Aswan High Dam (Aswan)

The short answer

High Dam Entry Ticket is a 1-day attraction admission covering the Aswan High Dam visitor area in Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

• Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations

Aswan

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Built 1960–1970, the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser and ended annual Nile floods.
• 02 Panoramic views across Lake Nasser and the Nile; late-afternoon light provides clearer reflections for photographs.
• 03 Adjacent to the Old Aswan Dam and intake towers; visitors can inspect the spillway and hydroelectric infrastructure.
• 04 Visit typically lasts 30–45 minutes; combine with Philae Temple or Nubian Village trips from Aswan.
• 05 Concrete structure spans 3,830 metres and rises roughly 111 metres–major 20th-century Egyptian engineering project.
• 06 Unlike cruise-stop visits, our stop includes a brief technical briefing on the dam's role in Nile water management.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01 What is the High Dam?

   The Aswan High Dam is a 3,830-metre-long, 111-metre-high dam completed in 1970. It controls Nile flooding, stores water for irrigation and generates hydroelectric power. The impounded reservoir is Lake Nasser; moving Abu Simbel in the 1960s was a direct consequence of its construction.
2. 02 Can I visit the High Dam in Aswan?

   Yes – visitors can view the dam from official public viewpoints; access to operational areas is restricted. We arrange private transfers and a short stop; we are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can include the dam in a half-day Aswan itinerary. We usually treat it as a short stop rather than the day's main attraction to avoid rushed visits.
3. 03 How long does a visit to the High Dam take?

   Allow 30–60 minutes for a typical visit, including photos and commentary. Some guests combine the stop with Philae Temple or the Nubian Village on the same morning. Expect limited shade and a brisk breeze on the exposed viewing areas, so plan accordingly.
4. 04 Is photography allowed at the High Dam?

   Photography of the dam exterior and Lake Nasser is generally allowed, but photographing security installations is restricted. Guards may ask you to delete images of operational equipment and checkpoints; carry ID. Drone use requires prior permits from Egyptian authorities and we can apply for permission on request.
5. 05 Is the High Dam accessible for wheelchair users?

   The main viewpoint is reached by paved paths but there are steps and uneven surfaces in places. Wheelchair users may need assistance for short drops to the viewing area; we can arrange a vehicle drop-off close to the viewpoint. Toilet facilities and ramps may not meet UK accessibility expectations – check with us before travel so we can plan support.
6. 06 Why was the High Dam built?

   The High Dam was built between 1960 and 1970 to control annual Nile floods, increase year-round irrigation and produce hydroelectric power. Its creation altered upstream agriculture and river navigation and led to large-scale archaeological relocations, most famously Abu Simbel in the 1960s.