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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Egypt · North Africa · History

Luxor

The world’s greatest open-air museum: temples, tombs and the Valley of the Kings.

Best timeOct to Apr
Ideal stay2 to 3 nights
GatewayLuxor (LXR)
Month by month
  1. JAnuary (good)
  2. FEbruary (good)
  3. MArch (good)
  4. APril (good)
  5. MAy
  6. JUne
  7. JUly
  8. AUgust
  9. SEptember
  10. OCtober (good)
  11. NOvember (good)
  12. DEcember (good)

Travel advice: some regions are off-limits. Check your government’s advice for the exact areas before you book.

Ancient Thebes has Karnak and Luxor temples on the east bank and the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple and the Colossi of Memnon on the west. Many Nile cruises start or end here.

Highlights

  • Karnak Temple
  • Valley of the Kings
  • Temple of Hatshepsut
  • Sunrise balloon flight

Where to stay

Hotels on both banks; west bank guesthouses are quieter.

Getting there

Fly from Cairo, take the sleeper train, or arrive by Nile cruise from Aswan.

Tips

  • Buy the extra tickets for special tombs on the day.
  • Start very early in summer.
  • Three to four nights on a Nile cruise from Aswan is a classic way to arrive.

Best time to visit

Oct to Apr. See where to go in Africa in October and our guide to the best time to visit Africa.

Travel advice: Parts of the country are off-limits under most government travel advice. Check your government’s advice before booking.

Plan your stay

Hotels on Booking.com Tours on GetYourGuide Tours on Viator

These searches open on the booking sites. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Always check reviews and the operator’s licence.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Luxor?

Oct to Apr. Buy the extra tickets for special tombs on the day.

How long should I spend at Luxor?

2 to 3 nights.

How do I get to Luxor?

Fly from Cairo, take the sleeper train, or arrive by Nile cruise from Aswan.

Have you been to Luxor?

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