Why it matters
Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom. On the east bank, where the sun rose and life was lived, the pharaohs built their great temples to Amun.
What to see
- Karnak Temple. Not one temple but a complex developed over about two thousand years. The Hypostyle Hall has 134 enormous columns and is among the most striking rooms in Egypt.
- The Avenue of Sphinxes. A processional route lined with sphinx statues connects Karnak to Luxor Temple. It was restored and reopened to visitors in 2021.
- Luxor Temple. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, it is at its best floodlit after dark, when the colonnades glow.
- The Luxor Museum. A small, beautifully lit museum that is a good introduction to Theban art.
Planning notes
- Karnak is huge. An early start with a good guide is better than wandering alone in midday heat.
- Visit Luxor Temple in the evening for the light and cooler air.
- Many Nile cruises begin or end in Luxor, so build in a day on each side.
How we plan it
We place the East Bank on your first Luxor day so the West Bank, with its tombs, can be saved for the second.