The serene Aswan lies on the East bank of the Nile, and is busy with tourists all year long. In ancient times, this trade hub was the source of stone for most of the empire.

Here are some tips you can make use of while in Aswan:

Don't miss

- Trip to Abu-Simbel: A nice extension to your visit in Aswan would be a small excursion to Abu Simbel where you can enjoy the sound and light show at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is reachable by plane, train, or cruise from Aswan.

- Nile Cruise: Remember that the best time of the year to go on a Nile cruise is during fall. The weather gets colder during fall in Aswan so its advisable to be prepared with some warmer clothing.

- Aswan Museum: Pay a visit to the Aswan Museum on Elephantine’s Island; it’s a serene small museum housing an interesting collection of Greco-Roman artefacts that were found in Aswan and Nubia, such as the mummy of the sacred calf which symbolized Khnum. The museum is open from 8 am till 5 pm in summer, and from 8:30 am till 6 pm in winter.

- Folk Dances: Aswan is the hub of traditional Nubian folk dances: these are performed on special occasions as well as everyday for the sake of entertainment. Every night Nubian dancers and musicians perform in the Cultural Center, just off the Corniche.

Tips

- Felluca Cruise Tips: If you decide to go on a felucca cruise, agree on the price and the itinerary before sailing off from Aswan.

- Food: The fact that most of Aswan’s visitors arrive on cruise ships where they can enjoy all their meals, may be the explanation for the lack of diverse dining options in town. Nevertheless, there are a few floating restaurants down by the Cornice that are worth a visit; there you can enjoy your meal while listening to traditional Nubian music, or watching a Nubian dance show. You’ll also find a few interesting cafes on the Souk street. Those are perfect for quenching your thirst, or having a quick snack in between your sightseeing tours.

- Remember to dress comfortably when visiting the ancient Egypt sites; sneakers, sun glasses and caps are highly recommended.

- Remember to pick up some of Aswan’s unique and special drinks such as karkadeh. Ask the seller to explain how to prepare it.

Facts About: Aswan

Population : 280000	Area Code : 97	Distance to Luxor : 220 km	Distance to Cairo : 925 km
T° in Winter : 10-25 °C	T° in Summer : 25-35 °C

Is it your first time in Cairo, or Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, Hurghada, or any Egypt location and you aren’t sure what to expect? Pick your intended vacation spot from the list below to find some information that might come in handy. You’ll feel welcome in each and every Egyptian town or city you’ll visit. Nonetheless, each destination has its own special spirit which you might want to know about before going there.

Wherever you chose to go, you will easily stay connected with family and friends back home through:

• Mobile phones: you can chose to roam with your international number by registering on any of the three mobile phone operator networks in Egypt. Alternatively you may want to purchase a temporary visitor line from one of the providers.
• Land-lines: in addition to their availability in all hotels, payphones are also available in some cities.
• Internet: wireless internet is available in a large number of restaurants, hotels and coffee shops throughout the country. Some may provide the service for free while others may charge you for it. Hotels offer wired and wireless access in the comfort of your own room. Some cities, like Sharm El Sheikh, are fully connected using wireless internet connectivity.