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Weather in Abu Simbel
Ramesses II's colossal temples rescued from the Nile
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About Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel erupts from the desert as Ramesses II's colossal monument, its 20-metre-high statues guarding temples carved deep into sandstone cliffs. The site was rescued from rising Aswan Dam waters in one of archaeology's greatest feats.
Best months to visit
January, February, March, April, November, December
Things to do in Abu Simbel
Tour the main temple interiors
Photograph the four colossi
Experience the sound and light show
Visit the second (queen's) temple
Explore nearby Lake Nasser
Travel by felucca on the Nile
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
21C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
February
24C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
March
29C
Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
April
34C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
May
38C
Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.
June
40C
Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.
July
40C
Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.
August
40C
Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.
September
38C
Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.
October
35C
Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
November
28C
Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
December
23C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Abu Simbel's two great rock temples, carved into the cliffside by Ramses II over 3,000 years ago, rank among Egypt's most awe-inspiring monuments — made even more remarkable by the 1960s engineering feat that relocated them entirely to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Twice a year, on the solstice-aligned 'Sun Festival' days, sunlight penetrates the inner sanctuary to illuminate the statues at its rear.
Best areas to stay in Abu Simbel
Great Temple of Ramses II
The larger of the two temples, fronted by four colossal seated statues of Ramses II, each around 20 metres tall.
Temple of Hathor and Nefertari
The smaller temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, with statues of the queen at the same scale as the king's.
Abu Simbel village
A small town near the temples with a handful of hotels and restaurants for those staying overnight, particularly for the Sun Festival.
Lake Nasser shoreline
The vast reservoir created by the Aswan High Dam, with boat trips and cruises sometimes calling at Abu Simbel.
Getting to Abu Simbel
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Flights
Fly into Cairo, then take a domestic flight to Abu Simbel (often via Aswan) or join a road convoy from Aswan.
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From London
~6-9 hours from London including connections to Cairo and the onward leg to Abu Simbel.
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Getting around
The temples are a short walk from the airport and town; most visitors come as part of an organised day trip or tour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Abu Simbel?
October to April offers cooler temperatures for visiting the site, which can be extremely hot in summer.
How do I get to Abu Simbel?
Most visitors take a short flight from Aswan or Cairo, or join an early-morning convoy by road from Aswan (around 3 hours each way).
What is the Sun Festival?
Twice a year (around 22 February and 22 October), sunlight aligns through the temple's entrance to illuminate statues deep inside the sanctuary, drawing crowds for the events.
Why were the temples moved?
In the 1960s, the temples were cut into blocks and reassembled on higher ground to save them from being submerged by Lake Nasser after the Aswan High Dam was built.
How much time do I need at the site?
Most visits last 1-2 hours, often as part of a day trip from Aswan or combined with a Lake Nasser cruise.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Seeing the colossal statues at Abu Simbel in person after a very early start from Aswan was completely worth the long drive.
Patricia N. · January 2024
★★★★★
Visited during the Sun Festival and watching the light travel across the inner statues was a genuinely moving experience.
Hassan E. · October 2023
★★★★☆
Took the short flight from Aswan rather than the road convoy and it made the whole day far less exhausting, leaving time to actually enjoy the site.
Greg T. · February 2024
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