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How To Visit Abu Simbel – Family Friendly Guide

Abu Simbel with Kids: Our Family Visit and Planning Guide

Last updated: October 19, 2026. Expanded the family’s historical Abu Simbel account and clarified temple history, transport, tickets, site rules, animal-contact advice and dated planning details. Date information added October 31, 2026.

Our family approaching Abu Simbel beside Lake Nasser · Scene from our film (15 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 15 sec

Abu Simbel took a whole day of our Egypt trip, and I was skeptical before we went. Here is why those enormous temples changed my mind, what our children enjoyed and what to check when planning your own visit.

Watch our original related film on the original source

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Imagine trying to portray yourself on the level of the Gods, really as a God yourself, in ancient Egypt.  How would you show this kind of power and strength?  Ramesses (or Ramses) II built many temples and monuments to himself, but the most impressive might be Abu Simbel.

The temples’ modern rescue is an incredible part of their story.  Once hidden from view by sand and later threatened by water submersion, this temple was actually moved from its original location in the 1960s through a worldwide UNESCO effort and over $40 million.

Abu Simbel consists of two impressive temples, one for Ramesses II, in which he puts himself literally on the level of the Gods, and one for his favorite wife, Nefertari.  The Small Temple is dedicated to Hathor and Queen Nefertari, and seeing her statues at the same scale as Ramesses is striking.  Ramesses II has Nefertari’s massive statues on the same level as himself, portraying her as his equal.  Even the inscription on the outside reads; 

“A temple of great and mighty monuments, for the great royal wife Nefertari Meryetmut, for whose sake the very sun does shine, given life and beloved!”

What made Nefertari special enough for her own temple, I wonder?

More Fun Facts About Abu Simbel 

Abu Simbel Temple, also known as the Great Temple of Ramsses II, is a fascinating historical and architectural marvel. 

• Pharaoh Ramesses II: The temple was commissioned by Pharaoh Ramesses II (also known as Ramesses the Great)  in about 1265 BC. It was dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as well as to Ramesses himself.  We were able to see Ramesses II’s mummy in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo before our visit to Abu Simbel, which added another cool element to this visit.
• Monumental Statues: Some of the most striking features of Abu Simbel are the four colossal statues of Ramesses II seated at the entrance. Each statue stands at around 20 meters (65 feet) tall and is carved directly into the rock face.  How the ancient Egyptians managed this staggers the mind.

• Moved and Preserved: In the 1960s, Abu Simbel faced the threat of being submerged under Lake Nasser due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. In one of the most ambitious archaeological rescue operations in history, the entire temple complex was carefully dismantled and relocated to higher ground, preserving it for future generations.  The archeological teams cut massive blocks of stone, moved them 65m up and 180m back from their original location. Fragments of a collapsed colossus can still be seen in front of the temple.
• Sun Alignment: Twice a year, on February 22nd and October 22nd, the sun’s rays penetrate the temple’s inner sanctuary and illuminate the statues of Ramesses II and two of the three gods seated within. Ptah, the god of the underworld and darkness, remains in the dark. This phenomenon symbolizes the king’s deification. The Ministry lists February 22 and October 22 for the present alignment; confirm arrangements for any special visit.  If your visit coincides with these dates, expect special celebrations and larger crowds.

• Small Temple of Hathor: In addition to the Great Temple, there is a smaller temple at Abu Simbel dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, Ramesses II’s favorite wife. The facade of this temple is adorned with statues of Ramesses II and Nefertari.  Smaller statues of their children, about the size of their knees, are depicted.  Visitors are left to wonder what qualified these children to be depicted in the temples here.
• Ramesses II as a God: At the very back of the temple is a worship sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, with four statues–the gods Ptah, Amun-Re, Re-Harakhti, and Ramesses himself. The Ministry’s description of the sanctuary identifies Ramesses here as a deified king alongside the three gods.

• Hieroglyphic Inscriptions: The walls of both temples are covered with intricate hieroglyphic inscriptions depicting scenes from Ramesses II’s military campaigns, religious rituals, and offerings to the gods. These inscriptions provide valuable insights into ancient Egyptian life and culture.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Abu Simbel is part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. It is a separate destination from the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Why You Should Visit Abu Simbel as a Family

A big temple, a long day and five small travelers

I was skeptical! My husband had Abu Simbel on his wish list, and I was looking at an entire day of our Egypt trip. The Abu Simbel section of our Egypt film gets straight to the part that changed my mind: the children walking toward those enormous statues. You can read about their size, but seeing our family beside them gives that scale a completely different meaning.

Watch for the change from the bright courtyard to the carved interior. This was more than a quick look at a façade. The walls and rooms gave the kids something to notice once we were inside, even though we moved through each temple in about 20–30 minutes. That was our family’s pace; it does not make the journey itself a short outing!

The pictures our guide brought of the relocation project and the videos we watched the night before were helpful preparation. Moving an entire temple was a story the children could connect to the place in front of them. If you are weighing up the same long day, I would think about both parts: the hours of travel and what will help your own children understand what they are seeing when they arrive.

1.Abu Simbel topped my husband’s wish list of places to visit in Egypt, but I had never heard of it.  Why drive an eight-hour round trip and spend an entire day seeing this temple when Egypt is crowded with amazing temples?  I even tried to talk him out of it!  However, he was sure it would be worth it.

2.Post-visit, I tend to agree.  It did consume a lot of our trip time, but it amazed all of us.  The sheer magnitude of the temple alone is worth a visit.  The splendor and grandeur of Ramesses II thousands of years ago cannot be described adequately in words.  

Seeing the statues at family scale

Seeing the monumental statues at family scale · Scene from our film (15 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 15 sec

The approach in our film puts both temple façades, the open space between them and the water in the same view. It helped me understand why a single close-up photo had not prepared me for this place. Then the camera moves closer, and the people around the entrance look so small beside Ramesses. That is the scale I was trying to describe!

3.Walking up to this temple and being only around the level of the foot of Ramesses II fascinates even the smallest of tourists.  Inside the temple, you can find interior decorations, ritual rooms, and the Holy of Holies (the room illuminated by the sun twice a year).

4. The temples overlook Lake Nasser. If comparing Nile River cruises, check whether Abu Simbel is a separate road or air excursion; do not assume the ship sails there. Lake Nasser cruises are a different itinerary.

5. Abu Simbel is in Nubia, near Egypt’s southern border with Sudan. Nubia is a historical region, not a separate present-day neighboring country. The temples’ rock-cut construction is part of what makes them so striking.

Planning Your Trip to Abu Simbel With Kids

Due to its distance from other popular tourism destinations, Visiting Abu Simbel requires some serious planning. A tour guide can take care of these details for you, or you can tackle this on your own. 

If you are taking a Nile cruise, ask whether an Abu Simbel excursion is offered and exactly what it includes. You can also ask hotels in Aswan or Abu Simbel about a guide and driver. Confirm availability, route, total cost, and the return journey rather than assuming the arrangements are included.

How To Get to Abu Simbel

By Air:

1. By air: Check flights for your actual travel date and destination. A flight from Cairo to Aswan does not itself reach Abu Simbel—you still need an onward flight or road transfer. Compare flight options and confirm the schedule directly with EGYPTAIR or the operating airline. The old $250–$400-per-person estimate is not a current quote; allow time for every connection and the return trip.

By Road:

1. From Aswan: You can ask about a private car or tour group for the long road trip south. Our private van took about three hours with drivers who drove fast; that is our historical experience, not a safe target time. Ask the provider about current travel time, permitted departure and return times, stops, and total fare. The earlier $70-tour and $8–$30-bus figures are old planning estimates, not current offers.
2. From Luxor: This is a much longer journey than starting in Aswan. Do not plan it using the old 290-kilometre/four-to-five-hour estimate. Ask a reputable local provider to confirm the full route, permitted travel times, stops, and whether you need an overnight stay.
3. Security and road-access arrangements can change. Confirm the current requirements with your transport provider and local authorities instead of relying on old convoy or checkpoint descriptions.
4. Confirm road-access and return arrangements before booking. Do not use a fixed 4 a.m. reopening time from this old guide. FCDO’s general driving advice is to avoid driving outside main cities and resorts at night; a tour departure is not proof that every route or time is suitable.

By Boat:

1. Check whether a Nile cruise offers Abu Simbel as a separate excursion, or whether you are booking a Lake Nasser cruise that calls there. Do not assume all Nile itineraries include it or that a single company has exclusive docking access. If considering the Odysseys Unlimited listing, confirm the actual vessel, itinerary, docking and transfer arrangements directly.

Opening Hours of Abu Simbel

Check the Ministry’s site information and the ticket booking page for opening and last-entry times on your date. Do not rely on the old 5 a.m.–6 p.m. schedule. Sunrise-event arrangements and transport need separate confirmation rather than a blanket assumption about where you must stay.

If you want the Abu Simbel Sound and Light Show, confirm the current performance date, time, language, minimum attendance and booking conditions with the show operator. Do not rely on the old seven-to-ten-person figure or assume a show will run. Arrange suitable accommodation and lawful return transport before committing to an evening visit.

Tickets to Abu Simbel

Use the current official ticket price in Egyptian pounds, including any child or student eligibility and special sun-alignment-day tariff. The old $10-per-person figure is not a current quote. Confirm tripod and other equipment permissions and charges with site staff; do not rely on a guide finding a workaround.

There is a small snack and gift shop within the Abu Simbel temple area.  Everything is grossly marked up, but when you are burning from the Egyptian sun, a cold ice cream goes a long way.

What To Expect When Visiting Abu Simbel With Kids

From the courtyard into the temple

Following the family into Abu Simbel’s carved hall · Scene from our film (20 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 20 sec

There is quite a change once the camera follows our family inside: bright sun outside, then huge standing figures and a darker hall. I like having that part of the visit in the film. It shows the children moving through the temple rather than only posing in front of it. The interior was part of the experience, even with our fairly quick family pace.

Give the children something to look for

Looking at the carved walls inside Abu Simbel · Scene from our film (15 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 15 sec

Look beyond the big statues, too. Our film pauses on carved walls, and you can see visitors lifting cameras to capture the detail. Before a visit, I would give the kids a few things to watch for: the difference between the outside and inside, the figures carved into the walls and how small the people look beside the statues. We had watched history videos and seen our guide’s relocation pictures; that preparation gave us more to talk about once we arrived.

• Prepare for strong sun and heat. Check the forecast for your date, plan breaks and water for the children, and do not count on shade along the route. Our own visit included a briefing under a pavilion, so the old claim that there is no shade at all was too absolute.

• Our kids enjoyed the history with some YouTube videos that we watched the night before.  Our guide brought pictures of the original temple as well as some pictures of the project to move it.  We talked with our guide under a pavilion before entering the temple. Our guide gave that briefing outside; confirm where guides may accompany you under the site’s current rules. 

• Kids tend to move quickly through the temples themselves, so we did not spend more than 20-30 minutes in each temple.  However, it was fun to imagine what the rooms have seen in the thousands of years since their construction.

• The walls of these temples hold important history and are quite fascinating.  

• If you encounter stray dogs outside the temple, Do not touch or feed unfamiliar animals, and keep children from approaching them. The CDC’s Egypt travel guidance advises avoiding contact with unknown animals; the old feeding suggestion should not be followed.

• There is also a nice-looking cafe overlooking Lake Nasser.  Enjoy some lunch with your tour if you want.

Where to Stay When Visiting Abu Simbel

Are you planning a visit to the iconic Abu Simbel temples in Egypt? Your choice of accommodation can significantly enhance your experience. Here’s a guide to the best places to stay, including the renowned Aswan – Cataract Hotel and accommodations near Abu Simbel itself.

Aswan – Cataract Hotel

Nestled on the banks of the Nile, the Aswan-Cataract Hotel is steeped in history and luxury. With its stunning views of the river and impeccable service, it’s a favorite among travelers seeking a touch of elegance during their stay in Aswan. Enjoy spacious rooms, delectable cuisine, and a serene ambiance that perfectly complements your exploration of the region’s ancient wonders.

Accommodations near Abu Simbel

While there are limited options for lodging near Abu Simbel, you can find comfortable accommodations in nearby villages. Consider staying in one of the guesthouses or hotels in the town of Abu Simbel, which offers convenience and proximity to the temple complex. Despite being a small community, you’ll find welcoming hospitality and a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Whether you choose the luxurious charm of the Aswan-Cataract Hotel or opt for accommodations near Abu Simbel, your stay in this historic region is sure to be memorable. Explore ancient wonders by day and unwind in comfort by night, creating unforgettable moments amidst Egypt’s timeless landscapes.

• Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort: Situated on the shores of Lake Nasser, Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort offers breathtaking views of the tranquil waters and the surrounding desert landscape. With its comfortable rooms, modern amenities, and attentive service, it provides a peaceful retreat for travelers exploring the nearby Abu Simbel temples. Immerse yourself in the serenity of this remote location while enjoying the hotel’s swimming pool, restaurant, and other facilities.
• Kabara Nubian House: Experience the charm of Nubian hospitality at Kabara Nubian House, a traditional guesthouse nestled in the heart of a Nubian village near Abu Simbel. Decorated in vibrant colors and adorned with local crafts, Kabara offers guests a unique cultural experience. Stay in cozy rooms adorned with Nubian textiles, savor authentic homemade meals, and discover the warmth and hospitality of the Nubian people during your stay at Kabara Nubian House.

Tour options

Day Trip From Aswan

Abu Simbel Temple Day Trip with Hotel Pickup: Embark on a journey through time with our top-rated day trip from Aswan to the iconic Abu Simbel Temple. Sit back, relax, and soak in the mesmerizing landscapes as we transport you to this ancient wonder. With expert guides leading the way, delve into the rich history and significance of Abu Simbel Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the colossal statues, intricate carvings, and awe-inspiring architecture that define this archaeological masterpiece. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Egypt’s cultural treasures firsthand!

Abu Simbel Temple Entry Tickets

Other Tips for Visiting Abu Simbel With Kids

• Allow for the walk from the car park in the heat. If anyone in your family needs a ride or other assistance, confirm current transport options and accessibility directly before booking.
• Consider heat, crowds and the confirmed return journey together. Do not assume midday will be quiet or use the old late-afternoon road-closure statement as a timetable; agree permitted departure and return times with your provider.
• If you want to attend the night Sound and Light Show, confirm the show and your accommodation/transport plan first. An overnight stay may make sense, but it is not proof that the show will run or a substitute for checking current road arrangements.
• Be sure to put on sunscreen, wear hats and carry water.  The heat can be intense for the children.
• As with most Egyptian tourist destinations, use the bathrooms near the ticket booth. 

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Additional Reading

Visiting the Great Pyramids in Egypt With Kids

18 Beginner Tips for International Family Travel

Hot Tips for Buying International Flights for Your Family: 250+ Flights Later

Watch our broader Egypt family film

Our broader Egypt family film · Full film (24 min 4 sec)

▶Watch full film 24 min 4 sec

This broader film records our past Egypt trip, including destinations beyond Abu Simbel. Its prices, signs, animal encounters and transport commentary are historical observations, not current offers or recommendations. Check current site rules, entry information and transport arrangements independently.

This film follows our wider Egypt trip. The short scenes throughout this guide come from its Abu Simbel visit; the full film also includes other destinations. You can also watch our separate short Abu Simbel reel on YouTube.