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1 city
Province · Faiyum and Middle Egypt
Faiyum
Faiyum, the oasis beside the Nile: Lake Qarun, the waterfalls of Wadi el-Rayan, the whale fossils of Wadi Al-Hitan and the potteries of the village of Tunis.
In the photo: Desert lakes and rock formations in Wadi el-Rayan.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know Faiyum
Faiyum is a large depression in the desert west of the Nile, about 100 km south of Cairo, irrigated by an ancient canal, the Bahr Yusuf, which brings water from the river. Green fields, orchards and wooden water wheels, turning with the current of the canals, surround the city of Faiyum, the capital.
To the north of the depression lies Lake Qarun, a saltwater lake surrounded by desert and cliffs. Near it, the village of Tunis is known for its painted pottery and mud-brick houses. In Wadi el-Rayan, a protected area, two lakes connected by waterfalls create a rare desert landscape in Egypt.
Farther west, Wadi Al-Hitan, the Valley of the Whales, is a UNESCO World Heritage site: there are exposed fossils of primitive whales from about 40 million years ago, from when the area was sea. A museum and marked trails interpret the site.
Faiyum has been inhabited since ancient Egypt: there are the pyramids of Hawara and Lahun, the ruins of Karanis and the temple of Qasr Qarun. From Roman-period cemeteries come the Faiyum portraits, painted faces on wood placed on mummies.
Destinations
1 destination in Faiyum
When to go
From October to April the days are mild for visiting Wadi el-Rayan, Wadi Al-Hitan and Lake Qarun. In summer the desert heat is intense. On weekends, especially Fridays, Faiyum receives many visitors from Cairo.
Getting there
Faiyum is about 100 km from Cairo, roughly a one-and-a-half to two-hour drive. There are buses and minibuses from Cairo and trains from Giza. For Wadi el-Rayan and Wadi Al-Hitan you need a car, and for Wadi Al-Hitan a 4x4 vehicle or a guided tour is recommended.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Faiyum
Can you do Faiyum as a day trip from Cairo?
Yes. With a driver you can see Lake Qarun, the village of Tunis and Wadi el-Rayan in one day. To visit Wadi Al-Hitan and to camp in the desert, it’s worth staying overnight in Faiyum or Tunis.
What is Wadi Al-Hitan?
It is the Valley of the Whales, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Faiyum desert, with exposed fossils of primitive whales from about 40 million years ago, plus a museum and marked trails.
What are the Faiyum portraits?
They are painted faces on wood from the Roman period, placed on mummies and found in the cemeteries of Faiyum. They are in museums in Egypt and around the world.
Does Wadi el-Rayan have waterfalls?
Yes. Two lakes connected by a channel form small waterfalls in a protected area of the Faiyum desert, about 40 km from the city.