Le EgyptThings to do in Luxor
The 28 best places to visit in Luxor, Egypt: landmarks, hidden gems, food, parks and more, with tips, hours and tickets.
🔺 Famous Landmarks
Karnak Temple
A vast temple city built over 2,000 years. The Great Hypostyle Hall's forest of 134 giant columns is unforgettable.
A vast temple city built over 2,000 years. The Great Hypostyle Hall's forest of 134 giant columns is unforgettable.
Valley of the Kings
Royal tombs cut deep into the Theban hills, painted with vivid scenes of the afterlife. Tutankhamun's tomb is here.
Royal tombs cut deep into the Theban hills, painted with vivid scenes of the afterlife. Tutankhamun's tomb is here.
Luxor Temple
A riverside temple linked to Karnak by the restored Avenue of Sphinxes. Beautifully lit after dark.
A riverside temple linked to Karnak by the restored Avenue of Sphinxes. Beautifully lit after dark.
Avenue of Sphinxes
The 2.7 km processional road lined with sphinxes linking Luxor Temple to Karnak, reopened in 2021.
The 2.7 km processional road lined with sphinxes linking Luxor Temple to Karnak, reopened in 2021.
🏛️ Historical Sites
Temple of Hatshepsut
The terraced mortuary temple of Egypt's great female pharaoh, set against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
The terraced mortuary temple of Egypt's great female pharaoh, set against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
Medinet Habu
Ramses III's temple with some of the best-preserved coloured reliefs on the West Bank.
Ramses III's temple with some of the best-preserved coloured reliefs on the West Bank.
Colossi of Memnon
Two giant seated statues of Amenhotep III standing alone in the fields of the West Bank.
Two giant seated statues of Amenhotep III standing alone in the fields of the West Bank.
Deir el-Medina
The village of the craftsmen who built the royal tombs, with their own small, brilliantly painted tombs.
The village of the craftsmen who built the royal tombs, with their own small, brilliantly painted tombs.
Valley of the Queens & Nefertari's Tomb
Tombs of royal wives and princes, including Nefertari's, often called the most beautiful tomb in Egypt.
Tombs of royal wives and princes, including Nefertari's, often called the most beautiful tomb in Egypt.
Ramesseum
Ramses II's memorial temple with a toppled colossus that inspired Shelley's poem Ozymandias.
Ramses II's memorial temple with a toppled colossus that inspired Shelley's poem Ozymandias.
Luxor Museum
A small, beautifully lit museum with masterpieces from Theban temples, open into the evening.
A small, beautifully lit museum with masterpieces from Theban temples, open into the evening.
Mummification Museum
A small riverside museum explaining how the ancient Egyptians mummified people and animals.
A small riverside museum explaining how the ancient Egyptians mummified people and animals.
Tombs of the Nobles, Luxor
Colourful private tombs of officials with scenes of farming, banquets and daily life, often empty of visitors.
Colourful private tombs of officials with scenes of farming, banquets and daily life, often empty of visitors.
⛵ The Nile
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise
The classic 3–5 night cruise between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way.
The classic 3–5 night cruise between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way.
Luxor Corniche
A riverside promenade between Luxor Temple and the Winter Palace with views over to the West Bank hills.
A riverside promenade between Luxor Temple and the Winter Palace with views over to the West Bank hills.
Banana Island, Luxor
A shady island of banana plantations reached by motorboat or felucca, a relaxed half-day from Luxor.
A shady island of banana plantations reached by motorboat or felucca, a relaxed half-day from Luxor.
📍 Popular Spots
Luxor Souk
A covered market street of spices, scarves and alabaster behind Luxor Temple.
A covered market street of spices, scarves and alabaster behind Luxor Temple.
🍽️ Food & Cafés
Sofra, Luxor
Traditional Egyptian dishes served in an old house with a rooftop, a favourite with visitors to Luxor.
Traditional Egyptian dishes served in an old house with a rooftop, a favourite with visitors to Luxor.
Al-Sahaby Lane, Luxor
A rooftop restaurant near Luxor Temple with Egyptian classics and views over the old town.
A rooftop restaurant near Luxor Temple with Egyptian classics and views over the old town.
💎 Hidden Gems
Howard Carter's House
The domed rest house where Howard Carter lived while searching for Tutankhamun, with a replica of the tomb nearby.
The domed rest house where Howard Carter lived while searching for Tutankhamun, with a replica of the tomb nearby.
Temple of Tod
A small temple of Montu in a village south of Luxor, with Ptolemaic reliefs and a quiet setting among farms.
A small temple of Montu in a village south of Luxor, with Ptolemaic reliefs and a quiet setting among farms.
Temple of Mut
The precinct of the goddess Mut beside Karnak, with a crescent sacred lake and rows of lion-headed Sekhmet statues.
The precinct of the goddess Mut beside Karnak, with a crescent sacred lake and rows of lion-headed Sekhmet statues.
🎭 Entertainment
Hot Air Balloon over Luxor
Float over the temples, fields and Valley of the Kings at sunrise.
Float over the temples, fields and Valley of the Kings at sunrise.
Karnak Sound & Light Show
A night walk through Karnak's halls with dramatic lighting and narration.
A night walk through Karnak's halls with dramatic lighting and narration.
Sunset Camel Ride, Luxor West Bank
Ride through sugar-cane fields and villages to the edge of the Theban hills at sunset.
Ride through sugar-cane fields and villages to the edge of the Theban hills at sunset.
🏨 Hotels
Sofitel Winter Palace
A grand Victorian hotel on the Luxor corniche, where news of Tutankhamun's discovery was announced.
A grand Victorian hotel on the Luxor corniche, where news of Tutankhamun's discovery was announced.
Al Moudira, Luxor West Bank
A romantic boutique hotel of domes and courtyards in the West Bank countryside.
A romantic boutique hotel of domes and courtyards in the West Bank countryside.
Hotels on the Luxor Corniche
A string of big Nile-front hotels south of Luxor Temple with pools and West Bank sunset views.
A string of big Nile-front hotels south of Luxor Temple with pools and West Bank sunset views.