Overview
The Monastery of St. Simeon (officially the Monastery of Anba Hadra) was founded in honor of Aswan's 4th-5th century bishop, Anba Hadra, and rebuilt in the 10th century under the name Simeon. It once housed up to 1,000 monks and served as a base for Christian missions into Nubia, before being partly destroyed by Saladin's forces in 1173. Enclosed by 10-meter walls across two terraces, it holds a church and painted rock-cut chapel below and monks' cells, a refectory, and workshops above. Its fortress-like silhouette rising from the desert is striking. Admission is around EGP 40 for foreigners (subject to change). Cross the Nile by boat, then walk about 30 minutes or ride a camel.
Travel Tips
Riding a camel up adds to the desert atmosphere. Combine with the Aga Khan Mausoleum on the same west bank outing.
Affiliate link — RoadMento may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Aswan, Egypt from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Egypt on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Aswan on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Aswan with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Aswan 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Monastery of St. Simeon
Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.
Nubian Village
Brightly painted Nubian houses line the Nile, offering a vibrant cultural experience.
📍 1.0km away
Nubian Museum
An Aga Khan Award-winning museum tracing 3,000 years of Nubian civilization.
📍 1.6km away
Unfinished Obelisk
A 42-meter, 1,200-ton unfinished obelisk still lying in its ancient quarry.
📍 2.5km away
Aswan High Dam
Completed in 1970, this massive dam created Lake Nasser and shaped modern Egypt.
📍 13.7km away
Things to Do in Aswan
Abu Simbel Sunrise Tour
Depart Aswan at 4 a.m. for a 3-hour drive to greet sunrise at Abu Simbel. Visit the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari and return to Aswan by late afternoon.
Felucca Sail to Nubian Village
A 3-4 hour sail on a traditional felucca along the Nile, calling at the Nubian Village, Kitchener's Botanical Garden, and Elephantine Island. Sunset departures are most popular.
Nubian Home Dinner
Be invited into a Nubian village home to cook and share traditional dishes like tagen ful, sahina, and Nubian coffee over 2-3 hours. Includes henna and Nubian music.