The quintessential way to sightsee in Aswan is by taking to the river on a felucca (traditional lateen-sail boat).

You’ll have no problems finding a captain willing to take you on a river tour. Felucca captains hang out along Aswan’s Nile-side corniche all day, touting for customers.

A typical short tour of around two hours sails in a loop around the islands of the central Aswan area, with great views of the rippling desert dunes of the west river bank, the lush palm-tree-sprinkled islands, and the city on the east bank.

For longer tours, make a half-day or full-day felucca itinerary and plan for a swimming stop along the way, plus stops at some of the central Aswan tourist attractions, such as the archaeological site on Elephantine Island, Kitchener’s Island, and the west bank sites of the Monastery of St. Simeon and Tombs of the Nobles.

You can also head south, up the river, and out of central Aswan on a day-long felucca trip to Seheyl Island. The island is home to a Nubian village and a cliffside covered in inscriptions. The Famine Stele here documents the devastating famine that occurred during the reign of the 3rd Dynasty Pharaoh Zoser.