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My short stay in Aswan was only experienced from the Egyptian riverboat. The tour group was taken to many places near the city, including the Philae Temple and Abu Simbel, but we didn’t really get to see the city itself.

Our only chance to visit anything in town was a Nubian dinner, which I skipped to rest up for the early morning departure to Abu Simbel. I wish I had a full day to spend exploring the city. There were a few places I would like to have seen that weren’t included in the tour. It seemed like a laid-back place with enough to keep me busy.

 

Views of the City

Before cruising the Nile to Kom Ombo and Edfu en route to Luxor, I was able to get views of the city on the east bank of the Nile, and the Tombs of the Nobles (Qubbet el-Hawa) on the west bank. On the east bank the biggest landmarks I spotted are Archangel Michael’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral and a mosque north of the city.

Aswan, Egypt
Aswan
Qubbet el-Hawa in Aswan, Egypt
Tombs of the Nobles
Archangel Michael's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Aswan, Egypt
Archangel Michael’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral
Mosque in Aswan, Egypt
Mosque

 

Islands

Two important islands sit in the Nile River at Aswan. Elephantine Island (Ελεφαντίνη) is home to a large Nubian population and several archaeological sites.

Elephantine Island in Aswan, Egypt
Elephantine Island

El Nabatat Island, previously known as Kitchener’s Island, was given to Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener for his services in the Sudan Campaign between 1896 and 1898. He transformed it into a botanical garden with trees and plants from all over the world.

El Nabatat Island in Aswan, Egypt
El Nabatat Island

 

Feluccas

Also from the riverboat I enjoyed watching the feluccas and other boats moving up and down the Nile.

Feluccas in Aswan, Egypt
Feluccas
Feluccas in Aswan, Egypt
Feluccas
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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