Visiting Philae Temple combines two classic Aswan experiences: Ancient Egyptian architecture and cruising the Nile River. Philae Temple tours include boat transfers to Agilkia Island, a short journey with great views. Once there, find inner sanctuaries, a hypostyle hall, and lots of bas reliefs; unless you read hieroglyphics, guided tours are a great way to decode the things you see. Philae Temple also hosts a popular sound and light show, and by booking in advance you’ll have the option to bundle tickets with transportation from your hotel or cruise boat.
Boats to Philae Temple depart from the Marina Philae Temple, located 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of downtown Aswan. The easiest way to reach Philae Temple is with a tour that combines ground transportation and a boat to the island. It’s also possible to arrive by taxi, then continue to Philae Temple by boat—in this case, be sure to negotiate return transportation with the driver.
Moderate temperatures and good light for photography make early morning and late afternoon ideal for visiting Philae Temple. It’s at its busiest in the early afternoon, when the site can be crowded with tour groups returning from Abu Simbel. Because there’s a gap between Philae Temple’s daytime hours and the evening sound and light show, doing both requires two separate trips.
With presentations in several languages, the sound and light show takes visitors inside the Philae Temple. Colored lights lend extra drama to the art and architecture, and the show tells the story of the site itself. Showtimes are subject to change, but booking tickets in advance ensures you won’t be disappointed.