# Things to do in Luxor: top sights and where to go

> Luxor is ancient Thebes on both banks of the Nile: Luxor Temple and Karnak stand in town on the East Bank, joined by the Avenue of Sphinxes, while the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon lie 15–20 minutes by taxi from the West Bank ferry. Give the East Bank one day and the West Bank another, starting early before the heat.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Luxor: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/in-1-day.md): Luxor Temple on the Nile, the Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut's terraced temple and the pharaohs' tombs in the Valley of the Kings — in order, with the ferry.
- [2 days in Luxor: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/in-2-days.md): The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, the Ramesseum, the Colossi and Medinet Habu first; then Luxor Temple, the museum, the Avenue of Sphinxes and Karnak.

## All 10 places with the YesGo score

- [Luxor Temple](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/luxor-temple.md): YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · EGP 500, students EGP 250. Luxor Temple is the riverside temple of Amun in the centre of Luxor, begun around 1400 BC by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramesses II…
- [Karnak Temple](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/karnak-temple.md): YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · EGP 600, students EGP 300. Karnak is the vast temple city of Amun-Re, 2.5 km north of central Luxor on the Nile's East Bank, built and rebuilt over 1,500 years…
- [Colossi of Memnon](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/colossi-of-memnon.md): YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free, no ticket. The Colossi of Memnon are two seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, about 18 m tall, beside the main road on Luxor's West Bank — all…
- [Valley of the Kings](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/valley-of-the-kings.md): YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · EGP 750, Tutankhamun extra. The Valley of the Kings is the New Kingdom royal burial ground on Luxor's West Bank, with more than 60 rock-cut tombs. A foreign adult…
- [Temple of Hatshepsut](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/hatshepsut-temple.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · EGP 440, students EGP 220. The Temple of Hatshepsut is the terraced mortuary temple of Egypt's female pharaoh, built in the 15th century BC at Deir el-Bahari on…
- [Avenue of Sphinxes](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/avenue-of-sphinxes.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free to view (unofficial). The Avenue of Sphinxes is a 2.7 km ancient processional road from Luxor Temple to Karnak, lined with sphinxes and ram-headed statues…
- [Ramesseum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/ramesseum.md): YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · EGP 220, students EGP 110. The Ramesseum is Ramesses II's mortuary temple on Luxor's West Bank, home to the toppled granite colossus linked to Shelley's…
- [Luxor Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/luxor-museum.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · EGP 400, students EGP 200. The Luxor Museum is a compact museum of ancient Egyptian art on the Corniche, 1 km north of Luxor Temple: the mummies of Ahmose I and…
- [Medinet Habu](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/medinet-habu.md): YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · EGP 220, students EGP 110. Medinet Habu is the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramesses III on Luxor's West Bank: a fortress-style gate, the Sea Peoples battle reliefs…
- [Valley of the Queens](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/valley-of-the-queens.md): YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · EGP 220, Nefertari closed. The Valley of the Queens is the burial ground of pharaohs' wives and children on Luxor's West Bank. Foreign adults pay EGP 220, students…

## Luxor travel guide

Before you go: Karnak and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut, the two banks of the Nile, dawn balloons, weather.

## Trip essentials

- How many days: 2 days: east bank and west bank
- When to go: October–April: ≈ 23–35° by day
- Visa: Depends on your passport — e-visa or on arrival
- Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP); cards at ticket offices
- Airport: Luxor (LXR) ≈ 6 km from the centre
- From Hurghada: ≈ 280 km, ≈ 4 h by road
- Two banks: East — temples; west — tombs
- Crossing the Nile: Ferry, boat or bridge ≈ 20 min
- Balloons: Sunrise flights over the west bank
- Time zone: UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer

## Key facts

- **1979** — Ancient Thebes with its necropolis joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 87)
- **≈ 2.7 km** — length of the Avenue of Sphinxes between Karnak and Luxor Temple (source: Wikipedia, “Avenue of Sphinxes”)
- **≈ 2,000 years** — Karnak grew as pharaohs added halls and pylons over centuries (source: Wikipedia, “Karnak”)
- **1922** — Tutankhamun’s tomb was found in the Valley of the Kings (source: Wikipedia, “Tomb of Tutankhamun”)

## Things to do in Luxor

The top things to do in Luxor: on the east bank, Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Avenue of Sphinxes between them and the Luxor Museum. On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the Ramesseum, Medinet Habu and the Valley of the Queens. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.

| Where | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **East bank** | [Karnak](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/karnak-temple), [Luxor Temple](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/luxor-temple) | ½ day |
| **East bank** | [Sphinxes](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/avenue-of-sphinxes), [museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/luxor-museum) | 2 h |
| **West bank** | [Valley of the Kings](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/valley-of-the-kings), [Hatshepsut](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/hatshepsut-temple) | ½ day |
| **West bank** | [Colossi](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/colossi-of-memnon), [Ramesseum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/ramesseum) | 1.5 h |
| **West bank** | [Medinet Habu](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/medinet-habu), [Queens](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/valley-of-the-queens) | 2 h |

Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order.

## Where to stay in Luxor

For a first time in Luxor, stay on the east bank by the Nile Corniche, near Luxor Temple, cafés and the station. The west bank has quiet guesthouses among the fields, closer to the tombs and balloon launches. Many visitors sleep on Nile cruise boats.

| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **East bank** | First visit, cafés, temples | Busy along the Corniche |
| **West bank** | Quiet, near the tombs | Few restaurants |
| **Nile cruise boat** | Luxor–Aswan cruise | Fixed schedule |

## Getting to Luxor

Luxor airport (LXR) is ≈ 6 km from the centre and about 45 minutes from the Valley of the Kings. Many visitors arrive by road from Hurghada (≈ 4 hours), by plane or sleeper train from Cairo, or on a Nile cruise from Aswan.

| From | How | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Luxor airport** | Taxi or transfer | ≈ 15–20 min |
| **[Hurghada](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada)** | Bus, car or tour | ≈ 4 h |
| **[Cairo](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo)** | Flight / sleeper train | ≈ 1 h / ≈ 10 h |
| **Aswan** | Nile cruise | 3–4 days |

## Luxor weather by month

The best time to visit Luxor is October to April: ≈ 23–35 °C by day with cool nights. From May to September it is about 40 °C — see tombs and temples at opening time and take shelter by noon. It almost never rains.

- **January in Luxor** (best time): day ≈ 23°C, night ≈ 6°C, rainy days: 0. About 23°, ≈ 6° at night — bring a jacket.
- **February in Luxor** (best time): day ≈ 25°C, night ≈ 7°C, rainy days: 0. About 25° — the best time.
- **March in Luxor** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 11°C, rainy days: 0. About 29°, warm.
- **April in Luxor**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 16°C, rainy days: 0. About 35°, hotter.
- **May in Luxor**: day ≈ 39°C, night ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 0. About 39°; start early.
- **June in Luxor**: day ≈ 41°C, night ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 0. Heat ≈ 41°.
- **July in Luxor**: day ≈ 41°C, night ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 0. Heat; early mornings only.
- **August in Luxor**: day ≈ 41°C, night ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 0. Heat ≈ 41°.
- **September in Luxor**: day ≈ 38°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 0. About 38°.
- **October in Luxor**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 0. About 35°, the season begins.
- **November in Luxor** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 12°C, rainy days: 0. About 29° — excellent.
- **December in Luxor** (best time): day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 8°C, rainy days: 0. About 24°, crisp nights.

## Hot air balloons in Luxor

Hot air balloons in Luxor rise at sunrise over the west bank, above Hatshepsut’s temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the fields and the Nile. The flight lasts about an hour, with a hotel pickup before dawn. Flights are cancelled in strong wind.

- **When** — all year at dawn; October to April is best.
- **How long** — about an hour aloft, ≈ 3–4 hours in total.
- **Tips** — book a licensed operator; age limits apply for children.

## Things to do in Luxor beyond temples

Things to do in Luxor other than temples: a felucca sail on the Nile at sunset, a bike ride through west-bank villages, the souk behind Luxor Temple, and the evening light at Karnak and Luxor Temple.

- **Felucca at sunset** — an hour on the Nile from the Corniche.
- **West-bank cycling** — sugar-cane fields and mud-brick villages.
- **Luxor Temple at night** — floodlit after dark.
- **Souk** — spices, scarves and alabaster behind the temple.

## Luxor ticket prices

The Colossi of Memnon and the Avenue of Sphinxes from outside are free. You pay for Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun’s tomb is a separate ticket), Hatshepsut’s temple, the Ramesseum, Medinet Habu and the museum.

- [Luxor Temple](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/luxor-temple) — EGP 500, students EGP 250
- [Karnak Temple](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/karnak-temple) — EGP 600, students EGP 300
- [Colossi of Memnon](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/colossi-of-memnon) — Free, no ticket
- [Valley of the Kings](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/valley-of-the-kings) — EGP 750, Tutankhamun extra
- [Temple of Hatshepsut](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/hatshepsut-temple) — EGP 440, students EGP 220
- [Avenue of Sphinxes](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/avenue-of-sphinxes) — Free to view (unofficial)
- [Ramesseum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/ramesseum) — EGP 220, students EGP 110
- [Luxor Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/luxor-museum) — EGP 400, students EGP 200
- [Medinet Habu](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/medinet-habu) — EGP 220, students EGP 110
- [Valley of the Queens](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/valley-of-the-queens) — EGP 220, Nefertari closed

## Tips

- Reach the Valley of the Kings at opening — by noon it is hot and crowded.
- Luxor Temple is lovely floodlit: arrive around sunset.
- A standard Valley of the Kings ticket covers three tombs; Tutankhamun and Seti I cost extra.

## Questions

### Is Luxor worth visiting?

Absolutely — Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple make Luxor the richest ancient site in Egypt.

### How many days do you need in Luxor?

Two days: one for the east bank temples, one for the west bank tombs, plus a dawn balloon flight if you like.

### What to do in Luxor in one day?

The west bank in the morning — the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi — Karnak in the afternoon and Luxor Temple after dark.

### Can I do a day trip from Hurghada to Luxor?

Yes, about 4 hours each way by road; tours leave before dawn.

### Do I need a visa for Luxor?

It depends on your passport: many nationalities can get an Egyptian e-visa or a visa on arrival. A Sinai-only stamp is not valid for Luxor. Check the rules for your passport.

### What is the weather like in Luxor in December?

About 24 °C by day and 8 °C at night — pleasant in the sun, chilly after dark.

### When is the best time to visit Luxor and Aswan?

October to April, when days are warm rather than scorching; Nile cruises run all year.

### How many tombs can you see in the Valley of the Kings?

A standard ticket covers three open tombs of your choice; Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramesses VI need extra tickets.

### Is a hot air balloon in Luxor worth it?

Yes, if you are fine with heights: at sunrise you see the whole west bank, its temples and the Nile. Choose a licensed operator.

### What day trips can I take from Luxor?

The Dendera temple to the north, Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way to Aswan, and Abu Simbel via Aswan.

## Sources

- UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 87 (Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis)
- Wikipedia, “Luxor”; “Karnak”; “Avenue of Sphinxes”; “Tomb of Tutankhamun”; Luxor climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — tickets

Facts checked: 09.11.2026

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