Egypt

The temples of Abu Simbel

Carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC under Ramesses II, the two temples were moved in their entirety in 1968 to escape the waters of Lake Nasser. They stand on its western bank, about 230 km southwest of Aswan.

The Great Temple of Abu Simbel
Olaf Tausch · CC BY 3.0

Key facts

Before you go.

Starting point
Aswan, by road (about 3 hours) or by airAbu Simbel (Wikivoyage)
Official price
750 Egyptian pounds, adult foreign ticket (1,200 pounds on 22 February and 22 October) · checked on 1 November 2026Abu Simbel (ministère égyptien du Tourisme et des Antiquités)

Good to know

Three things to remember.

Plan the trip

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Sources · 3 pages consulted, with the exact sentence used
  1. Abu Simbel (Wikipedia)
    It is located on the western bank of Lake Nasser, about 230 km (140 mi) southwest of Aswan […] The complex was relocated in its entirety in 1968 to higher ground to avoid it being submerged by Lake Nasser […] The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th Dynasty reign of the Pharaoh Ramesses II. (coordinates 22.33694, 31.62556)
  2. Abu Simbel (ministère égyptien du Tourisme et des Antiquités)
    Sunday […] Saturday From 06:00 AM To 05:00 PM. Tickets FOREIGNERS: Adult: EGP 750/ Student: EGP 375 February 22nd & October 22nd : Adult: EGP 1200/ Student: EGP 600
  3. Abu Simbel (Wikivoyage)
    EgyptAir offers frequent flights to Abu Simbel from Aswan […] Foreign travellers can get to Abu Simbel by coach or minibus (tour) from Aswan, travelling in convoys. There is at least one daily convoy each way, taking 3 hours. Also make sure you have at least two hours (by agreement with the booking office) in Abu Simbel […] Sit on the left hand side of the bus, and you will see the sunrise in the morning (if awake) and be in the shade on the way back.

Opening hours, prices and access conditions change: check them with the official source before you go. Viafro publishes no price without a source and a date.