Aswan - the city in Southern Egypt you have to visit!
After checking in and heading up to the terrace of the Bob Marley Guesthouse, I chilled out watching the River Nile.
I finally had some peace and quiet on my Egypt trip - Bliss!
Aswan is the city in Southern Egypt which might just capture your heart!
The Nubian charm swirls around the beautiful islands, along with tropical nature, iconic landmarks, and some very lively villages!
Following my trip down to the Jewel of the Nile in September 2023, this blog will detail what you can expect from the beautiful city during your trip.
A local riding a camel in the Nubian Village.
The Nubian way.
After visiting Cairo and Luxor, I was starting to lose my will to live with the local harassment, so when the Nubian charm of Aswan offered something different, it allowed me to relax and fully appreciate a great city!
Three of the main facets of the local culture which I noticed most are:
Colourful vibes.
The bright colours throughout the Nubian guesthouses and villages offered a complete contrast to Cairo and Luxor. I noticed many murals depicting the local culture, along with geometric patterns displayed everywhere.
A love for crafts.
Throughout Aswan, I noticed the Nubian influence on the products which were for sale. Pottery, textiles, baskets and intricate wood carvings are common, and many also share the traditional geometric designs.
They are crocodile crazy.
Crocodiles have been an important part of Nubian culture for centuries, with the locals co-existing with the creatures. The reptiles are thought of as protectors of the villages, therefore, when visiting, you can expect to see many murals, paintings and of course - actual pet crocodiles!
Camels and humans live in harmony.
One of my observations were how the camels and children were living in harmony, with the young locals riding the camels, along with loading up with items to carry, and feeding them.
I didn’t notice any children riding camels at the Giza Pyramids, so I found this to be unique.
Inside a lively Nubian home.
Gharb Seheyl Village.
Visiting the Gharb Seheyl Village was a highlight of my time in Aswan, as it presented me with the chance to socialise with the locals inside a Nubian home.
The locals were very welcoming and showed us around their homes, before giving us some local tea and a performance.
The music which they performed included several musical instruments and singing and dancing, along with getting us tourists involved.
By the end of the visit into the home, everyone was smiling and enjoying themselves!
Wandering back towards the boat at the end of my tour, I could hear the same dancing and partying coming from other homes, so it is obviously common throughout the villages.
Even though it is put on to some extent for the tourists, you can’t fake being pleasant and enjoying the moment with people from all over the world.
You have to take a taxi boat to the village, which takes around 30 minutes each way.
On official tours, you get a couple of hours to wander at your own leisure, so that gives you time to enter a home, ride a camel, and shop in the bazaars.
Be warned though, in the summer months, it gets very hot in the village!
The markets in the Nubian village.
Some island gems in the Southern city of Egypt.
Aswan is located on the East Bank of The River Nile, just south of the First Cataract, which historically meant it was the southern edge of Egypt back in pharaonic times.
Although the main part of the city of Aswan is located on the mainland, many of the treasures of Aswan are dotted around various islands on the Nile.
This makes for some epic journeys on the Nile to explore them!
Here are some landmarks which stand out and make Aswan one of the most popular tourist cities in Egypt.
The Temple of Philae.
This beautiful temple is one of the best photo spots in Egypt!
The famous temple is located on its own island a few miles from Aswan, which is made even more special by the boat ride up the river Nile towards Lake Nasser, where it now stands tall.
After first being constructed thousands of years ago, the temple stood strong until the construction of the High Dam in Aswan which caused rising flood waters, putting the iconic temple in jeopardy.
UNESCO ran a project in the 1960’s to rescue such an important part of ancient Egyptian history!
The temple was completely dismantled, and relocated onto Agilika Island, before a complete rebuild.
As of today, the mighty Philae Temple draws in international visitors daily, offering a dose of history that blends Egyptian and Greek mythology, along with other civilisations.
The Sound and Lights show at dusk is arguably the best way to enjoy the temple, while having a hands on history lesson!
The famous Temple of Philae on Agilika Island in Aswan.
Elephantine Island.
Another one of the islands in Aswan which is popular with tourists is Elephantine Island, home to many Nubian families.
The locals run some guesthouses on the peaceful island, which offers a different vibe from other places in the city. I travelled to Aswan from Luxor, and even though both my hotels shared the same ‘Bob Marley’ theme, they were completely different. This shows the cultural differences between Southern Egypt and the cities further North.
Elephantine Island is the perfect spot if you want to chill out and watch the River Nile.
There are many high terraces and several private pools, especially in the Mövenpick Resort, which offer a great environment to spend your days in serenity.
If you want to explore the island, there are some ruins in the south that you can go and check out. I’ll leave the history lesson for you to uncover!
During my solo trip, I enjoyed the solitude of walking through the village on the island and watching how the locals live - there was definitely an element of gratitude that came from this!
Elephantine Island is home to many Nubian guesthouses.
Aswan Botanical Garden.
Some of the other islands offer a glimpse into the history and culture of Aswan, but Kitchener’s Island is all about the beautiful nature of the region.
The island is located right in the middle of the Nile, and is home to an abundance of spellbinding nature which is separated by a mazey footpath for visitors to wander and explore, being at one with the beauty of the lands.
You can only reach the paradise island via boat, so it makes sense to look at an official tour which can include the gardens as part of the exploration.
I took this option, so exploring the island was part of my sunset felucca tour.
My honest opinion is that it is only worth visiting if it is a short stop on a longer tour. I wouldn’t want to spend my whole day on the island.
Another beautiful place to visit in Aswan.
Sailing on the Nile in the famous city of Southern Egypt.
Sailing on the River Nile was one of my bucket list adventures, and Aswan was a great place to tick it off!
Even though I had already been to Cairo and Luxor, I saved my journey on the Nile until I arrived in Aswan. Sailing on the longest river in the world at sunset was magical.
Experiencing a felucca ride was awesome!
I managed to enjoy a ride on the river on a felucca, and several motorboats, so I got to enjoy both methods of crossing the river.
When wandering down the main corniche, you will be offered rides on boats, but my advice is book an official tour for your first ride on the Nile.
I had an unpleasant experience negotiating with a local later in my trip, as he was being really greedy. I would hate to think this would ruin such a wonderful experience!
Feluccas on the Nile.
The vibe of Aswan.
My main impressions of the vibe in Aswan are that it is relaxed. There is less traffic, far less people, and just less monkey business in general, compared to Luxor and Cairo.
Although the Nubian villages are the most colourful area of the city, there is bright and quirky street art throughout the city.
The mural below sums the city up, smiling and positivity!
As with every part of Egypt, there are some hustlers near the main corniche and touristy areas, but in general you can enjoy a hassle free day in the city.
Street art is abundant in Aswan.
The history of Nubia.
Nubia is known as one of the earliest African civilisations with a vast rich history.
Some important facts of Nubian History which I learned about in the Nubian Museum are:
Nubia's kingdoms demonstrated remarkable independence and power, often navigating complex relationships with Egypt and resisting external pressures.
From vibrant murals depicting daily life to the unique Christian and pre-Christian belief systems, Nubia's cultural and religious expressions are diverse and fascinating.
Nubians were skilled traders and merchants, playing a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of Africa through control of important trade routes and advancements in agriculture and ironworking.
Despite facing historical challenges over the centuries, the Nubian spirit lives on in the communities, traditions, in the modern world.
Today, the famous Nubian landmarks are spread across Southern Egypt and Sudan.
Aswan is a great city, home to many of the Nubian treasures!
The main exhibition hall in the Nubian Museum is impressive.
The Nubian Museum is the best place in Aswan to visit to learn about the vast history of the region. It displays artefacts in chronological order, and the storytelling is of a really high standard.
My favourite part of the museum is the giant statue in the main exhibition hall, and although I saw several in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, this one commands the surrounding museum space better.
I also enjoyed viewing the models of Abu Simbel - which of course, is an iconic landmark for the history of Nubia.
The unfinished Obelisk is another popular tourist attraction, and it is located close to the Nubian Museum, so make sure you tick both sites off in one day!
I will let you experience both sites without giving too much away.
A taste of local culture.
The market in Aswan is less touristy than Luxor Market, and the markets I visited in my Cairo stay, therefore it offers a more authentic glimpse into the local culture.
There wasn’t too much heckling and shouting in my direction, which made it easy to sit in the background with a local coffee and observe daily life.
The smell of fresh bread and strong spices follows the market throughout its narrow passage, which runs parallel to the main corniche.
The ‘Sharia as-Souq’ is the name that the market goes by to the locals, and it offers some unique offerings, such as colourful Nubian baskets, African masks, and plenty of Nubian crafted perfume.
The markets are less touristy than Luxor and Cairo.
An elegant retreat in Aswan.
Many international tourists head south to Aswan for a resort style holiday, and there is no better choice than the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract.
The famous hotel is touted as the most expensive in Egypt, but for good reason!
It has been hosting celebrities and royalty throughout its century old history, therefore, if you want to experience Aswan in a classy way, then this should be your choice!
You can expect plenty of relaxation in the spa, private pools, and classy restaurants. It is located just off the main corniche close to the Nubian Museum and boasts incredible sunset Nile views!
Why not live like a Pharaoh?
A world famous hotel in Aswan.
Other accommodation options in Aswan.
I stayed at a beautiful Nubian Guesthouse:
I found the hosts to be very accommodating, and always available if I needed anything. The terrace was my favourite spot and I enjoyed coffee every morning and some refreshing cocktails one afternoon, when I was trying to escape the midday Aswan heat.
I also enjoyed a traditional Nubian meal in the terrace restaurant which was just as nice as the food in the world famous restaurant which I dined in at Luxor.
If you want an authentic Nubian experience, here are some other recommended guesthouses:
Prefer Chaos - Maybe Luxor instead?
The chaos and sensory attack is a big lure of Egypt for many visitors, so maybe Aswan will be too chilled for you.
Slightly further North up the Nile, lies Luxor - which needs no introducing!
The former capital of ancient Egypt is home to some of the most famous tombs, spooky museums, and hot air balloon rides with the perfect sunrise view!
I visited both cities during my solo Egyptian escapades, so experienced Luxor first hand.
It is more suited to travellers who want to experience life at 100 miles per hour.
It also has Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings - Some of Egypt’s most popular archaeological sites, which are popular reasons to visit the country.
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