Aswan Nightlife

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The terrace at the Old Cataract Hotel is a lovely spot for a cocktail and a light snack in the evening, in an old colonial atmosphere. I was here on two occasions while staying at the New Cataract Hotel. I am uncertain, though, if non-hotel guests would be allowed into the grounds of the hotel, though I'm sure the guards would let you in, especially if you're a well-dressed foreigner. Apart from drinks, the terrace has wireless internet service for those with their portable computers.

Dress Code: Definitely elegant.

After dinner we found it perfectly safe to walk back to our hotel along the dusty main street where vendors kept vigil by the occasional electric lamp bulb. The walk along the Nile river, which is entirely paved in concrete is also pleasant. At the time of our visit, in early January, the night temperatures were quite chilly and a sweeter was needed. I saw a boy without a jacket shivering as he complained about the unseasonably cold desert night.

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We disappeared off the boat - another international international finger food buffet was not to our liking! Wandered the streets and alleys of Aswan, welcomed by most we came across, with hoardes of kids following us.

Beckoned in by the owner of this little cafe, all 4 of us tried a nargilah with apple tobacco for the first time. Served with mint tea, we discovered the local pleasure of simply watching time pass by, sharing the pipe. Much of a muchness - it didn't really matter which cafe you came across.

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Everybody gathers at the pier to enjoy the sunset or, to catch a Felucca trip down the Nile.

If you're staying on a ship, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a few sundowners (drinks) as you watch the sun go down and prepare for dinner.
There are many sights in Egypt I will forever remember but, the typical HUGE sun, going down, almost semmingly at the speed which you only picture to be in time lapse photography, filling the horizon in a giantic red orb will forever be etched in my mind.

In the meantime, the sounds of being called to prayer by the minerets throughout the Nile, people hurrying to worship, and the beautiful Feluccas slowly taking on the colors of the setting sun and eventually becoming sillouhetted against the Egyptian sky!

Enjoy your time out here, it is magical!

Many tour organizers gather the tourists and arrange a very relaxed night outing in the nile.
They rent a sailing boat and get all the food and drinks needed and starts the wonder cruise for the night.

If you are a group of people or just a couple, dont wait for a travel agent to organize this for you cause you can easily crash into one of the sail boats (Felluca) owners and tell him that you will be using his boat for some hurs at night and he will give you a fine deal.

Dress Code: Anything goes but try to wear a piece of history.