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Roland Unger CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Beni Hasan

Administrative Seat

A Nile Valley necropolis near Minya, Beni Hasan contains Middle Kingdom rock‑cut tombs with well‑preserved paintings of daily life and warfare; archaeologists and visitors come for tomb reliefs and provincial Egyptian history.

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In this guide

Beni Hasan essentials

Address: Beni Hasan, Minya Governorate, Egypt (on the east bank of the Nile)
Hours: Daily 8:00am-5:00pm
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About Beni Hasan

Beni Hasan is an ancient Egyptian cemetery complex of rock-cut tombs on the east bank of the Nile in Minya Governorate. The tombs date mainly to the Middle Kingdom and were built for provincial governors and elite officials.

The site is particularly valued for its well-preserved wall paintings and reliefs that depict scenes of daily life, military activities and athletic contests, with the tomb of Khnumhotep II among the most famous for its detailed narrative scenes. The tombs are cut into a steep limestone cliff and open onto a plain used for agriculture.

Most of the tombs date to the 11th and 12th Dynasties (approximately the early to mid-second millennium BCE) and were exposed and studied by archaeologists from the 19th century onward. Excavation and recording have provided important evidence for provincial administration and artistic styles of the Middle Kingdom.

Beni Hasan lies on the east bank of the Nile in Minya Governorate, in Upper Egypt, set against a limestone escarpment a short distance from the modern towns along that stretch of the river.

  • Chronology: Contains roughly 39 Middle Kingdom tombs belonging to provincial governors and officials, primarily from the 11th and 12th Dynasties (circa 21st to 19th centuries BCE).

What to See#

  • Rock-cut tombs: A necropolis of rock-cut tombs carved into a limestone escarpment, most dated to the Middle Kingdom of Egypt and built for local governors and officials.
  • Tomb of Khnumhotep II: The tomb of Khnumhotep II (tomb BH3) noted for its vivid wall-paintings, including scenes of daily life, agriculture and well-known wrestling depictions.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Beni Hasan

Best visited in the cool season for comfortable exploring and clearer light for the painted tombs.

Winter (peak season)
October-April · 12-25°C
Cooler, dry days make climbing the rocky quarry and exploring low, shaded tombs comfortable; mornings are long and golden.
Shoulder months
September & May · 20-30°C
Fewer tourists than mid-winter but warmer; a good compromise for softer light and quieter site visits.
Summer (avoid)
June-August · 30-42°C
Brutal heat and high humidity in Upper Egypt; interiors feel stifling and many travelers avoid daytime visits.

Weather & Climate near Beni Hasan

Climate

Beni Hasan's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 37°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 123 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
MayJuneSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
47°
Warmest Month
-1°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 5° - 19° 12° 0 mm clear 54% 2.6 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.5h
February Excellent 6° - 21° 14° 1 mm clear 45% 3.0 m/s 1.2 high 11.1h
March Ideal 10° - 25° 18° 1 mm clear 37% 3.2 m/s 1.7 very high 11.9h
April Ideal 14° - 31° 22° 0 mm clear 30% 3.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.7h
May Ideal 18° - 35° 26° 0 mm clear 27% 3.5 m/s 2.4 extreme 13.4h
June Ideal 21° - 37° 29° 0 mm clear 27% 3.6 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.7h
July Ideal 22° - 37° 29° 0 mm clear 30% 2.9 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.6h
August Ideal 22° - 36° 29° 0 mm clear 32% 2.8 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.0h
September Ideal 20° - 34° 27° 0 mm clear 37% 3.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.2h
October Ideal 17° - 31° 24° 0 mm clear 43% 2.6 m/s 1.5 very high 11.4h
November Ideal 11° - 25° 18° 0 mm clear 50% 2.2 m/s 1.0 high 10.7h
December Excellent 7° - 20° 13° 1 mm clear 56% 2.5 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.3h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Beni Hasan

Beni Hasan is about a 20-30 minute drive from Minya city along the Nile (roughly 20-30 km). Most visitors travel by car or taxi from Minya; local minibuses and private day tours from Cairo or Minya can also stop there. The site lies off the main river road on the east bank and is reached via a short walk from the small parking area.

Tips for Visiting Beni Hasan

  • Visit first thing after sunrise to see ochre light on the painted tomb walls before tour groups arrive.
  • Ask the site guard (often posted near the parking area) about the privately conserved Tomb of Khety - local guides sometimes know where the best preserved pigments are.
  • Bring a flashlight for low-light tomb interiors; photography is usually permitted but without flash.
  • Combine Beni Hasan with nearby Meidum or Minya museums for context on Middle Kingdom provincial life.