Looking for a weekend getaway or a day trip to escape the hustle and bustle in Cairo? Fayoum is your best call! It’s only a 2-hour drive away from the city and it’s packed with so much to see and do. Whether you’re looking for fun activities or you just want to surround yourself with relaxing scenery, Fayoum will definitely have something to offer you.

---

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Please see full disclosure for more information.

---

About Fayoum

Fayoum is an oasis, situated 100 KM southwest of Cairo, and it’s hands down one of the most scenic destinations in the country. From lush green fields to vast golden deserts; from relaxation to adrenaline-fueled activities, Fayoum has it all.

When in Fayoum, there are two main sections that you’ll have to explore – the desert and Tunis village. The first one obviously gives away what to expect; sand dunes, camping, and so forth. However, it also features a lot more like pristine lakes, fossils, and hidden ancient Egyptian monuments, but let’s not be ahead of ourselves.

As for Tunis village, it’s the rural part of Fayoum where you can take in wonderful views; enjoy delicious food made of the freshest ingredients; and most importantly, discover the village’s pottery culture.

On a different note, if you’re wondering where the oasis got its name from, “Fayoum” is an ancient Egyptian name that means “sea” or “lake”. The name refers to the time when Fayoum was entirely covered with water – but more on that later.

DON’T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD AN ESIM!

Things to Do in Fayoum

Fayoum might seem like a small weekend destination, but there’s definitely a lot to see and do. So, what are some fun things to do in Fayoum and Tunis village?

Take a pottery class

Pottery is one of the staples of Fayoum and its identity. In every nook and cranny, there’s either a pottery gallery or school, and in every restaurant, food is served on the prettiest of ceramic plates. But how did it all start?

Actually, Fayoum wasn’t always famous for pottery – it was thanks to the late Swiss potter, Evelyne Porett, that it became a thing. In the 1980s, Porret moved to Fayoum with her husband and they built the first-ever pottery school there, NAGADA, which is also known as Fayoum Pottery School.

Want to go to Fayoum Pottery School? Here’s what you need to know:

• Groups of 10 and more need a reservation; however, walk-ins are accepted for smaller groups.
• Working hours are from 9 am to 5 pm.
• You can choose to make a bowl, a plate, a mug, or an ashtray. Ali, the nicest, most helpful potter will guide you through it.
• Sessions are EGP100 each per person. If you’d like to go home with your pottery, it would cost EGP120 instead. But since it would be air-dried, it would only work as decor. In case you want your pottery drawn on, fired, and glazed, you can pay EGP 200 instead and an extra EGP 100 as a delivery fee for the whole group – they would have your pottery delivered to Cairo after two weeks.
• For reservations, you can call: +2010 0138 8018.

Visit the Fayoum Art Center

Founded in 2006 by Egyptian artist Mohamed Abla, Fayoum Art Center was built as a hub to connect local and international artists. It provides large studio spaces, an art library, communal areas and a dining space. Not to mention that it’s also home to the Middle East’s first-ever caricature museum.

Chill by Lake Qarun

Tunis village overlooks Lake Qarun, the second-largest lake in Egypt after Aswan’s Lake Nasser. It’s also known as the most ancient lake that supports a unique ecosystem. Remember when I told you that Fayoum was once covered in water? Well, over the years, when the ancient Egyptians dug canals, it’s become what it’s become.

The lake offers a surreal view to marvel at. You can go to this spot where a really nice guy called Ahmed can bring you a couple of chairs and an umbrella, and fix you some Egyptian tea. You can bring your own snacks and high spirits and just enjoy the view. Or you could rent a boat from the same guy, or even ride a horse by the lake.

Ahmed’s contact numbers: +2010 1439 5553 and +2010 9293 8702

Go bird watching

As I just mentioned, the lake supports an entire ecosystem of wildlife, and Fayoum, in general, is a pretty biodiverse destination. During the winter months; from October to April, birds migrate from the desert to the oasis, making it a great season for bird watching. If you’re lucky enough, you might spot flamingos!

Stop by pampas and sunflower fields

Fayoum is well known for its distinctive fields, and the two most iconic ones are fields of pampas grass and sunflowers. So, if you want to snap a few photos, they’re definitely worth the spot, and they’re literally everywhere. The sunflower fields aren’t as common though but they’re not so hard to find. Just make sure to ask for the land owner’s permission first instead of trespassing.

Explore Wadi El Rayan

Wadi El Rayan is one of Egypt’s renowned natural protectorates and national parks, and even though it’s mostly known for the waterfalls, there are plenty of other amazing things within the area to see and do.

See the whale fossil remains in Wadi El Hitan

One of the most iconic and must-dos in the whole of Fayoum, and not just Wadi El Rayan, is visiting Wadi El Hitan. The name of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is Arabic for “valley of whales”, and let me tell you, this name is no coincidence. The valley actually boasts fossil remains of the now extinct, earliest suborder of whales, known as Archaeoceti. You can spot the fossil remains while hiking on the trail, which also includes impeccable rock formations, or in the same museum on site.

Marvel at the Magic Lake

My favorite place in Fayoum is hands down the Magic Lake. The name refers to the fact that the lake changes its colors throughout the day depending on the amount of sunlight and the time of year. It’s truly a spectacular view that you can’t miss!

The lake overlooks sand dunes, so you can go sandboarding, swimming, or you could simply just chill and watch one of the most beautiful sunsets. And if you can get access to an off-road ride, you should definitely drive up the hill to the magnificent lookout view.

Make it to the top of Gabal El Modawara

If you’re a hiker or a climber, this distinctive, giant rock formation is a fun spot for some monkey business. And if you’re not a fan, it’s always a pretty view to admire from the Magic Lake.

Try sandboarding

As Fayoum is part of the Egyptian Western desert, great, steep sand dunes are guaranteed. And that means it’s one of the perfect locations to hop on a board and slide down the golden sands. If you haven’t tried sandboarding before, you’re missing out on an amazing adrenaline rush, and Fayoum is definitely one of the best destinations to try it out.

Or kayaking

Lakes mean kayaking – need I say more? Along with sandboarding, kayaking is one of my favorite outdoor activities, and thanks to Fayoum’s serene nature, it also makes a great kayaking destination.

Go on an off-road excursion

You just can’t go to the desert without going on an off-road adventure in a 4X4! Driving up and down the sand dunes is an unforgettable experience that I guarantee you’d want to have again and again – it’s not a once in a lifetime thing.

Explore Fayoum’s archaeological treasures

There are so many ancient treasures hidden in Fayoum that would probably take weeks to discover, but here are the most iconic ones.

Madinet Madi

Madinet Madi, which is Arabic for “city of the past”, was also known as Narmouthis, as the Greeks once called it. The ancient city, named Dja by ancient Egyptians, sits on the southwestern entrance of Fayoum, 35 KM away from the town. The archaeological site contains the remains of the Middle Kingdom Temple and its extensions, which dates back to the 12th dynasty, and was dedicated to gods Sobek and Horus.

Dimeh Al Sibaa’

These ancient ruins, dating back to the third century BC, was once a Ptolemaic city. Dimeh Al Sibaa’, situated on the northwestern side of Lake Qarun, includes two temples, roads, houses, underground chambers, and walls that are up to 10 meters high.

Qasr El Sagha

This temple is a literal hidden gem in the Fayoum desert as it was found, lost, and rediscovered again in 1884. Qasr El Sagha is believed to be dating back to the Middle Kingdom.

Karanis

This archaeological site, located 35 KM north of the city of Fayoum, is the ruins of a Graeco-Roman town. Karanis includes two temples, mud-brick houses, a beautifully-decorated bathhouse, and the Karanis Open-Air Museum. The museum boasts a collection of monuments and stone sculptures from the Middle and New Kingdoms.

At the entrance of the ancient town, you can also stop by Kom Oshim, a two-storey museum that houses artefacts from the Pre-historic era to the Greco-Roman era and even the Coptic and Islamic eras too. 

How to Book Activities in Fayoum

There are multiple ways to book activities in Fayoum; the easiest way is to book through your accommodation. Or you can go to Qusoor El Arab camp for day-use as they offer lots of activities such, as sandboarding and ziplining, at affordable prices. You can also hire an adventure consultant – I personally recommend Homadventures and Youssef Thakeb.

Best Fayoum Hotels and Accommodations

Hotels

• Lazib Inn Resort & Spa
• Byoum
• Kom El Dikka Agrilodge
• Tache Boutique Hotel

Airbnbs

• Barefoot by Barefoot in Tunis
• El Sheesh by Barefoot in Tunis
• Tea Cup by Barefoot in Tunis
• Lemon Tree Villa

Eco-lodges and Camps

• Zad El Mosafer
• Zowara
• Tzila Lodge
• Tzila Camp
• Qusoor El Arab

Where to Eat in Fayoum?

• Ibis Restaurant & Cooking School: Not specialized in Egyptian cuisine but by far one of the most delicious dishes and freshest ingredients.
• Kom El Dikka: The restaurant is located in Kom El Dikka Agrilodge and they’re specialized in Egyptian cuisine. You must try the duck and the pigeons there!
• Blue Donkey: Located at Lazib Inn, Blue Donkey is a world-class dining experience in the heart of rural Tunis village.
• Set El Beit: Just like the name suggests, this restaurant’s your go-to if you’re looking for homemade food.

Must-try foods in Fayoum: Feteer Meshaltet (the Egyptian version of pie), duck, and pigeons!

How to Go to Fayoum?

Fayoum is only a 2-hour drive away from Cairo, but if you don’t have a car, transportation options can be quite limited. I definitely don’t recommend taking a microbus, because even though it could be super, it wouldn’t be the most comfortable experience in terms of quality for a foreigner. The alternative would be hiring a private ride from a travel agency, but what I’d personally recommend is SWVL.

SWVL is a ride-hailing app, just like Uber and Lyft, but it runs minivans, and luckily, there’s a Fayoum line. This would offer the best of both worlds – it won’t be as pricey as hiring a driver and it’s definitely better quality than the microbuses.

When to Go to Fayoum?

Fayoum’s weather is pretty dry and hot, that’s why it’s more of a winter destination. The best months to visit Fayoum is from November to April.

Need help planning your trip to Egypt? Click here to learn more about my travel planning services.

---

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!

Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.

SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.

This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.

GET INSURED NOW – Nomad Insurance

---

Sharing is caring!

You might also like:

• Siwa Oasis, Egypt: A Paradise in the Western Desert
• Epic Things to Do in Dahab: Your Unconventional Guide

Meanwhile, if you like my content and would like to see more of it, subscribe to my newsletter here.