Whether you’re in Aswan for a day as part of a Nile cruise or staying longer, it’s a fantastic base for visiting the heavyweight ancient sites to its north and south. You'll find a bumper choice of out-of-town tours, from private and shared-group road or air excursions to Abu Simbel’s lakeside temples to expeditions to Luxor’s antiquities. For more leisurely outings, consider sightseeing in and around the city on one of many multi-stop Aswan day trips. Popular itineraries cover local highlights like the semi-carved ancient obelisk, the city’s modern dam, and Philae’s picturebook island temple.