[2025 Aswan Attraction] Travel Guide for Elephantine (Updated Jul)

Nubian smiley guest house is on elaphantine island in aswan, it was a lovely big 2 bedroom apartment and we only paid £12 for a night, it had a full kitchen with all utensils and pans etc, it had a beautiful roof terrace with a Bedouin seating area and a big bbq, it also had a big balcony. It was lovely and clean. We would definitely stay here again when we visit aswan #sun #tripblazers #passionpassport

#newyearadventure wow what a trip, we stayed on elaphantine island Aswan and saw the high dam, the unfinished obelisk and a Nubian village, then we took the semiramis 11 river cruise for 3 days sailing down the Nile to Luxor stopping at night at Kom ombo temple on the way. We stayed in Luxor and visited the Luxor museum and Karnak temple Then we took the sleeping train to cairo… it was an amazing adventure #wintergetaway#bucketlist #Wow

Aswan is located in southern Egypt, a true desert oasis and a city along the most beautiful stretch of the Nile River. Further south lies Egypt's neighbor Sudan, a region known as Nubia in ancient times. The frequent trade between Egyptians and Nubians established Aswan's position as a commercial center. Since our hotel was on Elephantine Island, our driver could only take us to the ferry dock. As sunset approached, soft sunlight illuminated the Nile, with three-masted feluccas gliding across the water. Their ancient silhouettes against the peaceful river seemed to sail out of distant times, carrying stories of the past—exactly the Nile scenery I had seen in movies. The ferry is the only transportation between Elephantine Island and Aswan city, costing 2 pounds per person with separate seating for men and women. This brief 10-minute journey feels like a mini feast of Nile scenery. In the sunset, the sparkling water reflects the landscapes on both shores, with gentle breezes bringing the Nile's unique scent—everything feels peaceful and romantic. Elephantine Island is a small island in the Nile, and the origin of its name remains debated. With Aswan's tourism boom, the city center can no longer accommodate so many tourists, making the Nubian houses on the island an alternative option. However, the island, still under heavy construction, resembles a large village compared to the city across the river—muddy winding dirt roads, collapsing houses, and livestock in enclosures. Our experience of dragging suitcases to find our hotel was unforgettable. The next morning, while Dingding was still doing her makeup, I took my camera for a short walk around the island. This is a preserve of Nubian culture, where Nubians like to paint their houses in bright colors with cartoon drawings, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. More people are beginning to develop the island's tourism resources and improve infrastructure, hoping to transform it into an island with distinctive Nubian cultural features. However, given the current conditions, this major project certainly has a long way to go. In the early morning, the Elephantine Island dock is both busy and peaceful. People hurry to cross the river, each with their own purpose and expectations, their figures intertwining to form a vibrant rhythm. The small sailboats are neatly lined up along the shore, as if gathering strength while waiting for a new day of business to begin.

Nubian Village, Elephantine Island Address - Aswan, EGPYT Ambiance/Facilities - Highlights - Nubian community Avg. Price per Person - Rating - Elephantine Island is a small island in Aswan. It is a beautiful and quiet place where lives a #Aswan, Egpyt Nubian community. We took a public ferry (small boat) which cost E£5 each for a 5 min ride across the Nile River.

We visited elephantine Island last year for 3 nights and decided to go back this year for a week, it is a beautiful Nubian island, the people are very very friendly and all the children say hello and ask your name when you walk by them, The island is accessed by ferry boat ( men and women sit separately) it costs 5le per person each way. There is lots to see on the island including The temple of khnum, definitely worth a visit if you are in Aswan

Awi guesthouse on elaphantine island is the perfect place to stay, you get a whole two bedroom Nubian apartment to stay in. the people on this island are so welcoming and friendly all the children say hello, no roads or cars… it was amazing