Aswan is considered one of the most beautiful tourist cities in Egypt, and tourism bears the name of tourism in Egypt.
The simplicity of Aswan is the abundance of tourist places that have gained wide fame, mainly located on the banks of the Nile, such as the Island of Plants and the Island of Elephantine, and other temples such as the Temple of Philae and the Temple of Kom Ombo.
Although the landmarks of ancient Egypt are entirely different from any historical monuments in the whole world, the city of Aswan is not the remains of buildings, palaces, or temples; instead, it is an entire civilization whose temples are still in full splendor and splendor.
If you are looking for a fantastic experience that you will ever have in Aswan, check out our Aswan Tours
Where is Aswan Egypt located?
The facade is one of the most important tourist facades located in southern Egypt, and it is famous in Aswan for medical tourism to get rid of many skin diseases.
History of Aswan City:
Due to the ancient Egyptians’ orientation toward the Nile, which flows from south to north, the southern city of Swenett was thought to be where Egypt ‘began’ geographically. Sweet later changed its name to Syene.
The Egyptians explicitly chose Aswan as the border for Egypt because it lies right above the first Nile cataract, a natural blockage in the river due to its shallow depths.
It’s pleasant sailing down to the Mediterranean Sea once you’ve passed the first cataract, where Aswan is.
Sweet served as a commercial trade hub and a military garrison to guard Egypt from the south. Ancient Nubia today stretches from southern Egypt into northern Sudan and is just south of Aswan.
During the New Kingdom, Nubia was incorporated into Egypt, and Aswan continues to place a high value on its Nubian heritage and culture.
Modern-day Aswan is an odd blend of a modern town (albeit not quite as developed as Cairo) and rural living. The Nile is undoubtedly at its most breathtaking in Aswan, Egypt, where it still appears to be as clean, blue, and wild as it did 3,000 years ago.
What is the name behind Aswan?
In ancient times, Aswan was called Swani or Swanet, which means market. Later, the Greeks called the area Serena; no other word describes this city so wholly. For thousands of years, Aswan had been a thriving border market as a border station connecting Egypt with Nubia and was thus the richest in Africa. Aswan was an important terminal for commercial and military shipping.
It was the capital of the First Name (province) and was the southern gateway, and therefore had great strategic and economic importance.
Its rulers protected the city from predatory tribes and foreign rulers who wanted its riches.
The surrounding land was rich in building materials. Aswan’s quarries were a rich source of fine granite and coarse quality.
The quartz used to polish the stone was extracted from the so-called alabaster quarry north of Aswan and the western desert. In the eastern desert,
there were iron mines where red ochre was extracted for painting.
And the largest sandstone quarry in Egypt was located in Silsilla, further north.
On the eastern shore of Aswan, we will find the granite quarries in the east of the desert, directly south of Aswan.
These are ancient granite quarries in shades of red, yellow, brown, and dark grey. The first Pharaoh who explored the prey was Den of the First Dynasty, who used the blocks for the floor of his cenotaph in Abydos.
Facts about Aswan city:
- The primary sector of the economy in Aswan is tourism, with thousands of Egyptian and foreign visitors coming each year to see the magnificent monuments from ancient Egypt, Nubian architecture, and the Nile.
- Aswan is one of the sunniest and driest towns in the world, which results in scorching temperatures. Still, the region’s climate is renowned for being a natural cure for rheumatism and several different lung illnesses.
- Famous Nile cruises in Egypt travel between Aswan and Luxor, located north. Most travelers visit Luxor and Aswan on the same vacation because you can embark on the boat from either of the two cities.
- The Low Dam, completed in 1902, and the High Dam, completed in 1970, are located in Aswan. The reservoir Lake Nasser was developed behind the High Dam due to the construction of these dams, which were constructed to control seasonal Nile floods.
Best time to visit Aswan:
In one of the sunniest and driest towns on the planet, Aswan, it’s common for years to go by without rain. Along with Luxor, it has the hottest summers in the nation (average temperature: 40+
Celsius/105+ Fahrenheit); thus, even though summer may be the least expensive time to travel, it’s not the most pleasant.
Aswan’s peak season is winter, when daytime highs are around 20 degrees Celsius/70 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows are slightly colder.
If you don’t mind getting a lot of suns, late fall and early spring are also ideal periods.
Places to visit in Aswan:
1- The temples of Abu Simbel
The temples of Abu Simbel are considered one of the most important tourist attractions in Aswan.
The temples are west of Lake Nasser, the largest artificial lake in the world, but that was not the original geographical location of the temples, as the great Nile River flooded that site after diverting
the course of the river during the construction of the High Dam.
UNESCO supported the world’s countries in the direction of these temples in the order of the present West.
King Ramses II built these temples in 1244 BC; the great temple of him is topped by four giant statues of the King, and its age represents the King’s sons, his wife, and his mother.
Tourism in the face of the King’s statue in the Holy of Holies Tourism on the King’s birthday and the day of his coronation on the throne.
The small temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, wife of King Ramses, and the worship of the gods, and its design is similar to that of the large temple.
The network of these temples is a picture of the greatness of the ancient Egyptians and their capabilities in design and ingenious engineering implementation, which remains a mystery that puzzles scientists until now.
2- Philae Temple of Aswan
The Sacred Temple of Isis (more commonly known as the Temple of Philae) is one of the most famous monuments in Upper Egypt, with its splendid reliefs and symmetrical architecture.
It was transferred from the island of Philae to the island of Aglaika, located south of Lake Nasser, through the rescue project adopted by UNESCO, which aims to save the antiquities from the high waters of the Nile after the construction of the High Dam.
The temple followed the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras, each of which left its stamp on the temple’s walls.
Reaching the temple is through a fantastic trip by Nile boat, in which dozens of pictures of the charming landscapes are taken.
3- The High Dam
The High Dam is one of the most important tourist attractions in Aswan, and this massive building is beside the grandeur and importance of its design. World in the twentieth century.
The importance of the high dam is due to its role in protecting the country from the massive floods of the Nile River that threaten the country every year and inundate hundreds of villages.
Flood water is the largest artificial lake known to man. To release water as much as possible through holes in the body of the dam, like an industrial waterfall that runs dozens of turbines to
generate electricity, from which it runs dozens of factories and lights hundreds of factories. Villages
Therefore, it was not surprising that the High Dam is one of the tourist places in Aswan that the tourist seeks to get acquainted with the most significant human achievement
that occurred during the twentieth century, and the scenery that surrounds it with great splendor and a visit to the dam with a visit to the Temple of Philae on the island of Agilika.
4- Unfinished obelisk
The missing obelisk is located in the southern part of the Egyptian quarries and is considered one of Aswan’s most important tourist attractions.
The unfinished obelisk was carved during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, as most of the obelisks were established in her era. Still, a crack appeared in the obelisk’s body, which led to the cessation
of its completion to remain a lasting effect on the ground.
Visitors can see many engravings of animals and birds carved on the walls of the obelisk and take many souvenir photos.
5- Nubian Museum
Tourism in Egypt is amazingly diverse. Perhaps the best evidence of this is the Nubian Museum, one of the most distinguished and popular tourist attractions in Aswan by world tourists.
This museum displays a unique and essential aspect of the ancient Nubian civilization, which is a sister to ancient Egyptian culture.
The Egyptian architect, Mahmoud Al-Hakim, excelled in its implementation. He conveyed with all honesty and ability the authentic Nubian spirit and the vocabulary of life in it in a way that
astonished the world, using the surrounding environmental rocks.
Prehistoric caves inspired him with their primitive inscriptions and models of the Nubian house, with its artistic touches, notes, and bright colors.
He was also keen on the presence of touches from the different civilizations it passed through, as the minaret expresses Islamic culture.
The many collectibles that shed light on the life of the ancient Nubians, such as pottery pots, small statues of burnt silt, many coins, and bronze utensils, and the ancient Nubian civilization, are
still of interest to researchers in many countries of the world.
6- Kom Ombo Temple
The Kom Ombo Temple was built on the banks of the Nile to worship the gods Horus the Great and Sobek.
For a group of statues that have a special sanctity for the ancient Egyptians, and next to the temple, there is a museum that includes many mummified crocodiles and coffins.
What distinguishes this landmark in addition to its historical position and represents one of the factors that attract tourism in Aswan as well as the way to reach this temple,
which is done by sailing on Nile cruises to get it with all the beauty of nature and the splendor of the scenes that the tourist passes through, which deserves registration through Memorial shots.
7- Nubian village
The Nubian village was able to be a tourist attraction in Aswan through its distinction by presenting a vivid and realistic image of Nubian life.
It deserves to be included among the tourist attractions in Egypt to achieve complete harmony with it and to provide a healthy, refreshing, and self-contained atmosphere away from the heat that is the character of the country.
These simple things will attract you powerfully, and you will be happy to have a wonderful time in the company of hospitable and cheerful people who are good at welcoming their guests and
trying the Nubian clothes, the famous Nubian food, and handicrafts and crafts. Cleanliness is a way of life for them.
8- Temple of Khnum
The Temple of Khnum occupies an interesting site because it is located about nine meters below ground level on Elephantine Island. Records indicate that it was built on top of an earlier temple.
Historians believe that the temple was built in the era of King Thutmose III. However, it isn’t easy to prove this because the temple surviving to this day is the one that depicts many of the Ptolemaic rulers, the last rulers of the Pharaonic era, and what scholars know is that the physical structure of the Khnum temple dates back to the Greco-Roman period in Egypt.
The Temple of Khnum is of great value because it is one of the few ancient temples in which the roof is still intact, and the various construction stages can be seen. Aswan is a favorite for tourists.
9- Kalabsha Temple
Kalabsha Temple is one of the most important Egyptian Nubian temples and one of Aswan’s most important tourist attractions. It was built in the early Roman era in the year 30 BC in the Ptolemaic period, with a distinctive design to worship the god Mandulis, the Nubian sun god.
It is considered one of the tourist attractions in Aswan that can be visited through Nile cruises.
Kalabsha Temple is located on an island in the middle of Lake Nasser, next to the High Dam, and about 16 km from Aswan.
The temple was threatened with drowning under the Nile waters due to the High Dam construction in Aswan. Still, the temple was moved to the banks of Lake Nasser as part of the UNESCO initiative to save the monuments of Nubia in the sixties of the last century.
10- The Temple of Edfu
The Temple of Edfu is the temple of the god Horus, one of the most impressive heroic constructions of the Ptolemaic period. It is the second largest temple in ancient Egypt, after Karnak.
The temple is unique among all the ancient Egyptian temples in that it is well built and is close to being in its complete form.
It is characterized by the nature of its many inscriptions, drawings, and scenes covering its walls. The texts on the walls of the temple are elongated and completely cover the walls of its rooms.
11- Mausoleum of Aga Khan
The Aga Khan Mausoleum is located 2.5 miles from the Aswan train station. It was built by Muhammad Shah, known as the Aga Khan III, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Shiite sect in India, and imam number 48 in 1885, and was one of the wealthiest men in the world.
The Aga Khan was suffering from rheumatism and bone pain, and his friend advised him to travel to Aswan in the hope of recovery; Due to the fame of medical tourism in Aswan for its healthy
atmosphere and healing sands, he traveled to Aswan in 1954 with his wife and followers and buried his feet in the sands of Aswan daily.
A week later, he fully recovered from his illness, and decided to visit Aswan every winter, then built him a villa and a cemetery to perpetuate the memory. He recovered in this place and was buried there after his death.
The mausoleum is built of pink granite and is similar to the Fatimid tombs in Cairo. It is located near the monastery of Saint Simeon on the west bank of Aswan. The mausoleum is built on a hill
that gives visitors a panoramic view of the area.
The Aga Khan’s wife continued to visit the mausoleum after her husband’s death and recommended that flowers be placed on the grave daily. When she died, she was buried with her husband.
The mausoleum has attracted many Ismaili pilgrims and visitors from all over the world and is a prominent landmark within the tourist attractions in Aswan.
12- Monastery of St. Simeon
The Monastery of Anba Simeon is one of the archaeological sites in Aswan that remain among the tourist attractions in Aswan that are of interest to Christian and Muslim visitors alike, mainly as
it is located on the path of pilgrims who come to seek relief from the hassles of the journey.
Excavations and documents indicate that this monastery was built in the sixth century AD and is characterized by its unique design and its ancient role in the region as a vivid image of
the brotherhood between the Christian and Islamic religions.
The monastery is located on a high hill close to the tomb of the Aga Khan, surrounded by desert extending on all sides, while the eastern side overlooks the great Nile River.
The monastery took its name from Anba Simeon, one of the sanctuary’s founders. At the same time, some call it “Anba Hadra Monastery,” named after one of the prominent monks of the monastery.
13- Seheil Island
Located in the south of Aswan Governorate, is among the places of tourism in Aswan. It is the title of beauty and antiquity when the beauty of charming nature meets the mystery of the past surrounded by curiosity and passion, which attracts Egypt lovers to discover more secrets that baffle the world so far and tempts them to take memorial photos.
One of the beautiful landmarks on Sohail Island is the Nubian village that dates back to ancient Egypt and is a source of granite used in constructing temples and obelisks.
One of the most important monuments in Aswan, located on the island, is the Famine Painting, which is a massive mural on which the hieroglyphic language is inscribed with the story of the country’s drought and famine due to the non-flood of the Nile, which was considered the wrath of the gods. King Djoser appears in the painting, making offerings to the god Khnum.
14- Kitchener’s Island
Undoubtedly, the Island of Plants is one of Aswan’s most beautiful recreational places. It is a nature reserve built on an area of 17 acres, divided into seven different plant areas, in each section of which is a group of perennial and rare plants, where the appropriate atmosphere has been created for their growth in greenhouses and greenhouses. It includes 380 species of different plants, including a group of tropical fruits and trees, medicinal and aromatic plants, ornamental plants, wood trees, and spices.
One of the most exciting activities that attract tourists is riding a sailboat on a beautiful Nile cruise to reach the island, enjoying the most fantastic scenery, palm trees that relax their branches on the Nile water in a stunning view, and the reflection of the sun on the surface of the river takes you to a world of magic and imagination.
On the island, you will enjoy roaming the lanes prepared for walking freely to discover the island, watching rare flowers, plants, and colorful and exotic birds.
15- Aswan Corniche
You will certainly enjoy a lot of walking along the Aswan Corniche. The best time for that is sunset or sunrise, to watch the sunset or sunrise over the great Nile and the landmarks of Aswan and its desert in a beautiful and irresistible view.
If you do not want to walk along the Aswan Corniche, do not miss this view and watch it from one of the restaurants or cafes scattered on the Corniche, or in your hotel, or you can take a picnic on one of the boats spread along the Aswan Corniche to watch the sunset view amid the waters of the Nile River This is much nicer.
16-Aswan Old Souks
The Aswan Market is a colorful bazaar, known locally as the Sharia Market, which is the cheapest place to buy souvenirs in Aswan. The bazaar is located four blocks from the Nile River, runs about seven buildings parallel to the river, and includes a lot of Egyptian and African goods.
Traders sell a wide range of goods such as perfumes, peanuts, henna powder, dried hibiscus flowers, spices, various types of Aswan’s notable dates, famous Nubian shirts, and Egyptian-style souvenirs.
In the side alleys, merchants sell imitation Nubian artifacts like hats, amulets, baskets, Sudanese swords, rugs, and stuffed animals like crocodiles.
Top hotels to Stay in Aswan:
- Mövenpick Aswan
- Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
- Pyramisa Island Hotel Aswan
- Tolip Hotel Aswan
- Anakato wadi Kiki Nubian Houses
In summary
Visitors have accepted tourism in Egypt for decades because of its prominent location and the convergence of the three continents of the ancient world, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
If we say that Egypt has countless monuments, tourism in Aswan includes many of these monuments and more than historical monuments.
Although the landmarks of ancient Egypt are entirely different from any historical monuments in the whole world, the city of Aswan is not the remains of buildings, palaces, or temples; instead, it
is an entire civilization whose temples are still in full splendor and splendor.
Tourism in Aswan is not only ancient monuments but there are many important Aswan landmarks. The shining sun of Aswan is the most crucial feature of this charming city, where European tourists come to seek warmth from the frost of their country in the winter.
Also, medical tourism flourishes in Aswan as well as recreational. There are reserves The natural scenery, the incredible waterfalls, and the High Dam symbolize the struggle and success of the Egyptian people for development and prosperity.
If you are looking for an unforgettable vacation in Aswan check out Aswan Tours