Login

Email

Password

Email

Register

Name

Email

Phone number

Password

Luxor

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit a large museum? Larger than the Louvre, or any other for that matter. Well, this world holds one that would take your breath away in a single instant!

Luxor is categorized as the biggest open-air museum in the world. The ruins of the Egyptian temple complexes are a magnificent sight for everyone keen on exploring the earth’s most marvelous heritage fragments.

Throughout history, Luxor has been known under the name of Thebes- the greatest capital of the ancient Egyptian Empire. Other popular nicknames that this city has received include Waset, meaning “city of the sceptre”; Ta ipet, which means “the shrine”; the “city of 100 gates”, and many others. Luxor started to gain importance at the very beginning of ancient Egypt. After some time, it was successfully turned into the political, religious, and military capital of the country of that time.

Luxor is located on the river Nile. Other than the incredible Egyptian temples, you can witness the many tombs and monuments, including the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Tourism in this city has largely developed due to the interest of people from all over the world, resulting in a great contribution to the city’s economy.

The name Luxor means in Arabic “Castles or palaces”. With a name like this one, you can only imagine how exquisite this place might be. Carefully consider how amusing a vacation here can be with everything this city has to offer. With its rich history and a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site status, we can imagine that you are already rushing to book your ticket!

Climate

Climate-wise, Luxor is known for having a hot desert climate. This type of environment is characteristic of almost all of Egypt. However, Luxor certainly witnesses one of the hottest summer days in the country. It is known as one of the driest and sunniest cities in the world, receiving only a few millimetres of rainfall every year. The summers are long and mostly clear, while winters are short and clear, too. In the summer, you may come face-to-face with an arid and sweltering climate. In winter, the weather is dry and cool. The hot season begins in May and ends in October, with an average daily temperature of about 32.5°C (91°F). On the other hand, the cooler season begins in December and lasts until the end of February. During this time, the highest average daily temperature is about 25°C (77°F). One of the best times to visit the wonderful city of Luxor is from early April to mid-May and from mid-September to the beginning of November. This way, you can enjoy the sun and the hot weather yet still indulge in outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Fact about Luxor

  • Alexander the Great built a shrine in Luxor Temple.

  • Luxor has been known as both a coronation site and a burial site, too.

  • The temples are divided into many sections, each one serving a different purpose.

  • In ancient Egypt, Luxor Temple served as one of the most sacred sites to ancient Egyptians.

Brief History

Luxor is one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet. It has been known as the home of ancient Thebes and the capital of the pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Another thing it is famous for is the fact that it is a place where architecture used to serve as a medium for spiritual beliefs. This is clearly portrayed through the number of ancient temples that stand tall even to this day, acting as witnesses to the religious customs and beliefs of ancient Egypt.

 

This city’s history is divided into several eras. With the Pharaonic being the first, Luxor saw the rule of kings as Amos, Tuthmosis, Hatshepsut, Ramses II and Ramses III to name a few. During this era, the pharaohs enjoyed this city during the height of their power and did that most spectacularly. Luxor was also known as the home of the god Amon-Ra and a pure embodiment of his relationship with the sun. Its temples were glorious. Even Alexander the Great made his mark in the Luxor Temple by adding a granite shrine.

 

After the death of Alexandre the great Egypt became under the rule of Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexandre’s commanders making Alexandria his new capital and seat of power. Luxor has lost its former glory as the power has slowly shifted to Alexandria, the city newly built city by Alexandre the great. However Luxor remained as a sacred and ceremonial place glorifying ancient Egyptian deities which were also revered by the new rulers of Egypt, the Ptolemaics . One of the most iconic places in Luxor is the Luxor Temple, a place of worship and coronation used by all Egyptian kings of the new kingdom. As time went by the new rulers of Egypt were so fascinated by Egyptian culture and mythology creating a new hybrid religion combining both Greek and Egyptian deities. Most notable of these gods was the god Serapis which combined attributes from the Egyptian gods Osiris and Apis and the greek gods Hades, Demeter and Dionysus. The cult of Serapis continued well during the Roman occupation. However, in 395 AD, during the Roman Christian era, the Hypostyle hall was converted into a christian church and remains of another coptic church can be also seen to the west of the temple. For almost two thousand years the Luxor temple was buried under the sand and for many years no traces of it were visible. Eventually the mosque of Shaykh Sufi Abou Al Hajjaj was built over it, the mosque was perfectly preserved when the temple was uncovered and forms an integral part of it today.

 

Having had a glorious Pharaonic past, Europeans discovered its historical significance and started to flock in the 18th century. And by the 20th, Luxor was already a well-known tourist destination. In 1979, the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and the Karnak Temple complex became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Places to visit

Temple of Karnak

The first thing you need to visit while you are in Luxor is the Temple Complex of Karnak. There is plenty of history behind it, and the most interesting thing we can accentuate is that it was not built following a single unified plan. Rather, it represents the construction activity of many rulers building on top of each other, creating one of the most important temples in Egypt today.

Valley of Kings

This is the resting place for the kings from the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties. Once you enter, you will notice the vibrant colours of the 63 tombs located there. It was believed that the dead floated through the underworld in a boat, accompanied by the sun god, so this journey is painted on the walls.

Luxor temple

Luxor Temple is a part of the modern district, yet it shows the face of the ever-changing society that has ruled Egypt through the centuries. As years went by, the temple complex was amended many times, turning it into the spectacular site it is today. Unlike the other popular temples in the region, this one is not dedicated to a cult god. Instead, it is dedicated to the revival of kingship and probably served as the place where Egyptian pharaohs were crowned.

Temple of Deir el-Bahri

Otherwise known as Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, the Temple of Deir el-Bahri stands as one of the most gorgeous buildings ever created. The complex is laid out on three terraces that rise from the plain, divided into a north and a south half, all accessed by a ramp. It is truly a marvelous sight, admired by all tourists who pass through here.

Medinet Habu

This is one of the best and most beautiful ornate temples you will find on the west bank. Feel free to get lost in the labyrinth that is this temple while you enjoy the many ancient writings on the walls.

Avenue of the Sphinxes

This is an ancient path that allows you to feel the connection between the world of today and that of our ancestors. It was originally built as a processional walkway between Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. An interesting fact is that it has been under many archeological and reconstruction works to finally be open to the public in 2021. A road of almost two kilometres, lined with sphinxes on both sides – sounds spectacular, doesn’t it?

Activities

Hot air balloon ride

The hot air balloon ride at sunrise over Luxor is an amazing way to get a bird’s view of the city and enjoy the colours that, from afar, all merge into one.

USD 100
/Person

Felucca ride to Banana Island

If you are one of those people with an extra bit of adventure to their spirit, how does sailing five kilometres on the river Nile sound? Going on a small boat with a captain and enjoying the view of the river before you get to Banana Island is truly a unique experience.

USD 70
/Person

Tombs of the Nobles

If you did not get enough from the Valley of the Kings, then this is an attraction that you have to pay a visit to. Although it may not be as popular, it contains many better-preserved examples of paintings on the tombs.

USD 90
/Person

Colossi of Memnon

Once you get to the west bank, these monuments are the first thing you see! Tourists make their first stop here to enjoy the sight of these large statues carved out of brown sandstone, which once stood guard at the king’s temple.

USD 40
/Person

Ramesseum

This is a mortuary temple located on the edge of the cultivated land, and it represents an impressive sight, even though only half of it is left. This temple has been immortalised in the works of the English poet Shelley – the poem is called Ozymandias.

USD 60
/Person

Valley of the Queens

As there is a Valley of the Kings, there must be one for the queens too! So far, there are about 80 tombs that are known, one of which is the tomb of the famous Queen Nefertari, which opened to visitors in 2016.

USD 90
/Person

Luxor Museum

Even though the entire city is known to be a large open-air museum, take some hideaway from the heat and enjoy a vast collection from the area. Enjoy as the story of the city unfolds right before your eyes.

USD 40
/Person

Deir el-Medina

If you want to look at the workers' tombs, it is worth visiting this site. See how the simple yet powerful decorations of the walls represent a vibrant display of their lives.

USD 80
/Person

Travel Tips

Watch out for the so-called “guides”. They might come close to you and start showing you around, but as soon as they are done, they will start asking for money. Make sure to decline this politely before they even begin.

If you want to get a head start and avoid the heat, discover the city early in the morning.

There is an English-speaking doctor in every hotel, so in case you get sick on your trip, there is no need to worry – they are there to help you.

Keep yourself hydrated. Since Egypt is an incredibly warm country, and you might be up and about for most of the day, make sure to have bottled water with you everywhere you go.

Top Packages

Up the Nile and down

1 April - 30 September
0

0 Reviews

12 Days / 11 Nights

USD Price 1800

/ Person

Culture

Splendor of the Pharaohs

1 April - 30 September
0

0 Reviews

9 Days / 8 Nights

USD Price 1300

/ Person

Culture

The Best Of Egypt

1 April - 30 September
0

0 Reviews

9 Days / 8 Nights

USD Price 1600

/ Person

Magic of the Nile

1 April - 30 September
0

0 Reviews

8 Days / 7 Nights

USD Price 1500

/ Person

Thank you for your request!

Our team will get back to you.