Located on the west bank of the Nile, this ancient Egyptian town has preserved the Temple of Horus - a well-preserved Ptolemaic temple built between 237 and 57 BC.
Idfu, located on the west bank of the Nile River, is home to a 2,200-year-old Temple of Horus where you can walk through columned halls covered in ancient Egyptian carvings. You can climb Tell Edfu, an archaeological mound containing artifacts from 3000 BCE to Roman times, or visit one of Egypt's few remaining step pyramids just outside the city.
The Temple of Horus
The Temple of Horus measures 138 meters in length and 76 meters in width. Built between 237 BC and 57 BC, you'll find detailed relief carvings on its walls showing ancient Egyptian religious ceremonies and political scenes. As you walk through the main gateway, you'll enter a columned courtyard that leads to a grand hall with 24 columns. The walls show the falcon-headed god Horus receiving tributes and performing sacred rituals, while hieroglyphic inscriptions describe the temple's construction process and religious festivals.
Exploring Tell Edfu
Tell Edfu rises 20 meters above ground level, with excavated layers dating from the Old Kingdom through the Greco-Roman period. You can walk through remains of homes, government buildings, and temples. The site grew larger during the First Intermediate Period, making it an important southern Egyptian settlement during northern Egypt's decline. Archaeologists continue to find pottery fragments and papyri here, including tax records and personal letters.
Modern City Life
Farmers bring grain, cotton, and dates to sell at Idfu's markets each day. You can reach the city via the Cairo-Aswan railway, crossing the Nile on the city's main bridge. The local sugar factory processes sugarcane from nearby fields, while workshops produce pottery and textiles. The city's 60,000 residents work primarily in farming and local commerce.
Planning Your Visit
Plan your visit between November and February when temperatures stay between 15-25°C (59-77°F). In summer, temperatures often reach 40°C (104°F). The temple opens at 8 AM - arrive early to explore before the heat intensifies. You can reach Idfu by bus or train from Luxor and Aswan. Most visitors spend one day seeing the main sites.
