Best Things to Do in Luxor

It’s that time of the year again when the weather is just perfect to start planning your trip to Luxor. But if you don’t know what to do there, don’t worry; we’re here to help you. We’ve prepared for you a list of the best things to do in Luxor city. 

Things to Do in Luxor

Luxor Sightseeing

As you might have heard, this city is considered the biggest open-air museum in the world.  

You don’t have to search a lot for places to go while you’re on this trip; here are some of Luxor attractions that you don’t want to miss.

Exploring the Temples

When you see one of the many temples found in this city, you will feel like you’ve moved back thousands of years.

And to make this journey through time much easier for you, here are some of the places to visit in Luxor.

Luxor sightseeing

Temple of Karnak Complex

Imagine being in a place that was built in about 2000 years! That’s right; this temple was made by generations of Pharaohs!

Covering over 400,000 square feet–with many temples inside it–the Karnak Complex is definitely a Luxor must see.

Opening Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM

Entry Fees: 200 EGP (13 USD)*

Location: In the East Bank, near the Nile river.

Temple of Luxor

What could be better than getting some cool pictures with the epic statues and carvings in this place? Surely it’s one of the top things to do in Luxor Temple! 

Just make sure to head there early before the crowds, or at night when it’s lit up.

Opening Hours: 6 AM – 9 PM

Entry Fees: 160 EGP (10 USD)*

Location: By the Nile in the East Bank.

Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir al-Bahri)

If you’re looking for Luxor points of interest, then this place is one of them. Engraved in the mountains and raised on three huge terraces connected by ramps, this temple will amaze you with its magnificence.

Opening Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM

Entry Fees: 140 EGP (9 USD)*

Location: In the desert of the West Bank, near the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

Temple of Edfu

This temple is considered one of the best preserved and most important after the Temple of Karnak. Its walls are filled with text that makes you feel like you’re wandering through the pages of an extremely glamorous book!

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM

Entry Fees: 180 EGP (11.5 USD)*

Location: 115 km south of Luxor, in Edfu City.

Visiting the Tombs

The beauty of Luxor isn’t only found in temples; the tombs are also at the top of the places to go to in Luxor. 

Here are some places where you can see how the Pharaohs, the nobles, and even the craftsmen were buried. 

Valley of the Kings 

As you go through the valleys and descend through the tombs, you’ll witness how much thought the Pharaohs had put into life after death. 

The walls of these tombs are filled with artistic drawings and inscriptions that tell the story of their inhabitants.

Opening Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM

Entry Fees: 240 EGP (15 USD)* (This ticket only includes visiting 3 tombs; to visit more tombs there’ll be some extra fees.)

Location: In the desert of the West Bank, near the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Queens.

Valley of the Queens 

As the ancient name (Ta-Set-Neferu) suggests, this valley is truly “a place of beauty,” and surely one of the main tourist attractions in Luxor, Egypt.

Opening Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM

Entry Fees: 100 EGP (6.5 USD)*

Location: In the desert of the West Bank, near the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings.

Visiting the Museums

Now that you’ve seen what the great people of the past built, it’s time to head to some modern buildings to discover more about the lives of these Pharaohs. 

Luxor Museum

If you’d like to see a wide variety of Pharaonic artifacts and masterpieces, then head to this museum; it’s one of the best things to see in Luxor. 

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 3 PM and 4 PM – 10 PM

Entry Fees: 160 EGP (10 USD)*

Location: In the East Bank, by the Nile.

Mummification Museum

Wouldn’t it be cool to see how all these mummies have been preserved over thousands of years? This is exactly what you’ll discover in this museum which explains the art of mummification.

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM

Entry Fees: 100 EGP (6.5 USD)*

Location: In the East Bank, by the Nile.

So if you were running out of time and wondering what to do in Luxor for 3 days, now you know. Sightseeing these places is an experience you’ll never forget.

Watching Karnak Sound and Light Show

When you are in Luxor, you shouldn’t miss the Sound and Light Show; it’s one of the best things to do in Luxor at night.

This mesmerizing show highlights the great achievements of ancient Thebes. As you go through the Karnak Temple, you’ll hear the stories of the Pharaohs while mysterious music plays in the background.

Location: Template of Karnak.

Show times: 7 PM & 8 PM

Duration: About 75 minutes

Entry fees: 300 EGP (19 USD)*

Riding Hot Air Balloons

If you’re staying in Luxor for 24 hours, then riding hot air balloons should be at the top of the things to do in Luxor for one day. 

Because what could possibly be better than rising above the land of Thebes at sunset and watching the ancient monuments from the air?

This trip usually lasts for an hour, as the balloon rises about 500 to 1500 feet above the ground. After you’re done, you’ll find that this is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Location: A representative from the agency usually picks you from the hotel to the balloon, which will then drift peacefully over the left bank of Luxor.

Here are some of the suggested agencies for hot air balloons in Luxor: 

Sindbad Hot Air Balloon

Contact Number: +201005385533

Price: Standard trip: 120 USD – Delux Trip: 150 USD.

HodHod Soliman Hot Air Balloon

Contact Number: +201222222811

Price: 100 USD.

Sunrise Ballooning

Contact Number: +201022494185

Price: 60 USD.

Hot Air Balloon Luxor

Enjoying a Felucca Ride

Sunrise isn’t the only time you can enjoy the beauty of this city; you can also take a felucca ride at sunset.

This ride usually takes about an hour, in which time you can appreciate the scenery while the felucca glides gently through the Nile.  

Location: A representative from the agency will pick you from the hotel to the Nile side where you’ll find a felucca awaiting you. 

Suggested Agencies:

Egypt Crown Tours

Price: 27.52 USD

Contact Number: +201141377145

Get Your Holiday

Price: Starting from 16 USD

Contact Number: +201013292878.

Faluca Luxor

Horseback Riding

Another interesting activity you can enjoy in Luxor is horseback riding. Exploring the city of the Pharaohs from the back of a horse is one of the unique things to do in Luxor. 

Suggested Agencies and Stables:

Nobi Stables

Price: 10 USD

Contact Number: +201005048558

Location: Temple of Medinat Habu

The Adventure Within Egypt

Price: 21 USD

Contact Number: +441691880021

Location: This agency offers to pick you up from the hotel; you’ll be taken to explore the ruler village life in the West Bank on horseback.

Horseback Riding Luxor

Souvenir Shopping

You shouldn’t leave this ancient city without getting some souvenirs for you and your dear ones. There is a variety of cool stuff you can buy from Luxor. 

For example, you can get miniature replicas of the most famous monuments of Egypt, handmade scarves and bags, or some pretty accessories.

Suggested Shops

Ata Bazar

Shop Type: Accessories and replicas

Location:  In front of Luxor Temple

Habiba Gallery

Shop Type: Handmade scarves and bags

Location: Opposite to the exit gate of Luxor Temple

Fair Trade Center

Shop Type: Handwoven textiles and handmade pottery.

Location: Karnak Temple Road

Now that you have a clear idea about how to spend your days in Luxor, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and book that ticket before it gets too hot to go there.

*The price of the USD: January, 3rd, 2021.

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