What to visit in Aswan, Egypt

Nubian Museum, (opposite the Basma Hotel, south of the Old Cataract Hotel, at the southern edge of Aswan town on Sharia Abtal al-Tahrir – approximately a half hour walk from the city centre.). Daily 9AM-1PM, 4PM-9PM. Very well organized, features Nubian treasures recovered before the flooding of Nubia.
Unfinished Obelisk, (South of Aswan). The largest known ancient obelisk, carved directly out of bedrock. If finished it would have measured around 42m (120 feet) and would have weighed nearly 1,200 tons
Fatimid Cemetery, (Southern end of Aswan). The faded former glory of the Fatimid Empire can be seen on the crumbling graveyard. Across the street from unfinished Obelisk, and across the street from Nubian Museum on the other side.
Ferial Garden, (Southern end of Corniche). When you’re in Aswan you’ll have to walk along the Kornish Al Nile (Corniche) at least once. It is a pleasant stroll, made even more pleasant by the fact that you can walk right into the Ferial Gardens at its Southern End. They are a parks that are as relaxing as it is beautiful.
Saint Michael Cathedral, Aswan, (Southern end of Corniche in front of Ferial Garden). When you’re in Aswan you’ll have to walk to see the Coptic Cathedral with a breathtaking painting Coptic art.
Elephantine Island: Nubian Villages & Aswan Museum. Nubian villages of Siou and Koti occupy this island. Also home to the famous Nilometers and the Temples of Sati, Khnum (ancient rams-head god) and Pepinakht-Heqaib. Movenpick resort is on the island. The Aswan Museum at the southern end of the island houses items found during excavations on Elephantine Island. Also, be careful of unsolicited tours from locals, which will result in a request for baksheesh. There is regular boat taxi to Elephantine Island run by the locals but they will charge more for tourists.
Aswan Botanical Gardens, (On the entirety of Kitcheners Island to the west of Elephantine Island). Lord Kitchener, who owned the 6.8 hectare island in the 1890’s converted it to a botanical garden. It is filled with birds and hundreds of plant species and palm trees and accessible via a Felucca tour.
Seheyl Island, (Just north of the old Aswan Dam). 7AM to 4:00PM. Friendly Nubian villages. Well known for its excellent beaded jewelry. Also the location of the Famine Stela. Cliff with more than 200 inscriptions from the 18th dynasty
Tombs of the Nobles. 8AM to 4:00PM. The northern hills of the west bank are filled with the rock-hewn tombs of princes from the Old Kingdom to the Roman period. The 6th Dynasty tombs, some of which form linked family complexes, contain important biographical texts. Inside, the tombs are decorated with vivid wall paintings showing scenes of everyday life, hieroglyphic biographies and inscriptions telling of the noblemen’s journeys into Africa. Most of the tombs are locked or blocked off, probably by staff looking for tips.
Tombs of Mekhu & Sabni – Reliefs show invasion of Nubia
Tomb of Sarenput II – One of the most beautiful and preserved tombs
Tomb of Harkhuf – Hieroglyphics
Tomb of Hekaib – Reliefs show fighting and hunting scenes
Tomb of Sarenput II – Six pillars decorated with reliefs
Kubbet al Hawa – Located on the hilltop above the other tombs. Small shrine / tomb of a local sheikh and holy man. The climb is rewarded with amazing views of Aswan, the Nile river and the surrounding landscape, richly evoked in the translation from the Arabic of the place name, “the dome of the wind’.
Mausoleum of Mohammed Shah Aga Khan, (High up in the west bank). Tomb of the 48th iman of the Ismaili sect and his wife. Visible from the outside, although closed to the public.
Monastery of St Simeon. Oct to May: 8AM-4:00PM; Jun-Sep:7:00AM-5:00PM. The history of the monastery of St. Simeon dates back to the 7th century, and survived long as a Christian stronghold of southern Egypt until destroyed by Saladin in 1173. While still in use it housed 300 monks, and could in addition receive up to 100 pilgrims at a time. The monastery was surrounded by a 10 meter high wall, and doubled as a fortress. Apparently, the monastery did not return to its original use after Saladin’s destruction. To get here, ride a camel or walk from the Tombs of the Nobles.
The High Dam. Despite being a highly important piece of infrastructure, the Aswan High Dam may be a bit of a letdown. This is a typical stop among a 4-hr tour that goes to Philae and the Obelisk, which you can ask for your driver to skip.
Philae Temple, (Agilkia Island). Built to honor Isis, this was the last ancient temple built in the classical Egyptian architectural style. Construction began in approx. 690 BC. It was moved from its original location on Philae Island, to its new location on Agilkia Island, because of the flooding to create Lake Nasser. A major multinational UNESCO team relocated Philae, and a number of other temples that now dot the shores of Lake Nasser. You can see the submerged original island a short distance away, punctuated by the steel columns used in the moving process. Note the re-use of the temple as a Christian church, with crosses carved into the older hieroglyph reliefs, and images of the Egyptian gods carefully defaced. There is graffiti dating from the 1800s. There is a cheesy Sound and Light show at night, with English actor voices. The temple is beautiful and worth seeing.
Kalabsha Temple. Like Philae, this temple and its surrounding ruins were moved by UNESCO to save them from the floodwaters of Lake Nasser. The main temple was built to the Nubian fertility and sun god Marul during the rule of Emperor Augustus. Don’t miss the Kiosk of Qirtasi and the amazing Temple of Beit al-Wali built by Ramesses II.
Abu Simbel. Most people use Aswan as a base to see this temple. There is a convoy that departs at 4AM, and is usually arranged by your tour agent.
Aswan International Sculpture Park. Sculptors from around the world exhibit their pieces here every spring for the International Sculpture Symposium. The works are all created in Aswan (on the terrace of the Basma Hotel) and when finished brought to this site and exhibited next to each other within view of the ancient quarry.