Things to do in Luxor, Egypt

Luxor, located on the banks of the Nile and known as Thebes in antiquity, was the capital of Ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom, and to this it owes its historical and archaeological importance. Among all the sights to see in Luxor, the most impressive are the Karnak temple complex and the Valley of the Kings. It is definitely a must-see stop on your trip to Egypt.

At Passporter we want you to enjoy 100% your stay in Luxor, that’s why we have prepared this post where we tell you everything you need to organise your trip. We invite you to read on to discover the historical treasures hidden in this incredible city and many travel tips that can be of great help to you. We also recommend where to stay and where to eat in the area, and the best way to get there.

What are the best things to do in Luxor?

1. Luxor Museum, the second most important museum in Egypt

Luxor Museum is the second most important museum in Egypt, after the Cairo Museum, for its impressive collection of artefacts found in the surrounding necropolises and temples. During your visit you can visit several rooms with different collections, such as the Old Empire, the New Empire and Amarna, dedicated to the reign of Akenaton and Nefertiti. There is also a section dedicated to the process of mummification and funerary rites.

The museum is open daily from 9:00h to 16:00h and from 17:00h to 22:00h, and admission costs €8.5.

2. Luxor Souk, the marketplace to see in Luxor

The Luxor souk is a lively place where you can enjoy a real shopping experience in the city. Here you’ll find a wide variety of goods, from local handicrafts to textiles, spices, jewellery and much more. There are also street food stalls where you can sample the region’s specialities. Remember that bargaining is common in Egypt.

3. Karnak Temple, a must-see in Luxor

Karnak Temple is one of the most impressive and iconic religious complexes to see in Luxor, and one of the greatest architectural achievements in all of Egypt. The complex is located approximately 3 kilometres from the centre of Luxor and covers an extensive area consisting of several temples, obelisks, pylons, hypostyle halls and monumental columns. The most important buildings are the Great Temple of Amun-Ra and Great Temple of Amun-Ra, but you should also make time to see the Sacred Lake, the obelisks and the hypostyle hall.

The visiting hours are from 6:00h to 18:00h every day and the price is 120 Egyptian pounds.

4. Temple of Luxor, next to the Temple of Karnak

The Temple of Luxor is an impressive temple complex built during the New Kingdom period of Egyptian history, spanning roughly from the 14th century to the 12th century BC. The temple is mainly dedicated to the god Amun and was used to celebrate religious festivities and rituals. In the temple you should see the central courtyard, where the obelisk and the Statue of Ramesses II are located, the Hall of Columns and the chapels and shrines. However, the most impressive thing to see is the Avenue of the Sphinxes, a sacred road flanked by numerous statues of sphinxes that connects the temple of Luxor with that of Karnak.

Temple visiting hours are from 6:00h to 21:00h daily and the price is 40 Egyptian pounds.

5. The Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two huge stone statues on the west bank of the Nile River. These statues represent Pharaoh Amenhotep III and are believed to have originally guarded the entrance to his funerary temple. Each statue is around 18 metres high and is carved from a single piece of quartzite. They are known for their majestic appearance and for the mysterious acoustic phenomena that occur at dawn, when the sun illuminates the statues, and they appear to emit sounds.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Luxor?

1. Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is an archaeological site of great importance as it was theburial place of many New Kingdom pharaohs of ancient Egypt, including the famous Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Hatshepsut, hence the name. The complex is located in a desert setting, which transports you back to the golden age of the Egyptian pharaohs. The tombs are adorned with magnificent reliefs and paintings, and the architecture in general will leave you open-mouthed.

If you go on your own, be sure to hire a guide to tell you the story behind the Valley of the Kings. The site is open daily from 6am to 4pm and the entrance fee is 160 Egyptian pounds.

2. Valley of the Queens

Just as pharaohs and leaders of Ancient Egypt were buried in the Valley of the Kings, so was the Valley of the Queens for female royalty, such as Nefertiti, the wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II. In the complex you will find more than 80 rock-cut tombs decorated with paintings murals belonging to queens and princesses of the New Kingdom period. On the walls of the tombs you will see paintings of mythological, religious and everyday life scenes of ancient Egyptian civilisation, which have helped historians to understand the past.

The Valley of the Queens is open daily from 18:00h to 15:00h and the entrance fee is £80.

3. Temple of Hatshepsut

The Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as Deir el-Bahari, is an impressive funerary temple built during the reign of the queen-pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of the few female rulers of Ancient Egypt. The temple is striking for its spectacular location amidst the cliffs of the Mountain of the Kings and its layout designed on several levels in terraces decorated with columns and monumental statues in the Greek style.

What to see in 1 day in Luxor?

It is usual to spend at least 3 days in Luxor in order to discover the charms of the city, such as the souk or the museum of Luxor, and all the surrounding attractions; the valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak, and the Colossi of Memnon.

There is much to see in Luxor, a city steeped in history. That’s why we recommend hiring a guide to make sure you don’t miss a thing on your trip.

Where and what to eat in Luxor?

The gastronomy in Egypt is strongly influenced by the techniques and ingredients of the Mediterranean and Africa, that is why we find a wide variety of typical dishes such as Kushari (spiced rice with lentil noodles and tomato), Shawarma (pita stuffed with roasted meat) or Egyptian Meze, a combination of many dishes in small quantities.

• Snobs: is the perfect place to try Mezze and other Egyptian dishes. Plus, it’s super cheap, you can eat for less than €6.
• Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant: They serve Middle Eastern and Egyptian food, but the best part is the view from the terrace.
• Tutankhamon: At this restaurant you can try the typical dishes of the country at a very affordable price. The quantities are plentiful, and the service is very attentive.

Where to stay in Luxor?

Generally, people who travel to Luxor by cruise ship sleep there. But if you’re travelling on your own, you should know that there are also options for accommodation in the city of Luxor. The most common areas to stay are the East Bank, on the banks of the river near the train station and airport, or the West Bank, which is a quieter area. Here are some recommendations for accommodation:

• Ramsses Hostel: is located in the town of El Gezira and offers air-conditioned rooms with a balcony and views of the Nile and mountains. In addition, the ferry port on the west bank of the Nile is just a few minutes from the hotel. The price per night starts from €17 and breakfast is included.
• Djorff Palace: This amazing hotel is located in Luxor and offers an outdoor pool, garden, terrace and restaurant. It costs €105 per night and includes breakfast.
• In Luxor, Nile Apartments: This is a fully equipped apartment complex in the heart of the city. Prices range from €30 per night and breakfast is €9.

How to get to Luxor?

The most common way for tourists to Egypt is to book a package tour that includes Luxor and all its wonders. If this is the case, you will arrive in Luxor by ferry on the Nile. However, it is also possible to organise the visit on your own, for which all these travel options are available.

• Flight: A few kilometres from the city is Luxor Airport, which receives flights from Cairo and other Egyptian cities. From there you can reach the city centre by public van or taxi (between 50 and 200 Egyptian pounds).
• Bus: Buses depart daily from Cairo. The journey takes 10 hours and costs €9.
• Train: is another cheap option for getting around the country. Tickets can be bought two weeks in advance online.

What should I consider before travelling to Luxor?

• The official currency is the Egyptian pound.
• It is advisable to bring mosquito repellent.
• It is normal to bargain in Egypt.
• Many shops are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Try to always drink bottled water and avoid ice.
• A visa is required to enter Egypt. The price is €25, and it is valid for 90 days.
• Best to bring small notes as it’s difficult to get change.
• The best time to travel to Egypt is mid-March to mid-May, and September to November.
• It’s best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as prices are high.
• Arabic is spoken in Egypt, but in tourist areas you’ll be able to communicate in English.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to prepare what things to do on your trip to Luxor?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you’ve visited on your trip to the app, and recommend what to see in Luxor to other travellers.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Luxor