Best Things to Do in Luxor
From the Valley of the Kings to a sunrise balloon flight, here are the experiences that make Luxor the world's greatest open-air museum.
Luxor sits on the site of ancient Thebes, and nowhere else in Egypt packs so many world-class monuments into such a small area. You can stand in a pharaoh's tomb before breakfast and watch a temple light up at night, all within a few kilometers of the Nile.
1. Descend into the Valley of the Kings
The royal necropolis is the highlight for most visitors. Standard tickets cover three tombs, and it is worth paying extra for a special tomb like Seti I. Go early to enjoy the cool, quiet corridors before the crowds arrive.
2. Walk through Karnak Temple
Karnak is the largest religious complex ever built. The Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 towering columns, is one of the most awe-inspiring spaces on earth. Pair it with Luxor Temple for the full East Bank story.
3. Fly over the West Bank at sunrise
A hot air balloon at dawn is the best way to grasp the scale of ancient Thebes. You drift over green fields, mortuary temples and the desert edge of the tombs as the sun comes up.
4. See Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon
The terraced temple of Hatshepsut is one of Egypt's most striking buildings, and the nearby Colossi of Memnon make an easy, memorable stop on any West Bank tour.
How to see it all
With one full day you can cover both banks on a private tour. With two or more days you can add the Valley of the Queens, Dendera and Abydos, or begin a Nile cruise toward Aswan.
Tours mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked
Two full days lets you see the headline sites without rushing. One day is enough for the essentials on a private tour.
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