Itineraries for Your Trip to Aswan
2 Days in Aswan for First Timers
Aswan is my second-favorite city in Egypt—nothing, to my mind, can ever beat endlessly manic Cairo—not only for its humbling ancient sites (Abu Simbel](/Abu-Simbel/d50204) amongst them) but for its mellow mood. Better still, because many tourists treat the city as a quick pitstop on their Luxor-Aswan cruise schedules, it can sometimes be wonderfully uncrowded. There’s nothing better than strolling the palm-studded Corniche or riding a Nile River felucca sailboat to Aswan Botanical Garden—both are oases of tranquillity outside peak visitor times. Peace aside, there are tons of things to do here. From making the trip to Abu Simbel to unpacking Nubian history, here’s my suggested 2-day Aswan itinerary for first timers.
Temperatures skyrocket in summer, often exceeding 104°F (40°C), so consider avoiding June to August if you’re heat-averse.
If you only have time for one thing, visit the water-lapped Philae Temple.
Aswan is the perfect gateway to UNESCO–listed Abu Simbel, so dive in with a full-day road trip. Book a private or small-group tour to its two temples, each fronted by colossal pharaonic statues gazing over Lake Nasser. Alternatively, experience the must-see attractions in Aswan on excursions that combine the island-set Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam, and Unfinished Obelisk—the latter abandoned millennia ago by Queen Hatshepsut’s stonemasons.
Some of the best things to do in Aswan for first timers center on the Nile, especially during the intense afternoon heat when riverboat rides offer cool respite. If you’re not busy on a day trip, relax over lunch before reveling in the refreshing Nile air. Sail by Elephantine Island and the west bank desert ridges, perhaps pausing to wander the palm-shaded pathways of Aswan Botanical Garden.
Embrace Aswan’s laid-back tempo or up your activity level as daylight fades. If you have a late burst of energy, try your hand at sandboarding in the desert west of the city. Or, after a dusty day exploring age-old sites, sign up for a sunset felucca cruise. Watch the sun dip behind silhouetted palms while trailing your hands in the Nile’s waters for a memorable end to the day.
Fill any obvious sightseeing gaps today: if you covered Abu Simbel yesterday, explore Aswan’s highlights this morning, or do the opposite. If you want to delve into the area’s history, hit up the often-overlooked Kalabsha Temple on the edges of Lake Nasser; this well-preserved temple is famous for its extensive reliefs. Finish by browsing the antiquities at the Nubian Museum to chart the evolution of ancient Nubia.
After lunch, melt into the languid heat at your hotel pool or clip-clop under the riverside palms on a city horse-and-carriage tour. Alternatively, dip further into Aswan’s Nubian heritage on a Nile cruise to the colorful villages along the river. Sip glasses of tea while learning about village life, and shop at the souvenir stalls before sailing back.
As it’s your first time in Aswan, conclude your stay with the Philae Temple sound-and-light show. Prebook a convenient pass-and-hotel transfer and, after sailing to the temple complex, explore its timeworn halls as they’re illuminated in multicolored lights. While you walk, hear mysterious stories and secrets about these ancient Egyptian ruins—a captivating finale to your 2-day Aswan itinerary.
