Aswan Egypt

For those who want to avoid the rush of the major tourist attractions in Egypt, a trip to Aswan Egypt may well be the answer. Aswan travel is an enjoyable alternative to the more obvious destinations such as Cairo and Alexandria. Friendly and laid-back, it’s an accommodating place, and any holiday will benefit from the local hospitality here. That’s not to say Aswan Egypt is unpopular though; it is, in fact, one of the three most-visited cities on the Nile. But life here is so much more relaxed than in Cairo, for example, that it feels miles away from Egypt’s number one tourist destination.

The Nubian Museum and the Unfinished Obelisk promise to be two of the highlights of your holiday in Aswan, and it’s worth dedicating a day of sightseeing to each. There are also plenty of attractions around the edge of the city, with the High Dam a particularly impressive destination. A massive construct, the current iteration dates back to the 1950s, though dams have stood on this spot for more than 1,000 years now. Aside from the sheer impressive scale of the site, the Aswan Dam also has a fascinating history to tell of: Its construction became part of the arms race between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. as King Nasser, who controlled Egypt at the time, looked to both nations to help finance the project. Trips to the Aswan Dam should also take in the massive Abu Simbel archaeological site.

If you’re in the mood for more water-based activities in Aswan Egypt, the islands that dot the stretch of the Nile that runs adjacent to the city make for a good few days of exploration. These include Sehel Island, Elephantine Island, and Kitcheners Island. Each island has its own distinct charm, and they prove a valuable addition to the attractions of Aswan itself. Sehel Island, for example, boasts exceptional handicrafts, with its beaded jewelry a particular draw for tourists in the area.

Meanwhile, Elephantine Island offers the chance to visit the local Nubian hamlets of Koti and Siou, as well as the series of temples dedicated to Sati, Khnum, and Pepinakht-Heqaib. Over on Kitchener’s Island, Aswan travel is all about visiting the lovely botanical gardens, which feature a stunning array of birds and plants. The slow pace of life and happy-go-lucky attitude on these islands only adds to the impression that a holiday in Aswan is bound to be relaxed and more laid-back than in larger, more mainstream cities in Egypt.

While on a holiday in Aswan, don’t miss the chance to pick up some high-quality Nubian handicrafts for great value in the various souks (markets) that are found in the city. The pressure to buy here is much less than in other places, though the handicrafts do cost a little more than in other areas of the country. Even if you’re not buying, these souks are atmospheric, character Aswan attractions, and they aren’t to be missed.

Getting to Aswan is simple thanks to the planes that arrive at its international airport, along with the many trains and buses that come into local stations here. Once arrived, one of the great things about a holiday is Aswan is that most of the city is quite easy to navigate by foot, which also sharply differentiates it from the larger cities mentioned above. If you don’t fancy the exertion, however, there are plenty of other options for Aswan travel around the city including cabs, ferries across the Nile, and romantic horse-drawn carriages, and there are plenty of excellent local hotels as well.