Aswan

Aswan is Egypt’s southern capital and is 80 miles south of Luxor in the area known as Upper Egypt. Aswan is known for its Nubian past and for being an important gateway into Africa. The stretch of the Nile passing through Aswan is particularly beautiful and flows past many enormous boulders of granite. There are several islands on the Nile near Aswan, many of which have palm trees offering an exotic feeling. The largest island is Elephantine Island where you will find the luxurious Movenpick Resort & Spa Aswan.

Getting There & Around

Aswan is just over 1 hour from Cairo by air and just 30 minutes from Luxor on EgyptAir. There are no direct flights to Aswan from the UK so this destination can’t be booked online. For the more adventurous traveler, there is a bus from Cairo (13 hours), Luxor (5 hours) or Hurghada (7 hours). The train to Cairo takes 13 hours and some services continue on to Alexandria. Aswan is also an excellent place to book an overnight trip on a Felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) as even if the winds fail, the strong currents will carry the boats north.

Aswan offers the visitor pleasantly warm winters and hot summers. The heat tends to be a dry heat rather than humid and rain is almost unheard of.

Aswan is a quiet, relaxing place in a scenic setting next to the River Nile. There is plenty to offer the tourist such as historical sights nearby such as the Temple of Philae and the magnificent Abu Simbel, complimented by the modern Aswan High Dam. If all the sightseeing becomes too much for you, why not take a stroll through the town taking in the beauty of the River Nile.