Abu Simbel facts at a glance
Abu Simbel is a pair of rock temples in Nubia, in the far south of Egypt. The Great Temple belongs to Ramesses II of the 19th Dynasty and dates to around 1264 BC. The small temple to the north is for the goddess Hathor and for Queen Nefertari. Both were moved to higher ground in the 1960s.
The site is part of the World Heritage property Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, inscribed in 1979, which has ten component areas. If you plan to go, the Abu Simbel tickets page lists prices and hours in detail.
The key numbers
Where a figure depends on the measurement, the table gives a range.
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Builder | Ramesses II, 19th Dynasty |
| Date | Around 1264 BC |
| Colossi on the facade | 4 seated figures, 21 to 22 m high |
| First hall, Great Temple | 8 Osiris figures of the king on pillars |
| Second hall, Great Temple | 4 pillars |
| Sanctuary figures | 4: Ptah, Amun-Re, the deified Ramesses, Re-Horakhty |
| Small temple facade | 6 figures of about 10 m: 4 of Ramesses, 2 of Nefertari |
| Small temple hall | 6 pillars |
| World Heritage | Inscribed 1979, ten component areas |
Abu Simbel facts about the size
The four colossi of the Great Temple are about 21 to 22 m high, depending on the measurement. One of them lost its upper body in an earthquake in ancient times, and the fallen part still lies at its foot.
The small temple has six standing figures of about 10 m each. Four show the king, two show Nefertari. The queen stands at nearly the same size as the king.
Our pick: from the Red Sea coast
A five-day Nile cruise from Hurghada with Abu Simbel in the programme.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Abu Simbel tours and tickets from Aswan
Day trips with transport and a guide, guided tours of both temples and other ways to reach Abu Simbel, with live prices and availability.
Facts about the move in the 1960s
The temples were cut into more than 1,000 blocks of about 30 t each. The blocks were numbered and rebuilt inside an artificial rock hill. The new site is roughly 64 to 65 m higher and 180 to 210 m away from the old one. The temples opened there on 22 September 1968.
Moving the temples cost about $40 million. The whole UNESCO campaign for the monuments of Nubia, from 1960 to 1980, cost about $80 million for 22 monuments, and about 50 countries paid half of it. The relocation page tells the story. The Nubian Museum in Aswan grew out of the same campaign.
Visiting facts for 2026
Prices and hours for 2026. Check them again before you go.
| Item | Normal day | 22 Feb and 22 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign adult | EGP 750 | EGP 1,200 |
| Foreign student | EGP 375 | EGP 600 |
| Egyptian adult | EGP 30 | EGP 60 |
| Egyptian student | EGP 10 | EGP 20 |
| Opening hours | 06:00–17:00 daily | – |
| Last entry | 16:00 | – |
| Vehicle ticket | Car or taxi EGP 25, microbus EGP 50, coaster EGP 75, large bus EGP 100 | – |
The vehicle fees are charged per vehicle, not per person. For most visitors on a tour, the driver or the operator deals with them. The sound and light show has its own ticket, $20 for adults and $11 for children aged 6 to 12 (2026).
The sun dates and the airport code
The sun reaches the sanctuary figures on 22 February and 22 October. The next date is 22 February 2027. These are not the equinox dates. The sun lights Ramesses, Amun-Re and Re-Horakhty, and Ptah is left out. Read more on the sun festival page.
The small airport at Abu Simbel has the code ABS. Aswan is ASW and Cairo is CAI. Details on routes and times are on the Abu Simbel flights page.
Two numbers that people mix up
The first is the cost of the rescue. Moving the temples cost about $40 million. The $80 million figure belongs to the whole UNESCO campaign, which saved 22 monuments and complexes in Nubia. The two are often confused.
The second is the sun festival price. The ticket is not the same every day: EGP 750 on a normal day, EGP 1,200 on 22 February and 22 October for foreign adults. If you plan a normal visit, budget for the lower price.
Abu Simbel facts: frequently asked questions
How tall are the statues at Abu Simbel?
The four seated colossi of Ramesses II are 21 to 22 m high, depending on the measurement. The figures on the small temple facade are about 10 m.
When was Abu Simbel built?
Around 1264 BC under Ramesses II. The exact years of building are not settled.
How many times was Abu Simbel moved?
Once. The temples were cut into more than 1,000 blocks and rebuilt on higher ground in the 1960s. They opened at the new site on 22 September 1968.
How much is the Abu Simbel ticket in 2026?
EGP 750 for foreign adults and EGP 375 for foreign students on a normal day. On 22 February and 22 October the prices are EGP 1,200 and EGP 600.
How many temples are there at Abu Simbel?
Two: the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari.
Is this the official site of Abu Simbel?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the authorities that manage the temples.