15 Dec Luxor
Welcome to Luxor
One of the most charming cities in Egypt is Luxor. The entire city is a sprawling open-air museum filled with breathtaking Egyptian palaces and ruins, earning it the nickname “City of Palaces.” Unique tourist destinations, including the Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, and Karnak Temple, are dispersed throughout the desert, dividing the city into the West and the East Bank.
When planning your trip to Luxor, you must know that the destination’s weather will be pretty hot during the day, although the nights can get quite cool. Also, be mindful that Egypt is a conservative nation; thus, locals value respectful attire. Long pants & long sleeve shirts are suggested, as are closed-toed footwear. Women should cover their hair when entering local religious buildings, especially mosques, and refrain from donning shoulder-bearing clothing. A simple, lightweight shawl which can carry easily can be used when necessary. Click here for suggestions on the conservative dressing.
How To Get There
Air: Luxor International Airport, is 3.7 miles from the city’s centre, and the average cost by taxi to the centre will cost about E£50.
Train: An affordable option to travel between the major Egyptian cities is by train, which runs between Ramses Station in Cairo and Luxor. Click here for train options.
Car: Route 75M crosses the Suez Canal from Sinai to Sharm El Sheikh, connecting it to Luxor and surrounding areas of Egypt.
Arrange a Tour
The most convenient and stress free option is to arrange a guided tour. Click here for options.
Getting Around Luxor
Public Transportation: The city’s cheapest and most popular transportation is the minibus, which usually stops at the train station costing approximately E£0.50.
Taxi: In this city, taxis are abundant. A journey around Luxor will cost you between E£10 and E£20 in a cab.
Car: You may pick up motorcycles and cars from the train station or the airport. Prices range from E£50 to E£200 each day.
Places Of Interest
Luxor Temple
Located by the East Bank of the Nile River, symbolises dedication to the rejuvenation of kingship, unlike other temples, which traditionally were built in adoration to a God or a God figure of the Kings and Pharaohs. Although no specific god or pharaoh was honoured in this Temple, Luxor Temple was the site of numerous pharaohs’ coronations.
The primary purpose of Luxor Temple was used during the annual Opet festivals; here you can witness the celebrations that were held, depicted on the surrounding walls. Inside the temple, is a mosque (Abu Al-Haggag) built on the remains of a church, and chapels built by King Thutmosis III and Alexander the Great.
Avenue of the Sphinxes
The Avenue of the Sphinxes is an ancient road that connects the temples of Karnak and Luxor in Egypt. The road is lined with sphinxes, which are mythical creatures with the body of a lion and the head of a human or animal. Originally, the avenue was lined with hundreds of sphinxes on both sides, but today only a few dozen remain. The sphinxes are thought to date back to the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, around 1400 BCE, and were added by several pharaohs over the years. The avenue was used for processions and other important ceremonies, and it remains an important historical and cultural landmark in modern-day Luxor.
Karnak Temple
Only a ten-minute drive from the Luxor temple lies the stunning Karnak temple and an open-air museum, a must-visit in Egypt. This temple is one of the world’s most religiously significant temple complexes, dating back as far as 2,000 BCE. Its most striking feature is the enormous columns in the Great Hyposte Hall of the Karnak Temple. You will be mesmerised by the giant columns with unique carvings adorned with vibrant colours. Admire the tallest obelisk still in Egypt. The Karnak obelisk of Hatshepsut is carved out of one single 343-tonne piece of pink granite and stands 28 meters tall!
Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Kings is famous for Egyptian pharaohs like Tutankhamun, Ramses VI, and Seti I. More than 60 magnificent tombs exist there, with eleven tombs open to the public. Electric passenger carts are available for a small fee to reach the tombs. We highly recommend hiring a good guide to learn more about the history of the great tombs.
Valley of the Queens
Although it is less well-known than the Valley of the Kings, you should still include it on your itinerary. Known then as Ta-Set-Neferu, meaning “the place of beauty”, it was most famous for being the burial site of many wives of Pharaohs in ancient times. The Pharaohs were laid to rest in the Valley of the Kings. One of the most stunning tombs you should visit is the one belonging to Queen Nefertari. There is an additional cost of 1400 EGP to enter the tomb of Queen Nefertari, with a limited stay of ten minutes.
Colossi of Memnon
Heading to Luxor’s West Bank, pause at the two imposing stone sculptures of Amenhotep III. Colossi of Memnon are two gigantic monumental stone statues dating back from the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt.
Medinet Habu Temple
Visit the Medinet Habu Temple, built in honour of Ramesses III. Spend one to two hours touring the Medinet Habu Temple complex to observe the fantastic hieroglyphics and legends on the walls.
The Medinet Habu Temple entrance charges are 100 EGP. The opening hours for the Ramesses III Mortuary Temple are 6 AM to 5 PM.
Hot Air Ballooning
Discover this charming city on an adventurous hot air balloon ride to witness outstanding views of the Theban Necropolis.
Where To Stay
Luxury Hotels
Located near the Luxor Temple, the Sofitel Winter Palace is a magnificent specimen of Victorian architecture.
Mid-Range Hotels
This 4-star accommodation overseas in the Theben Hills is close to Luxor Temple. It has a heated pool that floats on the Nile.
Budget Hotels
The Colossi of Memnon are only 1148 feet away from the New Memnon Hotel. The rooms’ vintage design and views of hot air balloons will win your heart.
Where To Eat
Sofra: This incredibly authentic Egyptian restaurant has three private dining rooms and a gorgeous rooftop terrace. The interior is elaborately furnished with furniture, chandeliers & traditional Egyptian ornaments, making you feel like you are going back in time. A sizable menu includes stuffed duck and pigeon, salads, dips, and incredible mezze combos.
El Kababgy: You will get the most incredible authentic Egyptian meals here. While taking in the stunning view of the Nile and the West Bank of destination, taste delectable traditional delicacies like Mashi, numerous tagines, grill specialities like Kebab, Shish Tawook, and Kofta, as well as Hammam, Mesaka’a, Fatta, and Feteer.
Pizza Roma-It: Luxor’s most well-known Italian restaurant is run by an Italian woman and her Egyptian husband, giving it a distinctly authentic feel. The small restaurant, painted in vibrant and lively shades, serves an extensive and varied menu that includes many different types of pasta, pizza, traditional Italian meat dishes, tasty salads, desserts, ice cream, and various cold drinks.
1886 Restaurant: One of the excellent dining establishments in the Sofitel Hotel in Luxor, Egypt, is the 1886 Restaurant. It offers certain Egyptian delicacies as well as French and Mediterranean food. You enjoy dinner in an opulent ballroom while being served by waiters who wear white gloves. Enjoy a candlelight dinner while romantic acoustic music plays in the background.
Final Thoughts
Luxor the city of the earliest ruins, temples, and natural beauty, offers various experiences that will undoubtedly make you fall in love with this destination. Enjoy an abundance of top places to explore in this city that welcomes Globetrotters worldwide, for a real authentic Egyptian experience.
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