Aswan

The city of Aswan is located on the eastern bank of the Nile River in the south of Egypt and is home to more than 1.5 million people. Famously associated with the Aswan Dam built just to the south, creating Lake Nassar, the city itself has a long history.

The Nile River is the heart of the city and has stayed remarkably untouched with loads of birds and plants lining the shores. As you get close to the old, lower, “British” dam, there are cataracts which are worth seeing. Between the lower and upper dam you will find the Philea Temple Complex and a number of smaller islands and cataracts.

Getting around the city is fairly easy with numerous tuktuks, taxis and bush taxis. On the river you can hire a Fualuca sailboat to explore the cataracts and beautiful natural scenery or hire one of the numerous motorboats though there is a much cheaper public ferry which will get you to the west bank. Aswan also has a small international airport.

In addition to the Aswan Dam and Philea Temple Complex there are a few things in the city that are worth seeing.

The “Aga Khan Mausoleum” is located near the Nubian villages on the west bank of the Nile. It is said that though Khan did not come from the area he fell in love with it when he visited, eventually requesting he be buried here.

The souk is located just off the corniche surrounding Salah El-Deen, spreading along the side roads and alleys. The main entrance is generally quite touristy so go deeper into the market to experience a more authentic experience. The market is open pretty much all day every day selling all manner of spices, clothing, food (fresh and prepared), and souvenirs.

Looking west across the Nile you can't help but notice rectangular holes in the orange sandstone cliffs which are often lit up at night. These are tombs holding nobles that are more ancient than the pyramids or Valley of the Kings.

There are several Nubian villages on the west bank towards the south of the city, close to the old dam. These can be visited by boat or ferry and have hotels, markets and places to eat. You can even take a camel ride across the sands of the dessert into the village if you wish.

There are numerous hotels in the area and on Elephantine Island (named due to a rock formation on the north side of the island, that looks like an Elephant) in the middle of the river, there are several large modern hotels including the giant Mövenpick Aswan and if you wish to tread in the steps of Agatha Christie, she stayed at the Old Cataract Hotel on the east bank, near the southern tip of Elephantine Island.

For further information, please see:

• Lonely Planet - Aswan
• Wikipedia - Aswan