//
Place in Aswan Governorate, Egypt
Photo: Einsamer Schütze, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Silsila (also spelt "Silsileh" and known as Gebel es-Silsila) is an Egyptian locality - a range of sandstone hills - in the region of Upper Egypt, located on the river Nile some 42 km south of Edfu, alomost immediately north of Kom Ombo and some 65 km north of Aswan. Of huge geological and Egyptological significance, the gorge and ancient quarries of Silsila - together with their associated monuments - represent an interesting stop on the road or river journey through Upper Egypt.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A small royal shrine hewn from the rock and dedicated to the late 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Horemheb and 6 other Egyptian deities. The rock temple consists of 4 pillars across its façade, a narrow transverse hall behind these, and a small sanctuary (inner room) with the rock-carved and seated cult images of the 7 deities herein venerated located in a niche in the rear wall (Amun, Mut, Khonsu, Sobek - the local crocodile god, Taweret, Thoth and the Pharaoh Horemheb). Another shrine of Horemheb's building lies 450 m to the north, featuring a number of granite columns, but this is largely unexplored and inaccessible.
By taxi
Taxi drivers are reluctant to stop at Silsila, owing to the prevailing security demands and schedule posed by the local Tourist Police (considered by many to be unwarranted, but there to be dealt…
By felucca
Travellers making a Nile journey by felucca probably stand the best chance for seeing the quarries, by asking their captain to make the appropriate stop.
By cruise ship
Silsila is a frequent stop on cruise ship itineraries - check with the crew for details of any prospective journey before booking.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Aswan · International · ASW
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Silsila and Egypt.
ItinerariesPlan your 7-day Egypt itinerary for 2026. Explore Cairo's Pyramids, Luxor's temples, and Aswan with domestic flights, Nile tips, and real costs.
7 min read
Travel tipsDiscover the best time to visit Egypt. Compare mild winter Nile cruises, desert heatwaves, the 2027 solar eclipse in Luxor, and Red Sea coral diving.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in November across autumn foliage, mild desert warmth, southern spring blooms, and off-peak travel bargains.
6 min read
Travel tipsIs it safe to travel to Egypt right now? Compare safety in Cairo, Luxor Nile cruises, and Red Sea resorts with official travel advice and scam tips.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.