When to arrive
Tap an hour, because the light and the crowds at this open roadside site change a great deal through the day.
What to look at
The statues and their details, plus what is around them on the West Bank.
Prioritise the bases and lower reliefs, because the upper parts are eroded and the carved scenes on the thrones are where the surviving detail and inscriptions are found, including the Roman graffiti on the legs.
What the visit is like
The two seated figures stand in open farmland on the West Bank, facing the river. They are the only substantial remains of a temple that once spread behind them, most of which was dismantled and reused. What survives is the pair of quartzite statues, each on a stone base, with the plain fields and the edge of the cultivation around them. The scale is clear from the road, and the lack of a surrounding monument is part of what you see.
The figures are damaged and weathered. Both are seated on thrones, with their hands on their knees and their feet on a low plinth. The lower parts of the thrones carry reliefs and inscriptions, including figures of the god Hapy and Nile scenes, and the sides show bound captives and lotus and papyrus motifs. The upper bodies are broken, and the stone is heavily eroded, so the detail is concentrated low down.
The northern colossus is the one associated with the sound that ancient visitors reported, a whistling or singing at dawn. Modern scholarship links the sound to a crack in the upper part of the stone that was later repaired, and the stories that grew up around it are recorded in ancient sources and in graffiti left on the legs by Roman visitors. The statues are free to see from the roadside, and the fields around them are working land, so keep to the edge and do not walk into the crops.
Getting there and in
What people get wrong here
- Treating it as a standalone destination: The stop is short, and coming only for the statues uses a lot of travel time for little. Combine them with the Ramesseum, Medinet Habu or the Valley of the Kings.
- Expecting the original temple: The statues are what remains of a much larger funerary temple that has largely gone. Knowing that avoids disappointment.
- Arriving at midday in summer: There is almost no shade, and the heat and glare are at their worst. Go early or late in the day instead.
- Assuming a guide is required: The statues are visible and understandable without one. If you want context, read up beforehand or hire a guide for the wider West Bank day.
- Missing the bases: The upper figures are damaged, but the bases still carry reliefs and inscriptions. Walk along them before leaving.
Combine it with
Other West Bank sites are close by and usually visited on the same day.
Questions
Do I need a ticket for the Colossi of Memnon?+
No ticket is needed to see the statues from the roadside, which is how most visitors view them. If you are offered access to a fenced area or a guided explanation, confirm what is included first. The site is not a gated monument in the usual sense.
How long should I spend at the Colossi of Memnon?+
Fifteen to twenty minutes is enough for the statues and the bases. It is a stop rather than a half day. Most people see it on the way to or from other West Bank sites.
What are the Colossi of Memnon actually?+
They are two seated quartzite statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III, from the 18th Dynasty. They once stood in front of a large funerary temple that has mostly disappeared. The statues themselves are heavily weathered but still show the seated pose and scale.
Are the Colossi of Memnon worth visiting?+
They are worth a short stop if you are already on the West Bank. They are not worth a separate trip from the East Bank on their own. Combine them with nearby sites such as Medinet Habu or the Valley of the Kings.
What is the best time to see the Colossi of Memnon?+
Early morning or late afternoon is cooler and the light is better on the stone. Midday is hot with little shade. The statues are not lit for visitors at night, so plan for daylight.
How do I get to the Colossi of Memnon?+
They are on the main West Bank road, so you reach them by taxi, minibus or bicycle. Most visitors include them in a West Bank day with other sites. There is no river access at the statues themselves.
