No temple in Egypt has survived more completely than the Temple of Horus at Edfu. On Nile cruises the visit is usually paired with the temple at Kom Ombo. Opening hours change with the season, so confirm them with your boat. The entry ticket does not include a guide.

The Temple of Horus was built in sandstone between 237 and 57 BC, on the site of a smaller New Kingdom temple. The ancient town, Tell Edfu, lies next to the temple. The Greeks called it Apollinopolis Magna. After non-Christian worship was banned in 391 AD, many of the temple's reliefs were smashed and much of its roof was burned. Desert sand more than 12 m deep then buried the temple for centuries, which is why so much of it survives. An expedition led by Auguste Mariette cleared it in 1860.

Egypt

Edfu

Edfu: The Temple of Horus on the Nile

Port traffic: ModerateNext 30 days

Good to know

What to Expect

Nile cruise boats moor at a river wharf on the west bank, the same side of the river as the town and the Temple of Horus.

Horse-drawn carriages, known as caleches, wait for the boats at the wharf, and tuk-tuks and taxis also work in town.
A caleche fare is for the whole carriage, not per person. Agree it, including the ride back, before you set off.
Agree how long the driver will wait at the temple, so the return fits the time your boat allows ashore.
The railway and bus stations are across the river on the east bank, about 4 km from the temple.

The Temple of Horus

No temple in Egypt has survived more completely than the Temple of Horus at Edfu.

On Nile cruises the visit is usually paired with the temple at Kom Ombo.
Opening hours change with the season, so confirm them with your boat.
The entry ticket does not include a guide.

History

The Temple of Horus was built in sandstone between 237 and 57 BC, on the site of a smaller New Kingdom temple.

The ancient town, Tell Edfu, lies next to the temple. The Greeks called it Apollinopolis Magna.
After non-Christian worship was banned in 391 AD, many of the temple's reliefs were smashed and much of its roof was burned.
Desert sand more than 12 m deep then buried the temple for centuries, which is why so much of it survives.
An expedition led by Auguste Mariette cleared it in 1860.

Port crowds

Next 30 days

Oct 21Quiet90°F / 67°F

Oct 22Quiet89°F / 67°F

Oct 23Quiet91°F / 69°F

Oct 24Busy92°F / 73°F

Oct 25Normal94°F / 74°F

Oct 26Normal97°F / 76°F

Oct 27Quiet98°F / 78°F

Oct 28Busy98°F / 73°F

Oct 29Normal98°F / 73°F

Oct 30Normal98°F / 73°F

Oct 31Very busy98°F / 73°F

Nov 1Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 2Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 3Quiet86°F / 62°F

Nov 4Busy86°F / 62°F

Nov 5Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 6Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 7Very busy86°F / 62°F

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Nov 10Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 11Busy86°F / 62°F

Nov 12Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 13Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 14Very busy86°F / 62°F

Nov 15Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 16Normal86°F / 62°F

Nov 17Normal86°F / 62°F

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