Is the entrance the highlight of Karnak Temple in Luxor?
As we walked through the entrance at the first pylon, the scale of the temple complex became apparent…
Then the Great Hypostyle Hall appeared… The intricately carved 70 foot columns are definitely my favourite highlight!
You can’t visit Luxor without walking along the Avenue of Sphinxes towards the greatest temple of them all.
Karnak Temple’s entrance is still mesmerising thousands of years after it was the religious centre for the former capital of Egypt ‘Thebes’.
As soon as you see Karnak’s entrance, you will go on an imaginative journey back into a pharaoh's world in ancient Egypt.
It is one of the most impressive ancient ruins in the world!
This travel blog showcases the most impressive areas of the temple complex, which took over one thousand years of development by over 30 different pharaohs to be fully finished.
This special antiquity in Luxor awaits you!
Feeling insignificant next to the columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall.
Visiting Karnak Temple.
Karnak Temple Complex spreads 247 acres of land and is one of the largest temples in the world, so it is advisable that you plan at least 90 minutes on site to explore the main areas.
As you admire the ancient craftsmanship, remember it is several thousand years old, which makes it even more impressive!
The complex is comprised of four main areas:
Precinct of Amun-Re.
Precinct of Mut.
Precinct of Montu.
Temple of Amenhotep IV.
More details about the ‘smaller sections’ within these areas are detailed further down this blog.
Another temple entrance with heavy security.
Practical information for entrance to Karnak Temple.
Opening hours:
6am - 5.30pm everyday.
Entrance fees:
Adults - 80 EGP (£2).
Students 40 EGP (£1), Identification is required.
A Luxor Pass does include Karnak Temple, alongside other Luxor landmarks.
Entrance fees to Karnak Temple.
Some of the highlights of the Karnak Temple Complex.
A fascinating aspect about Karnak is that many of its highlights were constructed at different times over a thousand year period.
Here are the notable areas of the complex:
First Pylon Entrance.
The first part of Karnak which captured my attention due to its size, is the first pylon entrance. At 100 feet tall in places, and over 350 feet wide, it is colossal.
It felt like a gateway into a majestic arena… of course, all of those centuries ago, it would have been gleaming with elegance, as you would expect for a Pharaoh.
It is no longer ornate, however, it holds historical significance, as it was the last pylon to be built during the 30th Dynasty, which means it was never fully finished!
This explains why it doesn’t have the same impressive hieroglyphics in other areas of the complex.
The first pylon at Karnak.
Great Hypostyle Hall.
The true wonder of Karnak is unveiled after you have passed through the first two pylons, as the exquisite architecture of the giant columns appears.
There are over 130 columns, with some reaching nearly 80 feet, which cover a huge area of over 50,000 square feet.
I found grabbing a photo next to one of these colossal feats of engineering was my favourite picture from my Egypt trip, alongside my Giza pyramids one!
An interesting fact about the giant columns is that they were designed to stand in water during the summer inundation, when large parts of Egypt would disappear under rising Nile waters.
The Great Hypostyle Hall was constructed across different pharaonic periods, with it beginning in the 19th Dynasty under Pharaoh Seti I, but completed under his son Ramsesses II.
The hall is said to have been built in dedication to the Egyptian gods.
As with other temples, I noticed many of the hieroglyphics appear to show the pharaoh offering gifts to the gods of the afterlife.
Information board about Great Hypostyle Hall.
Carved columns.
Avenue of Sphinxes.
Interestingly in Luxor, the Avenue of Sphinxes famously connected Karnak and Luxor Temple in ancient Egypt, through a 1.7 mile grand walkway.
I enjoyed learning this fascinating fact on Ancient Egypt from our tour guide, as we observed the sphinx statues which have stood the test of time, to still offer a touch of elegance.
Originally in the Pharaonic era, there were over one thousand of the stone figures, which have the body of a lion, and head of a ram, that is a symbol of ‘Amun’, the famous Egyptian god.
The most famous, and largest sphinx in Egypt is at the Pyramids of Giza site, which has catapulted the fabled creature into global fame.
The elegant statues.
Tutankhamun and Amenhotep III had a direct influence on the sphinx statues, with the lion-bodied sphinxes being constructed by King Tut, and the full ram figures during the reign of Amenhotep III.
I found it interesting seeing some relics from the King Tut era, after coming face to face with his mummy at the Valley of the Kings during my Luxor trip.
The Royal avenue hosted religious celebrations and special occasions, including King coronations and processions taking place between the famous East Bank temples in Luxor.
As of November 2021, the avenue is now open to visitors to walk between the two East Bank treasures, although there are only around 300 sphinx statues now remaining due to damage over the centuries.
I would not recommend this walk in summer months, as I visited in September and it was over 40 degrees then!
Walking down the Avenue of Spinx.
Ancient Obelisk.
I noticed an obelisk while wandering on my own, which I believe to be the ‘Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut’, however, our tour guide said over the centuries there were multiple obelisks on site.
If you know whether this the correct obelisk, please let me know in the comments?
It stands strong and tall just next to the Great Hypostyle Hall and offers intrigue, especially if you have visited the ‘unfinished obelisk’ in Aswan, which shows the scale of the monuments up close.
There are still over 30 well maintained obelisks across the different Egyptian cities.
Ancient obelisk at Karnak.
The obelisk peering through the Great Hypostyle Hall.
Sacred Lake.
In the ‘Precinct of Mut’ you will find the Sacred Lake, which was used by priests in ancient Egypt for ritual washing, and it is said that they would bathe nightly for ritual purity.
King Tuthmosis III had the lake put into the temple complex in 1473-1458 BC.
As with many other famous landmarks in Egypt, the engineering skills of the ancient civilisations became apparent as I learned that the lake has never dried up in over 3000 years.
I find this to be remarkable when you consider the very high temperatures that Luxor reaches!
The presence of the lake is another reminder about the ancient Egyptian’s strong beliefs in the afterlife.
Sacred Lake at Karnak.
When is the best time to visit Karnak?
As Egypt’s climate is dry and hot, and the nation is covered by a vast desert it can get uncomfortable for tourists if you visit at the wrong time.
Luxor is situated much further south than Cairo, so it can reach temperatures between 40-50 degrees celsius in summer months.
It is fair to say that long expeditions around the open Temples and Necropolises isn’t the best thing to be doing in those conditions.
I visited in September and it still felt slightly uncomfortable at times.
The best months which combine pleasant and manageable weather with fewer crowds are the months of September to November & February to April.
The time of day you visit can also have an impact on your experience.
Early morning visits to all of Luxor’s landmarks help to avoid the crowds and hottest temperatures.
At Karnak, I would say that the crowds won’t be an issue any time of year, as the complex is so large, however, if you want the perfect Egyptian Instagram shot, you may want to plan ahead, to avoid any unwanted photobombing.
Shops on way into Karnak Temple.
How to get to Karnak Temple.
Karnak Temple is located on the East Bank of Luxor, which is a very popular city in Egypt, with good transport options inside and outside of the city.
You can reach Luxor by train, bus, or internal flights if travelling from Cairo or Aswan.
Once you arrive at Luxor, there are different ways of traversing the city:
Walking.
If you are staying on the East Bank side of the Nile, you can walk to Karnak Temple, as it is only a few km from the main area of the city.
This is weather dependent as it gets very hot in the summer.
Private taxi.
There are taxis all over Luxor, and they can be flagged down at any point. This is a good option if you have just arrived in the city and don’t have your bearings, or if it is too hot to walk.
I would advise you to agree on a fixed rate before entering the taxi. Asking your hotel to sort one out in advance is the safest way to avoid being overcharged.
Tuk tuk/Horse-drawn carriage.
You will be shouted at, whistled and signalled to ride a horse carriage while walking down the street in Luxor, so this is an option if you want a traditional experience, but my hotel owner advised not to, as the rides are scam heavy, and the price will increase many times before you exit the vehicle.
Public bus.
A budget-friendly option, but it takes longer, at around 30 minutes from Luxor city centre. It will only cost you a few Egyptian pounds.
Location of Karnak Temple on the East Bank.
Staying near Karnak Temple.
Karnak Temple is on the East Bank of Luxor and within walking distance of most of the popular accommodation options.
Staying on the East Bank is close to Luxor Market and the popular restaurants in Luxor.
Here are some hotels that I recommend:
Quiet and Budget friendly.
Bob Marley Hotel - The owner is a cool guy and helps with organising your tours, or transport.
Luxurious options.
Sonesta St. George Hotel - Stunning views of the Nile, Spa facilities and fine dining.
Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor - Five star accommodation only 1km away from Luxor Temple.
Hostels.
Sweet Hostel Luxor - Nice owner, a bar, and close to Luxor train station.
Bob Marley House Sherief Hotel - Organises cheap tours for guests.
The longest Temple construction ever.
Karnak Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in the world, and was used as the most important religious complex in Egypt in ancient times.
The ancient Egyptians knew Karnak as ‘Ipet-Sut’, which translates across as ‘Most esteemed of Places’, which shows the level of importance placed on it.
The Karnak Temple Complex was developed over 1000-1500 years between the Twelfth and Twentieth dynasties, including pharaonic influence from over 30 of Egypt’s greatest leaders.
This makes Karnak unique and truly iconic!
Deeply carved hieroglyphics.
My tour experience.
I visited Luxor in the month of September when the weather was still over 40 degrees celsius, so our tour guide took us around the complex at a slower pace, which I preferred as I got to spend more time admiring the small details of each area.
Our tour guide ‘Omr’ was very professional and knew the shade spots in each area to stand and give us a break from the scorching sun as he explained the different areas of the complex.
We appeared to have Karnak to ourselves as it wasn’t very busy in September, and the site is so big!
The tour that I booked had everything you need to make the most of one of Egypt’s greatest landmarks. Return transport, bottles of water, and Omr - who made the trip special.
He also did a very good job of keeping the locals away from the group, as the Egyptian landmarks are notorious for locals offering to take you to a ‘special area’, or to ‘take your photo’ for an extra fee.
Enjoying my tour of the temple.
Hieroglyphics in Karnak.
As with the ‘Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III’ at Medinet Habu, some of the hieroglyphics at Karnak are very well preserved, with vibrant colours and clear depictions of art.
Our tour guide told us that the ancient civilisations used metal oxides as paints, which don’t suffer from time degradation.
The main theme across the complex that I deciphered, was one of a religious type. Nearly all of the art scenes depict the Pharaoh with Egyptian gods.
Different sections of the temple seem to have several scenes following each other to create a longer story board. The art mainly shows the Pharaoh offering items to the gods, including flowers, wine, incense, and food.
My favourite area of the Karnak Temple Complex.
Admiring the Hieroglyphics was one of the most fascinating aspects of my solo adventure through Egypt, so I was blown away by the detail and intricacies of the columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall.
The blazing sun was also creating a glow on the columns as I weaved between them, which helped to create a memory I will never forget.
I felt so insignificant next to them!
Damaged statues.
Karnak Temple interesting facts.
Spanning over 200 acres, Karnak Temple is the largest religious complex ever constructed.
The primary deity worshipped at Karnak was Amun-Ra, the sun god and king of the Egyptian pantheon.
There was an annual religious event named the ‘Opet Festival’ held at Karnak over a 27 day period. It included offerings to ‘Amun’, by the Pharaoh.
The Egyptians believed some Karnak statues could speak. This might be due to the temple's unique acoustics, creating echoes that sounded like the statues were talking. There are similar myths about the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank.
During the annual Opet festival, a colossal wooden barge known as the ‘Bark of Amun’ carried a statue of the god Amun on a processional journey. This barge was so large that it required priests and even commoners to help pull it through the streets.
Is Karnak Temple the best landmark in Luxor?
Luxor is like an open air museum with many ancient treasures, so the competition is fierce.
The relics spread across the Nile are the reasons why Luxor is one of Egypt’s most popular cities.
Temple wise, I feel like the cliff setting at the Temple of Hatshepsut creates a better backdrop than Karnak, and the hieroglyphics at Medinet Habu Temple are more vibrant, however the overall aurora of the place is unmatched.
The Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens offer an awesome experience, but they feel like a different vibe to the temples.
My personal opinion is that The Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple are the best two historical sites, and I cannot separate them!
Both should be in your Luxor plans!
More giant columns.
Tips for visiting Karnak Temple.
For the best photographs of Karnak Temple, visit from 3pm onwards, when the Giant Pylons turn gold in the sunshine.
Approach Karnak from the ‘Southern Sanctuary’ via the Avenue of Sphinxes to feel the initial magic of the place.
Book an official East Bank tour to enjoy the best of both Luxor and Karnak Temples with one tour guide, and transport between the two temples, along with return transport from your accommodation.
Visit on an evening when the sun sets to enjoy the ‘Lights and Sounds’ show. This lights up the temple and offers a different perspective of its history.
If you are staying in Luxor for a longer timeframe, then you should visit Karnak twice. Once with a guide, and once on your own. This way you can explore the whole complex and absorb its features better.
More damaged statues.
Some other Egyptian landmarks to consider.
Being home to one of the oldest known civilisations in ancient times, it is no wonder that Egypt is abundant with historical treasures.
On my travels so far, I would say that Jordan and Egypt have the most historical sights to explore, which are enough to fill a one month itinerary!
Luxor is home to most of the best temples in Egypt, other than Philae Temple in Aswan, and Abu Simbel, that is even further south in Egypt.
Museums in Egypt are popular with tourists, as there are hundreds of thousands of ancient artefacts, and exhibitions detailing the history and lives of yesteryear.
Notable museums to visit are the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, the Mummification Museum in Luxor, and the Nubian Museum in Aswan.
To complete your hands-on history lesson, you should visit the pyramids in Egypt, including the Giza Pyramids, and the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, which is the oldest known pyramid in the world, at over 4000 years old!
You can enter inside the pyramids, or ride a camel around the famous sites.
If you plan your Egypt travel itinerary correctly, you can travel efficiently between the cities in Egypt on a sleeper train, regular train, or domestic flights, to ensure you cram it all in.
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