Banha

This Banha travel guide covers the best things to do in Banha: the Mohamed Ali Palace in Shubra and the ancient mound of Tell Atrib (Athribis). Below you will also find the best time to visit Banha, how to get there and around, and where to stay.

Banha is the capital of Qalyubia governorate, on the Damietta branch of the Nile about 45 km north of Cairo. It is a busy market and university city and an important railway junction, where lines to Alexandria, Zagazig and the eastern Delta divide. Few tourists stop here, but the governorate holds some of the most accessible historic sites close to the capital.

History

On the northern edge of Banha lies Tell Atrib, the site of Athribis, capital of the 10th nome of Lower Egypt and an important town from pharaonic to Roman times. Much of the ancient city has been lost to farming and urban growth, and the mound has never been fully excavated. In the 19th century Muhammad Ali transformed the region with the great barrages at the head of the Delta and a riverside palace at Shubra, then outside Cairo and now within Qalyubia’s largest city, Shubra El Kheima.

What to see and do

• Mohamed Ali Palace, Shubra: begun in 1821 as part of a riverside palace complex; the surviving fountain pavilion blends Ottoman and European decoration around a large marble basin.
• Al-Qanater Al-Khairiya (Nile Barrages): the 19th-century barrages where the Nile divides into its Rosetta and Damietta branches, set in gardens that are a favourite Friday picnic spot for Cairenes. Felucca and boat rides on the river are popular.
• Tell Atrib: the remains of Athribis, mainly of interest to archaeology enthusiasts.
• Banha’s Nile corniche and markets: a pleasant walk and a glimpse of everyday Delta life.

Practical tips

Banha is less than an hour from Cairo by train, with frequent services from Ramses Station. The barrages and Shubra palace are best reached directly from Cairo by taxi or ride-hailing app, and together make a relaxed half-day or day out. Weekends are crowded at the barrages; go on a weekday morning for a quieter visit. Check opening times for the palace in advance.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, en.wikipedia.org, ask-aladdin.com.