Southernmost city of Egypt

The fourth largest city in Upper Egypt exudes an almost magical tranquility and is considered the most beautiful city on both sides of the Nile. The city's name derives from the ancient Egyptian "Swnw," meaning "trade." Feluccas, traditional wooden boats with white sails, glide across the water between the mainland and the offshore islands. The bazaar is bustling with activity; exotic scents fill the air. The Aswan souk stretches along the approximately 700-meter-long market street that runs parallel to the Nile. Here, one can buy Nubian handicrafts, perfumes, scented oils, lamps, clothing, linen and silk fabrics, as well as oriental spices and fresh fruits.

At the southern end of the river promenade stands the city's main Coptic Orthodox church. Between the Nubian Museum and the quarry with its unfinished obelisk lies the Fatimid cemetery, and on a hill northwest of the Nile, the ruins of the Monastery of Saint Simeon await. Equally worth seeing are the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan and the beautiful Botanical Garden. Aswan is an ideal starting point for a trip to the Temple of the Sun at Abu Simbel. During the winter months, Aswan is considered a Garden of Eden due to its dry and pleasant climate.