Is Luxor worth visiting in Egypt?
Seeing King Tut’s mummy was definitely the highlight of my West Bank tour.
Being a tomb explorer for the day might have just beaten the fun I had in the beautiful East Bank temples.
Luxor is definitely worth visiting!
A trip to Luxor has all the ancient treasures you need to step back in time and walk side by side with the mighty pharaohs. At least in your imagination, as you walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple, or up the postcard worthy steps of the Temple of Hatshepsut!
In this Luxor city guide, I have detailed five reasons why the ancient city is worth visiting during your Egypt trip!
My favourite moment during my Luxor trip.
A brief history about Luxor.
What is luxor famous for?
Maybe back in ancient times, when it was named Thebes, and was the capital of Egypt, furthermore, it was thriving during the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BCE). It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, which has created a rich history spanning millennia, making it one of the ‘world’s greatest open air museums’ in modern times.
The Arabic name ‘Luxor’, means ‘palaces’, and this is reflected with the grand structures which the city boasts, even if they are thousands of years old.
Such a city would need some pharaoh worthy resting places for the leaders of the ancient civilisations!
There many elaborately decorated tombs at Valley of the Kings.
This is where the ‘Valley of the Kings’, and the ‘Valley of the Queens’ offer their piece of mysterious history in the city!
So far, over 150 tombs have been discovered across the two necropolises, with excavation projects looking for more on a continuous basis.
The River Nile flows straight through the heart of the city and splits the iconic landmarks of the city into the West Bank and East Bank sides.
There is a reason why Luxor lures so many tourists to Egypt, so let’s find out!
Temples.
Tombs.
Museums.
Local Culture.
Hot air balloon rides.
Tuk Tuks are everywhere in Luxor.
East Bank vs West Bank - A city separated by the Nile.
One of the unique aspects of Luxor’s charm is the different vibes you get, depending on which side of the famous Nile you are based, however, both are Luxor must see’s.
I stayed on the East Bank, and it was lively - to say the least!
Sharing the historical river banks with the Karnak and Luxor Temples is a magical experience, but it does come at a cost. From the lively bazaars, to the chaos on the streets, I didn’t get five minutes of quiet to manage my thoughts, and appreciate the moment.
There are some very reasonable accommodation options, and beautiful restaurants on the East Bank though, and all the famous sights are within walking distance.
This made my solo trip in Luxor run smoother!
If you want a more tranquil experience, and a resort style holiday, then the West Bank might be a better option.
Chilling by the pool watching the sunset over the Nile, knowing you are sharing the banks with some of the most famous people from the past is pretty cool, although a tad spooky!
Although you can head to the Valley of the Kings, or Hatshepsut's Temple for sunrise, you are going to have to cross the Nile if you want to head into the heart of the city!
Who doesn’t love a cruise on the Nile though!
How long is needed for a holiday to Luxor.
Exploring the ancient secrets of Luxor could offer you a lifetime of entertainment, however, its main highlights can also be ticked off in a much shorter time frame, especially if you book official tours.
Here are three options for different style of traveller:
A glimpse back in time (3-5 days).
I prefer to travel swiftly so I can tick off multiple destinations more quickly, so if you are like me, this option will suit you!
A day trip of the East Bank and West Bank highlights on separate days will help you tick off the most famous temples, Valley of the Kings, and you will get a chance to cruise on the Nile.
This option is for those who want a taste of Luxor's magic without delving too deep.
Ancient explorer (7-10 days).
This longer trip will allow you to spend much longer in the famous sites on your own schedule, and allow you to venture beyond the must-sees. Hike through the Valley of the Queens, discover hidden gems like the Luxor Museum and Medinet Habu, and lose yourself in the charm of local villages.
A sunrise hot air balloon ride over the West Bank treasures will offer you a different perspective of the ancient lands, without feeling rushed.
This itinerary is for those who want to go deeper and unearth Luxor's hidden treasures.
A journey down the Nile (10 + days).
Along with all of the above, you will sail down the Nile to the famous sites ‘Edfu’ and ‘Kom Ombo’, along with having the time to fully immerse in the cultural side of Luxor.
This option is for the adventurous travellers who want to connect with the people and culture of Luxor beyond the tourist trail.
However long you decide to take exploring Luxor, you are in for an absolute treat!
Luxor Temple.
Things to do in Luxor Egypt.
Temples.
One of the best aspects of visiting Luxor is the grandeur and secrets of the mesmerising temples.
There is an abundance of history split across the many ancient structures. They offer a different perspective on Ancient Egypt than the famous pyramids.
Luxor takes top spot in Egypt for iconic temples, although there is an argument that Philae Temple in Aswan is the most picture perfect!
Here are my favourites in Luxor:
Karnak Temple.
Karnak Temple needs no introduction, as it is one of the largest religious buildings ever constructed, and uniquely, was developed over the period of 1000 years, with many Pharaohs having influence on the design of the 200 acres site.
The Temple is was initially built as a cult temple and dedicated to the gods Amun, Khonsu, and Mut.
The Great Hypostyle Hall and its giant columns is one of the most famous photo spots in Egypt, with tourists flocking there to grab that perfect selfie! The inscriptions on the columns are cleaned regularly to preserve the ancient genius from the past.
Karnak has many famous elements to it, including:
The Great Temple of Amun-Ra.
The Sacred Lake.
The Temple of Khonsu.
The Open Air Museum.
The Avenue of Shinx once connected Karnak and Luxor Temples with a grand path flanked on both sides by hundreds of sphinx statues. Some still remain today and this makes for some very interesting observations.
The Great Hypostyle Hall in Karnak Temple.
Luxor Temple.
Luxor Temple is another iconic structure which commands the river Nile in Luxor’s East Bank.
Situated closer to the heartbeat of the local community of Luxor, this famous temple is made from Nubian sandstone blocks and is still well preserved in many areas.
My favourite feature are the colossi statues guarding the main entrance, alongside the 80 feet tall Obelisk, which sits on its own in the modern world, despite being erected with a twin back in 1283 BC by Pharaoh Ramesses II. The other obelisk was donated to Paris back in 1836.
I recommend using a tour guide at this site, as the knowledge I gained form my guide really enhanced my experience.
A vivid memory from my afternoon in Luxor Temple was the prayer calls echoing around the site from the nearby mosque.
I got a better view of the Avenue of Sphinx from this side of the East Bank!
Temple selfie time.
Temple of Hatshepsut.
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, which is also known as Djeser-Djeseru (Holy of Holies), was built for Pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut back in the Eighteenth Dynasty, and still holds its magnificence thousands of years later.
The three-story temple complex was constructed to illustrate Queen Hatshepsut’s life through art and hieroglyphics!
Amazingly, many of the original designs still remain and have held their colour, to offer tourists a beautiful representation of her ancient reign.
I visited this temple on an official tour which made it more enjoyable, and forced me to explore at a slower pace, in the sweltering 45 degree heat!
This my favourite setting for any temple in Egypt, with the cliffs of ‘Deir el-Bahari’ offering an awesome post card worthy backdrop!
The Temple of Philae in Aswan is another contender here though!
The famous steps leading to the Temple of Hatshepsut.
Tombs.
One of the biggest draws for Luxor is its abundance of original tombs from its pharaonic periods.
I had explored some tombs previously during my afternoon visit to Saqqara Necropolis near Cairo, however, I was in for a pleasant surprise.
On the West Bank of Luxor, there are over 100 known tombs spread across the different UNESCO World Heritage sites, and although visitors can only visit a handful, they are very impressive!
It is thought that the Egyptians believed the west bank of the Nile, where the valley sits, was the gateway to the afterlife. Elaborate tombs were carved into the cliffs, mimicking the journey of the pharaoh's soul to the celestial realm.
An insider tip is to not book the West Bank tour for your first day if travelling by the Cairo to Luxor night train like I did - I was shattered!
Valley of the Kings.
The Valley of the Kings is a royal burial ground like no other, and served as the final resting place for pharaohs between the 18th & 20th dynasties. So far, over 63 original tombs have been discovered, all unique with hieroglyphic carvings, sarcophagus’s, and other ancient relics.
When the famous necropolis was discovered in 1922 by Howards Carter, many of the tombs were full of treasure, and original mummies of the pharaohs.
A combination of looters, ageing, and preservation projects have left the majority of the tombs empty, other than the colourful and vibrant art.
King Tutankhamun’s tomb is still home to his original mummy, and you can visit him!
Valley of the Queens.
Although similar, the Valley of the Queens is home to mainly queens, princes, princesses, and other high-ranking officials, instead of kings and pharaohs.
Despite the archaeological site being smaller and less extravagant, there have actually been more tombs discovered thus far. Similar to the Valley of the Kings, most of the tombs are beautifully decorated, despite sitting there for thousands of years.
It is a good idea to book a tour with both sites included, so you spend the whole day exploring the tombs!
Original hieroglyphics in a tomb.
My favourite tomb - King Tutankhamun.
My childhood included a lot of learning about the history of King Tut, so when I had the opportunity to spend some alone time with his original mummy, he finally became real.
He had only been in my imagination for all of these years!
It does cost extra to visit this famous tomb, however, it is the only tomb on site with the original mummy still inside. If you want to see the treasure he was found with, then you need to head for a Cairo city break and visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Tahrir Square.
King Tut’s 3300 year old mummy.
An experience in El Souk (Luxor Market).
When in Egypt, a trip to the local markets is the perfect place to experience the crazy culture for yourself!
My evening in Luxor Market included sipping tea with a local, finding some quirky personalised gifts (which I had to haggle hard for), and trying some Nubian coffee.
The market is loud, it’s intimidating, and it’s unforgiving, especially as a solo traveller, however, I would not expect anything else in Egypt!
Luxor market at night.
Sampling the local cuisine.
I was hesitant to try the local food in many places in Egypt, as a result of the horror stories I had heard!
When visiting Luxor, I had been recommended a famous restaurant called Sofra, and I am so glad I decided to try the local cuisine here.
It was an authentic Egyptian restaurant with a touch of Middle East vibes inside, and the food was delicious, along with the service being world class.
I did visit on an afternoon, when it was a little quieter though - this definitely contributed towards a better experience for me.
I recommend the meatballs, which are named after a famous king, and rightly so as they tasted like royalty!
A local dish named after a famous King.
Luxor market at daytime is quieter.
Museums.
For tourists who have a love for Egyptology, Luxor just gets better and better!
It is home to several museums which offer a different learning experience. It is cool to visit the hands-on places first, before heading to the museums, as it makes it more enjoyable reading about the history of the city when you have visited its main highlights.
Mummification Museum
This unique museum delves into the fascinating process of mummification, showcasing tools, embalming materials, and even mummified body parts. Be prepared for some graphic displays, but this makes it more fun.
On my visit to this museum, my favourite part was observing the juicy baboon mummies.
I learned some cool facts about ancient times here.
Mummification Museum on Luxor’s main corniche.
Luxor Museum.
This iconic museum houses an extensive collection of over 160,000 artifacts, spanning from the Predynastic Period (6000 BCE) to Greco-Roman times (30 BCE).
This is the most impressive museum in Luxor in my opinion, and can be found on the East Bank of the Nile.
It is open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, every day.
There juicy mummies of humans and animals in the museum.
Nobles Art Gallery.
Located on the west bank of the Nile, this gallery showcases the artistic legacy of the nobles and elite of ancient Thebes. Paintings, sculptures, and everyday objects provide a glimpse into their luxurious lifestyles.
A nice change of scenery if you are spending most of your holiday at the tombs and temples of the West Bank.
One of the most iconic hot air balloon rides in the world.
An Egyptian surprise - Hot Air Balloon ride.
One of the best things to do on your holiday to Luxor is to take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the famous ancient sites!
Hot air ballooning has been a feature of the city for centuries, dating back to the late 1700’s when French aeronaut, ‘Jean-Pierre Blanchard’ took off from the city for the first time.
The typical 45 minute rides cannot be matched anywhere else in the world in terms of the birdseye perspective of such a treasure trove that Luxor offers. You will be flown directly over the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, River Nile, Colossi of Memnon, and famous East Bank temples.
This activity is ideal for the visitors on a slower travel itinerary, as it means you can enjoy the sites from on the ground, and in the air!
The ideal time to take a hot air balloon ride in Luxor is between October and April when the skies are clear and the mornings are pleasantly cool. Avoid the scorching summer months (May to September).
It is recommended that you book in advance to secure your pit with a reputable tour operator.
The ancient sites look even more magical from the sky.
A beautiful resort on the East Bank.
Do you want to escape the city?
It is no secret that Luxor is a sensory overload for visitors, so it is important to have a comfortable accommodation to enjoy some much needed peace and quiet.
This 5 star option ticks every box.
I loved spending time relaxing in the infinity swimming pools, hammocks and private pods.
My king bed guest room had a french balcony included, which overlooked the Nile.
Just imagine sitting on the balcony in the evening seeing the picturesque cliffs of the West Bank across the Nile glow up, creating an epic backdrop.
This really felt like ancient Egypt!
High level service, beautiful dinners, and the attractions being within walking distance complete the benefits of this choice.
It ain’t cheap, but escaping Egyptian culture briefly on a longer trip is priceless!
Some tips to enjoy Luxor.
Following my trip to Luxor, here are my key tips for the city that never relaxes:
Dedicate a separate day to each of the West Bank and East Bank tours.
Don’t do the West Bank tour if you have had a sleepless evening on the night train.
Plan your trip accordingly, as even in September when I visited, Luxor reached 48 degrees!
Learning basic Arabic phrases will help to keep the hustlers off your back.
Expect to haggle for everything, and carry low denomination notes with you.
Either book your tours in advance, or ask your hotel to help.
which is better to visit luxor or cairo?
I found both Luxor and Cairo to be similar in terms of chaos and culture, but Cairo has the allure of the Great Pyramids, which is a bucket list activity, however, the temples and tombs of Luxor were just as fun for me, therefore Luxor wins!
Some statues at the Temple of Hatshepsut.
Prefer a quieter city - maybe Aswan is a better choice?
Still unsure of which city to visit?
If you are happy to head down the Nile on your Egypt trip, then a three hour train ride further south lies the beautiful city of Aswan!
The Nubian charm and positivity were my two favourite things during my stay in Aswan.
There are many interesting activities to keep you occupied, but at a slower pace. Learning about the famous culture at the Nubian Museum was one of my favourite activities, as I had interacted with many local Nubians, therefore I gained understanding of the history of the locals, dating back thousands of years.
A camel ride through a Nubian Village is a pretty unique experience also!
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.