Banana Island

Northern Nile Valley


Banana Island, to the north of town, is a shady, pleasant place to picnic. You’ll have to bargain with a felucca captain for the ride: expect to pay at least LE40 an hour.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Nile Valley attractions

1. Asyut Barrage

8.58 MILES

Until the Nile-side Alexan Palace, one of the city’s finest 19th-century buildings, has been renovated and reopened, the Asyut Barrage serves as the most…

2. Convent of the Holy Virgin

12.63 MILES

At Dirunka, some 11km southwest of Asyut, this convent was built near a cave where the Holy Family are said to have taken refuge during their flight into…

3. Deir Al Muharraq

20.77 MILES

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4. Tombs of Mir

24.33 MILES

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5. Royal Tomb of Akhenaten

24.73 MILES

Akhenaten’s tomb (No 26) is in a ravine about 12km up the Royal Valley (Wadi Darb Al Malek), which divides the north and south sections of the cliffs and…

6. Tomb of Mahu (No 9)

25.32 MILES

This is one of the best preserved southern tombs. The paintings show interesting details of Mahu’s duties as Akhenaten’s chief of police, including taking…

7. Tomb of Ay (No 25)

25.36 MILES

This tomb, in the southern group, is the finest at Tell Al Amarna, with the images reflecting the importance of Ay and Tiyi. Scenes include the couple…

8. Tell Al Amarna

25.77 MILES

You will see the ruins of Akhetaten – temples and private or administrative buildings – scattered across the plain of Tell Al Amarna, but the main sights…