The Old Cataract Hotel Aswan

Built in 1899, the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan is a wonderful example of the aristocratic “hey day” of Egypt.

Aswan, Egypt

Most people are familiar with the now famous “Aswan Dam” in Egypt. While it provides water to many it was more famous initially for the threats its construction posed to some ancient temples and sites. Luckily the UNESCO agency was able to relocate the monumental sculptures and temples and today people throng to visit them. Most people base their visit to this area in the city of Aswan, and the savviest travelers turn to the Old Cataract Hotel for their accommodation.

The Old Cataract Hotel

Built in 1899, the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan is a wonderful example of the aristocratic “hey day” of Egypt. Architecturally the hotel is a combination of eastern wisdom and western wishes, and was made this way due to the needs of the clientele who stayed there during its earliest years. This included heads of states, royalty and many well-known archaeologists and explorers. Today’s visitors can still be quite recognizable, and famous, but the Old Cataract Hotel itself has evolved into a wonderful resource for comfort and quality in this far more peaceful corner of popular Egypt.

Many of the visitors to the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan will actually use the location as a base for broader exploration. For example, many people in Aswan will regularly book a guided tour to Abu Simbel. This was one of the locations rescued by UNESCO and is also one of the most readily recognizable monuments in Egypt.

Additionally, the city of Aswan is home to several popular destinations including the Nubian Museum, which is the result of the city’s large Nubian population and Egypt’s long history of association with the country. The “Unfinished Obelisk” is another popular site for those staying at the Old Cataract Hotel, as it is the only known example of an obelisk “in the making”.

Of course, one of the biggest attractions is the Philae Temple, which is the final building made in the classic Egyptian style (around 700 B.C.) and which was also rescued from the waters of Lake Nasser.

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Remember! All our Egypt tours are private and fully customizable. We can easily add the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan your Aswan travel itinerary.