Booking An Aswan Day: Temples, Islands And Nubian Stops In One Plan

One well-planned day in Aswan covers Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk in the morning, the Nubia Museum around midday, and a felucca sail to Elephantine Island and a Nubian village in the afternoon. Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk open at 07:00 and take last entry at 15:00, so start with them before the heat and the crowds build.

Key Takeaways

• Philae Temple opens at 07:00 with last entry at 15:00; a foreign adult ticket costs EGP 550.
• The Unfinished Obelisk keeps the same hours (07:00, last entry 15:00) and costs EGP 220.
• The Nubia Museum opens at 09:00, takes last entry at 16:00 and costs EGP 400, a good midday stop out of the sun.
• Elephantine Island's sites take last entry at 16:00 (EGP 200), so reach the island by early afternoon.
• Aswan's average July high is 41.4 °C, against 22.9 °C in January, so summer days need an early start and a long break at midday.

Morning: Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk

Philae Temple, the temple of the goddess Isis, sits on an island and is reached by a short boat ride. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae", inscribed in 1979. Arrive close to the 07:00 opening for cooler air and quieter courtyards.

The Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in the granite quarry where it cracked, shows how ancient Egyptians cut obelisks from the bedrock. It shares Philae's hours, so the two fit together in one morning. A High Dam and Philae Temple tour combines Philae with a stop at the Aswan High Dam.

Midday: the Nubia Museum

The Nubia Museum tells the story of Nubia, the region along the Nile south of Aswan, and of the monuments rescued when Lake Nasser was created. It opens at 09:00 and takes last entry at 16:00, which makes it the ideal indoor stop during the hottest hours.

Afternoon: the river, Elephantine and Nubian culture

In the afternoon, the light softens and the Nile is at its best. A felucca sail on the Nile in Aswan, on a traditional wooden sailboat, passes the islands of the First Cataract. Elephantine Island's archaeological sites take last entry at 16:00, so land there first if you want to visit them.

End the day in a Nubian village, where brightly painted houses and local food show a culture distinct from the rest of Egypt. A Nubian village tour takes you there by boat.

Aswan in one day: sample timetable

Time	Stop	Ticket (foreign adult)	Last entry
07:00	Philae Temple	EGP 550	15:00
Mid-morning	Unfinished Obelisk	EGP 220	15:00
Midday	Nubia Museum	EGP 400	16:00
Early afternoon	Felucca to Elephantine Island	EGP 200 (island sites)	16:00
Late afternoon	Nubian village	Arranged with your tour	Not applicable

Ticket prices and hours are from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' ticketing portal. Student tickets are half price for holders of a valid student ID aged 24 or under.

If you have more time

The Temple of Kalabsha, moved to a site near the High Dam, opens at 07:00 with last entry at 15:00 (EGP 200), and Abu Simbel is a separate full-day or early-morning trip further south. For a guided version of the classic day, the best of Aswan day tour groups the main sights for you.

Best time of year

Month	Average high	Average low
January	22.9 °C	8.8 °C
March	29.4 °C	14.9 °C
May	39.0 °C	23.1 °C
July	41.4 °C	26.2 °C
October	35.7 °C	20.8 °C
December	24.2 °C	11.3 °C

Figures are WMO climate normals supplied by Egypt's national meteorological service. November to February are the most comfortable months for a full day outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see Aswan in one day?

Yes. Start at Philae when it opens at 07:00, add the Unfinished Obelisk and the Nubia Museum, and spend the afternoon on the river with Elephantine Island and a Nubian village.

What time does Philae Temple open?

Philae opens at 07:00, with last entry at 15:00 in summer, winter and Ramadan.

How much does Philae Temple cost?

EGP 550 for a foreign adult and EGP 275 for a foreign student, according to the Ministry's ticketing portal.

Is Abu Simbel part of an Aswan day?

Not easily. Abu Simbel is far south of Aswan and is usually visited as a separate trip.