Aswan is the southern most city of Egypt and known as the gateway to the rest of
Africa. This ancient frontier town has the most beautiful setting on the Nile
river. Aswan offers sailboats, floating restaurants and some of the best views
of the Nile River. Elephantine and Kitchener Islands in this area hold gardens
and artifacts to enjoy. Its romantic ambience, sparkling blue between smooth
amber sand and rugged extrusions of granite bedrock has long been fascinating
the tourists.
Aswan is the base for excursions to the temples of Philae and Kabasha, near the great dams and the Sun Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, far to the south. It serves the day trips to Darow Camel Market and to the main temples between here and Luxor. Nile cruise are also fairly popular. You can find both luxury and budget hotels here.
It blends the glorious Egypt's history to prosperous present and tourism. It is extremely popular for tourism for winter resorts, famous of its fine weather and bright sunshine. Located 899 km from Cairo and 208 km from Luxor, it overlooks the east bank of the Nile, bounded by Kena in the north.
The Pharaohs had named Aswan "Sono", it was changed by the Greeks into "Sebn" then finally became Aswan in the Coptic language, to be pronounced later "Aswan" by the Arabs. The Nubians called it "Eswangi" which meaning the out flowing water as the Ancients thought that the source of the Nile was the first fall at the south of Aswan.
Popular Excursions: Elephantine Island, The Unfinished Obelisk, Nobles' Tombs, Philae Temple, Kalabsha Temple, Al Wali House Temple, Abou Simbel Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, The Botanical Island, Anba Samaan Monastery, Aga Khan Mausoleum, Aswan Dam, High Dam and The High Dam Lake.
How to reach Aswan: EgyptAir operates daily flights to Aswan via Luxor and Cairo. The tourist companies arrange voyages by Nile steamships from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor to Aswan. By well paved road between Cairo and Aswan and to Abou Simbel. Cairo to Aswan takes 12 hours by train which are well equipped.
