Qena

Introducing Qena

Ninety-one kilometres east of Al-Balyana, 62km north of Luxor, Qena sits at the intersection of the main Nile road and the road running across the desert to the Red Sea towns of Port Safaga and Hurghada. A scruffy market town and provincial capital, Qena has little to recommend it to the visitor, which is just as well because current security measures make it impossible to visit. The only reason to stop is to get to the spectacular temple complex at Dendara, located just outside the town, although this is best done as a day trip from Luxor. Train or private taxi are the only viable ways of travelling independently and then you will be given a police escort as soon as you arrive. If you need money, you may be allowed to visit the Bank of Alexandria (off Sharia Luxor; 8.30am-2pm & 6-8pm Sun-Thu) or Banque du Caire (Sharia Luxor; 9am-2.30pm Sun-Thu).

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009