Overview
The Temple of Isis at Philae was built mainly in the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, during the last centuries before and after the Christian era, on an island in the Nile at Aswan. For centuries, it was a place of worship of Isis, and pilgrims came from far away. When the Aswan dams raised the water, the island was submerged for much of the year, and in the 1960s and 1970s, an international UNESCO campaign dismantled the temples and rebuilt them on nearby Agilkia Island.
Today, visitors take a short motorboat ride from a landing near the dam to the island, where the pylons, courts and chapels rise from the water in a green setting. The relief carvings show Isis and Osiris, and the Kiosk of Trajan, an open pavilion on the water's edge, is a favourite photo spot. A sound and light show runs in the evenings, and the island is easy to combine with the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
Highlights
- The Temple of Isis and its pylons
- The Kiosk of Trajan on the water's edge
- The short boat ride from the landing
- The evening sound and light show
Best time to visit
October to April is the best time, with warm days and clear light. Summers are very hot. Boats run all day, and the temple is quieter in the late afternoon. The sound and light show runs in the evening.
- JanJanuary: Best
- FebFebruary: Best
- MarMarch: Best
- AprApril: Good
- MayMay: Not ideal
- JunJune: Not ideal
- JulJuly: Not ideal
- AugAugust: Not ideal
- SepSeptember: Good
- OctOctober: Best
- NovNovember: Best
- DecDecember: Best
● Best · ○ Good · blank: not ideal. Conditions vary by year, so check local forecasts and access before you go.
Getting there
Fly to Aswan (ASW), about 20 minutes by taxi to the boat landing at Shellal, near the old dam. Boats take about 10 minutes to the island. Cruises and day tours include the transfer, and taxis wait at the landing.
What to expect
The visit takes about one to two hours. Boatmen quote prices that vary, so agree on the fare and waiting time, or join a tour. The temple has steps, uneven stone and little shade, so wear a hat and sturdy shoes.
Practical tips
- Agree the boat fare and waiting time before you set off.
- Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
- Bring water and sun protection.
- Combine with the Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the temple moved?
Because the Aswan dams raised the water level and would have flooded it. It was moved stone by stone in a UNESCO campaign.
How do I get there?
By a short motorboat ride from the landing at Shellal, near Aswan.
Is the sound and light show worth it?
Many visitors enjoy it, but check the schedule and language options.
Official sources
Rules, fees, permits and conditions change. Check the official pages below before you travel.
Photos
Last reviewed October 2026. Details are for planning only and can change; confirm access, permits and conditions with official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Photography: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons, Yasser.mahmoud (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons, Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
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