Things to See & Do in Luxor, Egypt

Luxor is the very definition of an archeological treasure with temples and royal tombs that made history and placed this ancient capital on the map centuries ago. Cairo may be synonymous with the Pyramids of Giza, but Luxor is where Howard Carter once discovered Tutankhamun and his burial chamber, and where many Pharaohs were laid to rest in the Valley of the Kings.

The City of a Hundred Gates has plenty to offer from breathtaking views of the Nile to ancient statues that tower over burial sites like guardians who never sleep. The following list will help you make the most out of your visit to Luxor, Egypt, and hopefully, cross a few places off your Egypt bucket list.

1. Colossi of Memnon

Waking up early will help you avoid long lines and crowded tombs. It also means that you get to spend time admiring the giant statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III before tourists begin to flock to the area to take pictures in front of these West Bank giants.

The statues once belonged to an impressive mortuary temple that was designed with the Nile in mind. However, the river ended up flooding the temple, leaving it in ruins. The Colossi of Memnon are known as El Collosat or El Salamat by the locals.

There’s no admission fee to enter the area, so it’s a really good free thing to do in Luxor!

Location: The statues are hard to miss and are located on the West Bank, half a kilometer east of the ticketing office that belongs to the Antiquities Inspectorate.

2. Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

This great monument was built in honor of Ancient Egyptian gods who you’ll find immortalized in paintings and reliefs that adorn the walls of this impeccably designed temple. It also showcases the life of Queen Hatshepsut herself whose reign was described as prosperous and peaceful.

The Queen turned Pharaoh had many achievements that were carved into the walls and pillars of her temple. Since Queen Hatshepsut admired the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, she had hers built using the same model, but at a grander scale. It is said that apart from Rameses II, no other Egyptian ruler erected monuments as impressive as Queen Hatshepsut did.

Hatshepsut was the first female ruler of ancient Egypt, but her legacy and name were once desecrated and buried by her stepson Thutmose III. Luckily, they were discovered again by modern excavations and scholars who were able to put the pieces back together and breathe life into her memory.

Opening Hours: 6 am – 5 pm

Location: Kings Valley Road – entrance to Valley of the Kings

3. Valley of the Kings

Home to 63 royal tombs, this incomparable valley gives storytelling a new meaning with ancient colored reliefs that speak volumes about the Pharaohs who once ruled Luxor. The Valley was chosen by the New Kingdom Pharaohs as their final resting place due to its location and proximity to the Nile River.

The underground tombs were designed with the afterlife in mind and so they were stocked with food and wine as well as sacred objects and mummified animals that were meant to accompany the Pharaoh on his journey. Nowadays, visitors are allowed access to 18 tombs that showcase the wealth, status, and symbolism that once belonged to these ancient rulers.

The tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramesses VI are a must-visit, especially the tomb of Tut since it was recently renovated and boasts fully painted walls depicting scenes from the underworld. The tomb still contains the mummy of Tut, but keep in mind that cameras are not allowed here or in the tomb of Seti the First, so you will be unable to commemorate this occasion by taking pictures inside the chamber.

However, you can purchase a photo permit for 300 LE in order to capture the history and magic of the other tombs.

The cost of admission to different tombs usually costs around 200 to 250 LE per person, depending on the currency variations with the dollar. Students and of course get discounts on showing a valid ID. But the tickets to the special tombs are sold separately.

Ticket to visit Tutankhamun costs 300 LE.
Ticket to visit Seti The First costs 1000 LE.
Ticket to visit Rameses V and Rameses VI costs about 100 LE.

Of course, if you took advantage of the Luxor Pass, you can enter Valley of the King tombs as well as museums and archaeological sites by simply paying USD 100 or Eur 90. Paying USD 200 or Eur 180 also gives you entry to see King Tut here and Queen Nefertari over in the Valley of the Queens.

Opening Hours: 6 am – 5 pm. The last ticket is sold at 4 pm

Location: The Valley is located on the West Bank not too far from the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. However, to avoid the steep walk and the scorching sun during summer, you can hire a taxi from the temple parking lot to take you straight to the Valley of the Kings.

Or you could join one of these group tours with a knowledgeable guide enlightening you as you walk through the tombs.

4. Valley Of The Queens

During the reign of Ramses I, the Valley of Queens, also known as the place of beauty, was constructed for separate burials of Queens. The main valley has approx. 91 magnificent tombs with the highlight of Nefertari’s tomb, wife of Pharaoh Ramses II.

It’s glamorously decorated with paintings of Nefertari in the company of Gods and the ceiling painted with gold stars and is the most beautiful tomb in all of Egypt.

Entrance to the Valley of the Queens usually costs around 35 LE, while Nefertari’s tomb costs a separate 100 LE.

Opening Hours: 6 am – 5 pm. The last ticket is sold at 4 pm

Location: On the West Bank of the Nile close to the Valley of the Kings

You could take a taxi over or you could join a group tour that will transport you to all of the places. Sometimes the group tour won’t include entrance fees to sites, but with the money you save on taxis, it’s well worth it!

5. Luxor Temple

The Temple of Luxor is yet another impressive monument that once belonged to the New Kingdom Pharaohs who wanted to leave a lasting impression on the world. The Temple is one of many reasons why Luxor is called an open-air museum and why this city has captured the hearts and minds of visitors over the years.

Several Pharaohs including Ramses II and Amenophis III have left their mark on the walls and colonnades of this remarkable temple. The Avenue of the Sphinxes alone is worth the visit.

Luxor Temple was renowned for being the temple where the ancient kings of Egypt were coronated thus being glamorously built to fit such an important occasion. This happened during the Opet Festival where bread and beer were distributed and the Pharaoh underwent a ritual that transformed him into a god.

There are many attractions within the temple including the Great Court of Ramses II and the Colonnade of Amenhotep III. The Colonnade was supposed to become the new processional entrance during the rule of this Pharaoh but he died before its completion.

The temple looks especially beautiful at night. Make sure to stop by to admire the lit-up columns and illuminated sphinxes.

Opening Hours: 6 am – 9 pm

Location: Luxor Temple is located in Corniche Al Nil right across the road from the Nile River. This is considered the East Bank or city center and can be reached by a public ferry boat that docks close to the ticket gate. Ferry boat prices are 5 LE per person.

6. Luxor Museum

The museum boasts a large collection of New and Old Kingdom statues and artifacts under one roof. You will find temple remains that once belonged to Akhenaton who introduced a new god called Aton to the ancient Egyptians and built many temples in his honor.

Black granite statues of Amenhotep III are also on display in addition to wooden dolls called ushabti. These figurines were placed in the tombs of Pharaohs and were believed to play the role of servants for the dead kings in the afterlife.

The museum features pottery dishes and two royal mummies on display in a special dark wing. On your way to the exit, you will encounter a small hall showcasing stone sculptures that were unearthed from the Luxor Temple.

Admission Fee: 160 LE per person and 50 LE for the photo permit

Opening Hours: 9 am – 2 pm and 5 – 9 pm

Location: Corniche Al Nil – 20-minute walk from Luxor Temple – East Bank

7. Medinet Habu

Medinet Habu was once a fully functioning administrative center and home to the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III who warded off enemies and took part in three great wars in order to protect his kingdom. Built out of sandstone, this ancient site witnessed many festivals in honor of the god Amun and shielded the locals from Libyan invasions during the 20th-century dynasty as well.

The site houses a sacred lake and a battle relief that is a must-see. This Ramses III relief is well preserved and can be found on the northern outer walls of Medinet Habu.

Admission Fee: 60 LE per adult

Opening Hours: 6 am – 5 pm

Location: Madinet Habu is located in the West Bank and is a 13-minute walk from the Colossi of Memnon. You can save time and rent a bike from Mohammed Setohe Bike Rental which provides well-serviced bikes at a reasonable price. You can rent a bike for the whole day for just 25 LE.

8. Karnak Temple Complex

Surprisingly, the most visited spot in Egypt isn’t the pyramids. It’s Karnak in Luxor, considered the largest open-air museum in the world. The Temple Complex at Karnak is a sight to behold. It took more than 1300 years to build and expand the complex that witnessed many generations of builders and pharaohs who left behind an immortal legacy.

The temples were built in honor of three ancient Egyptian gods and cover an area of around 200 acres. The complex was once called ‘The Most Sacred of Places’, and for good reason. The three main temples of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu are great examples of New Kingdom architecture.

The Karnak complex was once sacked by Persian and Assyrian armies but it managed to survive wars and natural disasters. Early birds can soak up the history and spirit of the place before the flood of tour buses arrives.

While admissions to the complex cost 120 LE, the largest part of the complex – the precinct of Amun-Re is the only one open to the public.

Opening Hours: 6 am – 6 pm

Location: The complex is in the East Bank overlooking the Nile. It is a 20-minute walk or a short bike ride away from Luxor Museum.

9. Sound and Light Show at Karnak

Your trip is not complete without experiencing the sound and light show at Karnak. The show is a storytelling of the history of Thebes before it became Luxor