Kom Ombo is one of the easiest of Egypt's temples to fit into a trip, sitting right on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan and on almost every river-cruise route. For expats exploring the south, it's a natural half-hour stop rather than a destination in itself.
What you're looking at
Built in the Ptolemaic period (roughly 180–47 BC), Kom Ombo is unusual for being a double temple: a symmetrical layout with two entrances and two sanctuaries, one dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other to Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Look for the wall relief showing what appear to be surgical and medical instruments, and the small Crocodile Museum beside the temple displaying mummified crocodiles once sacred to Sobek.
Visiting as a resident
Most visitors arrive by Nile cruise, but you can also reach it by road from Aswan (about an hour) or from Luxor. It's compact — 45 minutes to an hour is plenty — so it works best combined with nearby sites rather than as a standalone trip. Entry covers the temple and the Crocodile Museum.
Good to know
- Best months are the cooler November to February.
- It's especially striking at sunset, when the cruise boats stop by.
- Comfortable shoes and water are all you really need.
- Pair it with Philae and Abu Simbel around Aswan for a full southern loop.
Related
- Living in Egypt — the full expat guide
- Getting around in Egypt — Nile and intercity logistics
- Temples of Abu Simbel — the great rock temples near Aswan
- Valley of the Kings — the royal tombs at Luxor