Luxor the ancient Egyptian city
Luxor is a City of Egypt built on the ruins of the city of Waset, which was the capital of the New Empire of ancient Egypt, and the capital of the IV nome of Upper Egypt, and later the Greeks called Thebes (as the Greek city). It is located on the eastern bank of the Nile River, about 200 km north of the first waterfall (Aswan). In 2006, its population was 451,318.
Luxor Egypt one of the most important towns in ancient Egypt. When Homer author of the Iliad he referred to it as “the city of 100 gates”, because of its many temples, which even today make it one of the most monumental cities on the planet.
The city of Luxor is located 670km south of Cairo, in the Nile Valley, only 200km from the first waterfall. The river crosses the city in two parts. As in many areas of Egypt, the climate in Luxor is very hot and dry: in summer it often exceeds 40°C. [ Read more about the best time to visit Egypt ]
Luxor Egypt today
Life in Luxor, Egypt is entirely devoted to tourism, although some inhabitants are also engaged in agriculture. Its main attractions, both on the eastern and western shores, revolve around ancient Egypt. Many consider the city to be “the largest open-air museum in the world“.
Luxor has an international airport.
A recently built bridge, a few kilometers away from the center of Luxor, enables easy communication between both shores, as the river was traditionally crossed by rafts.
A train service operates twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, which can be taken at the station located two kilometers from the temple of Luxor. The destinations are, among others, Cairo and Aswan.
Luxor tombs
On the western bank, which in ancient times was called Thebes West, is the monumental Valley of the Kings, a funeral complex with a total of 62 buildings. It contains the tombs of some of the most famous pharaohs: Tutankhamun, Ramesses IX, Ramesses III, Seti I, Ramesses VI, Horemheb, etc. During his reign, already in the New Empire, began to leave behind the pyramids and bury the dead in tombs dug in stone with different rooms The Valley of the Kings corresponds to this period. The Valley of the queens is also to the southwest of this complex. Although it is less spectacular than the Valley of the Kings, Prince Amenkhepchef, Queen Tiye, and Queen Nefertari, among others, were buried there.
Temples in Luxor
Luxor temple
The temple of Luxor was built during the reigns of Amenhotep III and Ramses II, between 1500 and 1200 BC and remodeled by some later monarchs, such as Tutankhamun. It is dedicated to the god Amon and surprises with its fabulous columns, its great obelisk and the statues of Ramses II. The temple of Luxor was connected to the one of Karnak through a great avenue of three kilometers long flanked by sphinxes. [ check our Luxor tours ]
Karnak temple
Karnak was for centuries the most important religious center in Egypt. Its main temple was dedicated to Amun-Ra, the sun god [ Read more about Egyptian gods ]. It was Intef II, king of the 11th dynasty, who began work on the magnificent temple more than four thousand years ago. During the following centuries, the pharaohs continued to expand and remodel the sanctuary, in which more than 200 structures have been identified. Of all the marvels that the complex holds, the following stand out.
Hatshepsut temple
The Temple of Hatshepsut, located in the Deir el Bahari complex near the Valley of the Kings, is one of Egypt’s most impressive and iconic monuments. It was built to honor Amon-Ra, the sun god, and its walls tell the story of one of Egypt’s few pharaoh queens. To access the temple, set extraordinarily high on the mountain, you must use a path drawn by 12 sphinxes and continue through a ramp to reach a large terrace. At the end of this space are the impressive statues of the queen.
Luxor sightseeing
The Colossi of Memnon
Located on the east bank of Luxor, they are located on the esplanade of what used to be the temple of Amenhotep III. The two giant sculptures, 20 meters high, were carved from a single piece of red quartzite. Formerly they guarded the entrance to the temple, of which there are almost no traces left.
Valley of the kinges
On the west bank of the Nile lies a spectacular necropolis with 63 royal tombs that contain the remains of most of the pharaohs of the New Empire. The tombs are remarkable for the magnificence of their paintings and engravings, which retain an incredible vibrancy. Among the tombs is that of Tutankhamen.
Valley of the Queens
It contains mainly the tombs of the queens and princes of the Egyptian 19th and 20th dynasties. It’s situated near the Valley of the Kings. Its most famous tomb is that of Nefertiti, wife of Ramses II. The beauty of the drawings and the perfect state of conservation of the colors and lines cause a deep impression in all the visitors.
Ramesseum Temple
One of the most alternative things to do in Luxor is to visit some of the temples that nobody visits. Those which, either because of their state of conservation or because they go unnoticed compared to other places in the area
The Museum of Mummification and the Museum of Luxor
If you have already entered the mummification section of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, perhaps entering the Mummification Museum in Luxor is not essential. But I have included it in this list of things to do in Luxor because it is a museum that explains this process very well and there are several mummies on display.
Things to do in Luxor
Balloon ride to fly over Luxor at dawn
If there’s one thing to do in Luxor, it’s this., it’s one of the most incredible activities we’ve ever done in the city. Getting up when it’s still dark, crossing the Nile River by boat and arriving at an area of balloons that are beginning to light up and rise in the sky. [ Book Luxor Balloon tour ]
Walk around Luxor
Why not take a walk around Luxor? It is a city that, especially when the sun goes down, is full of life and activity. Take a walk in the el-souk, the city’s souk. It has a more touristy area and a more local one. It is the perfect place to take refuge from the heat. [ check our Luxor day tours ]
Felucca Tour on the Nile River
Take one of the best tours in Aswan to travel the mythical Nile River onboard a felucca. Get to know the surroundings of banana Island The Luxor Nile Felucca Tour will give you the opportunity to get to know the city in a different way. [ Book felucca tour on the Nile River ]