Bet El Kerem

Aswan


This modern hotel on the west side of the Nile overlooking the desert and the Tomb of the Nobles is a great find, offering quiet, clean and comfortable rooms. The hotel boasts a wonderful rooftop terrace overlooking the Nile and Nubian village, and the staff is both friendly and proud to be Nubian.

Call ahead and Shaaban will come to fetch you or give you directions. The restaurant serves delicious meals (breakfast €5, lunch €7 and dinner €10).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Aswan attractions

1. Western Quarry

0.06 MILES

Isolated in the desert to the west of the Tombs of the Nobles is the ancient Western Quarry, where stone for many ancient monuments – possibly including…

2. Tombs of the Nobles

0.15 MILES

The high cliffs opposite Aswan, just north of Kitchener’s Island, are honeycombed with the tombs of the governors, the Keepers of the Gate of the South,…

3. Aswan Botanical Gardens

0.53 MILES

Kitchener’s Island, to the west of Elephantine Island, was given to Lord Horatio Kitchener in the 1890s when he was commander of the Egyptian army…

4. Sharia As Souq

0.72 MILES

Starting from the southern end, Sharia As Souq appears very much like the tourist bazaars all over Egypt, with slightly less persistent traders than…

5. Animalia

0.77 MILES

This is a small but charming museum run by Mohamed Sobhi, a Nubian guide, and his family, who have dedicated part of their large house to the traditions,…

6. Elephantine Island

0.97 MILES

Elephantine Island's southern end comprises the site of ancient Abu. Its name meant both 'elephant' and 'ivory' in ancient Egyptian, a reminder of the…

7. Corniche

1.08 MILES

Walking along the Corniche and watching the sunset over the islands and desert across the Nile is a favourite pastime in Aswan. The view from riverside…

8. Monastery of St Simeon

1.14 MILES

The fortress-like 7th-century Monastery of St Simeon was first dedicated to the local saint Anba Hedra, who renounced the world on his wedding day. It was…