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Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, which served as a religious and royal capital during Egypt's New Kingdom. The Nile divides it in two. On the east bank, where the sun rises, the living city grew around vast temples to the gods; on the west bank, where it sets, pharaohs and nobles were buried in tombs cut into the desert hills. The monuments here are so concentrated that the area is often described as an open-air museum.
On the east bank, the Karnak Temple Complex is enormous, with its Great Hypostyle Hall of towering columns covered in carvings. Luxor Temple, closer to the center, is especially atmospheric when lit after dark, and the Avenue of Sphinxes connects the two. The Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum are compact and well presented. Across the river, the Valley of the Kings holds royal tombs with vividly painted walls, and the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is set against sheer cliffs.
West bank days can also include the Colossi of Memnon, the well-preserved reliefs at Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum, and the tombs at the Valley of the Queens and Deir el-Medina. Early starts help avoid heat and crowds. Many travelers combine Luxor with a Nile cruise to Aswan, and sunrise balloon flights over the west bank are popular.
WiserMap travel guideLuxor Egypt Karnak Valley of the Kings and Balloon FlightsPlan a Luxor trip: Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Medinet Habu, balloon flights, food, seasons and a three-day plan.Read the guide
Vast temple complex north of central Luxor, built and expanded over about 2,000 years, dedicated mainly to the god Amun. Highlights include the Great Hypostyle Hall with 134 giant columns, obelisks and the sacred lake. Allow at least three hours, start early to avoid the heat, and hire a guide.
Temple in the center of Luxor built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, with a towering pylon, a single obelisk, colossal statues and a mosque built on top of its ruins. It is beautifully lit after dark. Visit in the evening when the heat drops, and walk along the Corniche afterwards.
Terraced mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, built into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari on the West Bank, with colonnades, chapels to Hathor and Anubis and reliefs of an expedition to Punt. A small electric train links the parking area and the temple. The site is exposed, so visit early and bring a hat.
Well preserved mortuary temple of Ramses III on the West Bank, with huge carved pylons, deep reliefs of battles against the Sea Peoples and colorful painted ceilings. It is often less crowded than other sites. Combine it with Deir el-Medina nearby, and look for the remains of the original painted colors.
Ancient processional road of about 2.7 kilometers linking Karnak and Luxor Temples, once lined with hundreds of sphinx statues and reopened after long excavations in 2021. Visitors can walk sections near each temple. It was used for the Opet festival in ancient times. Walk it in the cool evening.
Royal burial valley on the West Bank where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in decorated rock-cut tombs, including Tutankhamun, Ramses VI and Seti I. A basic ticket covers three tombs, with extra fees for the most famous. Photography rules vary, so check them, and go early before it gets hot.
The Valley of the Queens holds tombs of royal wives and children, including the stunning tomb of Nefertari, which needs a separate ticket. Deir el-Medina was the village of the tomb builders, with small but colorful tombs of the workers. These sites are quieter than the Valley of the Kings.
The Luxor Museum on the Corniche displays well-lit statues and finds from Theban temples, including royal mummies and treasures from the Luxor Temple cache. The small Mummification Museum nearby explains how the ancient Egyptians preserved bodies and animals. Both are quiet and air-conditioned.
Two giant seated stone statues of Amenhotep III on the West Bank, about 18 meters high, the remains of his once vast mortuary temple. Ancient Greek travelers came to hear one statue sing at dawn. Entry is free and it is a quick stop beside the road. Come early in the morning for soft light and fewer buses.
Mortuary temple of Ramses II on the West Bank, with Osiris pillars, fallen fragments of a colossal statue of the king and reliefs of the Battle of Kadesh. The toppled statue is thought to have inspired the poem Ozymandias. It is usually quiet. Visit in the afternoon on a full West Bank day.
Hot air balloon flights take off at dawn from the West Bank, drifting over sugar cane fields, villages and the Theban temples while the sun rises over the Nile. Pickup is usually before 5 am, and flights last about 45 minutes. Choose a licensed company with good safety records, and wear layers.
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