A holiday in Luxor is like stepping into a time machine as you see first hand the remnants of the ancient civilisation, the tombs and temples that have led the town to become a leading tourist destination. Though the historic area is often dubbed an open-air museum, the rest of Luxor has a modern vibe as it is packed with hotels, shops and restaurants. The streets are bustling with taxi drivers on the move, tourist guides searching for business and shop owners hollering about their latest offer. Luxor is a holiday destination that captures the imagination but the timing of your trip is important. The weather in Luxor is very hot and temperatures, as with most of Egypt, can peak as high as 40°C in the summer and stay as strong as 20°C in the winter. Consequently September-April is the best time to visit and flights are available direct from the UK to Luxor Airport that takes around five hours.
Best for...
Adults and children alike will wonder at the remnants of an ancient civilisation, which comes to life in Luxor...
Luxor is a captivating place to visit for anyone with the remotest interest in history. It's a great place for adults to introduce children to some of the most spectacular sights in the world, and as it is quieter and less bustling than neighbouring Cairo it's makes a more relaxing setting for older couples. Luxor is extremely popular for the River Nile cruises that begin in the town and there are many Arabic-styled hotels set within beautiful gardens that allow you to soak up the Egyptian atmosphere. The town is packed with amenities to cater for the extensive number of tourists that arrive year-round.
What to do...
The West Bank is the most famous area of Luxor, renowned for its tombs and temples and surrounded by limestone hills and valleys. For most, the biggest attraction is the Valley of the Kings, which houses the tombs of the Pharaohs, including, and most famously, Tutankhamen and Ramses II. Hatshepsut's Temple is the resting place of Egypt's only female Pharaoh, while the Tomb of Nefertari, which has some exceptional murals and paintings. Indeed the magnificence of the West Bank is clear from first glance as the statues of the Colossi of Memnon loom large, standing close to 60ft tall.
| The biggest attraction is the Valley of the Kings... |
The Temple of Karnak is one of the world's greatest architectural achievements and the complex contains the valley of the Sphinxes, many statues and ornate halls along with murals and the Sacred Lake.
If you want a break from exploring the crumbling buildings, hop aboard a 'felluca' - one of the riverboats that allow tourists to discover the wonders of the River Nile. Many enjoy a ferry ride followed by a trip through the lush, green fields and into the desert. The contrasts are dazzling, especially with the tombs and temples dotted along the distance. You can also enjoy a day trip to Cairo where you can discover yet more historic sites, including the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, along with a more bustling atmosphere. Luxor also acts as a gateway to Aswan, the home of many granite quarries and Abu Simbel with its complex temples and sites of huge archaeological significance.
If it's shopping you want then head to Luxor's East Bank. It is a bustling market town by nature though prices can be expensive due to the strong tourist contingent. However, the shops are varied and there is something for just about every taste including antiques and books, which are particularly well priced. The area south of Luxor Temple is the most active and includes numerous cafes, some good restaurants and lots of crowds in the evening.
The nightlife is fairly restricted with most of the best eating options to be found in the hotels. Nevertheless, if you're willing to scan around there are some hidden delights such as the Ramses restaurant, which is reasonably priced, the Amoun and El Hussein. If you want to party after your evening meal it's best to head to the hotels with Etap and Sheraton occasionally hosting late-night discos.
