Esna is a small town on the west bank of the Nile in Upper Egypt, around 50 kilometres south of Luxor. A historic river town on the Nile cruise route between Luxor and Aswan, it is best known for the Temple of Khnum, a Ptolemaic-Roman temple whose vividly coloured astronomical ceiling and intricately carved columns have been restored. Beyond the temple, travellers can explore the atmospheric Al-Qīsāriyya Market, where traditional shops and workshops line a covered historic street, and see the Ottoman-era Wekalet Al-Geddawy caravanserai and historic minaret. The town's riverside setting, lively markets and layers of ancient and Islamic heritage offer insight into everyday life in Upper Egypt, while its compact collection of historic sites makes it a rewarding cultural stop along the Nile.