From the riverbank at Kom Ombo, the sandstone columns of the Temple of Kom Ombo catch the low sun and throw long shadows across the courtyard. The Nile runs close here, between steep banks, and the site sits on a sandy hill above it.
Kom Ombo suits travellers who are already moving along the Nile between Aswan and the temples further north, and who want a stop that is compact, walkable and easy to fold into a half day. It also suits anyone interested in the Ptolemaic period, in the crocodile cult of Sobek, or in the quarry landscapes that supplied stone across Egypt.
This guide covers the temple complex and its museum, the quarries and monuments at Silsila, and how to string them together if your time is short.
Top things to do in Kom Ombo
1. Temple of Kom Ombo
This is an unusual double temple, dedicated to both Sobek and Haroeris and built in the reign of Ptolemy VI. You enter through a pylon on the west side into a courtyard of partly coloured columns, then pass into the pronaos, the inner columned hall, which is intricately carved. The ceremonial doorway on the north side belongs to falcon-headed Haroeris; the doorway on the south side belongs to crocodile-headed Sobek. Beyond lie further antechambers and shrines leading to the inner temple.
On the east flank outside, look for the depiction of the Roman Emperor Trajan presenting surgical instruments to Haroeris. The temple was damaged in the earthquake of 1992 and has been repaired, and other partially restored or incomplete buildings dot the site, so allow time to walk the whole complex rather than just the main axis.
2. Crocodile Museum
The museum sits adjacent to the temple and is included in your ticket. It displays items relating to the cult of Sobek, and over 300 mummified crocodiles were found here, of which a handful are on display.
Visit it directly after the temple, while the inscriptions and reliefs you have just seen are still fresh, since the museum's objects make more sense as a companion to the site than as a standalone stop.
3. Silsila
Silsila lies 15 km north of Kom Ombo, at a point where cliffs pinch the river channel. In the 18th Dynasty its sandstone became prized for monumental work and was quarried here for use across the country. The quarries were worked on both sides of the river, but most points of interest are on the west bank.
You will need a car or taxi to get here, or you can come on an organised tour. Because the sites are spread along the riverbanks, plan this as a half day rather than a quick stop.
4. Temple of Horemheb at Silsila
On the west bank at Silsila, the Temple, or "Speos", of Horemheb is among the main points of interest. It sits within the quarry landscape rather than in a town, so the setting is part of the visit.
Combine it with the other west bank monuments at Silsila in a single sweep, since they are grouped in the same area and reached by the same vehicle.
5. Chapels of Panehesy and Paser at Silsila
These two chapels are associated with the Temple of Horemheb on the west bank at Silsila. They form part of the same cluster of monuments and are best understood alongside it.
See them in the same visit as the Temple of Horemheb rather than as separate trips, and keep an eye out for the cenotaphs and inscriptions nearby.
6. Quarry workings and inscriptions at Silsila
The channels and tunnels of the quarry workings are themselves a point of interest, along with various cenotaphs and inscriptions. This is where the sandstone for monumental work across the country was extracted.
Wear shoes you do not mind scuffing, and treat the workings as a walk through an industrial landscape rather than a single monument.
7. Temple of Kheny at Silsila
On the east bank at Silsila is the Temple of Kheny, along with yet more quarries. If your transport can cross or if your tour includes the east bank, this completes the picture of how the two banks were used.
Confirm with your driver or tour operator in advance whether the east bank is included, since most points of interest lie on the west bank.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Temple of Kom Ombo, entering through the pylon on the west side and working through the courtyard, the pronaos and the antechambers, noting the north doorway for Haroeris and the south doorway for Sobek. Finish on the east flank with the depiction of Trajan presenting surgical instruments to Haroeris.
Afternoon: Go straight into the adjacent Crocodile Museum, which is included in your ticket, then take a car or taxi north to Silsila. On the west bank, see the Temple of Horemheb, the chapels of Panehesy and Paser, and the quarry workings with their channels, tunnels and inscriptions.
Evening: Return to Kom Ombo. If your transport or tour covers the east bank at Silsila, fit in the Temple of Kheny before heading back.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Crocodile Museum included in the temple ticket?
Yes. The Crocodile Museum is included in your ticket to the Temple of Kom Ombo.
How do I get to Silsila?
You will need a car or taxi, or you can come on an organised tour. It lies 15 km north of Kom Ombo.
Which bank of the river at Silsila has the most to see?
The quarries were worked on both sides of the river, but most points of interest are on the west bank, including the Temple of Horemheb, the chapels of Panehesy and Paser, and the quarry workings.
What is unusual about the Temple of Kom Ombo?
It is a double temple, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, with separate doorways for each deity, and it has no propylon or dromos in front of it.
Decide how much of your day belongs to the temple and how much to the quarries at Silsila, then arrange your transport and start planning.