Top Things to do in Luxor
Things to Do in Luxor: Discovering the Heart of Ancient Egypt
Luxor is so much more than a city. It’s a living museum, rich with ancient history rising up from the earth at every turn. Luxor’s built on both sides of the Nile, where the ancient city of Thebes stood — the capital of Egypt during her golden age. The temples, tombs, and grand stories carved in stone attract travelers who want to explore the land of the pharaohs, and the birthplace of legends.
Whether you’re an archaeology nerd, culture-lover, or just amazed with the ancient world overall, here are some of the best things to do in Luxor. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Visit the Valley of the Kings
Down in the cliffs on the west bank of the Nile you will find the Valley of the Kings, Egypt’s burial ground for its greatest rulers. This valley holds more than 60 tombs, cut into the rock and filled with richly painted scenes from the afterlife.
One of the most famous tombs is that of Tutankhamun, with treasures that dazzled the world. While Tutankhamun’s tomb is rather modest in structure, it was the only tomb discovered fully intact. Other interesting tombs are the tombs of Ramses VI, Seti I and Thutmose III. All of these tombs have bright paintings on the walls and complex structures. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Explore the Temple of Karnak.
The Karnak Temple Complex is one of the largest religious structures ever constructed. Karnak is much more than a single temple; it is a large area which has been built over many generations by many pharaohs. It is amazing to walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, surrounded by large columns.
Karnak was primarily a site dedicated to the god Amun-Ra. Its size and scale reflect the importance of this god for people in ancient Egyptian religion. You should visit the sacred lake, the giant scarab statue (and make a wish), and the Avenue of Sphinxes that connected Karnak to the Luxor Temple. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Admire the sunset at the Luxor Temple.
Unlike the majority of ancient temples, the Luxor Temple is located in the middle of the city. However, it is especially magical at night when it is lit up and the ancient columns glow under the night sky.
This temple was built predominantly by Amenhotep III and Ramses II for religious festivals that were of importance. The temple features later additions by Alexander the Great and parts of a Christian church and Islamic mosque show footprints of time. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Take a Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
For once-in-a-lifetime experience, wake up early for a hot air balloon ride over the west bank of Luxor. During your flight, you get to see the magnificent sunrise with the beautifully colored temples and the vast desert and lush green fields along the Nile below.
The ride lasts about 45 minutes to one hour and provides a serene, bird’s-eye view of some of Egypt’s most majestic landmarks. There is no better way to truly appreciate the scale and beauty of the area. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
The Temple of Hatshepsut rises dramatically against the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. It is one of the most unusual temples in Egypt. The Temple of Hatshepsut was built by Queen Hatshepsut, one of the few female pharaohs, the construction of this temple is impressive and elegant accomplishes the unique terraced architecture.
The temple depicts her divine birth, her expeditions to Punt, and her rule as king; it is an amazing place for photographs, especially in the early morning light. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
See the Colossi of Memnon
Visiting the Valley of the Kings, you will pass a pair of gigantic statues of Amenhotep III, known as the Colossi statues of Memnon (sitting a little less than 20km away on the west bank of the Nile). Although most of the temple located behind the statues is long gone, they stand as guardians of an ancient, long-lost colonnade.
They are free to get into and make for a very nice speedy stop, especially if you are on tours in the west bank. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Visit the Valley of the Queens
The Valley of the Queens is not as oft-visited as the Valley of the Kings, but it still has some absolutely beautiful tombs, and has the tomb of Queen Nefertari (Ramses II’s wife), which is simply beautiful. The colours of the painted interior of her tomb are remarkably preserved and represent the craftsmanship of the funerary beliefs of High Ancient Egyptian civilization.
Nefertari’s tomb is a limited entrance that requires special ticket, but every second is worth it. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Wander in Luxor Museum
If you’re looking for a peaceful, contained break from the outdoor monuments, then Luxor museum is a little gem that you can find. They have some of the finer objects found around Luxor, such as statues, jewelry, and Tutankhamun relics.
Unlike the crowded Egyptian Museum, this museum is bright, new, and easy to browse. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Crossing the Nile by Felucca
A sunset boat ride on a traditional felucca is one of the simplest pleasures of Luxor. These sailboats moved with ease and silently across the Nile, allowing you to look around the riverbank, shading palms, and golden horizon. Also, this is a nice leisurely way to transition from the east bank to the west bank or vice versa.
Some feluccas will provide a short tour with tea and cookies, while others can be rented for private use to enjoy the calm, romantic mood of a felucca ride on the Nile. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
Discovering Local Life and Local Markets
Luxor is more than historical monuments. Visit the souks and local markets to sample spices, scarves, perfumes, alabaster carvings and souvenirs. Walk the village streets of the west bank, where farmers cultivate their land using ancient methods and children wave from courtyards.
You will find small cafes with local tea, and street vendors with still-warm bread or fresh fruit. It’s moments like these that make your visit rich. Check our day tours offers in Luxor!
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