Aswan Nile Islands

The city of Aswan is characterized by a landscape that is very different from those in all other cities. It has a special and distinctive character. All tourists talk about it and are interested in taking pictures of all its landmarks. Aswan city is best known for its amazing attractive islands which provide their visitors with the most incredible experience ever. You can enjoy the best boat tour experience on any island. You will have a different unforgettable adventure while visiting each one of them; those islands are:

1- Elephantine Island

The island of Elephantine is one of the major Aswan attractions floating on the Nile. It is located on the western side of the Nile River in Aswan; just downstream from the first cataract in the Nile, in the border between Upper Egypt and Lower Nubia. It is considered one of the most beautiful tourist places in Aswan, because of its palm trees and gorgeous colorful houses. It is most likely that the island received its name because of its shape which resembles elephant tusks.

The island includes a large number of resorts that you can take advantage of; as well as parks, markets, restaurants, and cafes overlooking the Nile River. You can also enjoy taking pictures during your cruise towards Elephantine Island in Aswan; via one of the ferries or sailing boats available for this purpose. Once you reach the Harbor of Elephantine Island in Aswan, take many souvenir photos of its huge rocks stacked and sprawled on its shores. Then you can tour the island to enjoy its wonderful nature and its landmarks, Modern and ancient, as it embraces a long history dating back to BC.

The island is full of archaeological sites and ancient monumental ruins ready to be discovered. One of the most important features of the island that you must visit is the Aswan Museum. It was opened to the public in 1912 AD; displaying Nubian artifacts and objects found on the island itself that date from the predynastic to the Roman-Byzantine period such as mummies and statues. Aswan Museum is located at the southern end of this island. It is a very nice site and a gorgeous place to spend a terrific vacation.

Another famous attraction for tourists visiting the Elephantine Island is the Nilometer. It was originally built to measure the Nile’s water levels and clarity during the annual flood season. Two nilometers are located on the elephantine island; the most popular one is a corridor nilometer which is associated with the Temple of Satis being one of the oldest nilometers in Egypt.

2- Kitchener’s Island | El Nabatat Island

El Nabatat Island is a small, oval island, less than one kilometer long and wide. It is situated on the Nile near Aswan in the South of Egypt. It is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Aswan, as it is an island located in the middle of the Nile filled with all kinds of rare plants and trees in the world. Due to the importance of the island and its wide fame; many world-famous personalities visited it, such as Queen Elizabeth and “Nehru” Prime Minister of India.

The island was previously known as Kitchener Island, after Lord Kitchener, who owned it in the early 2000s and turned it into a botanical garden in 1928. Kitchener’s Island is a peaceful paradise, full of shady trees, beautiful flowers, and unusual plants. The island is a haven for rare exotic birds and you’ll surely get a glimpse of their colorful plumage in the branches of most of the trees while strolling down its sidewalks.

The island, as a whole, constitutes the Aswan Botanical Garden. One can view the many types of subtropical, exotic, and rare plantings and trees such as the Royal Palm tree and the Sabal Palm tree. The garden is particularly popular among the local people and tourists as a park for a quiet afternoon away from the noise of the city and weekend picnics.

The island has 3 entrances. The main entrance is at the northern end of the island. The best way to see the island, without much walking, is to enter the main entrance and walk along the island until you reach the southern end and book a felucca from there and ask the captain to wait for you at the other end.

You can enjoy a cruise on one of the ferries or wooden boats to reach El Nabatat Island in Aswan from the city port. When you arrive at the island, take a walk around the island to learn about its features and unique plants imported from outside the country. Then enjoy a quiet stroll, under the shade Trees, near beautiful flowers and rare plants.

3- Agilkia Island

Agilika Island is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city of Aswan; and the most visited tourist destination in Egypt, especially for visitors from outside the country. It is located in the ancient Aswan Dam reservoir along the Nile River in southern Egypt. It is also characterized by its picturesque nature surrounding its ancient temples, which made it one of the most beautiful sites worth visiting in southern Egypt.

Agilika Island is the current site of the relocated ancient Egyptian temple complex of Philae; after it submerged by floodwaters in 1902. The Temple of Philae was dismantled and moved from Philae to the island of Agilkia; as part of a larger UNESCO project. Other attractions also command attention in Agilkia Island such as the Temple of Hathor, the gateway of Hadrian, and the Trajan’s Kiosk.

When you arrive on the island, take a walking tour of its rocky beaches and take some pictures of its wonderful green nature and its sprawling trees. Then you can visit the amazing Philae Aswan Temple. And don’t forget to take many pictures of the walls of the Philae temple complex which dates back thousands of years. You can also visit Trajan’s Kiosk, a unique stone canopy with huge pillars overlooking the Nile River. And don’t miss the light and sound show in the temple complex of Philae which is the popular part of Agilkia Island.

Also: Enjoy the best experience and check out our tours to Aswan from Here