El-Balyana (Al-Baliyana) is a small town located in the modern Sohag Governorate of Upper Egypt. The town lies on the west bank of the River Nile and is also located near one of the top most-visited places in Egypt dating back to ancient times, the city of Abydos. El-Balyana is a major city in the Sohag governorate and is spread over an area of 160 square km. The city was important during the Islamic period and Ancient Egyptian era as well. Presently, it is inhabited by some nomadic tribes called the Banu Mohamed and Hawara tribes. The most famous tourist places located close to El-Balyana include Arabat Abidus, the Temple of Osiris, the Ramses II Temple, and the Seti I Temple. Also, many necropolises dating back to the 1st and the 2nd dynasties can be found here.
About Sohag Governorate
Sohag Governorate is one of Egypt's biggest governorates. It lies in the southern part of the country and covers part of the Nile Valley. The governorate is about 72 km to the south of Asyut, with Sohag as its capital. The governorate is famous one of the centers of Coptic Christian life in Egypt. Located here are the White Monastery and the Red Monastery, two key holy sites for Coptic Christians. Akhmim is also an important tourist center located in Sohag.
Tourism at El-Balyana
El-Balyana has many monuments dating back to the ancient Egyptian era. Abydos is a popular tourist destination and is often listed in the top 10 attractions in Egypt. It was once known as the Holy City and was very important during the ancient era.
Abydos is referred to as being among the most spellbinding places in Egypt which are must-see destinations. It can be easily reached from El-Balyana which lies at just 11 km away. Most temples at Abydos were constructed during the 13th century B.C. and most notable among these include the Temple of Seti I, which has an inscription from the 19th dynasty and is today referred to as the Abydos King List. Seti I's temple is one of the best-conserved temples in Egypt. It honors seven gods: Osiris, Isis, Horus, Amun, Ra Harakhy, Ptah, and Seti I, all of whom can be seen drawn on the walls of the temple.
Next is the Temple of Osiris, which is among the most important temples here, but unfortunately not much remains of the original structure. Another is the Ramses II Temple which was also built as a dedication to Osiris and still has many wall paintings that are really interesting to gaze at. Abydos lies in the city of El-Balyana in the Sohag Governorate and is among the must-visit places when on a tour to Egypt.
Another little town located nearby is Dendera which is popular for the Dendera Temple complex that has the Temple of Hathor. This temple has been preserved really well and is very interesting to visit. The complex spreads across a land area of 40,000 square meters and is surrounded by a mud-brick-enclosed wall.
Airports Near El-Balyana
The closest major airport to the city of El-Balyana is the Sohag International Airport which is 50 km away from the center of El-Balyana. Other options are the Luxor International Airport, which is situated at a distance of 161 km, Asyut Airport which lies at a distance of 201 km, and the Hurghada International Airport, which is 312 km away. There are some domestic airports located nearby as well, which ensure easy connectivity of this town with many other cities and towns in Egypt.
Some Major Cities Near El-Balyana
El-Balyana is well-connected to some major cities in Egypt making it easy for travelers to reach in order to explore the area and take an exciting journey into the past. Closest is the City of Akhmim which lies just 43 km from the city’s center. Traveling from Akhmim City to El-Balyana takes less than an hour by road. Also, there are many routes between the two cities, giving you lots of options. Overall, El-Balyana is a very culturally-rich and historically deep location full of exciting places and sites to explore, which is why it is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Egypt.
