Abu Simbel is a pair of rock-cut temples built by Ramesses II near Egypt’s southern border, south of Aswan. The site opens daily at 6:00 am with last entry at 4:00 pm. Twice a year, on 22 February and 22 October, sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple; on those two days the foreign adult ticket is EGP 1,200.
Key Takeaways
- Abu Simbel opens at 6:00 am every day, with last entry at 4:00 pm, including during Ramadan.
- On the sun festival days, 22 February and 22 October, the foreign adult ticket costs EGP 1,200.
- The regular foreign adult price is listed differently on two official ministry pages, so check it on the official ticketing portal before you go.
- The temples are part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae”, inscribed in 1979.
- Aswan is very hot from May to September, with average highs of 39 °C (102 °F) or more, which is why most visits start before sunrise.
The two temples
The Great Temple is dedicated to Ramesses II together with the gods Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty and Ptah. Its façade is dominated by colossal seated statues of the king, carved straight out of the cliff. Inside, the halls lead deeper into the rock to a sanctuary where the king sits beside the gods.
The Small Temple, a few steps away, honors the goddess Hathor and Ramesses’ queen Nefertari. On its façade the queen’s statues stand at the same height as the king’s, which is unusual in Egyptian art and a large part of what makes the temple memorable.
The sun festival
The Great Temple was aligned so that, on two days a year, the rising sun shines down the full length of the temple and lights the statues in the sanctuary. Today those days are 22 February and 22 October. Crowds gather before dawn, music and celebrations take place outside, and the site charges a special ticket of EGP 1,200 for foreign adults on those dates.
If you plan to go for the festival, book transport and accommodation early and expect to queue in the dark. If you would rather see the temples quietly, any other day is calmer.
Why the temples were moved
Abu Simbel no longer stands exactly where it was carved. When the Aswan High Dam was built, the rising waters of Lake Nasser would have flooded the temples. An international rescue campaign led by UNESCO cut both temples into blocks and rebuilt them on higher ground, set into an artificial hill that reproduces the original cliff. The same campaign saved other Nubian temples, including Philae near Aswan, which is why they share one World Heritage listing.
Tickets and opening hours
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening hours (summer, winter and Ramadan) | 6:00 am, last entry 4:00 pm |
| Foreign adult, sun festival days (22 February and 22 October) | EGP 1,200 |
| Foreign adult, regular days | Two official ministry pages give different prices; confirm on the official ticketing portal |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Students (valid student ID, age 24 or younger) | Student rate |
Getting there from Aswan
Abu Simbel lies far south of Aswan, close to the Sudanese border, across open desert. Most visitors go by road with a driver on a day trip that leaves Aswan very early, often before dawn, so they arrive soon after the site opens and leave before the midday heat. There are also flights from Aswan for travelers short on time.
Our Abu Simbel day tour handles the early departure, transport and guide. With an extra day in Aswan, add the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple tour, or see all our Aswan day tours.
When to go: Aswan weather
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 22.9 °C (73 °F) | 8.8 °C (48 °F) |
| February | 24.8 °C (77 °F) | 11.0 °C (52 °F) |
| April | 35.2 °C (95 °F) | 19.9 °C (68 °F) |
| July | 41.4 °C (107 °F) | 26.2 °C (79 °F) |
| October | 35.7 °C (96 °F) | 20.8 °C (69 °F) |
| December | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 11.3 °C (52 °F) |
November to February is the most comfortable time. Desert mornings can be cold in winter, so bring a light jacket for the early start.
FAQ
When is the Abu Simbel sun festival?
On 22 February and 22 October. At sunrise on those days the light reaches the sanctuary of the Great Temple. The foreign adult ticket on those dates is EGP 1,200.
What time does Abu Simbel open?
Every day at 6:00 am, with last entry at 4:00 pm, in summer, winter and Ramadan alike.
Can you visit Abu Simbel in a day from Aswan?
Yes. Most visitors do it as a day trip by road, leaving Aswan before dawn and returning in the early afternoon.