Nubian Museum
Quick answer
Nubian Museum in Aswan, Egypt — designed by Egyptian architect Mahmoud El-Hakim, the Nubian Museum in Aswan was built as part of the UNESCO campaign that also saved the temples of Abu Simbel from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Open daily, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Admission: EGP 200 standard admission. Allow 2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Nubian Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | EGP 200 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Late afternoon (5 PM session) when temperatures drop and the outdoor garden is pleasant. |
| Getting there | Taxi: Taxi from Aswan town centre or railway station (10 minutes) |
| Address | Sheyakhah Oula, Aswan 1, Aswan Governorate, Egypt |
| Official website | egymonuments.gov.eg |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Nubian Museum known for?
Designed by Egyptian architect Mahmoud El-Hakim, the Nubian Museum in Aswan was built as part of the UNESCO campaign that also saved the temples of Abu Simbel from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. It opened in 1997 and won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
The collection traces Nubian civilisation from prehistory through the Christian and Islamic periods, and documents the international rescue of the monuments before the building of the Aswan High Dam.
An outdoor heritage area features a reconstructed Nubian house, prehistoric rock-art copies, and a garden planted with species native to the Nile Valley.
Aswan is a three-hour drive from Abu Simbel, making the museum a natural pairing with the great temple rescue site.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · Architecture Enthusiasts
How long do you need at Nubian Museum?
Allow 2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Nubian Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Statue of Ramses II from Gerf Hussein
📍 Ground floor, main gallery
A colossal sandstone statue of Ramses II from the temple of Gerf Hussein, relocated during the UNESCO Nubian rescue campaign.
- 2
Painted Prehistoric Pottery
📍 Prehistory Gallery
Pottery with white cross-line decoration from the Khartoum Mesolithic — among the earliest artistic expressions of the Nile Valley.
- 3
UNESCO Rescue Documentation
📍 UNESCO Gallery
Photographs, models, and film documenting the dismantling and relocation of Abu Simbel and Philae temples — one of archaeology's greatest achievements.
- 4
Reconstructed Nubian House
📍 Museum garden
A full-scale Nubian domestic house with painted walls and vaulted roof, showing traditional life before the dam flooded many Nubian villages.
What are the must-see works at Nubian Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Statue of Ramses II from Gerf Hussein, Painted Prehistoric Pottery, UNESCO Rescue Documentation and more.
Statue of Ramses II from Gerf Hussein
New Kingdom sculptors · 13th century BCE
📍 Ground floor, main gallery
A colossal sandstone statue of Ramses II from the temple of Gerf Hussein, relocated during the UNESCO Nubian rescue campaign.
Painted Prehistoric Pottery
Nubian potters · c. 6000 BCE
📍 Prehistory Gallery
Pottery with white cross-line decoration from the Khartoum Mesolithic — among the earliest artistic expressions of the Nile Valley.
UNESCO Rescue Documentation
Photographic archive · 1960s
📍 UNESCO Gallery
Photographs, models, and film documenting the dismantling and relocation of Abu Simbel and Philae temples — one of archaeology's greatest achievements.
Reconstructed Nubian House
Outdoor heritage village · permanent
📍 Museum garden
A full-scale Nubian domestic house with painted walls and vaulted roof, showing traditional life before the dam flooded many Nubian villages.
Collections and highlights
- • Painted prehistoric pottery
- • Statue of Ramses II from Gerf Hussein
- • UNESCO rescue documentation
- • Outdoor heritage village
- • Aga Khan Award-winning architecture
Tips for visiting Nubian Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Late afternoon (5 PM session) when temperatures drop and the outdoor garden is pleasant.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Light — one of the least visited major museums in Egypt.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
EGP 200 for foreign adults; evening session 5–9 PM available.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Aswan Corniche restaurants; Nubian village dining on Elephantine Island.
- 5.
Accessibility
Ground floor accessible; outdoor garden paths are uneven.
How do you get to Nubian Museum?
- taxi Taxi from Aswan town centre or railway station (10 minutes)
- walk 25-minute walk from Aswan Corniche along the Nile
- car Parking available; en route to Abu Simbel for those driving south
Address: Sheyakhah Oula, Aswan 1, Aswan Governorate, Egypt
Nubian Museum: frequently asked questions
Is Abu Simbel nearby?
Abu Simbel lies a three-hour drive south of Aswan and is a popular pairing with the museum.
Is there a garden?
Yes — an outdoor area features a reconstructed Nubian house and cave paintings.
How long should I spend at Nubian Museum?
Plan 2 hours for the highlights of Nubian Museum. Our 4-stop route — Statue of Ramses II from Gerf Hussein, Painted Prehistoric Pottery, UNESCO Rescue Documentation and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Nubian Museum best known for?
Designed by Egyptian architect Mahmoud El-Hakim, the Nubian Museum was built as part of the UNESCO campaign that also saved the temples of Abu Simbel. It opened in 1997. Key highlights include Painted prehistoric pottery, Statue of Ramses II from Gerf Hussein, UNESCO rescue documentation.
How do I get tickets for Nubian Museum?
Admission: EGP 200 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/museums/nubia-museum/
Why was this museum built?
It was created to preserve and tell the story of Nubian culture before much of it was submerged by Lake Nasser after the Aswan High Dam was completed in 1970.
Is Nubian Museum open on Mondays?
Yes — Nubian Museum is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are Nubian Museum's opening hours?
Nubian Museum is open daily, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Nubian Museum free to visit?
No — standard admission is EGP 200 standard admission.