Philae Temple should not exist. When Egypt built the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s and Lake Nasser began to fill, the original island of Philae — with its ancient temple of Isis — was destined to be submerged permanently under 12 metres of water. In one of the most ambitious rescue operations in archaeological history, UNESCO and 50 nations dismantled the entire temple complex, block by block, transported it to the nearby island of Agilkia, and reassembled it at a higher elevation. The temple now sits exactly as it always did — on an island in the Nile, accessed by motorboat — except the island and the water level are different. That it exists at all is the greatest story of the Philae visit.

Philae Temple 2026 — Complete Visitor Guide
Quick Facts
| Location | Agilkia Island, 8km south of Aswan city — accessible only by motorboat |
| Dedicated to | Isis, goddess of motherhood, magic and healing — the last actively worshipped ancient Egyptian temple |
| Built | 4th century BC – 4th century AD (Ptolemaic to Roman period) |
| Entrance Fee 2026 | ~500 EGP (~$8) adults · ~250 EGP students · Motorboat separate (~500–700 EGP included in Egypt For Travel tours) |
| Opening Hours | 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily |
| Sound & Light Show | Nightly 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM — multiple languages — separate ticket (~200 EGP) |
| UNESCO Relocation | 1972–1980 — moved from original Philae island to Agilkia to save it from Lake Nasser flooding |
| Historical Note | The last temple in the ancient world where hieroglyphics were inscribed (394 AD) and the last where the old religion was practiced (until 550 AD) |
The UNESCO Relocation — How Philae Was Saved
Between 1972 and 1980, in a feat of engineering that matched anything the ancient Egyptians accomplished, UNESCO coordinated the complete dismantling and relocation of Philae Temple. The operation required:
- Building a coffer dam around the original island of Philae to hold back the waters of Lake Nasser during dismantling
- Carefully documenting and numbering every stone block — over 45,000 individually numbered pieces
- Transporting the blocks by barge to the neighbouring island of Agilkia, which was reshaped to match the original island’s contours
- Reassembling the entire temple complex precisely, maintaining all original spatial relationships between structures
- Landscaping the island to recreate the original vegetation
The operation cost $30 million and involved engineers, archaeologists and workers from dozens of countries. The original island of Philae is now permanently submerged. Agilkia Island — where the temple now stands — was specifically shaped to resemble it. The relocation story is part of what your Egyptologist guide explains during the boat approach to the island.

Key Highlights at Philae Temple
The Temple of Isis
The main temple is dedicated to Isis — the most beloved goddess in the ancient Egyptian pantheon and, by the Roman period, the most widely worshipped deity across the entire Mediterranean world. The temple was the last in Egypt where the old religion was actively practised, surviving into the 6th century AD when the Emperor Justinian finally ordered it closed. The main temple walls carry reliefs of extraordinary quality, with scenes of Isis and Osiris, the resurrection myth, and the divine birth of Horus. The hypostyle hall retains traces of its original paint in sheltered corners — the vivid reds, blues and yellows of ancient Egyptian polychromy.
The Kiosk of Trajan
The most photographed structure at Philae is not the main temple but the Kiosk of Trajan — a free-standing Roman pavilion with 14 columns, open to the sky, built by the Emperor Trajan (98–117 AD) on the water’s edge. Its elegant proportions and the way it frames the Nile water and desert cliffs behind it make it one of the most beautiful structures on the entire Nile. It was never completed — the reliefs on the columns were begun but never finished — but its elegance is undiminished by this incompleteness.
The Approach by Motorboat
Unlike any other temple in Egypt, Philae is approached entirely by water. The motorboat ride from the landing stage at Shellal takes approximately 10 minutes across the Nile, with the temple complex gradually revealing itself from the water. The visual experience of watching the pylons and columns emerge above the waterline — exactly as ancient pilgrims and later classical tourists experienced it — is unique to Philae and is a significant part of why the temple feels so different from every other site on the Nile. Egypt For Travel includes the motorboat transfer in all Aswan visit itineraries.
The Philae Sound & Light Show

Philae Temple hosts a Sound and Light Show every evening, with shows at approximately 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM in multiple languages including English, French, German and Italian. The show narrates the myth of Isis and Osiris while the temple is dramatically illuminated in different coloured lights from the surrounding water. The boat ride to the illuminated temple at night — the reflections on the dark water, the floodlit columns rising from the Nile — is as beautiful as the show itself. Tickets cost approximately 200 EGP (~$4). Egypt For Travel can arrange the Sound & Light Show as an optional evening add-on for guests staying overnight in Aswan.
Practical Tips for Visiting Philae in 2026
- Morning is best for light: The temple faces east, so morning light illuminates the main temple facade. Late afternoon gives warm golden light on the colonnades. Midday is harsh and shadowed.
- The boat is included in Egypt For Travel tours: Egypt For Travel arranges the motorboat transfer to and from the island as part of all Nile cruise and Aswan day tour itineraries. No separate arrangement needed.
- Allow 1.5–2 hours: A thorough visit including the main temple, the Kiosk of Trajan, the outer colonnades, and time to absorb the island setting takes approximately 90 minutes.
- Look for the cartouches: Throughout the temple, you can find the cartouches (royal name ovals) of both ancient pharaohs and later Roman emperors, who continued the tradition of presenting themselves as pharaohs in Egyptian reliefs even as they ruled from Rome.
- Card payment required: Bring a Visa or Mastercard for the ticket office. Egypt For Travel handles all ticket purchases for clients.
Philae Temple and the Nile Cruise
Philae Temple is the final shore excursion on every Nile cruise arriving in Aswan from Luxor, visited after the High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk. It is also the first site visited on Nile cruises that begin in Aswan and travel north to Luxor. All entrance fees and motorboat transfers are included in Egypt For Travel packages. Browse Nile cruises from $499 per person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Philae Temple?
Philae Temple is on Agilkia Island in the Nile, approximately 8km south of Aswan. There is no bridge — the only access is by motorboat from the landing stage at Shellal. The boat ride takes approximately 10 minutes each way. When you book with Egypt For Travel, the motorboat transfer is arranged and included for all Aswan visits. Independent travellers take shared or private motorboats from the landing stage, negotiating the price in advance.
What is the entrance fee for Philae Temple in 2026?
The entrance fee for Philae Temple in 2026 is approximately 200 EGP (~$4) for adult foreign visitors. This covers entry to the entire island complex. The motorboat to the island is a separate charge (approximately 50–70 EGP round trip per person when arranged privately). Egypt For Travel includes both the entrance fee and motorboat in all Nile cruise and Aswan tour packages — no additional cost at the site.
Is the Philae Sound and Light Show worth attending?
Yes — the Philae Sound and Light Show is one of the best in Egypt and uniquely atmospheric because the boat ride to the illuminated island at night is itself part of the experience. The approach by water to the floodlit temple — reflections on the Nile, the kiosk of Trajan glowing against the night sky — is something visitors consistently describe as one of the most beautiful moments of their Egypt trip. At ~200 EGP (~$4), it is excellent value. Egypt For Travel arranges it as an optional evening add-on for guests in Aswan. Recommended especially between October and April when evenings are pleasantly cool.
Philae Temple is included in all Egypt For Travel Nile cruises from $499 per person, visited with a private Egyptologist guide and motorboat transfer. Browse Nile cruises or WhatsApp: +20 155 555 2466. ETA Licence No. 1947.