Philae · Aswan Guide
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Temple of Isis at Philae seen from the water, 2006 photograph

Aswan · Upper Egypt

Philae Temple
Isis on Agilkia Island

An independent visitor guide to the relocated temple complex near Aswan. Check official admission and last entry, agree the boat return, and separate the daytime visit from any evening show.

Plan your dayHow to get there
24° 01′ 32″ N 32° 53′ 03″ E

The-Temple-of-Philae-on-Agilika-Island.jpg · Ivan Marcialis · 2006-08-01 · CC BY-SA 2.0Framed for display; original file unchanged. Historic photograph, not evidence of current access or boat service.

01 · The Place

An island that holds
a whole memory

Philae was dedicated to the goddess Isis, and its parts were built across successive Ptolemaic and Roman eras. When the waters of the High Dam threatened the old island, the whole complex was moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island in an international rescue project.

Today the journey is part of the meaning: a small boat, wide water, then a stone gateway slowly appearing out of the Nile’s blue.

View from Agilkia, 2005 photograph

Agilkia.jpg · Heinz Albers · www.heinzalbers.org · 2005 · CC BY 2.5Framed for display; original file unchanged. Historic photograph, not evidence of current access or boat service.

The approach

Begin from the water

Temple of Isis at Philae, 2006 photograph

The-Temple-of-Philae-on-Agilika-Island.jpg · Ivan Marcialis · 2006-08-01 · CC BY-SA 2.0Framed for display; original file unchanged. Historic photograph, not evidence of current access or boat service.

The scene

Rock, palm, and light

Admission · Boat · Return

The rhythm

Plan the return before boarding

02 · History & Story

Ptolemaic temples and a modern rescue

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities dates most of the monuments to the Ptolemaic period. Ptolemy II began the prominent temple dedicated to Isis, with later additions to the complex.

The ministry describes the Temple of Isis as remaining active into the sixth century AD. The last dated hieroglyphic inscription there is attributed to the priest Esmet-Akhom in AD 394.

The complex includes the Temple of Hathor and the Kiosk of Trajan. These are related monuments with different histories, rather than a single building of one date.

UNESCO’s Nubian rescue campaign ran from 1960 to 1980. Philae’s monuments were moved from their original island to nearby Agilkia to protect them from flooding; the island visited today is the relocated setting.

In the myths

The ministry describes Isis, Osiris and Horus in the temple’s religious imagery. Read these as ancient beliefs and depicted traditions, not as events this guide can independently establish.

Sound & Light Show

An evening Sound and Light visit has its own booking, performance language, date and boat arrangements. A daytime monument ticket or closing time does not confirm an evening show; check the operator before arranging the trip.

03 · Plan Your Visit

Hours, last entry and separate costs

Google Maps: 4.8 / 5 · 14,979 reviews · 29 October 2026
◌

Timing

Official ministry hours are 07:00–16:00; the official ticket portal lists 15:00 last entry. Maps showed 17:00 closing on 29 October 2026. These differ: use the official timetable for planning and confirm your date.

↝

The boat

Arrange an identified departure dock and a safe return crossing with your provider. Ask whether a quoted package includes both directions, waiting time and the monument ticket; no boat price is verified here.

✧

Rhythm

Allow flexible time for ticketing, boarding and the visit. Confirm the return boat before landing; do not assume that last admission leaves enough time for your planned route.

☼

Season

Check the actual Aswan forecast, heat and wind warnings. Choose a time within confirmed access hours and carry water and sun protection; a sunset photograph does not establish permission to stay.

Source comparison: closing and last entry differ

Checked 29 October 2026. Plan from the official timetable and confirm your date and return crossing; do not use the later Maps time to extend your visit.

On a narrow screen, scroll the table sideways.

Source, opening and closing or last admission
SourceScopeOpensPublished timeMeaning
Ministry of Tourism and AntiquitiesDaily07:0016:00Published closing time, not labelled last entry.
Official ticket portalSummer, winter and Ramadan07:0015:00Last admission, not closing time.
Google Maps29 October 2026 snapshot—17:00Third-party closing listing differs from the ministry.

Ministry: Philae · Official tickets and last entry

The ministry lists temple panorama separately: foreign adult/student EGP 200/100, Egyptian adult/student EGP 40/20. The ticket portal requires valid student ID and age no more than 24. Confirm eligibility and inclusions; boat crossings and an evening show are not automatically part of admission.

Costs in brief

  • Foreign adult / studentEGP 550 / 275
  • Egyptian adult / studentEGP 40 / 20
  • Boat / evening showCheck separately

Official portal snapshot checked 29 October 2026. Student ID and age conditions apply; check your category and date. Temple panorama has a separate tariff. We do not sell tickets.

Parking & getting around

The destination is on Agilkia Island and requires a boat connection. Confirm the current departure marina, lawful parking or drop-off, boarding access and return meeting point with your provider. The temple map pin is not a dock or parking instruction.

04 · Visitor Voices

What do
visitors say?

4.8
/ 5
14,979 third-party reviews

Google Maps snapshot checked 29 October 2026 ·See all reviews on Google Maps ↗

The figures may change and do not update automatically here. This guide did not collect these reviews and does not reproduce review text.

See all reviews on Google Maps

05 · Getting There

How do you reach Philae?

The ministry identifies the destination on Agilkia Island. Confirm the actual boat departure dock with your provider rather than navigating to the island pin by road.

01 · From the airport

Aswan International Airport (ASW)

From Aswan International Airport, compare a current route and confirm the departure dock with the driver. No fixed journey time or app availability has been verified here.

02 · By train / bus

From Cairo or Luxor

After arrival in Aswan, arrange the onward journey to the confirmed boat marina and a return connection. Check train or bus schedules directly with the service provider.

03 · Within Aswan

Public transport

This guide has not verified a direct public route, fare or last return service. Ask locally about the exact stop, direction and final walk; keep an alternative plan.

04 · Taxi / app

Clearest and most comfortable

Confirm that the driver understands the actual Philae boat departure point, and agree the fare or app terms before departure. An island destination is not a road drop-off point.

05 · Marina → temple

Agree the return crossing

Before boarding, confirm return time, waiting arrangements, price, life jackets and safe access. The type of vessel and operation depend on the provider and current conditions.

06 · Weather & Tips

Current weather and visit advice

Open-Meteo model data for the Philae area, not a station at the temple or an opening/sailing guarantee. Check official warnings and the boat operator separately.

Model time: 2026-11-02T18:15 · Africa/Cairo · Retrieved: 2026-11-02T16:21:35.992Z UTC · Fetch age in seconds: 0

Model conditions near Philae

☀️31 °C

Clear

Feels like27 °C
Rain chance today0%
Wind11 km/h · 2 · calm
Forecast UV today6

Upcoming days

Mon

02

☁️

35 °C

18 °C

Rain 0%

Tue

03

☁️

36 °C

20 °C

Rain 0%

Wed

04

☀️

36 °C

20 °C

Rain 0%

Thu

05

☀️

34 °C

20 °C

Rain 0%

Fri

06

☀️

32 °C

19 °C

Rain 0%

Sat

07

☀️

28 °C

18 °C

Rain 0%

Sun

08

⛅

26 °C

16 °C

Rain 0%

✅ What to wear & prepare

  • High heat: shorten exposed time and plan water and shade.

✅ How to plan the visit

  • These data are not a closure notice or sailing clearance. Confirm admission, boat operation and return arrangements with the operator, and follow local warnings.

🎒 What to bring

  • Water, a hat and sun protection.
  • Sun protection, sunglasses and covering clothing.
  • An extra layer for cooler conditions.

Model data, not a temple measurement or official warning. Reload the page to refresh; do not rely on an old copy. Open-Meteo · CC BY 4.0 · Model sources

07 · When to Visit?

A four-season strategy

Use these seasonal planning prompts with the actual forecast. This table is not a measured climate-normal dataset or a prediction of Nile level, crowds or boat service.

Scroll the table sideways on a narrow screen.

SeasonWeather planningNile & lightVisit adviceFor photos
Winter
December–February		Check daytime and evening temperatures.Assess water and visibility locally; no seasonal level is guaranteed.Confirm hours, crossings and return arrangements for your date.Follow current photography rules; historical images do not prove access.
Spring
March–May		Check heat, wind and dust warnings.Assess water and visibility locally; no seasonal level is guaranteed.Confirm hours, crossings and return arrangements for your date.Follow current photography rules; historical images do not prove access.
Summer
June–August		Plan around the actual heat forecast.Assess water and visibility locally; no seasonal level is guaranteed.Confirm hours, crossings and return arrangements for your date.Follow current photography rules; historical images do not prove access.
Autumn
September–November		Check the day’s temperature and wind.Assess water and visibility locally; no seasonal level is guaranteed.Confirm hours, crossings and return arrangements for your date.Follow current photography rules; historical images do not prove access.

Confirm access and last entry in every season. Weather and water conditions do not extend visiting hours.

08 · Tailored Plans

By type of trip

👨‍👩‍👧

Families with children

  • Confirm correctly sized life jackets and safe boarding for every child.
  • Use the actual forecast to plan shade and drinking-water breaks.
  • Ask about current toilets before leaving the departure point.
  • Check steps and surfaces before relying on a stroller.
📷

Photography lovers

  • Mobile-phone photography is listed as free on the official ticket portal.
  • Confirm rules for cameras, tripods, professional work and any permit before bringing equipment.
  • Do not photograph people without permission or touch carved surfaces.
  • Daytime access does not authorize sunrise, sunset or evening-show access.
♿

Limited mobility

  • Ask about the exact boarding gap, steps and assistance needed.
  • This guide has not verified a step-free route or accessible toilet.
  • Confirm the return crossing and a place to rest with your provider.
  • Discuss support needs before booking; do not infer access from a photograph.

09 · Suggested Routes

Half day or full day?

Temple and boat plan

  1. 1Reach the departure marina confirmed with your provider.
  2. 2Boat to Agilkia Island and the first gateway.
  3. 3Isis court, Trajan’s Kiosk, and the view over the Nile.
  4. 4Meet the pre-arranged return boat within the confirmed schedule.

Possible Aswan additions

  1. 1The above temple and boat visit. Check its own access and allow flexible time.
  2. 2The High Dam and the story around the Nile. Check its own access and allow flexible time.
  3. 3The Nubia Museum to understand the local culture. Check its own access and allow flexible time.
  4. 4Elephantine Island or a Nubian village, and sunset on the Nile. Check its own access and allow flexible time.

10 · Visitor Services

Facilities & their type (a neutral view)

A checklist of questions, not a verified inventory of facilities at the island or marina. Confirm anything essential with your provider before travelling.

🚻

Toilets

Ask about the nearest currently available toilet and whether it meets your needs.

🅿️

Parking

Confirm lawful parking or drop-off at the actual departure point; the island pin is not parking.

🍽️

Food & drink

Confirm drinking water and food availability; carry what you need and follow site rules.

🛏️

Accommodation

Compare current lodging in Aswan with your departure dock and transport needs.

🛍️

Shopping & crafts

Check where crafts can lawfully be purchased; do not buy or remove antiquities.

⛽🔌

Fuel & EV charging

Verify fuel or charging availability for your actual route; no local charging point is confirmed here.

11 · Education & Responsibility

An aware visitor
preserves the memory

Do not touch the carvings

Soft stone is affected by hand contact over time. Do not climb the monuments or write on the walls.

Leave no trace

Take back what you brought on the return boat. Do not throw anything into the Nile or onto the island.

Respect the Nile

The Nile is a living system; protecting it is part of protecting this place for those after us.

A lesson in rescue

The relocation of Philae was an international heritage rescue campaign. Your visit is an acknowledgement of the value of preserving human memory.

12 · Around Philae

After you return
from the island

These are separate Aswan-area options. Check each destination’s admission, hours, route and transport; this is not a timed itinerary.

01

The High Dam

Modern engineering that changed Aswan’s relation with the Nile, near the boat point.

02

Nubia Museum

A rich entry to understanding the history and culture of the region beyond the First Cataract.

03

Elephantine Island

A Nubian village, the Nileometer, and ruins among palms and calm water.

04

What to eat?

Ask vendors about ingredients, preparation and your dietary needs. No restaurant or dish availability is verified here.

13 · Getting Here

Follow the blue of the Nile

Agilkia Island · Aswan · Egypt 24.0255836° N · 32.8841021° E Island location, not a boat-departure pin.

Official monument information: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities ↗.

14 · Frequently Asked

Before you go

How do I get to Philae Temple?＋

Confirm the Philae departure dock with your transport or boat provider, then cross to Agilkia Island. Agree the return meeting, price and inclusions before boarding; the island map pin is not the road destination.

What is the best time to visit?＋

Use the actual heat and wind forecast and choose within confirmed hours. No season guarantees mild weather, quiet conditions or an operating boat; do not plan around an assumed sunset entry.

Is the boat included in the ticket?＋

Usually the boat trip is paid separately from the site ticket; ask about the total price before boarding.

Where is Philae Temple located?＋

It is on Agilkia Island in Aswan, Egypt, reached by boat across the waters of the Nile.

What are the opening hours?＋

Official ministry hours are 07:00–16:00; the official ticket portal lists 15:00 last entry. Maps showed 17:00 closing on 29 October 2026. These differ: use the official timetable for planning and confirm your date.

Why was the temple moved?＋

After the High Dam raised the Nile’s water level, the temple was dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone on Agilkia Island in a UNESCO-led international rescue project.

Is this the official website, and where can I buy tickets?＋

This is an independent guide and does not sell tickets. Use the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for monument information and the official EgyMonuments portal for your ticket date, category and conditions; links are in Sources.

What are the current ticket prices?＋

The official portal checked 29 October 2026 lists foreign adult/student EGP 550/275 and Egyptian adult/student EGP 40/20. Eligibility, optional panorama, boat crossings and evening shows must be checked separately.

Sources · checked 29 October 2026

Information sources

The figures may change and do not update automatically here. This guide did not collect these reviews and does not reproduce review text. See all reviews on Google Maps ↗

Map and island coordinates; confirm the actual departure dock separately. Google Maps ↗

Ministry monument page: history, published hours and tariff; official ticketing has separate last-entry details. Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities ↗

Official ticket portal: Philae · Booking and photography rules

UNESCO — Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae: Heritage and rescue campaign, not current admission hours.

Historic photographs have source, creator, date and licence beside each display. A photographer’s licence does not establish separate model or venue permission.

Privacy and independence

This is an independent noncommercial tourism and cultural guide, not the ministry or site management, and it sells no tickets. Nonprofit describes its purpose, not registered charitable status.

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