UNESCO World Heritage Site Aswan, Egypt

Philae

Philae is a remarkable ancient temple complex on an island in the Nile near Aswan.

In shortPhilae is an ancient temple complex located on Agilkia Island near Aswan, Egypt, known for its monuments from the Ptolemaic Period1. The centerpiece of the site is the Temple of Isis, which was one of the last ancient Egyptian temples to remain in use until the closure of pagan temples by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I2.

Location
Agilkia Island, near Aswan, Egypt1
Built
Ptolemaic Period1
UNESCO status
Part of Nubian Monuments World Heritage Site3
Adult ticket
550 EGP (foreigners)1
Entry
Included on 7 tours
Typical tour
8 days; 4 day trips

Tickets and hours checked against egymonuments.gov.eg on November 12, 2026.

Tours that visit Philae

A visit to Philae offers a journey by boat and the chance to explore ancient temples surrounded by the Nile.

About Philae

Philae is an ancient temple complex located on Agilkia Island near Aswan, Egypt, known for its monuments from the Ptolemaic Period1. The centerpiece of the site is the Temple of Isis, which was one of the last ancient Egyptian temples to remain in use until the closure of pagan temples by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I2. Philae was originally situated on Philae Island but was relocated to Agilkia Island to protect it from flooding caused by the Aswan High Dam1.

The temple complex is part of the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments, which extend from Abu Simbel to Philae, highlighting its importance within Egypt’s cultural heritage3. Philae is also significant as one of the last places where the ancient Egyptian religion survived after the arrival of Christianity, officially closing only in 550 AD4. The site’s location in the Nile and its remarkable preservation make it a key destination for travelers interested in ancient history and architecture1.

Where is Philae and how do you get there from Aswan, Egypt?

Philae is situated on Agilkia Island in the Nile, near Aswan in southern Egypt1. The temple complex was moved here from its original location on Philae Island to protect it from flooding caused by the Aswan High Dam1. The site’s coordinates are 24.0215, 32.88425. Philae is accessible by boat from Aswan, making the journey part of the experience for visitors3.

✓ Sourced · Wikidata, egymonuments.gov.eg

How much are tickets to Philae and what do they cover?

The ticket price for adult foreign visitors to Philae is 550 Egyptian Pounds, while foreign students pay 275 Egyptian Pounds1. Egyptian adults pay 40 Egyptian Pounds, and Egyptian students pay 20 Egyptian Pounds1.

✓ Checked November 12, 2026 · egymonuments.gov.eg

What are the opening hours and closed days of Philae?

Philae is open to visitors daily from 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM1.

✓ Checked November 12, 2026 · egymonuments.gov.eg

What is near Philae to combine in one trip?

Philae is located near Aswan and was originally close to the First Cataract of the Nile3. It is part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes other significant sites such as Abu Simbel3. Travelers often combine a visit to Philae with other attractions in the Aswan area3.

✓ Sourced · en.wikipedia.org

Frequently asked questions

How much does a tour of Philae cost?

On TripWays, tours that visit Philae range from $35 to $4,200 per person, and half of them cost $1,500 or less (prices as of November 14, 2026). Tours of a day or less start at $35; multi-day tours start at $380.

How long are tours that visit Philae?

Half of the tours that visit Philae last 8 days or less. By length: Up to 4 hours: 1; 4 hours to 1 day: 3; 2–3 days: 2; 4–7 days: 6; 8 days or more: 13.

Can I cancel a tour of Philae for free?

21 of 25 tours that visit Philae (84%) offer free cancellation. The exact deadline is shown on each tour page before you pay.

Can a solo traveler book a tour of Philae?

Yes: 23 of 25 tours that visit Philae can be booked for one person. The others need a minimum group of two or more travelers, shown on the tour page.

More to see nearby

Sources (5)
  1. Philae, egymonuments.gov.eg, accessed November 12, 2026
  2. Philae, egymonuments.gov.eg, accessed November 12, 2026
  3. en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, accessed November 12, 2026
  4. en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, accessed November 12, 2026
  5. Philae (Wikidata), Wikidata, accessed November 12, 2026

Researched with automated tools and checked by the TripWays Editorial team on November 12, 2026. How we research this page

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