The Unfinished Obelisk at a glance
The Unfinished Obelisk is a huge obelisk that still lies in its granite quarry. It was abandoned because cracks appeared in the stone. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities says it is probably linked to Hatshepsut. Had it been finished, it would have stood about 42 m tall and weighed about 1,168 tonnes. Those figures describe the planned obelisk, not the stone you see today.
People usually add it to a trip with Philae and the High Dam. Prices and hours below come from the ministry listing, read in October 2026. This is an independent guide, not an official site.
Tickets, hours and rules
Prices in Egyptian pounds as of 2026. The ministry gives the closing time. A separate ticket portal gives the time of last entry.
| Item | Foreign visitors | Egyptian visitors |
|---|---|---|
| Adult ticket | EGP 220 | EGP 20 |
| Student ticket | EGP 110 | EGP 10 |
| Opening hours (ministry) | 07:00–16:00 daily | 07:00–16:00 daily |
| Last entry (ticket portal) | 15:00 | – |
The portal says the last entry is at 15:00, in summer, winter and Ramadan, and that the site opens at 07:00. Closing time and last entry are different moments, so plan to arrive before 15:00. Children under 6 enter free, and students need a valid ID and must be 24 or younger. Photography with a mobile phone is free according to the portal. Ask at the gate about other cameras.
Unfinished Obelisk tours from Aswan
Trips that combine the Unfinished Obelisk with Philae and the High Dam, with live prices and availability.
What you see in the quarry
The obelisk lies where the stonecutters left it, in the granite quarry. The cracks that ended the work are the reason it was never raised. Remember that the 42 m and 1,168 tonnes belong to the planned obelisk. A good way to judge the size is to compare the stone with the people standing next to it.
If you want background on the ruler who is linked to it, see our sister guide to the Temple of Hatshepsut.
Do not climb on the rock or walk beyond the marked paths. The site is a protected monument.
Combine the obelisk with other sights
A short visit that fits in a morning with other Aswan stops.
Obelisk, Philae and High Dam
One local operator lists $120 for 1 to 2 guests for the three sights together in 2026. It covers car, driver, guide, captain and boat, but not entrance tickets. The trip starts from the east bank, and pickup on the west bank costs extra.
Philae alone
The same operator lists $98 for 1 to 2 guests for Philae only, again without tickets. See Philae Temple for the tickets and the boat.
The High Dam
The dam is a road stop on the combined trip. Read the Aswan High Dam before you go.
Heat
WMO averages for Aswan (1981–2010) show daily highs of about 41 °C from June to August and about 23 °C in January. Go early in summer. See the Aswan weather guide.
Planning your visit
Three points that save time at the gate.
Timing
The site opens at 07:00, the last entry is at 15:00 according to the ticket portal, and the ministry lists closing at 16:00. In the hot months, the first hours after opening are the most comfortable.
Tickets on top of tours
Operators that sell the obelisk as part of a combined trip list the entrance tickets as not included. Add EGP 220 per foreign adult to your budget, as of 2026.
Students and children
Bring a valid student ID if you want the student rate, and note the age limit of 24. Children under 6 are free according to the portal. Do not assume a reduced rate for other ages.
Unfinished Obelisk: frequently asked questions
How much is the Unfinished Obelisk ticket in 2026?
The ministry lists EGP 220 for a foreign adult and EGP 110 for a foreign student. Egyptian visitors pay EGP 20 and EGP 10.
When is the Unfinished Obelisk open?
The ministry lists daily opening from 07:00 to 16:00. A ticket portal gives 15:00 as the last entry, so arrive before then.
Why is the obelisk unfinished?
Cracks appeared in the granite, and the work was abandoned. The ministry links it to Hatshepsut as a probable attribution.
How big would the obelisk have been?
About 42 m tall and about 1,168 tonnes, according to the ministry. This describes the planned finished obelisk.
Can I take photos with my phone?
The ticket portal says photography with a mobile phone is free. Ask at the gate about other cameras.