On the northern end of the First Cataract, marking ancient Egypt's southern frontier, Aswan has always been of great strategic importance.
Aswan, in southern Egypt, stands on a particularly beautiful stretch of the
east bank of the Nile. Once a military station, it still houses a garrison of
the Egyptian army due to its strategic location.
Decorated with palm-fringed islands it has more of an African ambiance
with its numerous Nubian inhabitants. With their own language and customs, it
provides a different cultural experience.
Although Aswan is every bit as touristy as Luxor, the town and its
inhabitants are far more laid back and pleasant. A picturesque city, its
attraction lies not so much in its historical sites, but in the peacefulness of
a felucca cruise at sunset, a visit to the colourful market (Sharia el-Souq),
or dinner at one of the floating restaurants on the Nile. It is a perfect
base to visit to the magnificent Sun Temple of Ramses II, Abu Simbel.
Aswan is one of the driest inhabited areas in the world and is a popular
Egyptian winter resort; the summer months of May-October are hot with highs of 41C; the winter months of November-April
are mild with temperatures dipping to 10C.
The average monthly temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
23 |
26 |
30 |
35 |
38 |
41 |
41 |
40 |
39 |
36 |
29 |
24 |
|
Night |
9 |
10 |
14 |
19 |
22 |
25 |
26 |
25 |
24 |
20 |
15 |
11 |
There is plenty of shopping to be done in the many markets in Aswan,
from shoes and clothes to jewellery and leather. Haggling is the best way to
get the cheapest price.
In a mock Pharaonic temple is the oldest bazaar in town, the Hanafi
Bazaar. Here you will find a fantastic array of genuine Nubian swords, baskets,
amulets, silk kaftans and beads from all over Africa.
Sharia as-Souq appears very much like the tourist bazaars all over
Egypt, but a closer look down side alleys reveals more exotic elements, hinting
at the markets south in Sudan and Africa. Here you will find traders selling
Nubian good luck talismans, colourful Nubian baskets, Sudanese swords, African
masques, and enormous stuffed crocodiles and desert creatures. It is very much
a living market, where Nubians from Elephantine Island and around Aswan shop
for food and live produce, including fruit, vegetables, chickens and pigeons.
The Elephantine Bar located in the Oberoi Hotel on Elephantine Island
offers a relaxed, yet traditional style of entertainment 24 hours a day.
For excellent panoramic views of the Nile and Aswan, the Tower Bar, also
located in the Oberoi Hotel on the 12th floor is superb.
Nubian shows are performed for tourists at the Mövenpick Resort and New
Cataract Hotel. Between October and February/March, Aswan's folkloric dance
troupe sporadically performs Nubian tahtib (stick dancing) and songs
depicting village life at the Palace of Culture.
Aswan is awash with ancient sights and wonders as well as the natural
beauty of the Nile. During your stay why not take time to visit some of the
many ancient wonders, such as:
Change of diet and climate accounts for most
visitors' health problems – usually minor stomach upsets. There are no
compulsory inoculations for
Egypt, though you should always be up to date with polio and tetanus
Aswan is a fairly safe place to
visit. However it is always wise to take certain precautions when
planning a trip through the southern region of Egypt:
·
Avoid walking alone at night
(especially women).
· Street crime, burglaries, and petty
theft are not major concerns in Aswan; they occasionally happen so avoid
carrying around large amounts of money.
·
Lock all car doors and roll up windows
when leaving valuables behind in a car.
·
Pickpockets have been known in crowded
tourist areas, so be careful.
