A Trip To The Colorful Nubian Villages In Aswan

Deep down south in Egypt on the West Bank of the Nile, about 3 miles south of Aswan, are the most colorful and feel-good villages of the entire country. The Nubian villages are such a cheerful sight for being painted with bright colors; inhabited by Nubians whose population doesn’t exceed 100,000. They speak their Nubian Languages and have specific traditions that are different from the rest of Egypt. Their origin goes back to Africa and Sudan when they traveled in antiquity to south Egypt for farming around the Nile. The Nubian Villages are considered to be an Aswan city attraction and perfect for half-Aswan day tours if you are passing by the city.



Visiting a Nubian village is a must when traveling to Egypt. Of all Aswan attractions, this could be the only trip that will capture your heart in all meanings. The Nubian people are so friendly and overwhelming; great hospitality will be waiting for you in one of the Nubian family houses. The Nubian houses are made of mud and are often colored blue or orange. Over each house, you will find a dome-shaped ceiling designed to distribute the sun’s heat equally throughout the inside of the house. Moreover, the Nubian people love to decorate their houses using simple yet delightful colors; not only that, they commonly draw shapes from the Nubian culture on the walls of their houses, like boats, camels, and palms.

The villages are located minutes away from Aswan center; you can reach it by taking the Nile small boat or felucca to get there. It is not hard at all. Another way to reach the beautiful villages is by motorboat across the Nile, it wouldn’t take more than 40 minutes depending on your location. You can enjoy the stunning sunset while sailing to Nubia, breathe some fresh air, and enjoy the sight of the Nile. When the picturesque village starts to appear in the water, that’s the beginning of your wonderful tour where the friendly Nubian people welcome you to their village, and you can start wandering around. From beautiful souvenirs, and local spices to great food and accommodation.

There is much to do in this village. One of the best things to do in the Nubian Village is just wander around, explore, and admire all the beautifully painted rainbow buildings. There are also a few restaurants and cafes with beautiful, colorful courtyards and balconies overlooking the Nile River if you want to sit and relax and have a drink. You can also shop in the Nubian shops where you will be able to buy Nubian accessories, clothes, and bags. Or you can buy some rare spices like cumin, cinnamon, curry, and different types of tea. Spices are considered unique souvenirs to take back home from Nubia as Aswan is generally well-known for its authentic spices.

Camel riding is also an extremely interesting activity you should give a try while in Nubia. There are also many great activities for Women and Children. A good example of such an activity is to draw henna tattoos on their bodies. Another great place to pay a visit while being there is the Nubian Museum. This museum includes a lot of masterpieces that describe the Nubian history and culture, like the tools that they used, the clothes that they wore, and the activities that they did throughout history. Also, there are some antiquities from the villages' Islamic, Coptic, and Pharaonic eras.

In the Nubian village, some places display crocodiles. As crocodiles are an important part of the Nubian culture as a totem of blessings. They were once even used to guard residences. Now, they have become a tourist attraction in themselves. Various locals have domesticated these reptilian predators as tourists from far and wide come to view them. When they pass over, they are skinned and mummified as well. A mummified crocodile hung above the door of a house indicates; that the owner has domestic ones that you can view. The aggressive nature of the creature has been modified with care by the owners. These crocodiles play a very significant role in the supplementary income of the Nubians.

If you have the desire to discover Aswan and the Nubian Villages, check out our tours from Here