Aswan is a city in Upper Egypt, below the first cataract. Due to its location below the northernmost cataract on the Nile, Aswan marked Egypt’s traditional southern border with rival Nubia. With 280,00 inhabitants, Aswan is the southwesternmost major city in Egypt.
The location of Aswan on the cataract has shaped its history even in modern times.
Even today it is worth seeing for all tourists in Egypt, famous for its beautiful landscape along the Nile and the Nubian culture, which also has a strong influence in southern Egypt. During the construction of the controversial High Dam in 1964, nearly 100,000 Nubians who lived along the banks of the river were displaced. Many of these people now live in and around Aswan and make a living from tourism, producing and selling traditional Nubian goods.
The mild climate, especially during the winter months, makes the area an ideal place to relax after a hectic sightseeing schedule. You should take enough time to just stroll around, walk along the river or sail past the islands on a felucca.
How to reach Asuuan from Cairo? You can travel to Aswan from Cairo by sleeper train or via plane. By sleeper train, it takes about 12-14 hours. This adventure starts around 8 am and the arrival is around 9p or 10 am. So this trip includes dinner the overnight stay in a separate cabin and breakfast the next day from the arrival. There are single and double cabins on the train.
On the other hand, you can reach Aswan via airplane. The flight takes about one hour and 25 minutes. These flights are available every day with different dates around the clock.
There are no direct flights from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland to Aswan. Most flights are from the desired departure airport to Aswan passing Cairo. It is recommended that you spend in Cairo e.g. 2 or 3 days in order not to miss the most important sights of Old Cairo and then fly to Aswan for the Nile cruise or excursions.
It is also possible to start the trip from Marsa Alam on the Red Sea, then drive to Aswan via vehicle. This trip usually takes 5 or 6 hours.
The Aswan sights
The unfinished obelisk
The unfinished obelisk is the largest obelisk ever built when it would have been finished at a height of 41.75 meters, but when cracks were found, construction was stopped. A competent guide can bring Egyptian history closer.
Aswan Dam
Aswan Dam is made of stones, rock, clay core, and sand. The Nile flooded the fields, so this dam was built. In 1964, the largest dam was elevated to the eighth wonder of the world. About 2000 engineers helped in the construction. The following countries such as Russia, the USA, and France also helped financially.
Philae Temple
Philae Temple was located on an island, but it was flooded. It was rebuilt on the island of Agilkia. You can reach this temple by motorboat. It contains many beautiful and breathtaking sights.
Botanical Garden and Nubian Museum
It was also called Kitchener Island or Gezieret ElNabatat. It is next to the big island Elephantine and can be reached only via motorboat and felucca. Mango, mahogany, and other trees are planted there.
In the Nubian Museum, there are many interesting exhibits from the prehistoric times of Nubia as well as pharaonic Egypt, which are worth a visit.
Old Cataract Hotel
Located on the banks of the Nile, at the southern end of the Corniche el-Nil waterfront road, this hotel was opened before the turn of the century. The terrace overlooks Elephantine Island. Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile, which was made into a movie, was written there.
Aga Khan III and King Faruq of Egypt were guests there several times. In recent years, a very famous series was also filmed there. It is not easy that you book a room there because all tourists want to enjoy this experience.
Come to Aswan and don’t miss the chance to enjoy one of the dream Egypt round trips with all the beautiful Aswan sights.
