Perhaps Egypt’s most well-known destination, Luxor was built on the site of ancient Thebes in the southern section of the country. Nicknamed “the world’s greatest open air museum,” Luxor is most famous for its monuments. The area is suffused with temples, tombs, and other historical structures.



Luxor is a fascinating place for couples looking to do more than soak up the rays during a lazy vacation, although there is plenty of sun to go around. It is always very hot in Luxor, since it rarely rains, although the Nile does help to bring down the temperature slightly.

On the East Bank of the Nile, visitors can explore the Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Museum, and the Mummification Museum. The West Bank is home to the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, assorted memorial temples, Deir el-Medina, Tombs of the Nobles, Malkata, and much more.

Luxor is divided into three different areas - the City of Luxor proper, Karnak, and Thebes. The City of Luxor, east of the Nile, features the magnificent Temple of Luxor, built by Amenophis III. The Mummification Museum and the Luxor Museum are also located in the city. The Luxor Museum gives visitors a sense of history and a solid educational background for visiting Luxor’s many monuments and temples. This section of the city is also where the Luxor International Airport is located.

Also on the East Bank, north of the City of Luxor, is Karnak, location of the mesmerizing Temples of Karnak. One of ancient Egypt’s holiest sites, the Temples of Karnak are an exhilarating mixture of pylons, kiosks, obelisks, and sanctuaries. The Temples also supposedly form the largest religious site still existing worldwide. Take a break from the potential temple tedium with an evening musical light show in the Hypostile Hall, located in the Great Temple of Amun.

Ancient Thebes is located to the west of the City of Luxor, and offers many guided tours. These tours usually cover tombs at three major archaelogical sites. The Valley of the Kings, located behind the Theban Hills, is the burial site of some of the most powerful figures in Egyptian history. The nearby Valley of the Queens contains more than 70 tombs. The final tour standby, the Colossi of Memnon, is comprised of two quartzite sandstone statues originally meant to guard King Amenhotep’s memorial temple.

For those interested in the past, Luxor is a prime travel destination. Of course, Luxor is not only a city devoted solely to the pleasures of the dead. After a long day of soaking up the sun-saturated ancient Egyptian architectural wonders, visitors can wash off the sand and desert grit and enjoy a fine meal at one of Luxor’s many luxury hotels and restaurants.

Whether visitors majored in history or simply have a healthy curiosity about the civilization and worship practices of ancient Egypt, Luxor holds fascination for everyone. Visit Luxor for a fascinating journey through ancient Egyptian history.