During its creation, Aswan was called "Swenett" and later on "Swan" which means market, the city was located on the main trade road between the southern land and Egypt and was the main supplier of gold, ivory, and many others. The city also had a very religious connection as they worshipped the deity Khnum (deity of the source of the Nile) later on replaced by the deity Isis (deity of protection magic). The city provided many stones for the construction of many megastructures like Obelisks and even Pyramids.
The peculiar location of Aswan has continued to influence its history even in contemporary times. During the colonial era, the city was the base for the Anglo-Egyptian military forces aimed at stopping the unrest in Sudan. Later, at the end of the 19th century, Aswan grew in importance as a tourist destination, thanks to its mild winter, especially attractive to European travelers.
Today the city remains one of the country’s major tourist destinations, known for its beautiful Nile landscape and Nubian culture, which still enjoys a strong influence in the south of the country. The controversial construction of the high dam in 1964 brought serious consequences to the area, such as the forced displacement of more than 100,000 Nubians living along the river bank. Many of these people now live in Aswan and try to make a living from tourism and the production of typical handicrafts or other cultural events.
Aswan Attractions
Although the amazing city of Aswan has the least amount of sightseeing compared to Luxor & Cairo, you can still witness some of the greatest and the most bewitching monuments & historical sightseeing on its land, and here are the most impressive sights you should visit while planning a tour to Aswan City:
Abu Simbel Temples
Two majestic temples are located about 280km from Aswan in Abu Simbel and there, you will be able to witness the greatest success & dedication story which was narrated thousands of years ago during the reign of the great King Ramses II. This is one of the most prestigious temples in Egypt that was mainly dedicated to pharaoh Ramses II & his beloved wife, Nefetari along with other ancient gods.
Philae Temple
Philae Temple is one of Aswan’s top attractions, dedicated to Isis, Osiris, and Horus. The temple consists of various pylons, shrines, and monuments, and was the last to be built in the Classical Egyptian style. It was built on Philae Island but it was relocated to Agilkia Island as it has been in great danger of being destroyed as a result of the flood of the Nile so it was relocated along with other attractions with the assistance of UNESCO.
Aswan High Dam
Although the monuments of Ancient Egypt are the most famous among the Egyptian catalog of astonishing feats such as the Great Giza pyramids and the Sphinx, one of the rarely mentioned and more modern accomplishments of Egypt is the Aswan High Dam, completed in partnership with the Soviet Union in 1971 during the reign of the Egyptian president Gamal Abd el-Nasser. It is located near the second Nile cataract only about 13 km south of Aswan. It is considered one of the most important structures of the last century and a tourist attraction that cannot be missed during a visit to Aswan.
The Unfinished Obelisk
One of the unforgettable attractions of Aswan is the majestic Unfinished Obelisk. It is without a doubt the largest obelisk ever erected. But unfortunately, it was uncompleted due to the discovery of numerous cracks in it. The obelisk was built in a very unique manner as it depended on a Greek style of architecture. Queen Hatshepsut, the Wife of King Thutmose II, built it in the new kingdom during the 18th dynasty and placed it in the Karnak Temple. It is located in its original location a granite quarry in Aswan. And it would have measured 42 m making it the tallest obelisk in history. The obelisk would also have been the heaviest obelisk weighing 1200 tons.
Kom Ombo Temple
Kom Ombo temple is one of the most essential ancient temples that were constructed in the ancient era and it is evidence of the importance of the great Ancient Egyptian priests. It is considered to be highly specialized and also one of a kind as it’s a double-design temple. There are two identical temples inside the complex dedicated to Sobek “The Crocodile God” and Horus “The Falcon-Headed God“. While being there, you will be able to see some mummified crocodiles, some amazing reliefs of the walls of the temples, and clay coffins.
Edfu Temple
Edfu temple is the most preserved cult temple in Egypt. It was built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC to be a worship house of the sky deity Horus. The Temple is the second-largest temple in Egypt after the Karnak temple. It was one of the last attempts by the Ptolemaic dynasty at the building in the style and grandeur of their predecessors. It was also built along with several other notable temples, including Dendera, Esna, Kom Ombo, and Philae. It is highly important as it perfectly reflects the Ptolemaic culture with the Ancient Egyptian Pharaonic culture.
Kalabsha Temple
Kalabsha Temple is the youngest preserved temple in Aswan. It dates back to the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus. It is situated on an island in Lake Nasser about 11 miles from Aswan. The original temple was located approximately 30 miles away at Talmis but moved to its current site after the building of the dam was ended by UNESCO's rescue project. It is the greatest monument after the fanciful Abu Simbel Temples.
Tombs Of The Nobles
The Tombs of the Nobles were the burial destination of the majority of the Elephantine Island’s governors, grandees, and priests such as Mekhu, Sabni, Prince Sarenput III, Harhuf, Amenemhet II, and Setka. The Tombs are situated near the West Bank of Aswan at the northern edge of Elephantine Island; also called the tombs of Qubit El Hawa. They are of significant importance as they give us the chance to know about the history of this section of Egypt during the Old and Middle Kingdoms.
Nubian Museum
To learn more about this ancient civilization of Nubian people and Nubian monuments from its origin to the present day, visit The Nubian Museum, perched on a hillside across from the Basma Hotel. It is a great Nubian Attraction that combines both ancient & modern culture, housing 3,000 pieces of Egyptian antiquities from the Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic periods. Inside this magnificent Museum, you will find artifacts related to the Kingdom of Kush and amazing photos taken by UNESCO to save the temples of Philae and Abu Simbel from the flooding of lack of Naser caused by the High Dam. There is also an ethnographical section that displays gorgeous Nubian handicrafts and folk art.
The Nubian Villages
Deep down on the West Bank of the Nile, about 3 miles south of Aswan, are the most colorful villages in the entire country. The Nubian villages are such a cheerful sight for being painted with bright colors; and inhabited by Nubians. They speak their Nubian Languages and have specific traditions that are different from the rest of Egypt. They are so friendly and great hospitality will be waiting for you in one of the Nubian family houses which are made of mud. There is much to do in this village; such as shopping in the Nubian shops where you can buy Nubian accessories, clothes, and some rare spices. You can also wander around, explore, and admire all the beautifully painted rainbow buildings. There are also a few restaurants and cafes with colorful courtyards overlooking the Nile if you want to sit and relax.
Elephantine Island
One of the important hidden attractions in Aswan is Elephantine Island which is one of the major highlights in Aswan because of its palm trees and gorgeous colorful houses. It is located on the western side of the Nile River. The island includes a large number of resorts, parks, and restaurants, as well as cafes overlooking the Nile River. It is also full of archaeological sites and ancient monumental ruins ready to be discovered. Aswan Museum is located at the southern end of this island and the ruins of Abu, which contain the temples of Khnum and Satet. It is a very nice site and a gorgeous place to spend a terrific vacation.
Aga Khan Mausoleum
The Mausoleum of Aga Khan is one of the important landmarks of Aswan Egypt. It is the mausoleum of Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah, who died in 1957. He was the spiritual leader of the Ismailis Sect in India and one of the richest men in the world. This pink limestone Mausoleum was built in the style of the Fatimid tombs in Cairo. Sir Sultan Muhammed used to spend some time in a villa near that location that’s why he was buried there after two years of his death.
Kitchener’s Island
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Kitchener Island, after Lord Kitchener, who owned it in the early 2000s and turned it into a botanical garden in 1928, is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Aswan. It is located next to the big island Elephantine and can only be reached by motorboat and felucca. It is often called El Nabatat or Island of Plants. It is filled with all kinds of rare plants and trees from the world and due to the importance of the island and its wide fame, many world-famous personalities have visited it, such as Queen Elizabeth and “Nehru” Prime Minister of India.
The Princess Ferial Park
Ferial Garden is located in the middle of the city. It is a very attractive tourist attraction that has emphatic views along the River Nile from both directions. This interesting site was established under the patronage of Queen Ferial who was the daughter of King Farouk. The design of the park is unique and unrivaled making it an important tourist spot in Aswan. Tourists also come from all around the world to enjoy the authentic panorama of the immortal Nile River.
Monastery Of St. Simeon
A boat trip on the Nile and an uphill camel ride lead to the Monastery of St. Simeon, also known as the Anba Hatra Monastery. It's one of the largest and best-preserved Coptic monasteries in Egypt. This gloriously photogenic Monastery sits between the dunes on the Nile's West Bank opposite Elephantine Island. This Coptic monastery provides a glimpse of the early days of Christianity in Egypt and monks’ lives as far back as the 7th century. Unlike some other Egyptian ruins, this attraction does not draw crowds, making for a much more pleasant experience.
The Nile Islands
Aswan City is best known for its amazing attractive islands which provide its visitors with the most incredible experience ever those islands are: “Elephantine Island, Kitchener’s Island, Agilkia Island, and Jazirat Al-Malik“. You can enjoy the best boat tour experience towards any of the mentioned islands and have a different unforgettable adventure while visiting each one of them.
El-Tabia Mosque
This amazing site has a distinct architectural style in Aswan and in fact, it is one of the largest & oldest mosques in the city. It attracts large numbers of tourists and greatly stimulates tourism in Aswan. It was designed with some beautiful decorations inside and out that belong to the Mamluk era. It is actually called “The Fortress” due to the fact that it was constructed at the top of a hill in the central part of the city where the great Muhammed Ali Pasha built his fortress overlooking the Nile.