🗿 Nubia, southern Egypt (near the Sudanese border)
Things to do in Abu Simbel
Ramesses II’s colossal rock temples above Lake Nasser
Abu Simbel is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Egypt: two vast temples carved into a cliff by Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, guarded by four 20-metre seated colossi. Almost as remarkable is that the entire complex was cut apart and lifted 65 metres to higher ground in the 1960s, block by block, to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser behind the Aswan High Dam. It sits deep in Nubia, about 280km south of Aswan, and is usually visited on a very early day trip or a Lake Nasser cruise.
Time needed
1 (long) day from Aswan
Best time
October–April for bearable temperatures on the long desert trip; summer is extremely hot
Region
Nubia, southern Egypt (near the Sudanese border)
Don’t miss
The Great Temple of Ramesses II
The four colossal seated statues of Ramesses guarding the entrance are the image of Abu Simbel, and the interior — a hall of Osiris pillars and vivid reliefs of the Battle of Kadesh — is astonishing. Go at opening, before the tour buses converge, to have a few minutes with the facade in the low morning light.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Abu Simbel
- The Great Temple’s four 20-metre colossi of Ramesses II and its pillared inner halls.Find tours
- The smaller Temple of Hathor, dedicated to Ramesses’ queen Nefertari — a rare honour.Find tours
- The story of the 1960s UNESCO rescue that cut and relocated the temples to save them from Lake Nasser.
- A Lake Nasser cruise that reaches Abu Simbel by water, plus other Nubian monuments.Find tours
- The twice-yearly Sun Festival (around 22 Feb & 22 Oct), when sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary.
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How to get to Abu Simbel
From Aswan it’s about a 3–3.5 hour drive each way across the desert, historically in an organised early-morning convoy and still usually done as a guided day trip leaving before dawn. Short domestic flights from Aswan (and seasonally Cairo) also run, giving a couple of hours at the site. Alternatively, a Lake Nasser cruise includes Abu Simbel by water. There’s little at the site itself, so most people don’t stay overnight.
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Best time to visit
October–April for bearable temperatures on the long desert trip; summer is extremely hot. The Sun Festival dates (around 22 February and 22 October), when the rising sun illuminates the inner sanctuary statues, are spectacular but very crowded — book well ahead.
Abu Simbel tips
- Start before dawn — the day trip from Aswan is long, and early light on the colossi is the best.
- Go with a reputable operator who handles the convoy/tour logistics and a licensed guide.
- Bring water, sun protection and your passport (you travel close to the Sudanese border).
- Consider a Lake Nasser cruise if you want to reach it by water and see more of Nubia.
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