//
City in Luxor, Egypt
Photo: KarimBadr251, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Esna is an Egyptian town in the region of Upper Egypt. Esna is one of the oldest cities in Egypt. It is really an amazing experience and a fascinating imagination when you walk in the streets of the city nowadays in 2020 and you feel like you're walking through history.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Temple of Khnum
It is large, impressive - no, look down! Built in the Ptolemaic-Roman period, the temple became covered with debris, which helped preserve it, so it is now 9 m below the modern street level. The only remaining structure is the hypostyle hall, which is very well preserved with a lot of color on the columns and ceilings. The ticket office is 200 m away from the temple, connected by a covered souk with the usual hawkers.
By bus
Buses between Luxor and Aswan pass through Esna; their frequency in 2020 is unknown. The bus stop is by the railway station on the east bank.
By boat
Esna is a regular calling point for Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan.
Local bus
A From West Bank direct bus to pick up close to the railway station
Taxis and tuk-tuks are available all throughout town, and offer a convenient transport from train or mini bus stations to the temple (there is not much else to see). Tuk-Tuks should not cost more than LE20.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Luxor · International · LXR
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Esna 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.