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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 18 September, 2022

For thousands of years this temple has attracted pilgrims from along the Nile and around the Mediterranean. Begun by the Ptolemies in the 4th century BC, dedicated to the goddess and her husband, Osiris, it became one of the country’s most sacred sites during Roman times.

The temple was relocated to a new island following the building of the Aswan Dam, but it remains one of the most beautiful Graeco-Roman temples in the world, with the most romantic setting of all.

Look out for crosses and an altar in the inner courts of the temple: after the cult of Isis was suppressed, the temple was converted into a Christian church.

Price from: £13
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

There are regular tours here or catch a taxi to the boat landing of Shellal, just south of the old dam. Buy a ticket for the temple there, and take a boat across (you pay the boatman directly). If you are taking a taxi from Aswan, have them wait to take you back. The boat that takes you over to Philae island will also wait for you.

On the island, within the temple complex, there is a café overlooking the water serving drinks, snacks and some souvenirs.

If you have time, ask (and pay) your boatman to continue across the lake beyond the Philae Temple to see some Nubian villages and the massive wall of the High Dam before returning.

When to do it

The temple is open all year round, seven days a week. The best time to go is in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, although there is usually a cooler breeze on the lake.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Aswan tour ( the temple of philae - high dam )

Aswan

Aswan tour ( the temple of philae - high dam )
Take a sharing tour to explore the mighty High Dam – a modern feat of engineering – creating Lake Nasser, the world’s largest artificial lake., and enjoy a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island for a guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple – dedicated to the goddess Isis.

Price: €25

Rating 4.70 / 5 [24 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Aswan Day Tour Visiting Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk And High Dam

Aswan

Aswan Day Tour Visiting Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk And High Dam
Explore the best ancient monuments and tourist sights Travel to Egypt has to offer in 1 Day tour. See the highlights of picturesque Aswan on a comprehensive tour with an expert Egyptologist guide. Traveling by air-conditioned car, start with views of the Aswan High Dam, the massive 1960s structure built to counter the annual flooding of the Nile. Admire the dam and then see the Unfinished Obelisk, a gigantic, half-carved obelisk abandoned in its quarry by ancient quarrymen. Later, ride a boat to Philae Temple, renowned for its beautiful island location. Tour the magnificent courts, terraces and chambers dedicated to the goddess Isis before returning to Aswan proper. 

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Rating 5 / 5 [10 ratings]

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Aswan Day Tour Visiting Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam in Aswan

Aswan

Aswan Day Tour Visiting Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam in Aswan
 At 8:00 am Emo Tours expert Licensed Tour guide will pick you up from your hotel or Nile cruise or even from the airport in Aswan to enjoy a day tour in the amazing city of Aswan Start your tour by a visit to the High Dam, an engineering miracle built in 1960 protecting Egypt from annual floods from the Nile. Then proceed to visit the Unfinished Obelisk which shows the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to cut obelisks. Most probably this obelisk belongs to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the rulers of the 18th Dynasty and the royal wife of king Tuthmosis II. This queen was the owner of her Temple in the eastern bank of Luxor Also there is an opinion said that it belongs to Queen Nefertiti. Move on to visit the majestic Philae Temple which was built in the honor of Goddess Isis the chief deity of the island. Later you will be transferred back to your hotel. 

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Rating 4.69 / 5 [52 ratings]

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Aswan: Private Guided Tour to High Dam, The Obelisk & Philae Temple by Boat

Aswan

Aswan: Private Guided Tour to High Dam, The Obelisk & Philae Temple by Boat
Explore three of Aswan's most popular and well known sites. Walk on the High Dam which separates Lake Nasser from the Nile, be astounded at the size of the Unfinished Obelisk, and enjoy the beauty of Philae Temple's island location. Highlights Visit the Philae Temple, built in honor of the goddess Isis Enjoy a visit to the magnificent Unfinished Obelisk View the High Dam of Aswan – a miracle of engineering Marvel at the River Nile from a motor boat Hotels/ Nubian guest house / Nubian Motels In Gharb Sohile and West of Aswan Pickup or drop off will be extra 10 usd per person

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Rating 4.72 / 5 [25 ratings]

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Full Day Guided Tour to Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam and Philae Temple by Boat

Aswan

Full Day Guided Tour to Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam and Philae Temple by Boat
Enjoy convenient hotel pickup from your hotel in Aswan, then set off on your journey with your professional guide who will enlighten you with interesting facts throughout your tour. Upon arrival at the majestic Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, roam around to experience this classical and sacred site to the core. Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarries of Aswan, where much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from , proceed to the High Dam of Aswan, an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960 . Later you will get a comfortable transfer back to your hotel or Nile Cruise in Aswan.

Price: $66

Rating 5 / 5 [18 ratings]

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Philae Temple and High-Dam Half-day tour in Aswan

Aswan

Philae Temple and High-Dam Half-day tour in Aswan
Overview Visit two Aswan must-sees — the Philae Temple and High Dam — on a convenient half-day tour. Gaze at the High Dam, built across the River Nile during the 1960s to control Egypt’s floods. Then, continue to Philae, riding a motorboat to this ancient island temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. See the courts, colonnades, halls as an Egyptologist guide charts the temple’s history. Includes air-conditioned transport, boat ride, entrance fees, and central hotel pickup and drop-off. Half-day High Dam and Philae Temple tour from Aswan See the vast High Dam, built to control the Nile’s annual floods Motorboat ride to the ancient island Temple of Philae Stroll the chambers and courtyards, and learn about their history from an Egyptologist guide Hear how the temple was moved to its site to prevent submersion in Lake Nasser Tour includes air-conditioned transport, central Aswan hotel pickup and drop-off, and entrance fees

Price: $75

Rating 5 / 5 [21 ratings]

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Aswan Philae Temple, Obelisk, and High Dam Private Tour

Aswan

Aswan Philae Temple, Obelisk, and High Dam Private Tour
Visit ancient Egypt’s most famous historical sites and attractions in Aswan. With this half-day private tour to the Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam, and Philae Temple. Exploring three of Aswan’s most popular sites with a private guide means a more flexible and personalized sightseeing experience, with the opportunity to view and learn about them as you like

Price: $79

Rating 4.54 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Aswan: Private Tour to Philae Temple and Nubian Village By Boat & Entrance Fees

Aswan

Aswan: Private Tour to Philae Temple and Nubian Village By Boat & Entrance Fees
Pay a visit to the majestic Philae Temple with an expert guide. Experience a boat ride along the Nile River and admire its scenic beauty. Take a closer look at Nubian culture and traditions, and meet a Nubian family to learn about their lifestyle.

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Rating 4.95 / 5 [20 ratings]

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Round-ups that include this experience

101 World’s greatest historic buildings

Multiple countries

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