Beni Suef Travel Guide "Beni Suef:Journey to the Heart of History"
Beni Suef, a captivating province located just south of Cairo along the Nile, is an often overlooked gem in Egypt’s tourism landscape. With its rich archaeological sites, stunning natural scenery, and vibrant local culture, Beni Suef offers a unique glimpse into both the ancient and modern life of Egypt.
This comprehensive guide will take you through the top attractions and things to do in Beni Suef, ensuring that you fully experience the best that this fascinating region has to offer.
What is Beni Suef known for?
Beni Suef Governorate, situated about 120 kilometers from Cairo, serves as an ideal destination for travelers looking to explore beyond the typical tourist path. The city itself, a blend of bustling streets and tranquil Nile views, acts as the perfect starting point for adventures into the surrounding areas, which are rich with historical and natural attractions.
Things to do in Beni Suef Governorate
Adventure Activities Beni Suef
Nile Cruising
A relaxing cruise down the Nile is a must-do when visiting Beni Suef. These cruises provide a unique vantage point to view the lush riverbanks and the daily life of the people living along the river.
Unlocking The Beauty Secrets of Beni Suef Water Walk
Meidum Pyramid
One of the lesser-known pyramids of Egypt, the Meidum Pyramid, is believed to have been started by Pharaoh Huni and completed by Sneferu. This step pyramid is unique because of its transitional architectural style between the earlier step-sided pyramids and the later smooth-sided pyramids like those seen at Giza.
The pyramid at Meidum is thought to be just the second pyramid built after Djoser's and may have been originally built for Huni, the last pharaoh of the Third Dynasty, and continued by Sneferu. Because of its unusual appearance, the pyramid is called el-heram el-kaddaab – (False Pyramid) in Egyptian Arabic.
Mastaba No. 16: It is a large mud-brick covered with a layer of gravel. Its walls feature niches, the most important of which is the painting (Oz Meidum), currently located in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Mastaba No. 17: It is a large mud-brick building. The most important thing that was extracted from it is a limestone statue representing Prince Nefermat and his wife Ant. It was transferred to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Beni Suef Museum
The Beni Suef Museum houses artifacts related to the history of the region, an important agricultural center known especially for textile production. Artifacts from nearby pharaonic sites such as Abusir and Heracleopolis Magna (Ihnasya el-Medina) are housed on the first floor, while the second floor is devoted to displays of Coptic and Islamic period objects from the area.
Ehnasia Archaeological Area
It was also the capital of Egypt in the era of the Ninth and Tenth Dynasties, and a group of tombs from the 22nd Dynasty were found there. They have different inscriptions, and the remains of the Roman temple columns are still present in the region.
Wadi Sannur Cave
Sannur Cave is a visually dynamic karst-based subterranean environment, made from groundwater traveling inside the Eocene-era limestone of Galala Plateau, Egypt. The Sunnur area is dated at approximately 65-million years,and is considered an important geological heritage. It is believed to be the longest cave in Egypt.
Sannur Cave system was discovered in the 1980s, roughly 71 miles (115 km) south-southeast of Cairo, after quarry blasting created an overall entrance. The cave is also 6.2 miles (10 km) south-southeast of the city of Beni Suef.
The Wadi Sannur Cave dates back to the Middle Eocene, 40-45 million years ago. It contains structures known as statalactites and stalagmitic formations, in a fantastic presentation.
It is the largest natural subterranean chamber known in Egypt, with a characteristic crescent shape that may be unique in the world.
Such caves are extremely rare in arid environments and are therefore useful for understanding the geological history of these regions and the evolution of their palaeoclimatology, their geohydrology, their geomorphology, and their biota. source
