Egypt travel guide

What to see in Luxor

Ancient Thebes: Karnak and Luxor Temple on the east bank, and on the west the tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Hatshepsut.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

4 must-see places
Best time: April and from October to January
Stay in East Bank

Photo: Marc Ryckaert · CC BY 3.0

Luxor highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

Karnak
The largest temple complex in Egypt: the hypostyle hall of 134 columns is what impresses most.
Valley of the Kings
Rock-cut tombs of the pharaohs; the ticket covers three, and Tutankhamun’s is extra.
Hatshepsut
A terraced temple below the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari; go early, before the heat sets in.
Luxor Temple
Right in the centre; at dusk it’s lit up and the avenue of sphinxes that leads to Karnak looks its best.

Where to stay in Luxor

The handiest areas for getting around and going out.

Recommended areas
East Bank

Day trips from Luxor

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

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When to travel to Luxor

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Luxor are April and from October to January. If you can, avoid from May to September (extreme heat).

Jan no warnings
Feb with warnings
Mar with warnings
Apr no warnings
May with strong warnings
Jun with strong warnings
Jul with strong warnings
Aug with strong warnings
Sep with strong warnings
Oct no warnings
Nov no warnings
Dec no warnings

February, March
Ramadan (approximate dates)

During the day many restaurants close or open less and museum and shop hours change. The evenings, with iftar, are very special.

What to do: Out of respect, don’t eat or drink in the street during the day; book dinner for after sunset.
from May to September
Extreme heat

From May to September temperatures top 40 °C; there’s no shade in the Valley of the Kings.

What to do: Visits at 6 in the morning, a rest from noon to 5 pm and a Nile cruise with air conditioning.

Curious facts about Luxor

Karnak is one of the largest temple complexes in the world: it was expanded over some two thousand years.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a koshari joint. The dishes you can’t miss are in the Egypt guide.

Sofra
East Bank

Recommended on the East Bank.
1886
Winter Palace

Recommended around the Winter Palace.

Frequently asked questions about Luxor

What to see in Luxor?

Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and Luxor Temple.

What to see in Luxor in one day?

Don’t miss Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and Luxor Temple. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

Where to stay in Luxor?

The handiest areas to stay are East Bank.

What’s the best time to travel to Luxor?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Luxor are April and from October to January. If you can, avoid from May to September (extreme heat).

What are some curious facts about Luxor?

Karnak is one of the largest temple complexes in the world: it was expanded over some two thousand years.

What day trips can you take from Luxor?

Hot-air balloon at sunrise, Guided tour of the Valley of the Kings, Nile cruise and Dendera and Abydos.

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More in Egypt

Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.