This guide covers the best things to do in Luxor, including both the East Bank and the West Bank, as well as how to get there, where to stay, and tips for saving money. Plan to spend 2 to 3 days in Luxor to fully explore its archaeological treasures.
Luxor, Egypt is the worldโs greatest open-air museum. Ancient tombs and temples are scattered along the east and west bank of the Nile River. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Temple of Hatshepsutโฆthese are just a few of the best things to do in Luxor.
We spent four days in Luxor, exploring the East and West Banks with an Egyptologist, plus day tripping to Dendera and Abydos. During this time, we visited the Valley of the Kings twice (since there are many tombs to see, we wanted to find out which ones were worth visiting and which could be skipped), and spent a good amount of time touring famous sights along with lesser-known temples and museums.
For us, the highlights were the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and the tomb of Queen Nefertari, which unfortunately closed after our visit.
In this guide, we list the very best things to do in Luxor, plus what you can skip, if you have limited time.
The Essentials
WHERE | Egypt
DONโT MISS | Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Karnak & Luxor Temples, Medinet Habu
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES | Felucca ride on the Nile River or a hot air balloon ride
HOW MUCH TIME | 2 to 4 days
WHEN TO GO | November through March
SAVE MONEY | The Luxor Pass can save some money, particularly if you plan to visit a lot of attractions
What is Luxor, Egypt?
Luxor was the ancient city of Thebes. From 1570 to 1069 BCE, Thebes was the capital of Egypt. It became an important center of worship of the god Amun. During the period of 1353 to 1336 BCE, this was the largest city in the world, with a population of 80,000 people.
The Nile River splits Luxor into two parts: the East Bank and the West Bank.
The East Bank of Luxor is the location of Luxor town. This is where most Egyptians live and work and it is also where you will find the majority of hotels and restaurants. There are just a few notable sites to visit on this side of the river, but two of these (Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple) are two of the most spectacular sites to visit in Egypt.
The West Bank of Luxor is where the ancient Egyptians buried the dead. Each night, the sun sets on the West Bank, so this became the necropolis, the area that is filled with tombs and mortuary temples, including the famous Valley of the Kings.
Best Things to Do in Luxor
This list is organized by geographical location. First, we start with sites on the East Bank, of which there are only four. Then, journey across the Nile River to the West Bank and its long list of archaeological treasures. Then we end with one thing to do on the Nile River, a felucca ride.
We have rated each of these things to do from one to five stars, with five stars being a must-see.
East Bank of Luxor
There are four main sites to visit on the East Bank of the Nile River. Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple are amazing and well worth several hours of your time. For those who want to dive deeper into Egyptian history, add the Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum to your to-do list.
Karnak Temple Complex
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ This enormous temple complex is a sight to behold, with its massive columns, statues, and obelisks.
Cost: 600 EGP per adult; 300 EGP with valid student ID
Best Time: Early morning, to avoid the crowds and hot midday temperatures
How Long: About 2 hours
Karnak Temple is the second largest temple complex in the world (Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest). For over 2,000 years, starting in 2000 BCE, temples, monuments, and buildings were added to the complex. Approximately 30 pharaohs added something to the Karnak Temple Complex.
There are four main sections to Karnak Temple: the Precinct of Amun-Ra, the Temple of Mut, the Precinct of Montu, and the Temple of Amenhotep IV. The Precinct of Amun-Ra is open to the public and you can visit the Temple of Mut with a special ticket.
Karnak Temple is the second most visited site in Egypt, coming in right behind the Pyramids of Giza. Without a doubt, this is one of the best things to do in Luxor.

Karnak Temple | Best Things to Do in Luxor


To see many more photos of Karnak Temple, take a look at our article Things to Do on the East Bank.
Your visit to Karnak Temple also includes the Karnak Open Air Museum. This museum contains the blocks and reconstructed shrines from other parts of the Karnak Temple Complex. You can see the White Chapel of Senusret, the Red Chapel of Hatshepsut, the calcite shrine of Amenhotep II, statues of the goddess Sekhmet, and numerous blocks covered with intricate carvings.
Luxor Temple
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ This temple is fun to photograph and explore, and is one of the iconic sights in Luxor.
Cost: 500 EGP per adult
Best Time: Morning and evening
How Long: 1 hour
Luxor Temple looks and feels like a smaller version of Karnak Temple, although this temple served a different purpose than many found in and around Luxor. This temple is not dedicated to one particular god or pharaoh. Instead, it may have been where many of the kings of ancient Egypt were crowned. This temple was built in 1400 BC, mostly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II.

Luxor Temple


Luxor Museum
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
Cost: 400 EGP per adult
This museum opened in 1975 and it contains artifacts that were found in the Luxor area, as well as artifacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. A visit here typically lasts about one hour.

Tuthmosis III
Mummification Museum
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ This small museum is quick to visit, so it’s easy to add to a one day itinerary on the East Bank. But if you skipped one thing on the East Bank, this would get our vote.
Cost: 220 EGP per adult
This is a small, somewhat interesting museum about the mummification process. Not only can you see mummified people but there are also mummified cats, birds, and crocodiles. A visit here typically lasts 30 minutes.

How Much Time Do You Need on the East Bank?
It takes a half to a full day to visit the East Bank. If you only visited Karnak and Luxor Temple, a half day would be sufficient. The second half of the day could be spent on the West Bank.
We spent about 6 hours touring the East Bank (everything listed above), starting at Karnak Temple around 8 am. After sightseeing, we had a late lunch and then spent the afternoon relaxing at our hotel.
Visiting the East Bank with a Guide:
When we visited Egypt, we had a guide and drive with Egypt Tailor Made and had a great experience. This tour of the East Bank, offered by a different tour company, also gets very good reviews.
5 Amazing Things to Do on the East Bank of Luxor
For more information about the East Bank of Luxor, including detailed pricing information and hours, and how to plan your time, read our article Complete Guide to the East Bank.West Bank of Luxor
The list of things to do on the West Bank is very long. The Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut top the list for many visitors but this side of the Nile River is literally a treasure trove of spectacular tombs and temples.
Valley of the Kings
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ The Valley of the Kings is the #1 thing to do on a visit to Luxor. Several of the tombs are spectacular to see.
Cost: 750 EGP (there are several tombs that have an additional fee)
Best Time to Visit: Early morning is the best time of day to avoid the crowds and hot temperatures
How Much Time: About 3 hours
A visit to the Valley of the Kings is not only one of the best things to do in Luxor, it is one of the best places to visit in all of Egypt.
The Valley of the Kings is a royal burial ground for pharaohs from the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties (the New Kingdom of Egypt). Famous kings from this time period include Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, Tuthmosis III, and Seti I, as well as powerful nobles and the wives and children of the pharaohs.

Valley of the Kings

Tomb of Seti I | Best Things to Do in Luxor

Tomb of Ramesses V and VI
Ten tombs are included on the main ticket into the Valley of the Kings. Your entrance ticket will allow you to visit three of these tombs. If you want to see more than three tombs, you will have to purchase an additional ticket.
There are three additional tombs that you can visit with an extra ticket. Here is the list with the additional price for each tomb.
- KV9 โ Ramesses V & VI 200 EGP per person
- KV17 โ Seti I 2,000 EGP per person
- KV62 โ Tutankhamun 700 EGP per person
To help you plan your visit to the Valley of the Kings, we have two detailed articles I recommend reading:
Best Tombs to Visit in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt
In this guide, we cover which tombs in the Valley of the Kings are currently open, as well as the best ones to visit. We also discuss the costs and which tombs are worth paying the extra fee. The Valley of the Kings is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. This […]
Valley of the Kings: The Complete Guide for 2026
The Valley of the Kings is one of Egyptโs most spectacular destinations. Located on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, this small area contains a staggering amount of exquisitely decorated tombs of Egyptโs ancient kings. When planning our visit, we found it very difficult to find any reliable information online. Mislabeled photos, […]
Valley of the Queens
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ The tombs are not nearly as large, intricate, or colorful as those in the Valley of the Kings. If the Tomb of Nefertari was open, I’d give the Valley of the Queens โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ, since that tomb is one of the most amazing sights we saw in all of Egypt.
Cost: 220 EGP
How Much Time: About 1 hour
The Valley of the Queens was the burial site of the wives of the pharaohs. The tombs that you will see here are smaller and lack some of the grandeur of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with one big exception.
The tomb of Queen Nefertari is one of the most spectacular tombs that you can visit in Egypt. The level of detail is amazing and the colors are more vibrant that what we saw in many tombs, temples, and pyramids in Egypt. If you want to get an idea of what the tombs looked like 3,000 years ago, put the tomb of Queen Nefertari on your list.
Note: As of March 2, 2024 the Tomb of Nefertari closed and it is unknown when it will reopen. As of the most recent update of this guide (December 2025), the tomb is still closed.

Inside the tomb of Nefertari

Inside the tomb of Amen-Khopshef
See many more photos in our Photo Tour of the Tomb of Nefertari.
Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ This is one of the most iconic sights on the West Bank.
Cost: 440 EGP
How Much Time: About 1 hour
This temple, with its three terraces and location in the cliffs of Deir el-Bahri, has a much different appearance than many other temples in Egypt. It is dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the most powerful female rulers of ancient Egypt.

Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Colossi of Memnon
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ Interesting to see and very quick to visit, but not worth going out of your way for, if you have limited time.
Cost: Free
How Much Time: 10 minutes
The twin statues of Amenhotep III gaze east towards the Nile River. These two statues greet visitors as they arrive on the West Bank of Luxor. From the parking lot, you can hop out and take a photo, or walk down to the statues for a closer view.

Colossi of Memnon
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ With its colorful columns, hieroglyphics, and intricate carvings, this is another amazing sight to see.
Cost: 220 EGP
How Much Time: 1 hour
This huge temple complex is dedicated to Ramesses III. There are several courtyards, pylons, and peristyle halls, with inscribed reliefs depicting the defeat of the Sea People during the rule of Ramesses III.


Deir el-Medina (Valley of the Artisans)
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ Worthwhile to visit if you have at least one full day on the West Bank. There are a lot of interesting tombs to visit, but don’t expect them to be as large or detailed as those in the Valley of the Kings.
Cost: 220 EGP
How Much Time: 1 hour
The artisans who worked on the tombs in the Valley of the Kings lived here, in an ancient village in Deir el-Medina. Tombs were built here for some of the most prominent workers.
Similar to the Valley of the Queens, these tombs are much smaller and less ornate that those in the Valley of the Kings.

Deir el-Medina
Tombs of the Nobles
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธ Good to see but again, only worth it if you have a lot of time (two days on the West Bank).
Cost: 120 EGP (plus additional fees for additional tombs)
How Much Time: 1 hour
In the Valley of the Nobles, there are numerous tombs to visit. Our guide recommended the tombs of Sennofer and Rekhmire, since these are two of the best tombs in the Valley of the Nobles.

Ramesseum
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ We really liked visiting this temple, as it was less crowded than other sites on the West Bank and lots of fun to photograph.
Cost: 220 EGP
How Much Time: 30 to 60 minutes
The Ramesseum is mortuary temple dedicated to the great Ramesses II. At one time, an enormous statue of Ramesses II stood here, with a height of approximately 20 meters. However, it has fallen over and now lays on the ground, in several large pieces.

Ramesseum
Temple of Seti I
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ This was the least crowded site we visited on the West Bank, as we had it all to ourselves. Itโs less interesting to visit than most other places already listed, so it’s only worth seeing if you have two days on the West Bank or if you just enjoy visiting lesser-known attractions.
Cost: 120 EGP
How Much Time: 30 minutes
This temple was begun by Seti I and it is dedicated to Amun-Re. After Seti Iโs death, the temple was completed by Ramesses II.

Temple of Seti 1
Howard Carter House
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธ Worthwhile for those with an interest in history, or if you’re on temple overload and like the idea of seeing something different.
Cost: 220 EGP
How Much Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Howard Carter is the British archaeologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in November 1922. He lived in a house on the West Bank of Luxor, just outside of the Valley of the Kings.
Visiting this house is like stepping back in time to 100 years ago. All of Howard Carterโs furnishings are intact, as well as his camera, personal items, and photographs. Behind the house is a replica of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Howard Carter House
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Our Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
For unforgettable sunrise views of the West Bank of Luxor, you can take a hot air balloon flight. Expect a very early start to the day (pick up times from your hotel can range from 3 am to 4:30 am) but it is worth it for aerial views of the tombs and temples.
Hot Air Balloon Flights
How Much Time Do You Need on the West Bank?
One day is the bare minimum amount of time we recommend, as this is just enough time to visit the Valley of the Kings and several other sites. Two days is ideal for those who want to visit everything listed above.
We have sample itineraries plus more information about how to visit the West Bank in our article Things to Do on the West Bank of Luxor โ
Complete Guide to the West Bank of Luxor, Egypt
For more information about the West Bank of Luxor, including detailed pricing information and hours, and how to plan your time, read our article Complete Guide to the West Bank.On the Nile River: A Felucca Ride
Taking a felucca ride on the Nile River is a must-do at least once while in Egypt. We did not do this in Luxor. On the afternoon we planned to do a felucca ride, it got incredibly windy, which cancelled all rides for that afternoon and evening.
Later on our trip, in Aswan, we did a felucca ride, and it was wonderful. Drifting on the Nile River one one of these historic boats is the perfect low-key experience at the end of a busy day. Sunset is the best time of day to do a felucca ride.
Felucca Rides
How Much Time Do You Need in Luxor?
To see and do everything on this list, you will need a minimum of three days. If you have less time, you can still visit the highlights.
If you have one day in Luxor, spend the morning on the West Bank. I recommend the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, and a drive by the Colossi of Memnon. If you are doing very well on time, and if you donโt mind the big ticket price, the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens is amazing. In the afternoon, visit Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
With two days in Luxor, split your time between the West Bank and the East Bank. Spend one busy day visiting the West Bank sites and one leisurely day visiting the East Bank sites.
With three days in Luxor, you can visit everything on this list. Add a second day to the West Bank. This gives you one day for the East Bank and two full days for the West Bank.
The Luxor Pass
The Luxor Pass is a single ticket that includes all of the archaeological sites on the West Bank and East Bank of Luxor. There are two versions of this pass.
The standard Luxor Pass includes all of the sites on the East and West Bank, with the exception of the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari. The Luxor Pass costs $130 USD for adults, $70 USD for people under 30 years with a valid student ID card.
The Premium Luxor Pass includes all of the archaeological sites on the East and West Banks, as well as the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari. The Luxor Premium Pass costs $250 USD for adults, $130 USD for people under 30 years with a valid student ID card.
If you plan to visit Luxor for at least two days, with visits to everything we list here for the West Bank, as well the main sites on the East Bank, then the Luxor Pass might be worth it. I recommending adding up the prices for entrance fees (these can be found in our guides to the East Bank and West Bank) and comparing that with the cost of the Luxor Pass.
Luxor Pass and Cairo Pass: Are They Worth It?
The Luxor Pass and Cairo Pass have the potential to save you money. Find out if they are worth it.How to Get to Luxor
Most visitors will arrive in Luxor by plane or by Nile cruise, but you can also get here by train and by car.
The Luxor International Airport is located 7 km east of the city of Luxor. To get to your hotel, you can hire a taxi at the airport or arrange for a driver (we hired a driver through our hotel).
If you are cruising the Nile River, your tours of the East and West Banks should be included with your cruise.
You can travel by train from Luxor to Cairo and Aswan. Express trains from Cairo to Luxor typically take 10 hours. The best way to do this is to take an overnight, sleeper train between Cairo and Luxor.
If you plan to travel between Luxor and Aswan by train, this typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
From Cairo, it is also possible to take a bus to Luxor.
You can also drive from Luxor to Aswan (or vice versa). A taxi costs approximately 1400 EGP (based on the information provided by our hotel in Luxor). You can do what we did and hire Egypt Tailor Made for the drive, visiting Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo on the way.
If you are staying in Hurghada, Luxor is a popular day trip destination. This very highly rated tour includes your transportation to and from Hurghada as well as a guided tour of the East and West Banks.
How to Get Around Luxor
You can get around Luxor by taxi or by hiring a guide and driver.
Guide and Driver
We recommend getting around by private guide and driver. All of your transportation is taken care of and you get to tour the archaeological sites and museums with a knowledgeable Egyptologist. We hired Egypt Tailor Made and highly recommend them.
By Taxi
If you are staying on the East Bank of Luxor, you can expect to pay 200 โ 300 EGP to hire a taxi to take you to the East Bank sites, including Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, and the museums.
The average cost of a taxi is 400 EGP to take you around the sites on the West Bank of Luxor.
These prices depend on your negotiating skills. Make sure you have agreed on the price and the places you plan to visit before getting in the taxi.
In addition to hiring a guide and driver through Egypt Tailor Made, these tours of the East and West Bank also get good reviews.
Tours of Luxor
Day Trip Ideas from Luxor
If you have more time in Luxor, you can add on day trips to nearby destinations.
Dendera & Abydos
Just north of Luxor sit two of the best-preserved temple complexes in Egypt. The sacred city of Abydos is home to the temple of Seti I. The Hathor Temple in Dendera is one of the most colorful temples in Egypt, with an intricately detailed ceiling and one of the most awe-inspiring hypostyle halls that we saw in Egypt.

From Luxor, you can visit Dendera and Abydos on a day trip. Itโs a long day, coming in at around 10 hours, and much of this time is spent in a car. But if you want to see two spectacular temples, this is well worth your time.
If a 10-hour day sounds like a bit much, you can limit your visit to just Dendera. From Luxor, a day trip to Dendera lasts roughly 5 hours, with 3 of that in a car.
We used Egypt Tailor Made for our day trip to Dendera and Abydos, but this tour also gets good reviews.
Dendera & Abydos Day Trip from Luxor: Is It Worth It?
How to visit Dendera and Abydos on a day trip from Luxor.Esna and Edfu
From Luxor, journey south along the Nile River to two more temples. The temple in Esna is dedicated to the god Khnum, his consorts Menhit and Nebtu, their son, Heka, and the goddess Neith. The Temple of Horus in Edfu is a magnificent temple that was built in the Ptolemaic period and dedicated to the god Horus.

This is a full day trip from Luxor. You can also visit these two temples, plus Kom Ombo, if you plan to drive or cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
Driving Between Aswan and Luxor: How to Visit Kom Ombo, Edfu & Esna
Best Time of Year to Visit Luxor
Luxor can be visited year-round, with plenty of hot, sunny days throughout the calendar year. However, the best time to visit Luxor is during the cooler months of the year: November through March. During this time, you’ll have the most pleasant temperatures, ideal if you plan to spend hours exploring the countless temples and tombs.
You should also expect the biggest crowds in December and January.
It’s best to avoid visiting Luxor during the summer months of June through August, where temperatures can be oppressive. High temperatures average around 40ยฐC (104ยฐF), but can shoot up to 55ยฐC (130ยฐF). Luxor features a dry heat, different than the more humid weather of Cairo and Alexandria.
The graph below depicts the average monthly temperatures of Luxor, which will help you plan your trip.
Where to Eat in Luxor
On the West Bank of Luxor:
Marsam Restaurant is a highly-rated restaurant on the West Bank of Luxor. Dine on Egyptian and Mediterranean food in their lovely courtyard.
On the East Bank of Luxor:
Al-Sahaby Lane is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Luxor. This restaurant serves a mix of Egyptian and Mediterranean dishes.
Sofra Restaurant is another highly-rated restaurant that serves Egyptian food.
If you are looking for good pizza and pasta, go to Pizza Roma-it. For good Indian food, go to A Taste of India. And if you are looking for a bar, put The Kings Head Pub and Restaurant on your list.
And finally, Aboudi Coffee Break is a cafรฉ that has a very nice view of Luxor Temple.
Where to Stay in Luxor
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor. This hotel is one of the top luxury hotels in Luxor. It is centrally located in the city, with views of the Nile River and within walking distance of the Luxor Temple.
Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa. This is where we stayed and it was our favorite hotel in Egypt. The views of the Nile River and the balloons that drift over the West Bank are magical. The rooms are large, clean, and quiet. There are several onsite restaurants, a pool, and a fitness room. We loved this place and I wouldnโt hesitate to stay here again.

Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa
Nefertiti Hotel. This hotel overlooks the Luxor Temple. Rooms can accommodate up to four people. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace.
Nile Castle. This budget hotel gets great reviews. It is located on the West Bank of the Nile River, so you will have easy access to the West Bank sites, but expect more travel time when visiting the East Bank sites and when traveling to and from the airport or train station.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Luxor, including how to plan your visit, let us know in the comment section below!
Plan Your Trip to Egypt




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