Dendera

File:Caption=From the exterior of the temple Dendera (also commonly spelled Denderah) is an archaeological locality in Egypt just outside the town of Qena (62 kilometers north of Luxor) in the region of Middle Egypt.

Dendera Halal Travel Guide

Dendera is the site of the remarkably impeccably maintained Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor the sole practicable reason for visiting the town.

How to travel to Dendera

Dendera is situated some 5 kilometers southwest of Qena township on the opposite bank of the Nile from the main settlement. Most travelers now arrive in Dendera on an overpriced day-tours out of Luxor (up to LE900 per vehicle, but including Abydos). However, it is totally feasible to arrive the budget way using the train and local taxi. (Strangely though and there are no affordable tuk-tuks available in Qena.)

Best way to travel in Dendera by a Taxi

Service taxis can be hired in Luxor for the round trip. Expect to pay about LE140-160 and to travel in a police convoy, which can mean some delays.

From Qena centre or the train station a return trip should be no more than LE50. The official taxi meter price is between LE15-20 one-way.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Dendera

A number of Luxor hotels, such as the Novotel, organise day excursions to Dendera by coach or Nile cruiser (lunch usually included, journey there and back takes most of one full day, with a short visit only at the actual temple).

Travel by train to Dendera

Train travel from Luxor is between 40-55 min. There is a local trains at 12:30 (LE4.50)—trains after that one will arrive too late to get in Dendera before closing hours. Otherwise and the regular trains to Cairo also stop in Qena, see Egypt#By train.

How to get around in Dendera

The site is small enough to reach everything by walking.

What to see in Dendera

Temple of Hathor GPS 26.144, 32.671 7.6 kilometers southwest of Qena train station, LE50 return trip by taxi from Qena. Beautiful interior and no restriction on picture taking.