Wandering Karnak Temple, admiring the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut on Luxor’s West Bank, and relaxing by the Nile River are essential things to do in Luxor
If Cairo is the Egypt that you imagine from history class, then Luxor is the Egypt from Sunday School.
The ancient city is calm, lush and the unfolds around the Nile River. The dramatic desert landscape flanks the river and offers a stark contrast to the palms that line the Nile.
If you’ve just arrived to Luxor from Cairo, chances are you’ll breath in a big sigh of relief. While both cities have their merit, Luxor is a nice breath of fresh air on your Egyptian adventure.
The locals say there are two cities in Luxor – the city of the living on the East Bank of the Nile, and the city of the dead on the West Bank. One side has palaces, the other has tombs.
Exploring a pharaoh’s tomb at the Valley of the Kings, golden hour at Luxor Temple
The city that the Greeks called “Thebes” and the ancient Egyptians called “Waset” was once the capital of Upper Egypt. Luxor flourished after the fall of the Old Kingdom and became a powerhouse of wealth and culture during Egypt’s Golden Age.
Today, Luxor is a quick 45 minute flight from Cairo and is a cornerstone stop on any Egyptian travel itinerary.
While it often gets overshadowed by Cairo in terms of popularity, Luxor offers a completely different, but still immersive experience that will leave you moved and craving to see more of this beautiful country.
Luxor has it all – mystery, history, architecture and even the world’s most famous mummy.
Read ahead for my top things to see and do in the ancient city, and why Luxor will be the highlight of your trip to Egypt.
Luxor Travel Guide: 7 Amazing Things to See & Do in Luxor, Egypt
1. Karnak Temple
Karnak Temple feels like something out of Indiana Jones. The massive temple dominates the landscape, and the thought of how this place was constructed almost four thousand years ago is truly mind blowing.
The temple is guarded by an avenue of sphinxes, which in its heyday stretched three kilometers and connected Luxor and Karnak Temples. Look closely to catch the mini pharaohs tucked between the paws on each sphinx.
The avenue of sphinxes and colossal statues of Karnak Temple
Inside the temple gates you’ll find the remains of a great city.
Karnak Temple is said to be the largest religious monument ever built. Allegedly you could fit St. Peter’s, the Cathedral in Milan and Notre Dame each inside of Karnak temple.
The endless columns and obelisks at Karnak Temple
The place is huge, so prepare yourself to marvel at the massive columns, colossal statues, obelisks and even a sacred lake remains to this day.
Start your tour of the East Bank of Luxor here, then make your way over to…
2. Luxor Temple
Just down the road from Karnak Temple on the East Bank is Luxor Temple, an equally stunning and dominant structure.
Upon approach you’ll notice a lone obelisk… Look familiar?
If you’ve been to Paris then your answer is probably yes. You’ll find its mate proudly on display in the center of the Place de Concorde near the Tuileries Gardens.
The obelisk was a gift from the Egyptian government in 1833, but they say that Egypt has since had giver’s remorse and is on a quest to get it back.
The lone obelisk and domineering columns at Luxor Temple
If you look closely you’ll see evidence of a hodgepodge of different religions, painting the picture of the many civilizations that presided over Luxor throughout history.
Be on the lookout for the oddly-placed mosque that was built into the temple in the 13th century (and is actually still in use), the defaced Egyptian idols and even a Roman fresco.
Looking for a guided tour in Luxor? Check out one of these options:
3. The Valley of the Kings
Across the Nile on the West Bank you’ll find the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of many pharaohs of the New Kingdom.
After witnessing the raids of the pyramids and their predecessors’ tombs, the pharaohs began building their tombs down into the ground, hidden from invaders.
The tombs in the Valley of the Kings blend in to the desert, leaving them undisturbed for years.
The Valley of the Kings houses the tombs of more than sixty pharaohs, many of which are open for exploring today.
Pro tip: You must buy a “photo ticket” at the gate to take any pictures inside the tombs at the Valley of the Kings… And they mean business. If you’re caught taking a photo they will demand to see your camera or phone.
But as my husband likes to say, anything is possible for a small fee. We forgot to buy the ticket and a small “donation” to the tomb attendant got us off with just a warning!
Click here to view hotels and accommodation in Luxor, Egypt
4. King Tut’s Tomb
The Valley of the Kings is also home to one of the crown jewels of Egypt, the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Visiting King Tut’s tomb is not only one of the best things to do in Luxor, but in all of Egypt.
The greatest modern discovery of the ancient Egyptians occurred here in 1922 when the boy pharaoh’s tomb was discovered – completely intact.
Never before had a pharaoh’s funerary chambers been found sealed, protected from looters and in its entirety.
One of King Tut’s sarcophagi, and outside of the tomb of King Tut
And the biggest surprise of them all, King Tut himself still resides here today – his actual remains as a tiny mummy. I didn’t believe our guide when he told me, but sure enough, Tutankhamun’s 3,300 year old self is on display in a climate-controlled case inside the tomb.
While the majority of the goodies found in Tut’s tomb are on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, seeing the interior of the tomb for yourself is truly fascinating.
5. The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Often referred to as the Valley of the Queens, this breathtaking temple is found just over the mountain from the Valley of the Kings.
Queen Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple offers a sharp contrast to the jagged desert landscape and is looks like nothing else you’ll see in Egypt… Or probably anywhere.
The stunning walk up to Temple of Hatshepsut, statues and paintings decorate the temple from all angles
Legend has it that in a bold move, Hatshepsut promoted herself to pharaoh after shipping her stepson – Thutmose III, the actual pharaoh – off to military school. Following Hatshepsut’s death, he erased all record of her from historical documents and defaced all monuments dedicated to her. #drama
Politics aside, the Temple of Hatshepsut remains and is stunning, photogenic from all sides, and well worth braving the crazy desert heat.
6. The Sound & Light Spectacular
The Sound & Light Spectacular is an immersive, entertaining and educational experience that any visitor to Luxor should make the effort to attend.
Kicking off just after sunset, Karnak Temple is illuminated from all angles and tells the story of Upper Egypt. You’ll be guided through the grounds while a picture is painted of the pharaohs, their gods, and what life was like during the New Kingdom.
Karnak Temple illuminated at the Sound & Light Spectacular
The grounds look delightfully spooky at night, and the show is well worth attending even if you already checked out Karnak Temple during the day. Prepare to be wow-ed, this was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip to Egypt!
The show is held nightly in multiple languages, and it is put on by the same production company that puts on shows by the same name in Cairo and Jerusalem. While at first glance it might sound a bit cheesy, just go – you won’t regret it!
7. Relax poolside by the Nile
Luxor is notoriously hot, even for Egypt. We visited in July to find oven-like 110 degrees Fahrenheit weather. Factor in some downtime between sightseeing to catch up on some R&R by the pool at your hotel.
The best way to beat the heat on a hot day in Luxor
The Nile is the longest river in the world and weaves through nine countries. To fully soak in the beauty of Luxor, spend a few hours relaxing by the river, watching the boats cruise by and marvel at how far from home you’ve come.
For a heavenly retreat on the Nile, look no further than the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa. This modern oasis offers the best views in town, and their pool area exceeds all expectations.
Don’t miss sunset – watching the sun fall behind the mountain was a truly magical experience.
Sunset views of the Nile from the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
Beyond Luxor
Cairo – A trip to Egypt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the see the Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx in the country’s capital. For the full scoop check out my Complete Travel Guide to Cairo here.
Aswan – Have a few extra days? Hop on a Nile River cruise in Luxor and sail your way down to Aswan to see the Temples of Abu Simbel and the Unfinished Obelisk.
For adventures past Luxor, check out one of these tour options:
Amongst the beautiful chaos that is Egypt, Luxor is a true gem and should not be missed. You’ll leave feeling inspired and craving more of this beautiful place.
Where have you been that inspired you? Share below in the comments!
Cheers,
Meredith
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