Top 10 Attractions to visit in Luxor

Egypt admin Jan 21 2024

Luxor is the most recognized city in upper Egypt. It was the capital of Egypt in the Pharaonic era. It is located on the banks of the River Nile which divides it into the eastern and western banks. Luxor is also one of the world’s greatest open-air museums. It offers visitors the chance to see almost a third of all the ancient antiquities in the world. It contains temples and structures that stood for thousands of years and are beautifully preserved.

From the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings to the magnificent sunset view at the majestic temple complexes of Karnak; Luxor, without doubt, is the perfect destination for cultural tourism.

Here are the top 10 places that you would definitely visit in Luxor:

1. Karnak Temple

The Karnak Temple Complex is Luxor's most astonishing and magnificent tourist spot. Karnak temple is one of the most sacred sites in ancient Egypt. It contains a vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings inside. In addition to its religious significance, it was the palace for the New Kingdom Pharaohs. It also was the largest temple complex ever constructed anywhere in the world. No visit to the city of Luxor is complete without the charming sound and light show in Karnak temple that is held every evening.

2. Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Luxor. It sits on the east bank of the Nile River in Luxor city and was built by Amenhotep III. The temple was built for religious rites to the gods Amin, Chons, and Mut. One of the most amazing and inspiring features of the Luxor temple is its magnificent colonnade. It includes a total of 14 columns which are topped with Papyrus-shaped capitals. Each column is almost 23 meters high. Whatever you read about this attraction, you can’t really appreciate the charm of it until you visit it.

3. Valley of Kings

The Valley of the Kings is one of the most amazing tombs from the ancient civilization on the west bank of the Nile. The Valley includes many royal tombs filled with beautiful pharaonic decorations and inscriptions. Inside the Valley, there are 63 tombs. It includes famous names of ancient kings and queens of the 18th, 19th, and 20^th dynasties Thutmose I to Ramses X.

4. Deir el-Bahari Temple (Temple of Hatshepsut)

Deir el-Bahari Temple was built by one of the greatest queens, Queen Hatshepsut, in Deir el-Bahari on the west bank of the Nile. The magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut is distinguished by its distinctive architectural style. It consists of three consecutive floors connected by ramps. While visiting Egypt, you definitely have to visit the unforgettable Hatshepsut Temple to see one of the greatest wonders of ancient Egypt.

5. Colossi of Memnon

Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III who ruled Egypt during the 18^th dynasty. They are located in the west of Luxor and directly face the Nile River. They are about 18 meters which was built as a gate to the large mortuary complex of Amenhotep III. Even if most of Colossi is lost because of weather and age, travelers can still get a sense of wonder at this site.

6. Luxor Museum

The Luxor Museum is a two-story building. It contains various artifacts of the highest quality that date back to time for more than 4000 years. It is located on the east bank of the Nile parallel to the Corniche. The Luxor Museum contains many artifacts and masterpieces from the Egypt Middle Kingdom and the Egyptian New Kingdom like Pottery, Statues, and Jewelry belonging to some of the most powerful Pharaohs. It holds many magical artifacts and breathtaking monuments. So if you find yourself in the city of Luxor, make sure to visit it.

7. Valley of Queens

The Valley of Queens is the final place for some of the most beautiful and powerful Queens of the royal family. It is located near the Valley of the Kings across from Luxor on the west bank of the Nile. One of the tombs located in the Valley of the Queen is the gorgeous tomb of Queen Nefertari, the wife of King Ramesses II.

8. Ramessum

The Ramessum Temple is a mortuary temple that was built by Ramesses II. It is located in the south of Deir el-Bahari on the west bank of Luxor. Ramessum is considered one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt. It includes huge statues of Ramesses II as well as inscriptions and decorations that tell the nature of life in that period of history. A wonderful temple worth your visit.

9. Medinat Habu – The ancient Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III

Medinet Habu is the second-largest ancient temple discovered in Egypt and one of the top Luxor tourist attractions. Built by Ramesses III. Medinat Habu is considered by many visitors to be among a visit; especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the creamy stone glows.

10. Tombs of the Nobles

Tombs of the Nobles are some of the best least-visited attractions on the West Bank. It is located in the foothills opposite the Ramesseum. There are more than 400 tombs belonging to nobles from the 6th dynasty to the Graeco-Roman period. It is located between the Ramesseum and Hatshepsut’s temple, carved into the hillside to the final resting place of many governors, officials, administrators, generals, and others from the new kingdom. The Tomb of Menna is the most beautiful. It is filled with many decorations with a full day-to-day scene of ancient times which makes it completely magical. Anyone visiting the monuments of the West Bank of Luxor should consider paying a visit to the Valley of the Nobles to experience the artwork and sumptuous scenes of life in the new kingdom.