Philae Temple: Aswan’s Rescued Island Jewel

Discover Aswan's most enchanting site, the Philae Temple. This "hidden gem" is a stunning island sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis. The entire temple was famously rescued from the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam by UNESCO, who moved it block-by-block to its new home on Agilkia Island. Your visit begins with a magical motorboat ride to the island. Once there, you'll explore the grand Temple of Isis, the beautiful Birth House, and the iconic, waterside Kiosk of Trajan—one of the most romantic and photographed spots in all of Egypt.

EFT Team
August 21, 2021
Updated: November 9, 2025

Of all the monuments in Upper Egypt, none is more romantic or enchanting than the Philae Temple. This is not just a temple; it’s a breathtaking complex that appears to float on the water, a magical island sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis.

Located in the shimmering waters between the old Aswan Dam and the new High Dam, Philae is a “must-see” on any Aswan itinerary. Its perfect preservation, stunning location, and the incredible story of its rescue make it one of the most rewarding experiences in all of Egypt.

The Great Rescue: A Temple Moved, Block by Block

The first thing you must know about Philae Temple is that it is a modern-day miracle.

This temple is not in its original location. Its original home, Philae Island, is now deep beneath the water.

The Problem: When Egypt built the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, the rising waters of Lake Nasser threatened to submerge this ancient treasure forever. The earlier, smaller Aswan Dam had already left the temple partially flooded for most of the year, leaving a “bathtub ring” of gray silt on the lower walls. The new High Dam would drown it completely.
The Solution: In an incredible, 8-year UNESCO rescue campaign, an international team of archaeologists and engineers began a race against time.
The Process: They built a cofferdam around the entire island and pumped all the water out. Then, they meticulously dismantled the entire complex, block by block—all 40,000 of them. They labeled each stone, moved them, and then perfectly reassembled the entire temple on the nearby, higher Agilkia Island, which was beautifully landscaped to look just like the original.

The temple you visit today is a testament to one of the greatest archaeological rescue operations in history.

A Place of Pilgrimage for 3,000 Years

For millennia, this site was the sacred cult center for the goddess Isis, the goddess of motherhood, magic, and healing. Its history is incredibly long:

The oldest surviving structures date to Pharaoh Nectanebo I (around 370 BC).
The grand temple you see today was built by the Ptolemies (the Greek dynasty of Cleopatra).
It was so important that Roman Emperors (like Augustus, Tiberius, and Hadrian) added their own gates and chapels, carving themselves onto the walls as pharaohs.

This was one of the very last places where the ancient Egyptian religion was practiced. It remained a pagan stronghold until the Byzantine Emperor Justinian finally closed it in 537 AD, converting it into a Christian church.

The Adventure: How to Get to Philae Temple

The journey to the temple is a huge part of its magic. You cannot just drive up to it.

The Drive: Your Egypt Fun Tours guide will take you on a short drive to the Philae Marina.
The Motorboat Ride: From the marina, you will board a small, private motorboat for a beautiful 10-15 minute ride across the water.
The “Wow” Moment: As you round a bend, the temple suddenly appears, rising majestically from the island. The sight of the columns and pylons seemingly floating on the blue water is an unforgettable “welcome” and a perfect photo opportunity.

What You Will See: Your Guided Tour of the Island

Your guide will walk you through this beautiful, labyrinthine complex, explaining the stories carved into every wall. Here is what you will explore, step-by-step.

1. The First Pylon (The Grand Entrance)

Your journey begins at the massive First Pylon, a towering 18-meter-high (60-foot) gateway.

The Reliefs: Your guide will point out the giant, classic reliefs of a pharaoh (Ptolemy XII) smiting his enemies, with the gods Isis and Horus looking on.
The French Inscription: As you pass through the main gate, look for a French inscription from 1799, carved by Napoleon’s soldiers during their campaign.

2. The Forecourt (The Main Courtyard)

Once inside, you are in the temple’s main open-air courtyard. On the east (left) side, you’ll see the small building that housed the priests. On the west (right) side is the next major stop.

3. The Birth House (Mammisi)

This elegant, colonnaded building is the Mammisi, or “Birth House.” This small temple celebrates the divine birth of the god Horus, son of Isis.

Don’t Miss: Your guide will take you to the last room to see the delicate, intimate reliefs of Isis suckling her son Horus in the papyrus swamps of the Delta, hiding him from his evil uncle, Seth.

4. The Second Pylon (The Inner Gate)

You now approach the Second Pylon, a 32-meter-wide (105-foot) gateway that leads to the inner sanctuary.

Coptic Crosses: Look closely as you pass through the central gate. You can still see faded Coptic paintings and carved crosses, a clear sign of how the temple was later converted into a Christian church.

5. The Vestibule & The “Nile God” Relief

You are now in the inner, roofed part of the temple. This 8-columned hall is where Coptic Christians held their services. Your guide will point out a famous and unique relief on the right-hand wall: a carving of the Nile God Hapi. He is shown in a cave, pouring water from two jars, symbolizing the mythical source of the Nile.

6. The Sanctuary (The Holy of Holies)

Finally, you reach the Sanctuary, the darkest, most sacred room in the temple. This is where the priests would have kept the golden, jewel-encrusted statue of the goddess Isis, which was carried out in sacred processions.

The Other Jewels on the Island

The Temple of Isis is the main event, but the island is full of other treasures.

The Kiosk of Trajan (The “Iconic” Photo) This is the most famous and most photographed building on the island. It’s the elegant, unfinished pavilion right on the water’s edge, built by the Roman Emperor Trajan. It was a favorite subject for Victorian-era artists and remains the “logo” of Philae. The light streaming through its 14 columns is pure magic.
The Temple of Hathor To the east of the main temple is a smaller, charming temple dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of love, music, and joy. Don’t Miss: Look for the fun, whimsical carvings on the columns, including the god Bes playing a tambourine and monkeys playing the lyre!
The Gateway of Hadrian A small gate built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Your guide will show you the reliefs here, which are all related to the cult of Osiris, as this gate likely led to a dock for the nearby, sacred “Isle of Bigga,” the god’s supposed burial place.

The Philae Temple Sound & Light Show

If you have a free evening in Aswan, the Philae Temple Sound and Light Show is a magical experience. You’ll return to the island by boat in the dark. The entire complex is then brought to life with dramatic, colorful lights and a powerful audio narration (available in multiple languages) that tells the story of Isis, Osiris, and the temple’s long history.

How to Visit: Tips for Your Tour

How Long: A visit to Philae takes about 2 to 3 hours, including the boat ride.
Best Time to Go (For Crowds): The early morning (right when it opens) is the best time.
The Busiest Time: The site is busiest from midday to 2 PM. This is when all the tour buses returning from Abu Simbel make their stop.
Best Time to Go (For Photos): The late afternoon is the absolute best time for photography. The “golden hour” light hits the temple stone perfectly, and you can catch the sunset on your boat ride back.
How We Do It: An Egypt Fun Tours guide gives you a huge advantage. We avoid the big bus rush. We arrange your private motorboat and time your visit for the best light and fewest crowds, ensuring a peaceful, magical experience.

A visit to Philae is the perfect capstone to your Aswan sightseeing. We perfectly combine it with:

The Aswan High Dam (to see the reason the temple had to be moved).
The Unfinished Obelisk (to see where the granite for these temples came from).

Let us handle all the logistics. You just focus on the magic.

Contact Us to Book Your Unforgettable Philae Temple Tour!

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