Egypt Discovery
From per person£13
AttractionLuxor

Temple of Edfu (Temple of Horus)

Admission to Edfu’s Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Horus, including the forecourt, hypostyle hall and sanctuary; PDF ticket sent by email after booking.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Temple of Edfu Entry Ticket is an entry ticket granting admission to the Temple of Edfu in Edfu, Upper Egypt, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Time to allow
Self-paced
Travel style
Self-Guided Entry
Arranged by
Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Temple of Edfu
Includes
Admission to the Temple of Edfu · Access to the forecourt · Access to the hypostyle hall · Access to the sanctuary · PDF ticket delivered by email after booking
Best for
Independent travellers · Nile cruise passengers · History enthusiasts

Best time to go

October to April is generally more comfortable, with daytime temperatures often around 20–30°C; from May to September, temperatures can reach 35–40°C or higher. Arrive early to limit exposure to midday heat, and check current opening arrangements around Ramadan and major public holidays.

  • The entry ticket grants access to the Temple of Edfu.
  • The ticket is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The ticket is delivered as a PDF attachment by email after booking confirmation.
  • The admission-only ticket does not include transport, meals or drinks.
  • Construction dates are associated with Ptolemy III and Ptolemy XII.

02Overview

A first look

The Temple of Edfu stands on the west bank of the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. Its carved reliefs, including the Edfu Texts, record ancient temple rituals and offerings.

Background

The facts

The Temple of Edfu is a Ptolemaic religious complex dedicated to Horus, the falcon deity associated with kingship and protection. It stands in Edfu, in Upper Egypt, around 110 km south of Luxor and 65 km north of Aswan.

Construction began in 237 BCE under Ptolemy III and was completed in 57 BCE under Ptolemy XII. Its principal spaces include a forecourt, a hypostyle hall and an inner sanctuary, following the traditional sequence of an ancient Egyptian temple.

The complex is a major source for the religious language and architecture of late Pharaonic Egypt. Its construction spanned the Ptolemaic period, when Greek-speaking rulers governed Egypt while maintaining Egyptian religious traditions.

An entry ticket grants independent access to the monument. Opening hours and last admission can vary by season, day and holiday, so check current information through the official site before visiting. Photography rules may vary; confirm them at the entrance.

Named in this entry

Temple of Edfu·Horus·Ptolemy III·Ptolemy XII·Edfu·Upper Egypt·Luxor·Aswan·Nile·Ptolemaic period

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This entry ticket suits independent visitors, couples and history-focused travellers who want to explore Edfu Temple at their own pace. It works well for older children and teenagers who can manage uneven stone and periods of standing.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose another option if you need step-free access or on-site interpretation included. Strollers can be awkward around thresholds, steps and narrow passageways.

What lingers

  • 01Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu, built 237–57 BC; one of Egypt's best-preserved Ptolemaic temples.
  • 02Reliefs depict the myth of Horus and Seth; our Egyptologists explain ritual scenes in 45–60 minute guided visits.
  • 03Accessible from Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan; typical shore visit lasts 1–2 hours after disembarkation.
  • 04Large forecourt and colonnaded hall require walking on uneven ancient stone; limited shade at midday.
  • 05Stone-boat reliefs and intact roof inscriptions survive; valuable for epigraphic study and photographic recording permissions.
  • 06We avoid large-coach itineraries; our guided Edfu visits are private or small-group to reduce overlap with cruise crowds.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most cruise-packaged visits combine admission with a scheduled shore visit. We arrange this as an admission-only ticket, leaving visitors to choose their own pace and timing.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Entry ticket to the Temple of Edfu
  • Your PDF ticket will arrive by email once you have booked

Not included

  • Transport to and from the site
  • Professional Egyptologist or on-site guide, available to book separately
  • Food and beverages
  • Photography permit, where required by the site
  • Printed ticket, if the venue requires a paper copy; check before arrival

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Check whether the entrance accepts a phone display; print the PDF if the ticket format is unclear.

  2. 02

    Ask at the entrance about photography rules before taking pictures inside the complex.

  3. 03

    Confirm current opening hours and last admission close to your visit, especially around public holidays.

  4. 04

    Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees as a practical, respectful choice at a religious monument.

Tailor it

Make it yours

  • This is an admission-only ticket, with no transport or on-site interpretation included. The ticket does not specify add-on options
  • check separately for any available audio guide or other site services.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

– The Temple of Edfu is a stop on the Nile route between Luxor and Aswan, often visited during a cruise. Its admission-only format leaves you to plan the timing around your own river or shore plans.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Edfu railway station20 min walk
  • Edfu Nile riverfront0.5 km
  • Edfu town centre0.7 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Admission-only access leaves timing and pace to you

  2. 02

    PDF ticket arrives by email after booking confirmation

  3. 03

    Explore Horus's Ptolemaic temple without a packaged visit

·In summary

Construction of the Temple of Edfu began in 237 BCE and ended in 57 BCE, under Ptolemy III and Ptolemy XII. The monument is about 110 km south of Luxor and 65 km north of Aswan.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How do I get to the Temple of Edfu from Luxor?
    By road or Nile boat; the Temple of Horus at Edfu sits in the town of Edfu between Luxor and Aswan. River itineraries stop at Edfu on the conventional cruise route; road transfers from Luxor are also common. Compared with short cruise drop-offs, we recommend a private transfer or a guided stop that allows 60–90 minutes to study the reliefs and inscriptions with one of our Egyptologists.
  2. 02How long should I allow to visit the Temple of Edfu?
    Allow 60–90 minutes for a focused visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. That gives time for the outer pylons, the hypostyle hall and the inner sanctuary inscriptions. If you want detailed epigraphic explanations or photography, plan on 90 minutes or more – we schedule visits accordingly rather than the 20–30 minute cruise-ship stop.
  3. 03Are guided tours available inside the Temple of Edfu?
    Yes – guided visits inside the Temple of Horus are available with an Egyptologist or an authorised site guide. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can provide one of our Egyptologists to explain Ptolemaic construction (237–57 BC) and the Horus‑Set mythology. Note that access to some inner chambers can be restricted by site authorities; we check permissions in advance.
  4. 04Is the Temple of Edfu wheelchair accessible?
    The Temple of Edfu is not fully wheelchair-accessible; there are steps, thresholds and uneven ancient stone surfaces. Some courtyards are level but worn stone and raised doorways limit access to inner chambers. If you require assistance we can arrange a porter, propose alternative viewing points or adapt the visit schedule to reduce walking.
  5. 05What should I wear to visit the Temple of Edfu?
    Wear light, modest clothing, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for uneven stone surfaces. Temples are open-air and get hot in summer, so sun protection is essential. Modest dress is expected at Egyptian historic sites: shoulders and knees should be covered; swimwear and bare chests are inappropriate.
  6. 06Can I take photographs inside the Temple of Edfu?
    Photography for personal use is normally permitted inside the Temple of Edfu. Flash and handheld photography are usually fine; tripods, drone use and any commercial shoots typically require prior permits from Egyptian authorities. If you need a permit or want to arrange a commercial shoot, we can apply for the necessary permissions as a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, Senior Egyptologist·Last reviewed 24 February 2026

Last updated 24 February 2026Product ID: TKT-LUX-387216

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