HawaraHawara at a Glance
About Hawara
Hawara is an archaeological site in Egypt’s Faiyum region best known for the pyramid complex of Pharaoh Amenemhat III of the Twelfth Dynasty. The site preserves remnants of a large Middle Kingdom funerary complex and associated ruins.
The principal surviving feature is the ruined pyramid and its surrounding structures; classical authors wrote about an elaborate ‘Labyrinth’ of halls and courtyards connected with the complex. The area has produced a variety of archaeological finds, including burials and portrait panels from the wider Faiyum region.
The pyramid was constructed during the Middle Kingdom for Amenemhat III and formed part of the region’s funerary and administrative landscape; over time much of the outer pyramid casing and superstructure were removed, leaving the inner masonry core and surrounding ruin material.
Hawara sits within the Faiyum oasis in Middle Egypt, in Faiyum Governorate, and lies amid agricultural land and desert edges typical of the oasis landscape. It is accessed from local roads serving the towns and villages of the Faiyum basin.
- Date: The pyramid complex dates to the Middle Kingdom, built for Amenemhat III of the Twelfth Dynasty, and survives only as a substantial ruin and masonry core.
- Fayum portraits: Some of the famous Fayum mummy portraits and other burial finds were discovered in tombs in the Faiyum region during archaeological work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
What to See#
- Hawara Pyramid: The ruined pyramid complex attributed to Pharaoh Amenemhat III, consisting of core masonry and associated ruined structures from the Middle Kingdom.
- Labyrinth area: Traces of the so-called ‘Labyrinth’ and nearby archaeological remains that classical writers linked to a complex of courts and halls adjoining the pyramid.
Best Time to Visit Hawara
Best visited outside the blistering summer months; winter offers the most comfortable conditions for exploring ruins and cemeteries.
Weather & Climate near Hawara
Hawara'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 6°C to 36°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 6° - 19° | 13° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 61% | 2.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| February | Excellent | 7° - 21° | 14° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 3.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.0h |
| March | Ideal | 10° - 25° | 17° | 1 mm | clear | 48% | 3.5 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 14° - 30° | 22° | 1 mm | clear | 41% | 3.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Ideal | 18° - 34° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 37% | 3.4 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.5h |
| June | Ideal | 20° - 36° | 28° | 0 mm | clear | 37% | 3.4 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.9h |
| July | Ideal | 22° - 36° | 29° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 2.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.7h |
| August | Ideal | 22° - 36° | 28° | 0 mm | clear | 43% | 2.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.1h |
| September | Ideal | 20° - 34° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 47% | 3.1 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 17° - 31° | 24° | 0 mm | clear | 53% | 3.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.3h |
| November | Ideal | 12° - 25° | 19° | 2 mm | clear | 58% | 2.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.6h |
| December | Excellent | 7° - 21° | 14° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.2h |
How to Get to Hawara
Hawara is about 30-40 km southwest of Cairo in Faiyum Governorate. From Cairo, take the A75 route toward Faiyum; local minibuses and taxis connect Faiyum town to the Hawara area. Road travel is about an hour to an hour-and-a-half from Cairo depending on traffic.
Tips for Visiting Hawara
- Hire a local guide in Fayum-many of the ruins are not extensively interpreted on site and a guide can point out reused blocks and the Roman-period overlays.
- Avoid the mid-day heat; aim for early morning or late afternoon light for photography of the cemetery and the remains.
- Combine with a trip to the nearby Lake Qarun and the Fayum oasis to put the site in landscape context.