The temples moved, the island did not
Agilkia is a small island near Aswan. The temples you visit as Philae stand here. The original island of Philae, where they were built, is flooded. Nothing was lifted across the water in one piece. The buildings were taken apart, recorded and rebuilt on higher ground on Agilkia.
There is no road to the temple. You reach it by boat from the mainland landing known as Marina Philae or Shellal. The boat is a separate cost from your ticket, so plan for it. The Philae temple tickets page lists entry prices and hours.
Why Philae had to move
Flooding began long before the High Dam.
The flooding of Philae is tied to the old Aswan Dam, finished in 1902. It was not only a result of the High Dam. The High Dam was built from 1960 to 1970 and opened in 1971, and the rescue campaign for the Nubian monuments ran in the same years. The Philae you see today lies in the water between the old dam and the High Dam. More on the two dams is on the page about the Aswan High Dam.
The move belonged to a much larger effort to save the temples of Nubia. UNESCO's World Heritage listing is called Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, and it names both ends of the campaign. If you are also heading south, the Abu Simbel relocation is the other famous part of the same story.
Our pick: Philae by boat
The temple stands on Agilkia Island, so every visit includes a boat; this tour lists the motorboat and the entry tickets.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Philae tours from Aswan
Guided trips to the island, with the boat ride, live prices and availability.
How the temples were moved
The work followed one idea: take the buildings apart, document every part and build them again at a safe height. The island itself stayed where it was. Agilkia is a different island, and the ground for the new site was raised. The new ground lies about 13 m higher than the old, a rough figure.
- Buildings were dismantled and documented before the move.
- They were rebuilt on Agilkia, not shipped as a block.
- On the new site you still walk through pylons, courts and colonnades.
The move took place between 1972 and 1980, and Philae reopened on Agilkia in 1980.
A short timeline
From the first dam to the new island.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1902 | Old Aswan Dam finished, linked to the flooding of Philae |
| 1960–1970 | Building of the High Dam, opened in January 1971 |
| 1960–1980 | International campaign for the Nubian monuments |
| 1972–1980 | Dismantling and rebuilding of Philae on Agilkia |
| 1979 | Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae listed by UNESCO |
| 1980 | Reopening of Philae on Agilkia |
For most readers the useful point is simple. What you see is the real ancient stone, rebuilt in a new place. The older story of the temples is on the page about the history of Philae.
Reaching Agilkia by boat
The boat leaves from Marina Philae/Shellal on the mainland. A return trip with waiting time counts as one service, and the crossing takes about 10 to 15 minutes each way. Boats are paid per boat, not per person, so agree the price before you step in. There is no ferry line with a fixed timetable.
Keep the costs apart when you plan: temple ticket, boat, car or taxi to the landing, and the evening show are all separate. A package tour can include several of these. Getting there covers the road to the landing, and the Aswan tours page compares organised trips.
Before the move: Philae in old pictures
Before the move, the temples stood on the original island of Philae, which now lies under water. What you see today is the real ancient stone, rebuilt on Agilkia.
Practical tips for the island
Quick facts for your visit.
Entry
Entry for foreign adults is EGP 550 in 2026, students EGP 275. Opening hours are 07:00–16:00, with last entry at 15:00.
Photos
Phone photography is free. Do not use flash inside. Drones need a permit from the Ministry of Defence.
Name check
Philae can mean the old island, the temple complex or the visit today. On the ground, you are on Agilkia.
Two more places to see on the island are the Trajan's Kiosk and the temple of Isis, explained on the page on Isis and Osiris.
Agilkia Island: frequently asked questions
Is Philae the same as Agilkia?
Today you visit the Philae temples on Agilkia Island. The original island of Philae is flooded. People still use the name Philae for the temple complex.
Was the whole island moved?
No. The buildings were taken apart, documented and rebuilt on Agilkia. The island itself was not carried anywhere.
When were the temples moved?
The move took place between 1972 and 1980, and Philae reopened on Agilkia in 1980.
Was the High Dam the reason Philae flooded?
No. The old Aswan Dam of 1902 was already linked to the flooding. The High Dam, built from 1960 to 1970, is a separate and later structure.
How do I get to Agilkia?
By boat from Marina Philae/Shellal on the mainland. There is no road to the temple, and the boat is paid separately from the ticket.
Is the stone at Philae original?
Yes. What you see is the real ancient stone, rebuilt in a new place.