5 Best Hostels in Aswan, Egypt

5 Best Hostels in Aswan

I think Aswan has to be my favourite spot in the whole of Egypt.

A wonderfully relaxed city, set on the banks of the Nile in the south of the country, it’s an absolute must on your Egypt itinerary.

Actually it was my first stop in this country, after crossing overland from Sudan, and I really felt it was the best welcome and first impression to this magical land.

Personally, after months of wild adventures in the Horn of Africa, I was just delighted to find people who spoke good English and bathrooms that were clean in Aswan!

But between the friendly Nubian population, the ancient Egyptian temples and the gorgeous islands that dot the world’s most famous river, Aswan ticks boxes than that!

And it’s cheap too – perfect for budget travellers – so if you’re travelling to this part of the world on a shoestring, here’s my list of the 5 best Aswan hostels to stay in while you’re here.


Related Posts

This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.


#1 Eka Dolli Nubian Guesthouse

Coming in at number 1 is one of my favourite hostels in the whole of Egypt.

Eka Dolli is a gorgeous spot with a really friendly atmosphere and some of the best staff ever!

The owner, Khaled, is a really lovely man – always around to help, he even drove me into town and gave me a guided tour of Elephantine Island during my first day!

This was super helpful because Eka Dolli is set a little out of the city of Aswan, but its peaceful setting alongside the Nile in a Nubian village more than makes up for this.

And honestly, the city of Aswan really isn’t all that, so I’d much prefer to be out of town a little in a peaceful and relaxing spot anyway.

This is even truer given that the main sites in Aswan aren’t actually situated in the city either, so no matter where you stay here, you’ll have to catch a taxi and /or a boat to get to almost anything that you want to see!

But back to the Eka Dolli Guesthouse, this brightly painted and spotlessly clean place feels like a home way from home.

HUGE breakfasts are included in the room prices and the roof terraces (yes there’s more than 1!) where they are served offer incredible views.

There’s also free and fast wifi here, super hot water and lots of friendly cats.

An undisputed top spot Eka Dolli Guesthouse is definitely the best Aswan hostel in my opinion.

Book your stay at Eka Dolli Guesthouse here!

 

#2 Keylany Hotel

If you do want to be in the centre of Aswan however, then the Keylany Hotel is right in the heart of the action.

Set on a street behind the souk here, this place offers good connections to the train station and Nile cruises.

A little over-priced, rooms here are basic and a bit dark, but there’s free wifi and breakfast included. All rooms are ensuite too.

If you’re just in Aswan for a day or 2, this would be a good central option when it comes to finding the right Aswan hostel for your length of trip.

 

#3 Yaseen Hotel

While the ratings aren’t great on this hotel, it is SUPER cheap and is likely to be your pick of the Aswan hostels if you’re travelling very frugally.

Yaseen Hotel is located very near the train station, which is a little north of Aswan centre, but will be super handy if you are arriving late at night by rail into the city.

This place also has a guest kitchen and all rooms are ensuite.

 

#4 Menmon Hotel

Another cheap option when it comes to finding an Aswan Hostel, Menmon Hotel is located in the city and has both single, double and triple rooms available.

Staff were friendly when I called in, but do be warned this place can be hard to find and you may need to ask around or get the staff to give you solid directions in advance.

Like all the Aswan hostels on this list, staff can arrange trips to local attractions for you at some of the most competitive prices around.

 

#5 Nubian Lotus

Set on Elephantine Island, this gorgeous family-run spot is one of the most stunning Aswan hostels.

Owned by an Italian / Egyptian husband and wife team, the incredibly peaceful setting and welcoming feel to this place really make it stand out.

With varying room sizes, from doubles to family apartments, the kitchen facilities here and the gorgeous roof terrace, as well as Nile views, make it very special.

You also have all the attractions of Elephantine Island, including the Nilometer and Aswan Museum, within walking distance, and the main city is just a short and cheap boat ride away.

Book your room at the Nubian Lotus at the best rates here.

 

Get Your FREE Checklist Now!
THE PERFECT AFRICA PACKING LIST

Just enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!

Information will be sent to the email provided above

 

Mini Aswan Travel Guide

Egypt, Aswan, Me at Philae

 

When to Visit Aswan?

No question in my mind that you should definitely visit this southern Egyptian city during the spring and autumn seasons i.e. from April to May and September to November.

This will allow you to get the most from the country’s lovely historical and river sites without being too hot!

 

How to Get to Aswan?

Most people access Egypt by flying into the international airport in the capital Cairo.

As always, I use Skyscanner to find the best prices.

You can then transfer to Aswan either via a long train journey from Cairo Central Station or by catching a domestic flight from Cairo’s airport.

Check out 12Go to book your train tickets in advance.

If you are crossing into Aswan from Sudan, check out this post which details all the ins and outs of crossing this African border.

 

Top Egypt Tours

I travelled Egypt as a solo female and felt perfectly safe, but if you’d rather take a tour of the country and enjoy then the company of other travellers, I totally understand.

Here’s my top picks.

 

Travel Insurance for Egypt

Egypt, Aswan, Abu Simbel

World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

 

5 Items You Shouldn’t Travel in Aswan Without

Egypt, Aswan, High Dam

#1 Egypt Lonely Planet – A great travel aide to this country with tons of historical info, the Egypt Lonely Planet will help you get the best from your time here.

#2 Arabic Phrasebook – Most people in Egypt who are connected with the tourism industry speak good English, but learning some Arabic never goes a miss, especially if you want to ensure you’re paying the best prices! The Egyptian Arabic Lonely Planet phrasebook is a super affordable packing must-have.

#3 Good Camera – Egypt is one of those ultimate bucket list destinations and travelling here with a good camera will help you preserve the memories. I highly recommend the mirrorless Sony A6000. Light, compact and robust, it’s been perfect for my Africa travel adventures.

#4 Sun Hat – This country is hot and dry, like really hot and really dry. When you’re walking around temples and other sights you’ll be exposed to the sun for long periods of time, so making sure you pack a sunhat for adequate protection is key. I love this one from Hello Sunshine.

#5 Amazon Audible – Travel in Egypt can often involve long train or bus journeys, so having something to listen to while you enjoy the scenery is a must! I love Amazon Audible, which is the best audiobook service around!

 

SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST!

 

So that’s my list of the 5 best Aswan hostels.

I think my favourites are clear, but why not check one out for yourself and let me know your thoughts about it in the comments below…

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.