This El Kharga Oasis travel guide covers the best things to do in El Kharga Oasis: the Temple of Hibis, the Christian necropolis of Bagawat and Roman desert forts. Below you will also find the best time to visit El Kharga Oasis, how to get there and around, and where to stay.
Kharga is the largest oasis, the southernmost and the closest to the Nile Valley, only 200 km away. It has many prehistoric monuments, and finds from them were moved to the Kharga Cultural Museum, which also holds artefacts from other periods of Egyptian history.
Historical background
The best-preserved historical monument is The Temple of Hibis, 2 km north of the town, erected during the twenty-sixth Pharaonic dynasty, dedicated to Egyptian-Persian gods, Amun-Hibis and Amun-Re. The temple commemorates the Persian period in Egypt, and the intertwining of two very different civilizations.
To the northeast of the town, lies a Roman fortress and temple, The Temple of Nadura, which is 700 years younger than the Temple of Hibis, dedicated to the god Amun, and evidences prove that locals gathered around the site and lived in mud-brick houses.
The Bagawat Cemetery was used from the first to the seventh centuries AD as a Coptic cemetery with beautifully colored scenes and decorations. Later, the site was used during the ninth century AD as a Muslim cemetery with unique and distinct Islamic architecture.
Tourist ideas
At a glance
GovernorateNew Valley
Nearest airportAsyut (ATZ) or Luxor (LXR), then by road
Destination typeOases
Complete guide to El Kharga Oasis
About the city, its weather, the best time to visit and how to get there.
About El Kharga Oasis
- Governorate
- New Valley (الوادي الجديد)
- Region
- Western Desert
- Top landmark
- White Desert (Farafra)
- Destination type
- Oases
- Travel region
- The Western Desert and oases
What is the weather like in El Kharga Oasis?
- Jan
- Apr
- Jul
- Oct
Average daytime highs, °C. Reference: Siwa and the Western Desert.
When is the best time to visit El Kharga Oasis?
- Best season
- October to April; winter nights can drop near 5 °C
Summer days are very hot: visit open-air sites early in the morning and rest at midday.
How do I get to El Kharga Oasis?
By road, usually with a licensed tour operator; public buses run to the main oasis towns.
What to see in El Kharga Oasis
- White Desert (Farafra)
- Dakhla old town
- Hibis Temple
- Bagawat necropolis
Archaeological sites in New Valley governorate
Things to do from El Kharga Oasis
Day trips with hotel pickup, run by a local operator. Book directly with them.
Where to eat in El Kharga Oasis
Sol Y Mar Pioneers Hotel restaurant مطعم فندق سول اي مار بايونيرز
Restaurant of Kharga's main tourist hotel, the most comfortable option in town and one of the few places that may serve alcohol.
Qasr El Bagawat Hotel restaurant مطعم فندق قصر البجوات
Hotel restaurant near the Bagawat Christian necropolis, convenient for sightseers.
Hawash Brost Restaurant مطعم هواش بروست
Local fried-chicken and fast-food restaurant a few minutes from the Pioneers hotel.
Last checked October 2026. Opening hours and menus change; check with the venue before you go.
Shopping in El Kharga Oasis
Kharga Souk سوق الخارجة
Local market for dates, spices and everyday goods in the old quarter.
Last checked October 2026. Opening hours and menus change; check with the venue before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to El Kharga Oasis?
By road, usually with a licensed tour operator; public buses run to the main oasis towns.
What is the nearest airport to El Kharga Oasis?
The nearest airports to El Kharga Oasis are Asyut Airport (ATZ) and Luxor International Airport (LXR), with the rest of the journey by road.
Where can I eat in El Kharga Oasis?
Popular choices include Sol Y Mar Pioneers Hotel restaurant, Qasr El Bagawat Hotel restaurant, Hawash Brost Restaurant. See the dining section above for more.
Where can I go shopping in El Kharga Oasis?
For shopping in El Kharga Oasis, try Kharga Souk. More options are listed in the shopping section of this page.
