Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel · Southern Aswan Governorate, on Lake Nasser, Egypt
Four 20-m statues of Ramesses II guard the lakeshore; in the 1960s UNESCO cut up and moved the whole temple to save it from the rising reservoir.
Know before you go
- No flash inside the temples
- don't climb the colossi or the cliff face
- crowds are huge during the Sun Festival, so plan ahead.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The small temple for the queen
Ramesses II reigned for 66 years and is one of the most famous pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He had two temples carved into a cliff in Nubia: the Great Temple dedicated to himself, its façade fronted by four seated statues 20 m tall, and the Small Temple dedicated to his queen Nefertari, with small statues of her and their children standing at the feet of the pharaoh's colossi. In the early 19th century the Swiss explorer Burckhardt made Europe aware again of these two temples half-buried in sand.
History
The temple that was moved in one piece
When the Aswan High Dam was built in the 1960s, Abu Simbel was set to be flooded by Lake Nasser. In an international campaign launched by UNESCO, the temples were cut into more than a thousand blocks and moved to higher ground in 1968: the Great Temple now stands 65 m higher and 208 m further inland than its original site. At sunrise on 22 February 1966 the relocation team confirmed that the sun still reached deep into the temple, lighting the statues of Ramesses, Amun and Ra-Horakhty.
Source: Wikipedia: Abu Simbel
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The temples were carved into the cliff on the orders of Ramesses II (c. 13th century BC). The four 20-m colossi on the façade of the Great Temple are overwhelming, and its inner sanctuary reaches 60 m into the rock; the small temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari. In the 1960s, as the Aswan dam's reservoir rose, UNESCO launched an international campaign that cut the whole temple into more than a thousand blocks and rebuilt it 65 m higher — a symbol of modern civilisation saving an ancient one, which also helped bring about the World Heritage system. On the 'Sun Festival' days of 22 February and 22 October, sunlight reaches into the sanctuary and lights up the statues of the gods and pharaoh.
Local customs
- The Nubian region is warm and welcoming, known for its painted houses and drum music
- locals are proud to have taken part in moving the temples.
Religion & beliefs
- Both are ancient Egyptian monuments
- today's local residents are mainly Muslim, and ordinary respect is all that's needed.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Egypt: drink only at licensed venues
- Drink in licensed restaurants, bars or within resorts
- Drinking in the street or other public places
Drinking outside licensed premises is illegal and can lead to arrest.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Egypt: no drones without a permit
- Leave your drone at home
- Bringing in or using a drone without Ministry of Defence permission
Up to 7 years in prison, or a fine of EGP 5,000 to 50,000.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Egypt: ask before photographing people, and don't photograph children
- Ask local people before photographing them
- If in doubt, ask before taking a photo
- Photographing children
- Photographing military installations (including the Suez Canal)
- Taking or sharing photos that could harm the country's image
Tourism ministry rules require written permission to photograph Egyptian citizens, and photographing children is banned; photographing military installations is illegal.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- No flash inside the temples
- don't climb the colossi or the cliff face
- crowds are huge during the Sun Festival, so plan ahead.
Locals appreciate DO
Local Nubians love to sing and dance and are happy to show off their painted houses and crafts.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- It is about 280 km from Aswan
- most people go in a road convoy leaving at 3–4 a.m. or take a domestic flight, and a same-day round trip is tiring. For the Sun Festival (22 February and 22 October), book accommodation and transport well in advance. A Lake Nasser cruise is another way to arrive — longer, but unique.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Koshari
- Grilled meat
- Tagine
Kushari, kebabs, tagen, Egyptian flatbread with dips (aish baladi with tahini), hibiscus tea
| Where to eat | Small restaurants in Abu Simbel village (very little choice); mostly tour or hotel meals — eat properly back in Aswan |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Nubian villages are unpretentious — ask before taking photos; food is mainly halal |
| Typical price per person | EGP 250–500 ≈ CNY 38–75 |
| Tips | Most visits are early-morning convoy trips (about 3 hours each way), so bring your own food and water, and allow time if eating in the village. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Mervat Salman · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
Wikipedia：International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia
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