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Elephantine

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Elephantine

Elephantine Island

Elephantine is an island located in the Nile River in Aswan. Travelers visit the site to see the Temple of Khnum and various ancient ruins that are visible from the river and across the island landscape.

Getting There

The island is accessible from Aswan city centre via short boat trips. Depending on the departure point in the city centre, the crossing typically takes a few minutes.

Duration of Visit

Allow approximately two to three hours to explore the ruins and the temple grounds.

When to Visit

The region experiences extreme heat during the summer months, making winter the more temperate season for visiting. Early morning or late afternoon is recommended to avoid the midday sun. The site can become crowded during peak tourist seasons.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its location, the island can be combined with other river-based or nearby sites:

  • Kitchener's Island (0.5km)
  • Saluga and Ghazal islands (0.5km)
  • Aswan Museum (0.7km)
  • Temple of Satet (0.7km)

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

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Stays near Elephantine

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Elephantine Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Aswan 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Aswan grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

3 nights, 4 days

Aswan 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Aswan grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Kitchener's Island

Nature

Kitchener's Island

Kitchener's Island is a small island in the Nile at Aswan. The entire island is landscaped as a botanical garden, making it a pleasant spot for a stroll among exotic trees and flowers.

0.5 km away
Saluga and Ghazal islands

Nature

Saluga and Ghazal islands

A nature reserve covering Saluga and Ghazal islands on the Nile south of Aswan, Egypt, just downstream from the Aswan Dam. Designated in 1986 to protect endangered plants and animals, it's a peaceful spot for quiet wildlife watching on the river.

0.5 km away
Aswan Museum

Museums & galleries

Aswan Museum

The Aswan Museum sits on Elephantine Island in the Nile and houses Nubian artifacts relocated during the construction of the Aswan Dam. Pottery and mummies excavated on the island are also on display.

0.7 km away
Temple of Satet

Temples & religious sites

Temple of Satet

An ancient Egyptian temple on Elephantine Island in the Nile at Aswan, dedicated to Satet, goddess of the Nile flood. The site was expanded repeatedly from around 3200 BCE through the Ptolemaic era, and visitors can explore its many layers of history.

0.7 km away
Temple of Khnum

Temples & religious sites

Temple of Khnum

An ancient temple on Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile at Aswan. It was dedicated to a ram-headed creator god, and visitors can wander the ruins at a leisurely pace with the river breeze.

0.7 km away
El-Tabia Mosque

Temples & religious sites

El-Tabia Mosque

A mosque set in a hilltop park in central Aswan, completed in 1974. Gardens surrounding it make it a pleasant spot for a leisurely stroll.

1.0 km away