Itineraries for Your Trip to Aswan
3 Days in Aswan for First Timers
Family ties first took me to Egypt in the 1990s, and from the get-go, a visit to Aswan exerted a special pull. To me, it offers the perfect balance of showstopping ancient sites and gorgeous Nile River scenery, all along with a seductively drowsy vibe. Thanks to its Upper Egypt location, the city boasts a mix of Arabic and African culture, which distinguishes it from Cairo and Luxor. There is plenty to keep you busy and also relaxed—a fantastic combination.
When it comes to what to do in Aswan for first-time visitors, this 3-day Aswan itinerary provides a go-to guide, whether you’re planning to visit Abu Simbel or simply catch some Nile sunsets.
Aswan is considered Egypt’s hottest city, so be prepared to start tours early—typically around 8am—to beat the heat.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the colossal temples of Abu Simbel.
Devote today to the must-see attractions in Aswan. A private tour will ferry you conveniently around its ancient Egyptian sites with a guide for context. You’ll visit the island-based Philae Temple—its walls surrounded by sparkling waters—before viewing the Aswan High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk, a half-carved pillar likely hewn around 3,500 years ago and destined to grace Karnak Temple.
After lunch, take a Nile cruise to Nubian villages, Elephantine Island, or Aswan Botanical Garden. Go ashore to trace the shaded paths of the gardens, or visit a Nubian settlement to follow its mural-painted streets, ride a camel, and sip tea.
Aswan is the ideal launchpad for a trip to Abu Simbel, so today presents an unmissable opportunity to see its UNESCO–listed temples in person. Cross it off your list via a hassle-free private car or bus tour. Whichever day trip you choose, standing beneath the gigantic Ramses II sculptures beside Lake Nasser is an otherworldly experience of ancient Egypt.
If you book an Abu Simbel tour with a predawn departure, you’ll likely be back in Aswan this evening. Recharge after a busy day with a felucca sailboat ride along the Nile as the sunset casts the river gold and orange.
Today, check off the best things to do in Aswan for first-timers by covering some lower-profile sights and activities. Take a private morning tour south to the hieroglyph-coated Kalabsha Temple before continuing to the Nubian Museum to see its archaic treasures. Or, head northward to Kom Ombo and Edfu temples, both overlooking the Nile.
If you’re craving outdoor fun, end your Aswan itinerary for first-time visitors with a desert sandboarding adventure on the Nile’s West Bank. Alternatively, prebook a ticket-and-transfer excursion to the Philae Temple light show to enjoy a magical evening amid its illuminated ruins.
