EG · Luxor Governorate · 25.70°N 32.64°E

luxor

Painted royal tombs and huge temple columns on both banks of the Nile.

Best time
November–March is best for long days at the monuments. April and October are hot but workable; June–August is extremely hot, with little shade at the tombs.
How long
3 days
Getting there
Fly with one stop to Cairo, usually via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul, about 13–16 hours all in, then about 1 hour on to Luxor. There's also an overnight sleeper train from Cairo, and Nile cruises of 3–4 nights run between Luxor and Aswan.
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EG · Luxor Governorateluxor25.70°N 32.64°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Painted royal tombs and huge temple columns on both banks of the Nile.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingLuxorEG, Luxor Governorate
KLluxor
≈ 7,760 km from KL, as the crow flies
Karnak temple complex

Photo: Hamerani · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Luxor is ancient Thebes, with the town and its great temples on the east bank and the royal tombs in the hills on the west. It rewards a few slow days, from painted tomb ceilings to temple columns far bigger than they look in photos.

Makan

  1. Ful medamesSlow-cooked fava beans with oil, cumin and bread, the standard breakfast.Map ↗
  2. KoftaGrilled minced-meat skewers with flatbread, tahini and salad.Map ↗
  3. FeteerFlaky layered pastry, savoury with cheese or sweet with honey.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. KarnakA forest of 134 giant columns in the Hypostyle Hall, in a temple complex built up over 2,000 years.Map ↗
  2. Valley of the KingsRock-cut royal tombs painted with scenes of the pharaohs' journey through the underworld.Map ↗
  3. Temple of HatshepsutThe female pharaoh's terraced temple, set against a sheer limestone cliff.Map ↗
  4. Luxor TempleRight in town, and at its best after dark when the columns are lit.Map ↗
  5. Sunrise balloonsDozens of hot-air balloons lift off over the west bank at dawn.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Do the west-bank tombs first thing and save the hottest hours for a pool, lunch or the Luxor Museum.
  • The Valley of the Kings ticket covers three tombs; Tutankhamun's and Seti I's are extra.
  • Food is halal as standard across Egypt.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.