Things to do in Aswan
Aswan lies at the first cataract of the Nile and has been a border and trading town for thousands of years. Most visitors come for Philae, the temple on Agilkia island, but the town and its surroundings fill two or three days. Temples, a museum, islands, the dams and the river itself are all within a short drive or boat ride.
If you want Philae and the High Dam on the same day, look at the Aswan tours. Several sights here belong to the UNESCO listing "Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae", which was inscribed in 1979. Elephantine, the quarries and the monastery of St Simeon are among its components in the Aswan area.
Aswan sights at a glance
What each stop is and what it costs for foreign adults in 2026.
| Sight | What it is | Entry in 2026 | Time to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philae Temple | The Temple of Isis on Agilkia island | EGP 550, plus a boat from the landing | Half a day |
| Nubia Museum | The story of Nubia and its monuments | EGP 400 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Unfinished obelisk | A granite obelisk left in its quarry | EGP 220 | About 1 hour |
| Aswan High Dam | The dam above Lake Nasser | – | 1 hour as a stop |
| Kitchener's Island | An island with a botanical garden | – | 1 to 2 hours |
| Edfu and Kom Ombo | Two Ptolemaic temples on the Nile | EGP 550 and EGP 450 | Day trip |
For most first visits, Philae, the Nubia Museum and an evening on the river make a good first day. Add the High Dam and the obelisk on the second, and the temples to the north if you have a third.
Our pick: Aswan highlights in a day
One private day through the main sights of Aswan, with entries, the Philae boat and lunch included.
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.
Tours and day trips from Aswan
Philae, the High Dam, the unfinished obelisk and the temples north of town, with live prices and availability.
In and around town
The sights that are easy to combine.
Philae Temple
The island temple is the main reason to come. You take a short boat from the landing at Marina Philae, and the ticket and the boat are paid separately. Opening hours, prices and the evening show have their own pages: Philae tickets and the sound and light show.
Nubia Museum
The museum opened in 1997. Adults pay EGP 400 and students EGP 200. It is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 with the ticket office closing at 16:00. On Thursday and Friday it also opens from 18:00 to 21:00, with the ticket office closing at 20:00. During Ramadan the hours are shorter, 09:00 to 15:00 with the last ticket at 14:00. See also the Nubian Museum guide.
The unfinished obelisk
The obelisk lies in its quarry and was probably ordered by Hatshepsut. It was abandoned because cracks appeared in the stone. Foreign adults pay EGP 220 and students EGP 110. The unfinished obelisk guide covers the site in detail.
Islands and felucca rides
Kitchener's Island has a botanical garden, and Elephantine is a separate Nile island with its own sights. Traditional sailing boats, called feluccas, offer rides on the river. They are not the motorboats that take you to Philae. Details on the Elephantine island and felucca pages.
The High Dam and Lake Nasser
The dam is a common stop on a day trip. Our page on the Aswan High Dam explains how it differs from the old dam and why Philae moved.
The corniche, the bazaar and the west bank
Most hotels and the riverside promenade are on the east bank, close to the bazaar and the boat landings. The west bank lies across the river and has Nubian guesthouses. The bazaar is close to the promenade, and shop hours vary, so check on the spot.
For areas to sleep in, see where to stay in Aswan.
North of Aswan: Edfu and Kom Ombo
Two temples that fit a day trip.
Edfu is the temple of Horus on the west bank of the Nile, built between 237 and 57 BC. Kom Ombo is a double temple for Sobek and Horus the Elder with a crocodile museum next door. Both lie on the road and rail line between Luxor and Aswan. The page on Edfu and Kom Ombo has prices and opening hours. For Nile cruises that stop here, see the Nile cruise guide.
Aswan: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Aswan?
Two days cover Philae, the Nubia Museum, the High Dam and an evening on the river. A third day lets you add the unfinished obelisk or a day trip to Edfu and Kom Ombo.
What should I see first in Aswan?
Most visitors name Philae first. It is a temple on an island, reached by boat, and it fits a morning visit before the heat builds.
Is Aswan safe for visitors?
Government travel advice for Egypt warns against large parts of the Western Desert but treats Aswan and Abu Simbel as exceptions. That is not a safety guarantee. Check the current advice from your own government before you go, and keep your valuables close in crowded places.
How much does the Nubia Museum cost?
In 2026 foreign adults pay EGP 400 and students EGP 200. Egyptians pay EGP 30 and students EGP 10.
How much does the unfinished obelisk cost?
In 2026 foreign adults pay EGP 220 and students EGP 110.