no alt text

Travel bucket list idea:

Temples of Abu Simbel

Aswan, Southern Upper Egypt Region, Egypt

|
Bucket List Experience
Exterior facade of the great temple showing four giant statues guarding the door
Last updated: 18 March, 2024

The two temples of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel are among the most impressive of all the world’s surviving ancient monuments. It remains a testament to the power of the Egyptian empire at its height under Ramesses II, aka ‘Ramesses the Great’.

Cut into the rock above the Nile flood plain more than 3,000 years ago, fronted by four colossal statues of the pharaoh. His consort Nefertari and their children can be seen in smaller figures by his feet. Queen Nefertari was the first of Ramesses’ ‘Great Royal Wives’.

The temple remains an awe-inspiring sight, despite having been relocated in the 1960s above the newly created Lake Nasser. It’s angled so that each 21 February and 21 October, the sun illuminated the gods in the innermost sanctuary. This happens a day later since its relocation, following construction of the Aswan Dam.

While you’re there

Many people don’t realise there are two temples on the site. The neighbouring Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Nefertari, is smaller but equally beautiful.

Logistics

Price from: £12
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Most visitors fly directly into Abu Simbel airport from Cairo (about a 2-hour flight) or Aswan (about a 45-minute flight); many Nile cruises will take you from Luxor to Aswan – and more luxurious and genteel way to arrive.

The temple is a 15-minute shuttle ride from Aswan airport. Alternatively book on the (obligatory) convoy leaving Aswan at 4.30am and 11am daily (about 3-4 hours’ drive). You could also arrive via a relaxing 3-day cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel, across the starkly beautiful Lake Nasser. Cruises take in many lesser ancient monuments on the way.

Guides are not allowed to talk inside the temples, so read up before you go.

After jostling with the masses, head to the civilisation of the legendary Old Cataract hotel in Aswan, for sundowners on the Nile-side terrace, or dinner at the excellent restaurant.

Stay the night

If you stay the night at Abu Simbel, you can sign up for the Sound and Light show. The commentary is crass, but the light show is memorable.

None of Abu Simbel’s hotels are especially luxurious, but the authentic Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge is atmospheric and run by a fascinating man – a Nubian guide who’s also a musician.

When to do it

The site is open all year round, seven days a week.

Most tours groups from Aswan, or arriving on flights, visit during the morning. Visit in the afternoon, and you might have the temples to yourself.

Abu Simbel is blisteringly hot in the summer (July-August) and can be surprisingly cold in the winter (January-February), especially when the winds blow off the desert.

Who to go with: organised tours

5

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

4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon

Aswan

4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon
The Beauty of Egypt Upper Nile Valley, is best appreciated from the deck of a Nile Cruise ship. Enjoy the riverside scenery and discover the ancient wonders of Egypt passing by pharaonic sites en route between Aswan and Luxor. Explore the highlights of the sightseeing in Luxor and Aswan, two stops in the way to visit the pharaonic sites of interest such as; Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples. Discover one of the most impressive temples in Egypt by visiting Abu Simbel 285 km south of Aswan. Experience the exciting trip of the Hot Air Balloon in Luxor. Have fun and enjoy plenty of night entertainments of the belly dancing show, galabiya party, Nubian show or disco and more.

Price: $349

Min age: 0

Rating 4.70 / 5 [1566 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor&Abu Simbel+Balloon

Aswan

4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor&Abu Simbel+Balloon
Enjoy beautiful Nile Valley scenery as you cruise down the River Nile on a 4-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Visit the temples of Karnak, Edfu, Abu Simbel with Small group and more. Explore the Valley of the Kings, and soak up the luxury on board your 5-star cruise boat. Your luxury boat will serve lunch and dinner throughout the cruise, and you can dance the night away to an on board disco. Relax by the sundeck and swimming pool, or seek out the services of an Egyptologist guide to learn more about Ancient Egypt.

Price: $385

Min age: 1

Rating 4.77 / 5 [1496 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel, Air Balloon

Aswan

4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel, Air Balloon
3 nights Nile cruise,meals,expert tour guide,qualified licensed drivers,door to door transfers,hot air balloon,Abu Simbel trip,west and east banks in Luxor,Edfu and Kom Ombo temples,Aswan tours,taxes and charges all are included. Gather between the great Egyptian Nile river quietness on cruise board and the fabulous temples and tombs in upper Egypt. The best price and quality of service are our targets. Collect the most important sites in upper Egypt in 1 package. Touch the real Egyptian culture in Luxor and Aswan. Relax on cruise board this is egypt in the best way you can see. Enjoy the highlights of Aswan and Luxor. Visit the fabulous temples of Abu Simbel. With stops in Kom Ombo and Edfu. our the Valley of the Kings and so much more with an Egyptology guide. Experience the life trip hot air balloon. Feast on buffet lunches, dinners, and breakfasts on board a 5-star ship. Take it easy with door-to-door transfers in Luxor and Aswan.

Price: $336

Min age: 0

Rating 4.52 / 5 [502 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon

Aswan

4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon
Cruise the Nile River from Aswan to Luxor on a 5-star cruise that explores the ancient highlights of the Upper Nile. From the Temple of Philae to Kom Ombo Temple and the Valley of the Kings, discover royal tombs to temples. An included sunrise hot-air balloon flight above Luxor’s magnificent West Bank helps take in the scale of the ancient settlement, and onboard entertainment ensures a lively cruise. Discover one of the most impressive temples in Egypt by visiting Abu Simbel 285 km south of Aswan.

Price: $349

Min age: 0

Rating 4.60 / 5 [404 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Private Day Tour to Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan

Aswan

Private Day Tour to Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan
Discover a part of Egypt that most first-time visitors miss on a private day trip to the Abu Simbel temples from Aswan. You’ll stay cool and skip the hassle of car hire with private, air-conditioned transport, and enjoy the chance to ask as many questions as you like to your private guide. Plus, you’ll enjoy the freedom to make tweaks to your itinerary. Note : To confirm your booking will need copy photo from your passport please update it with booking process

Price: $65

Min age: 6

Rating 4.51 / 5 [376 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
SEE ALL RECOMMENDED TOURS & TICKETS

Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Aswan

Upper Egypt, Egypt

The Holiest of Holies of the Great Temple at the Ramses II Temples at Abu Simbel.

Egypt’s southern-most town – unspoilt and on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Nile. Most come to see the magnificent Temple of Ramses II, one of the wonders of the ancient world, but there’s plenty more besides.

Website >
More details >

Round-ups

2

Round-ups that include this experience

100 World’s greatest historic buildings

The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.

Website >
More details >