simple sandstone structure houses his solid marble tomb. No entrance fee.

Tombs of the Nobles

Located on the west bank of the Nile across from the northern tip of Elephantine Island. The rock tombs of princes and nobles of the Old and Middle Kingdoms depict some interesting scenes of daily life.

Unfinished Obelisk

Lies south of the town in the midst of the ancient granite quarries. The obelisk would have been the largest ever, but was left unfinished when a crack developed in the stone. It is 14 m high and is estimated to weigh 120 tons.

Philae Sound and Light

Sound and Light Philae relates the history of the temple through centuries, using visual and sound effects. Shows are in English, French, Arabic, German, Spanish, Italian, Russain and Japanese.