About Fayoum

A majestic desert, expanses of luxuriant land, lakes and waterfalls: let yourselves be captivated by the beauties of the Fayoum Oasis, ‘Little Egypt’. If you have always dreamt of losing yourselves in the immense Milky Way while lying among the desert dunes, listening to the stories of the dynasties of pharaohs that have marked the history of a civilization thousands of years old, guided by the skilled hands of young artisans, the ‘guardians’ of the ancient handiwork techniques, then Fayoum is the destination for you.

Fayoum from Space
Fayoum from Space

The Fayoum, located less than a hundred kilometers from Cairo and with its rich heritage of flora and fauna and archaeology, is one of the most beautiful and fertile regions of Egypt. in addition, it includes two areas declared as protected by the Egyptian Government: Lake Qarun and Wadi Rayan National Parks.

Map of Fayoum
Map of Fayoum

The Geography of Fayoum 

Location

Fayoum is one of the 27 Governorates of Egypt: a luxuriant natural oasis that develops on a depression carved out in the limestone rock. Its lowest point, coinciding with the salt Lake Qarun, is 45 m below sea level. It is located in the Western Desert about 70 km southwest of Cairo, and is completely surrounded by the desert, except for the southeast section, where it borders on the Beni Suef Governorate.

 Size

6068 km2, 200 km of which are occupied by Lake Qarun.

Population

Approximately 4,000,000, inhabitants with one million concentrated in Fayoum City, the main populated area, and the remaining approximately two million inhabitants in the more than 2000 villages spread over the entire area.

Climate

Exposed to the northern winds, Fayoum is characterized by a mild climate from October to April (with an average of around 24-25 °C), while in the summer the temperatures rise to over 40°.

Economy

Thanks to the abundance of water and drainage systems developed over the centuries, Fayoum is certainly one of the most productive agricultural areas in all Egypt, with a third of its territory cultivated.

Fayoum is famous above all for its lush orchards: figs, mangoes, lemons and grapes, as well as for more traditional crops such as cereals, sugar beet and cotton.

Leaving aside domestic exportation, its primary production activity aims at subsistence, which presupposes a lifestyle closely connected to rural traditions.

For example, domestic animal breeding is common in the villages: cows produce milk that is processed and transformed into yoghurt, butter and cheese for personal consumption. Buffaloes are used to drive some of the very old waterwheels that are still used in traditional irrigation systems and are the symbol of the local economy.

Besides producing eggs, chickens are the main source of meat, together with ducks and geese, and chicken is a typical dish of the Fayoum cuisine

Fishing is a very popular activity, especially in villages along the shore of Lake Qarun: more than 2000 acres of fish farms are scattered around Lake Qarun and the Wadi El Rayan lakes.

Tourism is becoming a major component of local economic development, not only as regards the beautiful scenery and the archaeological sites in the region, but also thanks to the deep-rooted handicrafts tradition in the villages, some of which base their microeconomics almost totally on the production of handcrafted items. Fayoum palms

The Fayoum is a vast depression  that contains a great lake in its lowest part called Birkat Qaroun ( Lake Qaroun ). This depression receives water from branch of the Nile that was canalized in ancient times,  now called Bahr Youssef. This splits up into a dense network of secondary canals. Fayoum is usually refers to as an oasis, but it differs from the real oasis as it receives the water directly from the Nile.

Fayoum is a destination for all tastes.

The archaeological and natural sites narrate history starting from the primeval era, when everything was part of the Pangea, to the glories of the age of the pharaohs and on to the period of Greco-Roman dominion.

Tradition, art and culture. A tangible and intangible cultural heritage, expressed through the architectural styles that reflect the shapes and colours of the landscapes, the typical cuisine, the processing of ceramics and plant fibres, the creativity of local artists. This cultural heritage has become a reference point for art schools on an international scale.

The protected areas. Lake Qarun and Wadi El Rayan with its main attraction, the Valley of Whales, which is a UNESCO site. Rides along desert tracks on a camel or on horseback, sand dunes where you can go sandboarding, lakes to explore on yachts or boats.

Preparing Your Journey:

When to Visit

The best time to visit Fayoum is from October to May , when the weather is ideal and the average temperature does not exceed 24-25 °C. The mild climate with low rainfall allows you to plan excursions both to the villages and the desert, even during the hottest hours of the day. The summer period is to be avoided, especially in the middle of the day, when temperatures rise to well over 40°, and even in the residential areas walking becomes a real challenge.

 Getting There and Around

Usually those who plan a multi-day visit to Fayoum turn to a local travel agency that organizes day trips and itineraries. See our tours Here

An alternative would be to go to Fayoum City from Cairo; in this case you can take a train (two daily departures in the afternoon from the capital) or a bus that stops in the heart of town, from where you can easily reach most of the recommended hotels in this guide. The bus station is located in Gamal Abdel Nasir Road, right next to a petrol station.

If you wish to go to Fayoum City from Alexandria, there is a daily train that leaves early in the morning.

From Fayoum City you can rent a car with driver to reach all the sites recommended in the sections regarding itineraries. To move around Fayoum or Tunis, if you plan to stay overnight you can hire a taxi or the typical public transportation used by locals in Tunis and other villages, the so-called tok tok, a 3-wheel partly covered scooter, with back seats. You can find them at any corner and in any case in the streets next to the hotels.

The People

people of Fayoum

The People of the Fayoum usually classify themselves in two main ethnic groups, a majority of Egyptians in towns and central areas,

people of Fayoum

and a minority of settled “Bedouin” or Arabs in peripheral areas.

Poetic description about Fayoum

Fayoum Tunis

” Cool are the dawns ; tall are the trees ; many are the fruits; little are the rains ”

by el Nabulsi 750 years ago!

Useful Telephone Numbers:

Fayoum Tourism Authority : +2 084 2168056

Tourist Police : +2 084 6307298

Emergency Numbers

  • Tourist Police : 126
  • Fire Service : 180
  • Ambulance : 123
  • Police : 122
  • Telephone Guide : 140
  • Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus : 19970
  • Flying Hospital Service : +2 37766393/2
  • Gas Emergency : 129

Keep in Mind During your trip in Fayoum

Do’s

  • Drink a lot of water, Fayoum’s weather is very dry and it’s very easy to get dehydrated
  • Carry some cash when heading to remote locations
  • For sightseeing, make sure you have a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, light cotton or linen clothes, and don’t forget comfortable shoes
  • While visiting religious locations dress modestly and take off your shoes before entering a mosque.
  • Respect the local customs: these include dress codes
  • Visit the local tourist office if you have any requirements or questions
  • Seek the help of the touristic police if you find yourself in any troublesome situation
  • Always carry some kind of identification document

Don’ts

  • Don’t assume you can pay with your credit card, always ask first
  • Don’t take pictures where you’re not allowed to
  • Don’t feel obliged to tip anyone for anything
  • Don’t take anything from the natural parks and reserves and keep them as clean as you can
  • Avoid leaving your hotel or apartment without telling anyone where you’re heading
  • Don’t leave your hotel or accommodation without a guide or a map close at hand, unless you know where you’re heading
  • Don’t expect Egyptians to understand your language. Instead, learn some useful phrases. Locals will appreciate it.

3 thoughts on “About Fayoum”

  1. I purchased a wall hanging that was exported to the US probably in the 1970s or 1980s. It is from the Fayoum region and is a village with 3 churches; 1 is christian and 2 have the sickle and star. It is appliqued with a huge number of people, a playground, and animals. I’m trying to locate the village it came from. Is there anyone who can help me?

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