Amarna Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Locality

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Egypt's Al Minya region, the ancient city of Amarna awaits visitors with its rich history and captivating beauty. With its archaeological sites and stunning landscapes, Amarna offers a unique and immersive travel experience.

Known as Akhetaten in ancient times, Amarna was the capital city of Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 14th century BC. Today, it stands as an open-air museum, allowing visitors to step back in time and explore the remains of this once-thriving city.

One of the main attractions in Amarna is the Great Temple of the Aten, dedicated to the sun god Aten. This impressive temple, with its towering columns and intricate carvings, offers a glimpse into the religious practices of ancient Egypt. Wander through the temple complex and marvel at the well-preserved reliefs that depict scenes from daily life and religious ceremonies.

As you explore Amarna, you will come across the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten and the Tomb of Meryre II, two of the most significant tombs in the city. Admire the vibrant wall paintings and hieroglyphic inscriptions that adorn the walls of these tombs, providing a fascinating insight into the beliefs and customs of the ancient Egyptians.

For nature enthusiasts, the stunning landscapes surrounding Amarna offer endless opportunities for outdoor exploration. Take a leisurely hike through the scenic Wadi Al-Hitan, also known as the Valley of the Whales, and marvel at the fossilized remains of ancient marine life that date back millions of years.

To immerse yourself in the local culture, visit the vibrant local markets in Amarna. Here, you can browse through a wide variety of handicrafts, textiles, and traditional Egyptian souvenirs. Don't forget to sample the local cuisine, which is known for its flavorful spices and aromatic herbs.

Amarna, with its rich historical heritage and natural beauty, is a destination that will leave you in awe. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply seeking a unique travel experience, Amarna is sure to captivate your senses and transport you to a bygone era.

Local name: تل العمارنة Elevation: 157 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 27°39'42"N, 30°54'20"E

Location

Al MinyaEgypt

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Amarna Top Attractions

Amarna Attractions - What to See and Explore

Amarna offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Small Aten Temple, Thutmose, Tombs of the Nobles, Southern Tomb 11. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Temple
Small Aten Temple
The Small Aten Temple is a temple to the Aten located in the ancient Egyptian city of Amarna. It is one of the two major temples in the city, the other being the Great Temple of the Aten.
Monuments and statues
Thutmose
Thutmose, also known as "The King's Favourite and Master of Works, the Sculptor Thutmose", was an Ancient Egyptian sculptor. He flourished around 1350 BC, and is thought to have been the official court sculptor of the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten in the latter part of his reign.
Tomb
Tombs of the Nobles
Located in Middle Egypt, the Tombs of the Nobles at Amarna are the burial places of some of the powerful courtiers and persons of the city of Akhetaten. The tombs are in two groups, cut into the cliffs and bluffs in the east of the dry bay of Akhetaten.

Tomb
Southern Tomb 11
Southern Tomb 11 is an ancient sepulchre located at Amarna, Egypt. It was used for the burial of Ramose, whose titles included, "Royal scribe, Commander of troops of the Lord of the Two Lands, Steward of Nebmaatra ".
Tomb
Tomb of Meryra
The Tomb of Meryra is part of a group of tombs located near Amarna, Upper Egypt. Placed in the mountainsides, the graves are divided into north and south groupings; the northern tombs are located in the hillsides and the southern on the plains.
Tomb
Amarna Tomb 1
Amarna Tomb 1 is a sepulchre near Amarna, Upper Egypt. It is the tomb of the ancient Egyptian noble Huya, which is located in the cluster of tombs known collectively as the Northern tombs. Huya was the treasurer and steward in the house of the King's Chief Wife, Tiye and the overseer of the royal quarters of the Great King's Wife Tiye.
Tomb
Amarna Tomb 3
Amarna Tomb 3 is a rock-cut cliff tomb located in Amarna, Upper Egypt. The tomb belonged to the Ancient Egyptian noble Ahmes, who served during the reign of Akhenaten.
27°40'12"N • 30°54'14"E
Excavated Ancient Palace
Amarna is an extensive Egyptian archaeological site containing the remains of what was the capital city of the late Eighteenth Dynasty.
Tomb
Amarna Tomb 7
Amarna tomb 7 was one of the Southern tombs at Amarna, Egypt. It belonged to Parennefer, who was a pure handed cupbearer of the king's Person. The facade of the tomb depicts scenes with Akhenaten, Nefertiti, Meritaten, and Meketaten offering to the Aten.
Tomb
Southern Tomb 23
Southern Tomb 23 is a sepulchre in Amarna, Egypt. It was used for the burial of Any, whose titles included, Royal scribe, Scribe of the offering-table of the Aten, Steward of the estate of Aakheperura.
Tomb
Amarna Tomb 5
Amarna Tomb 5 is an ancient sepulchre in Amarna, Upper Egypt. It was built for the courtier Pentu, and is one of the six Northern tombs at Amarna. The burial is located to the south of the tomb of Meryra. It is very similar to the tomb of Ahmes. The sepulchre is T-shaped and its inner chamber would have served as the burial chamber.
Tomb
Anonymous Tombs in Amarna
The Anonymous Tombs in Amarna are ancient Tombs of Nobles at the Royal Wadi in Amarna, Upper Egypt. They consist of both sepulchres and burial pits in varying stages of construction.
Tomb
Southern Tomb 25
Southern Tomb 25 is a sepulchre in Amarna, Egypt. It was intended for the burial of Ay, who later became Pharaoh, after the 18th Dynasty king Tutankhamun.
Tomb
Meryre II
Meryre II was an ancient Egyptian noble known as the superintendent of Queen Nefertiti, and held the title of royal scribe, steward, overseer of the two treasuries, overseer of the royal harem of Nefertiti. He had a tomb constructed at Amarna, although his remains have never been identified.
27°40'12"N • 30°54'12"E
Northern Palace
The Northern Palace, also called the North Palace, is located in the abandoned Northern Suburbs of the city of Ahketaten. This palace should not be confused with the North Riverside Palace further north in Amarna.
27°39'50"N • 30°55'39"E
Ancient Tombs
Amarna is an extensive Egyptian archaeological site containing the remains of what was the capital city of the late Eighteenth Dynasty.
Ruins
Great Aten Temple
The Great Temple of the Aten was a temple located in the city of el-Amarna, Egypt. It served as the main place of worship of the deity Aten during the reign of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh Akhenaten. Akhenaten ushered in a unique period of ancient Egyptian history by establishing the new religious cult dedicated to the sun-disk Aten.
City
Workmen's Village
The Workmen's Village, located in the desert 1.2 kilometres east of the ancient city of Akhetaten, was built during the reign of the Eighteenth Dynasty pharaoh Akhenaten.

Day trips

Amarna – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Amarna, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Monastery of Saint Fana, Deir el-Muharraq, Nefrusy (Mallawi).

18 milesNW
Monastery
Monastery of Saint Fana
The Monastery of Saint Fana is a Coptic Orthodox monastery. It is named after Saint Fana, also known as Bane, Coptic Christian hermit.
21 milesS
Monastery
Deir el-Muharraq
The Monastery of Virgin Mary in Koskam or Deir el-Muharraq, also known as the Muharraq Monastery, Virgin Mary monastery and Mount Koskam Monastery, is a monastic complex of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in Egypt.
10 milesNW
Archaeological site
Nefrusy, Mallawi
Nefrusy was an ancient Egyptian city which location is north of modern day cities of El Ashmunein and El Quseyya. It is known for being the site of Battle of Nefrusy between the forces of Kamose and Hyksos forces, which saw the first attested use of chariots in the history of Military of ancient Egypt.
34 milesS
Area
Manqabad, Assiut
Manqabad also spelled Mankabad is a town in Upper Egypt, near the city of Asyut. A military station was located in the town which was referred to as "beyond civilization", being the last vestige of the Nile River Valley before the southern desert.
37 milesN
Area
Akoris, Minya
Akoris; Egyptian: Mer-nefer, Per-Imen-mat-khent, or Dehenet is the Greek name for the modern Egyptian village of Ṭihnā al-Ǧabal, located about 12 km north of Al Minya. The ancient site is situated in the southeast of the modern village.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Amarna?

The top attractions to visit in Amarna are: