Things to do in Minya
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Khemenu
Little remains of the wealthy ancient city of Khemenu, the most striking ruins being two colossal 14th-century BC quartzite statues of Thoth as a baboon. These supported part of Thoth's temple, which was rebuilt throughout antiquity.
A Middle Kingdom temple gateway and a pylon of Ramses II, using stone plundered from nearby Tell al-Amarna, also survive. The most interesting ruins are from the Coptic basilica, which reused columns and even the baboon statues, though first removing their giant phalluses. The 'open-air museum' is officially free, but if you arrive with a police escort you will be expected to pay baksheesh.
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Tell al-Amarna Necropolis
<p> Two groups of cliff tombs, about 8km apart, make up the <strong> Tell al-Amarna necropolis </strong> which features some coloured, though defaced, wall paintings of life during the Aten revolution. Remains of temples and private or administrative buildings are scattered across a wide area of this imperial city. </p>
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Zawiyyet al-Mayyiteen
On the east bank about 7km southeast of town, a large Muslim and Christian cemetery, called Zawiyyet al-Mayyiteen, consists of several hundred mud-brick mausoleums. Stretching for 4km from the road to the hills and said to be one of the largest cemeteries in the world, it is a strange and thought-provoking sight.
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Banana Island Restaurant
The main restaurant of the Aton Hotel is year-round dependable for friendly service and good Egyptian cuisine, from lentil soup and grills to hot bread-and-milk pudding. Alcohol is served. If the weather is good, the outdoor terrace grill makes a good alternative, though not everyone will enjoy the widescreen TV.
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Tuna al-Gebel
Several kilometres south of Hermopolis and then 5km along a road into the desert, Tuna al-Gebel was the necropolis of Hermopolis. Given the lack of tourists in the area, check with the Minya tourist office that the site is open.
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Museum
Displays tomb paintings, glassware, sculpture including a limestone statue of a Ptolemaic priest, baboon and pencil-thin ibis mummies, and other artefacts from nearby Hermopolis and Tuna al-Gebel, in no particular chronological order.
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Motorboats
Motorboats and feluccas (per hour around £E30) can be rented at the landing opposite the Tourist Office for trips along the river and to Banana Island, which is good for a picnic.
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Savoy Restaurant
Savoy Restaurant, a busy corner restaurant, serves good rotisserie chicken and kebabs in this fan-cooled restaurant.
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Hantours
Hantours (horse-drawn carriages) can be rented for a leisurely ride around the town centre or along the corniche.
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