Temples of Luxor

About Temples of Luxor

Three thousand years ago, the city the ancient Egyptians called Waset — and the Greeks renamed Thebes — was **the greatest city in the known world, the capital of an empire that stretched from the Euphrates to the Fourth Cataract of the Nile**. Today that city is Luxor, a provincial town of some half a million people on the east bank of the Nile in Upper Egypt, and **the concentration of ancient monuments within and around it is unmatched anywhere on Earth**. The Temple of Karnak — **not a single temple but a vast sacred precinct built and expanded over a period of 2,000 years by more than 30 successive pharaohs** — covers an area of 100 hectares and is large enough to contain Notre-Dame Cathedral several times over. Its **Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 massive columns each up to 24 metres tall**, remains one of the most overwhelming architectural spaces in existence. Linked to Karnak by the **Avenue of Sphinxes — a three-kilometre processional road once lined with over 1,000 sphinx statues**, now partially excavated and restored — is Luxor Temple, built primarily by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II. On the west bank of the Nile lies a separate world entirely: the **Valley of the Kings, where 63 royal tombs have been discovered, including that of Tutankhamun, found miraculously intact by Howard Carter in 1922**; the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut; and the **Colossi of Memnon, two enormous seated statues that once guarded a now-vanished temple**. Luxor is best visited **between October and March**, when temperatures are in the mid-20s rather than the crushing 40-plus degrees of summer. The east bank monuments — Karnak and Luxor Temple — are **most atmospheric at night, when the temples are lit and far less crowded** than during the day; Luxor Temple in particular is spectacular after dark. Cross the Nile by local ferry to the west bank, where a donkey, bicycle, or taxi can take you between the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, and the village of Gurna. **Allow at least two to three full days**. Luxor is well-connected by train from **Cairo (nine hours) and Aswan (three hours)**, and has its own airport.

Highlights

• ✦ Vast temple complex on the east bank of the Nile
• ✦ Karnak Temple is the largest religious building ever constructed
• ✦ Avenue of Sphinxes connects Luxor and Karnak temples

Practical info

Frequently asked questions

How much do tickets to the Luxor temples cost?

Individual site tickets run around EGP 450 (roughly €8.50) each for major sites like Karnak, Luxor Temple, or the Valley of the Kings, with the Valley of the Kings ticket covering entry to three tombs and extra tombs like Tutankhamun's sold separately at a higher price. There is no single all-inclusive combo ticket for every site, so budget for each stop. Student discounts are available with valid ID.

Can you take a train from Cairo to Luxor instead of flying?

Yes, an overnight sleeper train run by Watania/Abela runs between Cairo and Luxor (continuing to Aswan), taking around 9 to 10 hours with private cabins, dinner and breakfast included in the fare. It's slower than the roughly 1-hour flight but saves a hotel night and offers a scenic, more sustainable alternative. Daytime regular trains also run the route, taking a similar or slightly longer time at a much lower price without sleeper cabins.

How do you get between the East Bank and West Bank sites in Luxor?

A public ferry crosses the Nile between central Luxor and the West Bank for a small fee in a few minutes, though most visitors combine it with a taxi or hired car on the West Bank to reach the spread-out sites like the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple. Organised tours typically include a private vehicle and driver for the whole day. Renting a bicycle on the West Bank is a popular budget option in cooler months.

How much time do you need to see the main Luxor sites?

A minimum of two full days lets you cover the West Bank's Valley of the Kings and temples on one day and Karnak and Luxor Temple on the other, though enthusiasts often stay three or four days to add sites like the Valley of the Queens or Medinet Habu. Early starts help avoid both heat and tour-bus crowds, especially from May to September. Karnak's evening sound-and-light show is a good add-on after a daytime visit.

What makes the Valley of the Kings historically significant?

The valley served as the primary royal burial ground for pharaohs of Egypt's New Kingdom for roughly 500 years starting around 1550 BCE, containing over 60 known tombs including that of Tutankhamun, discovered largely intact in 1922. Its remote desert location was chosen partly to deter tomb robbers, though most tombs were still looted in antiquity. Ongoing excavation continues to uncover new chambers and artefacts even in recent years.

Explore more

• Egypt
• Pyramids of Giza
• Desert temple of Abu Simbel

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