Esna, Egypt

Village of Esna by Foot

Historic Temple and Lively Market Explore Esna, once an important center for trade and later a regional capital under the Greeks and Romans. Today, Esna is a quiet farming town with a lively market scene. Take a short walk from your pier into town. Along the waterfront, there are several examples of 19th-century houses with elaborate mashrabiya, or elaborate wooden lattice screens. Walk past the 14th-century Emari minaret, one of Egypt’s oldest, and view the remains of the ancient temple dedicated to the god Khnum. Built in Greco-Roman times by the Ptolemies on the site of an older temple, its hypostyle hall is the only building that has been excavated—the rest remains underneath the surrounding modern city. Venture into the covered street market, where you can purchase fabric, or have the fabric made into clothing. Also, see a market that is home to an old mill that presses lettuce seed into oil before returning to your ship. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.