Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor

Egypt's Modern History

Off-the-beaten-track Cruise + 2 more + 3 more

A delightful introduction to the fascinating events that have shaped Egypt since Biblical times

10 days

from £3,915 pp

Simply Egypt

Express Beach + 2 more + 3 more

Cairo's iconic sights paired with pure Red Sea relaxation.

11 days

from £3,520 pp

Classic Egypt

Classic Express + 3 more + 3 more

Big-name ancient highlights and a classic Nile cruise

8 days

from £2,810 pp

Impressions of the Desert

Off-the-beaten-track Adventure + 1 more + 2 more

Visit one of the Western Desert’s most fascinating oases on a circular itinerary from Cairo.

10 days

from £4,560 pp

Luxor and the Red Sea

Family Beach + 1 more + 2 more

An enticing itinerary that allows for plenty of seaside relaxation in addition to the Nile sightseeing.

8 days

from £2,640 pp

Family-Friendly Egypt

Family Beach + 1 more + 2 more

A journey through Egypt’s best bits, designed for all the family.

12 days

from £3,650 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Egypt

The Temples of Luxor and Karnak

Together, the Temples of Karnak and Luxor form one of the greatest concentrations of ancient monuments anywhere in Egypt, offering a fascinating insight into the scale, ambition and layered history of Ancient Thebes. Karnak, to the north of modern Luxor, is vast. Covering more than two square kilometres, it’s not a single temple but a sprawling complex built up over centuries by successive pharaohs, each leaving their mark. Obelisks, pylons, sanctuaries and courtyards stretch out in every direction, all centred around the great Temple of Amun-Ra. Approaching the site past the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, the sheer scale quickly becomes apparent. One of the standout features is the Great Hypostyle Hall – a forest of 137 colossal columns, richly carved and once brightly painted, designed to evoke a papyrus marsh. Even with a couple of hours here, you’ll only begin to take in the highlights, which also include the Sacred Lake and smaller temples dedicated to Khonsu and Ramesses III. Exploring Karnak with a knowledgeable guide really helps bring order and meaning to its immense scale. Closer to the river and right in the heart of the modern town lies the Temple of Luxor, smaller and more compact, but no less compelling. Originally linked to Karnak by a three-kilometre Avenue of the Sphinxes, parts of which are still visible today, Luxor Temple is easier to navigate and understand, largely because much of it was built during the reign of Amenhotep III. What makes it especially intriguing are the visible layers of history woven into the site. Roman chapels, reliefs and painted stucco sit alongside ancient carvings, while the Mosque of Abu al-Haggag rises directly from the central courtyard, built when the temple lay buried beneath centuries of sand. Statues of Ramesses II guard the entrance, leading through colonnades, courts and sanctuaries decorated with well-preserved reliefs and hieroglyphs. While it’s fascinating by day, Luxor Temple takes on a very different atmosphere after dark, when it’s floodlit against the backdrop of the town. Visited together, the Temples of Luxor and Karnak provide such a powerful introduction to ancient Egypt on a monumental scale, they're both must-sees during your time in Luxor.

Tour of Luxor's West Bank

An incredible array of temples and tombs line Luxor’s West Bank, easily combinable with the Valley of the Kings, we highly recommend heading off on a guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide to really uncover the majesty of this part of Ancient Egypt. While the fabled Valley of the Kings has hogged the West Bank limelight since the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen, there is a vast treasure trove of attractions to discover elsewhere. Arguably, many of these sites are better preserved, more extensive and certainly more accessible than the Valley of the Kings, with at least three of Egypt’s most impressive Pharaonic temples and some legendary iconography. Programmes and exact sites can vary significantly, based on which cruise you take or whether you’re using a Luxor hotel and a private guide to explore. There are more than enough exceptional sites to see to spend at least one full day exploring the area. Among the highlights is the Temple of Hatshepsut, its collonaded terraces set in a natural bowl and spectacularly located against a rugged, timeless backdrop. Two extensive, extravagant mortuary temples are also often included on sightseeing itineraries: the Ramesseum and the Medinat Habu. Dedicated to consecutive Ramesses’ (II & III), these are amongst Egypt’s largest, best preserved and most instructive temple complexes. Then there is the Colossi of Memnon, presiding serenely over sugar cane fields and visited at least for a brief photo stop by virtually all West Bank visitors. With all of these attractions, you can explore some of them independently, but there is much to be gained by the presence of an experienced guide at the major sights.

Temple of Dendera

Situated on the West Bank of the Nile, roughly 60km north of Luxor, Dendera receives far fewer visitors than the fabled pharaonic highlights further south. It is included on some of the longer Nile cruise itineraries or can be visited by land from Luxor; those who make the effort are usually glad they did. The temple complex here is beautifully preserved, its sprawling layout surrounded by a huge mud-brick wall and an attractive ribbon of verdant green countryside, spilling out from the Nile towards the Western Desert.The dominant structure within the walls is the impressive Temple of Hathor, containing an array of treasures including a hypostyle hall, numerous shrines and staircases and some vivid reliefs, including some that portray Cleopatra. Her depictions highlight that this complex was influenced by Rome, and some of the temples and reliefs display clear Roman iconography rather than Ancient Egyptian. With a user-friendly visitors’ centre and a café for much-needed refreshments, this is an extremely pleasant place to spend a few hours, often in conjunction with a trip to Abydos, further north.

Luxor Museum

Centrally located on the Corniche, Luxor Museum is highly recommended for those looking to contextualise all they’ve seen during time exploring Luxor. Smaller, more modern and far less chaotic than its Cairo equivalent, the museum is a pleasant space in itself, particularly as much of the sightseeing in Luxor is conducted outdoors in searing heat. Many of the treasures that were removed in excavations, both of the West Bank tombs and the great East Bank temples, are on display here, including some artefacts from the Tomb of Tutankhamen. Although deliberately limited in volume to make exploration of the museum a manageable, hassle free experience, there is great variety on show. Over the two floors of exhibits, visitors can see colourful wall reliefs, enigmatic statues, ancient sandstone blocks and rather grizzly royal mummies. Sympathetically lit, labelled and spaced out, the museum is an essential stop during free time on Luxor’s East Bank.

Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor

A hot air balloon ride is one of the most memorable ways to experience Luxor. Taking off just after sunrise, you’ll drift quietly above the Nile and the patchwork of fields, villages and ancient monuments below, with the early morning light casting a special kind of majesty over the landscapes. From the air, you’ll see famous sites such as the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple and the surrounding desert cliffs, all from a completely different perspective. The flight will be smooth and unhurried, offering plenty of time to take in the views before returning to the ground for the rest of your day’s sightseeing. It’s an early start, but a rewarding one and more than worth it, you’d struggle to find a better start to your day in Luxor.