Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae Travel Guide

Featured Lists

Than217 / Public domain

Nubian Monuments Essentials: Abu Simbel to Philae

This collection features the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments, spanning from Abu Simbel to Aswan. Key sites include the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the smaller Temple of Hathor, both relocated to escape Lake Nasser's rising waters. The list also covers the Greco-Roman Temple of Kalabsha, the massive Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarries, and the Nubian Museum, which preserves the region's history. Visitors can explore the 7th-century Saint Simeon Monastery and traditional villages on Elephantine Island.

10 places

Nubian Monuments

The Nubian Monuments represent a monumental UNESCO salvage operation that relocated ancient structures to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser. This collection includes the massive rock-cut temples of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, the Greco-Roman Temple of Kalabsha, and the "Valley of the Lions" at Wadi es-Sebua. These sites showcase the architectural evolution of Lower Nubia, from New Kingdom speos temples to Ptolemaic and Roman sanctuaries, alongside the Nubian Museum which preserves the region's distinct cultural heritage.

12 places

Nubian Religious Sites

This collection spans thousands of years of worship in Lower Nubia, from the Pharaonic era to the early Christian period. It includes the 7th-century Saint Simeon Monastery, a fortified desert complex, and the Greco-Roman temples of Maharraqa and Dakka. Many of these structures, such as the massive Kalabsha Temple, were relocated to higher ground to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Together, these sites illustrate the religious evolution of the region, where ancient Egyptian deities like Thoth and Isis were eventually succeeded by Coptic Christianity.

5 places

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: January, February, March, November, December

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Great

23° (feels like 19°) · extremes 6°–30°
10° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in February

Great

26° (feels like 21°) · extremes 7°–33°
11° at night
0 rainy days
27 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in March

Great

30° (feels like 25°) · extremes 10°–37°
15° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 10 · very high

Up to 5 days above 35°

Typical weather in April

Fair

35° (feels like 31°) · extremes 14°–41°
19° at night
0 rainy days
29 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 11 · extreme

Up to 15 days above 35°

Typical weather in May

Poor

39° (feels like 35°) · extremes 19°–44°
24° at night
0 rainy days
29 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 11 · extreme

Up to 26 days above 35°

Typical weather in June

Poor

41° (feels like 37°) · extremes 23°–45°
26° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 11 · extreme

Up to 29 days above 35°

Typical weather in July

Poor

41° (feels like 38°) · extremes 24°–44°
27° at night
0 rainy days
31 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 11 · extreme

Up to 31 days above 35°

Typical weather in August

Poor

41° (feels like 38°) · extremes 24°–44°
27° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 11 · extreme

Up to 31 days above 35°

Typical weather in September

Poor

39° (feels like 36°) · extremes 22°–43°
25° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 10 · very high

Up to 28 days above 35°

Typical weather in October

Poor

36° (feels like 33°) · extremes 17°–41°
22° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Up to 18 days above 35°

Typical weather in November

Great

29° (feels like 26°) · extremes 12°–35°
16° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in December

Great

25° (feels like 21°) · extremes 8°–31°
12° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2); NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency: Egyptian Pound EGP LE · Card payments · Cash preferred
Electricity: Type C / Type F
220 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Arabic
Tap water: Not safe to drink
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +20

Learn more

Tours & Activities

Related destinations

Aswan Governorate

Other Destinations

Edfu Kawm Ombo

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae

Featured Lists

Nubian Monuments Essentials: Abu Simbel to Philae

Nubian Monuments

Nubian Religious Sites

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae — Map

Climate & when to visit

Typical weather in January

Typical weather in February

Typical weather in March

Typical weather in April

Typical weather in May

Typical weather in June

Typical weather in July

Typical weather in August

Typical weather in September

Typical weather in October

Typical weather in November

Typical weather in December

Practical information

Tours & Activities

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae – Plan Your Days

Related destinations

Other Destinations