Luxor was once the mighty Thebes, the glorious capital of the New Kingdom and religious center of ancient Egypt. Today, Luxor is the world's largest open-air museum, housing an unparalleled concentration of ancient monuments. Anyone who visits Egypt and skips Luxor misses the heartpiece of pharaonic civilization.
The East Bank: City of the Living
On the east bank of the Nile, where the sun rises, stand the temples dedicated to life and the gods.
Karnak Temple
The Karnak Temple complex is the largest religious site ever constructed. Over a period of more than 2,000 years, various pharaohs contributed to this monumental complex. The highlight is the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive columns, reaching up to 23 meters high. In the evening, an impressive Sound & Light Show brings the temple's history to life.
Luxor Temple
Located right in the center of the modern city, Luxor Temple was primarily built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Particularly impressive are the two colossal seated statues of Ramses II at the entrance and the Avenue of Sphinxes connecting the temple to Karnak — a 2.7-kilometer grand avenue recently fully restored.
The West Bank: City of the Dead
On the west bank, where the sun sets, lie the burial sites and mortuary temples of the pharaohs.
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is the necropolis of New Kingdom pharaohs. Here, 63 tombs have been discovered, including the world-famous tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), found nearly intact by Howard Carter in 1922. The wall paintings in the tombs are breathtakingly well preserved, depicting scenes of ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs in vivid colors.
Valley of the Queens
Less crowded but no less impressive is the Valley of the Queens, featuring the tomb of Nefertari — often called the most beautiful tomb in Egypt. The wall paintings show the queen accompanied by various gods and are of exceptional artistic quality.
Hatshepsut Temple (Deir el-Bahari)
The mortuary temple of Pharaoh Hatshepsut is an architectural masterpiece that nestles against the cliff face in three terraces. Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs and ruled Egypt for over 20 years during an era of peace and prosperity.
Colossi of Memnon
The two 18-meter-high seated statues of Amenhotep III are the first monument visitors see on the west bank. In antiquity, one of the statues was known for producing singing sounds at sunrise — a phenomenon that attracted visitors from throughout the Roman Empire.
Practical Tips for Your Luxor Visit
- Duration: Plan at least 2-3 full days for Luxor
- Best time: November to February (pleasant temperatures)
- Rise early: The Valley of the Kings opens at 6:00 AM — use the cool morning hours
- Bring water: At least 2 liters per person per day
- Comfortable shoes: You'll be walking extensively on uneven terrain
- No flash photography: Photography is forbidden in most tombs or only allowed without flash
Getting There from Hurghada
Luxor is easily reachable from Hurghada as a day trip or multi-day excursion. The drive takes about 3-4 hours through impressive desert landscape. Our organized Luxor excursions include transport, professional English-speaking guides, entrance fees, and lunch.
