Luxor, Egypt is a city with a long history (Attractions and Things to Do)
The following topics are covered:
Information on Luxor, including general information, city history, the Avenue of the Sphinx, and sights on both the east and west banks.
Information of a general nature
As the most well-known city in Upper (Southern) Egypt and the headquarters of Luxor Governorate, it is most renowned for its ancient Egyptian sites, which include some of the oldest and most important in the world.
Ancient Egypt’s Luxor was known as ‘Thebes,’ and now the city is regarded as the ‘World’s finest open-air museum,’ among other titles.
Located inside the current metropolis on the East Bank, the remains of the ancient temples of Karnak and Luxor have stood for generations, and life continues as it has for ages among the local population.
Luxor City is located between the East and West banks of the River Nile, and it is traversed on a regular basis by Felucca boats and Ferries, which transport both people and visitors.
Thousands of monuments, tombs, and temples are situated on the West Bank, which includes the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, which attracts millions of visitors from all over the globe who come to participate in this renowned pilgrimage site in Egyptian ancient culture every year.
If you want to enjoy a memorable trip in Egypt, check out our Egypt Excursions with our certified Egyptologist and Egypt travel guide.
History of the city of Luxor
Luxor (Thebes) was the capital of Egypt during the Dynasty of the New King Kingdom and was known as the ‘Glorious city’ of the deity Amon-Ra. Luxor (Thebes) was known as the ‘Glorious city’ of the god Amon-Ra.
Luxor developed from a modest hamlet into a bustling metropolis beginning with the 11th Dynasty.
It was recognized for its high social rank and luxury, as well as for being a center for knowledge, art, religious hierarchy, and political hierarchy.
With little time, the city grew into a thriving center of riches, gaining significance not just in Egypt, but around the globe.
Luxor (Thebes) played a significant role in the disbanding and elimination of the Hyksos’ invading troops in Upper Egypt, establishing it as a key center and power in terms of political, religious, and military authority from the 18th Dynasty to the 20th Dynasty and beyond.
It was Egypt’s ecclesiastical center until the late Greek era…
Luxor was dedicated to the worship of the God Amon, who was adored by his wife, the Goddess Mut, and their son Khonsu, who was known as the God of the Moon.
As a result of Thebes (Luxor) growing to prominence as Egypt’s primary focal center and city, the God Amon gained significance and adoration, and he was connected to the sun God Ra, resulting in the creation of the new ‘King of Gods,’ Amon-Ra. Until the end of antiquity, his massive temple at Karnak, north of Thebes, was considered the most significant temple in Egypt, and it still is.
It was Egypt’s ecclesiastical center until the late Greek era…
Luxor revered the God Amon, who was worshiped with his wife, the Goddess Mut, and their son Khonsu, known as the God of the Moon, who was also worshiped at Luxor.
As a result of Thebes (Luxor) growing to prominence as Egypt’s primary focal center and city, the God Amon gained significance and adoration, and he was connected to the sun God Ra, resulting in the creation of the new ‘King of Gods,’ Amon-Ra.
Until the end of antiquity, his massive temple at Karnak, north of Thebes, was considered the most significant temple in Egypt, and it still is.
The Avenue of the Sphinx
Current work on the original “Avenue of Sphinx” is still proceeding as of 2014, and it is expected to be completed by 2015.
When finished, this project will enable visitors to stroll between the Karnak and Luxor Temples, with the goal of unearthing and restoring the 2.7-kilometer-long Avenue of Sphinxes that formerly connected the two temples to one another.
Originally begun by the pharaoh Amenhotep III and completed during the reign of Nectanebo I in 400 BCE, the ancient road was a major transportation route.
Incredibly, over one thousand Sphinx sculptures lined the route that is presently being excavated, which was covered by churches, silt, residences, and mosques at the time of the excavation.
Luxor and the East Bank are two of the most important cities in Egypt.
The Valley of the Kings is a place where kings and queens may congregate.
The Valley of the Kings’ breathtaking beauty, which includes sand dunes that run nearly to the Nile’s shore opposite Luxor and towering mountains, is only rivaled by the riches that have been concealed there for generations and may still be hidden there.
The Tomb of Deir el-Medina is located on the West Bank of Luxor.
There have been numerous tombs discovered, including those of Tut Ankh Amon (Tutankhamun), Ramses I, Ramses II, Ramses III, and Ramses VI, Amenhotep II, Seti I, Siptech, Thutmose III, and Horemheb, and their treasures have been displayed in museums such as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum.
But one can’t help but wonder what other fascinating riches are hidden underground and just waiting Additional than 60 tombs and chambers have been discovered in the valley thus far, but as excavations continue and more tombs are discovered, it is expected that there may be many more in the area.
It’s understandable that the pharaohs who picked the spot as their burial place and had amazing tombs constructed deep down hoped that by using this method they would be able to prevent thieves from taking the rich goods that were buried with them when they died.
It was their belief in the hereafter that led them to assume that by burying their things with them, they would have all they needed when they entered their new life.
Unfortunately, most of the graves have been looted throughout time, with just a few undamaged tombs having been uncovered. The tomb of Tutankhamun is the most well-known of these structures.
The Valley of the Kings was a necropolis of Pharaonic Egypt’s New Kingdom dynasties that existed between the 16th and 11th centuries BC, according to archeological evidence.
It is thought to have been in use for around 500 years, and it is the last resting place of the kings and other nobility of the 18th through the 21st dynasties, among others.
It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, and it continues to be one of the most significant and well-known archeological sites in the world.
If you are traveling to the Valley of the Kings from Luxor, you will cross the Nile Bridge and pass through the villages of New and Old Gurna (Qurna), which provides an interesting glimpse into how local residents have lived and farmed their land for centuries.
The Valley of the Kings is a popular tourist destination in Egypt. Old Gurna, in particular, is home to a collection of vividly painted mud buildings that have endured for many generations. Some of them are now being used as alabaster manufacturing facilities.
The Valley of the Kings, on the other hand, is a fascinating place.
Following the unpaved route through the valley (wadi) to the entrance, you will pass bleak sand dunes and hills on your way to the gatehouse.
After that, you’ll come across an intriguing information center from where you may board a tiny train that has been supplied for tourists to make the long, hot trip to the first of the tombs much easier. From there, you’ll be right in the heart of the valley.
The majority of the more noteworthy tombs are concentrated in this area.
The tomb of Tutankhamun, also known as KV62, is located to the right of the entrance, and practically everyone who enters the valley will want to pay a visit to the child pharaoh’s last resting place. The tomb was found in November 1922 by British archeologist Howard Carter, who had been searching for it for days, months, and years before making his discovery.
As you go to the valley, you can still see Carter’s modest domed home, where he resided throughout this period of the Civil War.
When Carter discovered stairs leading to the tomb, followed by an antechamber with gold and ivory valuables, it sparked widespread interest and speculation.
When he opened the door, the exterior sarcophagus of Tutankhamun was revealed, which was a thrilling discovery for the explorer. He was buried in coffins one within the other.
Some were made entirely of gold, while others were made entirely of wood and gold.
The treasures are now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and they include sarcophaguses, jewelry, smaller sarcophaguses for his organs, which would have been removed during the mummification process, and the iconic gold death mask, which is considered to be the most iconic representation of ancient Egyptian culture.
Even while the tomb itself is tiny and unadorned, those of other pharaohs, like Ramses I and III, are lavishly embellished and vibrant in color.
These may be found to the left of Tutankhamun’s tomb, on the other side of the river.
To get there, you have to descend a flight of stairs that take you past incredible wall murals and hieroglyphics.
The colors yellow, orange, and red are prominent, and they are so vibrant that it is difficult to believe that they were created more than a thousand years ago.
The Valley of the Kings was a necropolis of Pharaonic Egypt’s New Kingdom dynasties that existed between the 16th and 11th centuries BC, according to archeological evidence.
It is thought to have been in use for around 500 years, and it is the last resting place of the kings and other nobility of the 18th through the 21st dynasties, among others.
It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, and it continues to be one of the most significant and well-known archeological sites in the world.
If you are traveling to the Valley of the Kings from Luxor, you will cross the Nile Bridge and pass through the villages of New and Old Gurna (Qurna), which provides an interesting glimpse into how local residents have lived and farmed their land for centuries.
The Valley of the Kings is a popular tourist destination in Egypt.
Old Gurna, in particular, is home to a collection of vividly painted mud buildings that have endured for many generations. Some of them are now being used as alabaster manufacturing facilities.
The Valley of the Kings, on the other hand, is a fascinating place.
Following the unpaved route through the valley (wadi) to the entrance, you will pass bleak sand dunes and hills on your way to the gatehouse.
After that, you’ll come across an intriguing information center from where you may board a tiny train that has been supplied for tourists to make the long, hot trip to the first of the tombs much easier. From there, you’ll be right in the heart of the valley. The majority of the more noteworthy tombs are concentrated in this area.
The tomb of Tutankhamun, also known as KV62, is located to the right of the entrance.
Practically everyone who enters the valley will want to pay a visit to the child pharaoh’s last resting place.
The tomb was found in November 1922 by British archeologist Howard Carter, who had been searching for it for days, months, and years before making his discovery.
As you go to the valley, you can still see Carter’s modest domed home, where he resided throughout this period of the Civil War.
When Carter discovered stairs leading to the tomb, followed by an antechamber with gold and ivory valuables, it sparked widespread interest and speculation.
When he opened the door, the exterior sarcophagus of Tutankhamun was revealed, which was a thrilling discovery for the explorer.
He was buried in two coffins, one on top of the other, to protect him from the elements. Some were made entirely of gold, while others were made entirely of wood and gold.
The treasures are now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and they include sarcophaguses, jewelry, smaller sarcophaguses for his organs, which would have been removed during the mummification process, and the iconic gold death mask, which is considered to be the most iconic representation of ancient Egyptian culture.
Even while the tomb itself is tiny and unadorned, those of other pharaohs, like Ramses I and III, are lavishly embellished and vibrant in color. These may be found to the left of Tutankhamun’s tomb, on the other side of the river.
To get there, you have to descend a flight of stairs that take you past incredible wall murals and hieroglyphics.
The colors yellow, orange, and red are prominent, and they are so vibrant that it is difficult to believe that they were created more than a thousand years ago.
As well as the Tomb of Ramses I (KV16), the second pharaoh of the 19th dynasty, and the Tomb of Ramses III (KV11), which was unearthed in the 18th century, the Tomb of Ramses III (KV11) is especially captivating.
The Harper’s Tomb is so named because paintings portraying musicians were discovered within the tomb.
It is also referred to as Bruce’s Tomb, after the man who found it, James Bruce, who is buried there.
Temple of Hatshepsut
Another tomb, that of Pharaoh Akhenre Setepenre Siptah (KV47) of the 19th dynasty, is one of the longest in the Valley of the Kings; yet, his mummy was strangely found in the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV35) in 1898, making it one of the most unusual discoveries in the Valley of the Kings.
It goes without saying that a visit to the Valley of the Kings should be on everyone’s itinerary, and the fact that it is so conveniently accessible from Luxor city center, where there is a decent selection of hotel accommodations, makes it an easy family adventure.
Many tombs are included in the ticket price, while King Tutankhamun’s tomb is an additional cost.
Several guided excursions also include a visit to the neighboring Valley of the Queens, as well as to the Valley of the Nobles, which is located immediately to the south of the Valley of the Kings and includes hundreds of graves of high-ranking government officials from the time period.
In close proximity is Deir El-Medina, which contains the graves of craftsmen and workers who contributed to the construction of the kings’ tombs. It dates back to the Ptolemaic period.
Luxor and the East Bank are two of the most important cities in Egypt.
To claim that Luxor is one of the world’s most beautiful cities is an understatement of the highest order.
It is, in fact, one of the most amazing, if not the finest, outdoor museums on the globe, and it provides visitors with the opportunity to view almost a third of all ancient artifacts known to man in a matter of a few miles of walking.
The temples and buildings that have existed for thousands of years have been meticulously restored to their original splendor.
Luxor is home to the ancient city of Thebes, which served as Egypt’s capital during the Pharaonic New Kingdom period, as well as the magnificent Karnak Temples, Luxor Temple, and the necropolises of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.
The city’s history can be traced back to unimaginable times. It really consists of three separate areas: the city center on the East Bank of the Nile, Karnak, which is a town in its own right and is located immediately to the north, and Thebes, which is home to the Valley of the Kings. The city center is located on the East Bank of the Nile.
The city is supposed to have risen to prominence as early as 2000 BC, during the reign of the 11th dynasty, and to have remained so till now.
It was known as Waset in ancient times, a name that reflected its might, and then as Thebes under the Greeks, although both names have since been changed.
The Temple of Luxor and the Nile’s corniche
Homer is thought to have characterized Luxor as the ‘City of the Hundred Gates.
Ancient Egypt was one of the most significant cities in the world for a long period of time, and it was unquestionably at the heart of the country’s political, economic, religious, and military activity.
Luxor, as it exists now, is a tiny metropolis that runs lengthwise down the banks of the Nile and is flanked by the Sahara Desert.
With a population of over 380,000 people and a steady stream of foreign tourists increasing this number throughout the spring and fall months when the weather is at a pleasant level for sightseeing, the city has a thriving tourism industry.
Temperatures exceeding 31-40°C (107.6°F) from June to August are not unusual.
Luxor’s size makes it simple to traverse. It takes around 20 minutes to go from the Luxor International Airport to the city center, which is most of the three major roadways and is very small.
The corniche, a beautiful tree-lined promenade that runs along the banks of the Nile in an esplanade pattern, is the hub of all of Cairo’s attractions, and it is located in the heart of the city.
It is home to the Winter Palace Hotel, currently managed by the hotel firm Sofitel, which was where Agatha Christie is supposed to have composed her iconic book ‘Death on the Nile’.
The other two important roads are the street al-Mahatta, which goes from the Karnak Temple into town and past the Luxor Temple, and the street al-Karnak, which runs from the Karnak Temple into town and past the Luxor Temple. With Luxor’s size and layout, tourists will discover that all of its attractions are within walking distance of one another and are simple to locate.
With the construction of a bridge 10 years ago, it is now possible to go by car from the East Bank or the city center to the West Bank in order to explore the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.
It’s just a few kilometers upstream from where you are.
Before the bridge was built, getting over the Nile was as simple as stepping on one of the many reasonably priced ferries or motorboats that operated, and still do run, across the river.
The Luxor Temple is just across the street from a landing.
It’s an excellent method of crossing the river. Luxor offers a plethora of chances for sightseeing for visitors.
Of course, there are the two major attractions of the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temples, as well as the wonderful Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum.
There are also other smaller sights.
From the corniche, the Luxor Temple is an incredible site to see. It is especially stunning in the evening when it is subtly illuminated.
The temple, which dates back to the reigns of Amenhotep II and Ramses II, is devoted to the deity Amon Ra and his consort Mut.
You enter by an entrance facing north, near the place where it would have been linked to the Karnak Temples by a causeway at one stage in its history.
The causeway, which is presently being restored and is expected to be a major attraction in Luxor, would have been lined by sphinx sculptures, according to legend.
A lengthy road, known as a dromos, was created by Nectanebo I during the 30th dynasty as an afterthought. Unfortunately, most of the sphinxes have been lost to time, although a few very outstanding specimens may still be seen in the area around the temple today.
The temple, which was constructed during the New Kingdom, is approached by a massive pylon erected by Ramses II, with two of the original six statues of the king on each side of the entrance.
There is also the surviving one of two 25-meter-high granite obelisks that are identical in design.
The other monument is located in the Place de la Concorde in Paris, and it is a well-known and often photographed landmark.
Amenhotep III constructed the magnificent colonnades that stretch for over a hundred meters in length and surround the temple’s interior courtyards.
The papyrus plant is carved into the tops of the columns of this structure. Throughout the route, you’ll come across inscriptions, sceneries from ancient Egypt, and even some Roman stuccoes that have been partly covered over old Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Several inscriptions on the outside wall of the pylon recount the story of the war between Ramses II and the Hittites. Located in the New Kingdom, the temple is a magnificent display of the pharaohs’ strength and an absolute must-see attraction.
Ramses III Temple, Medinet Habu, Medinet Habu
As you go out of the Luxor Temple and towards the next ‘must-see attraction, the Karnak Temples, you will come across the Luxor Museum, which is located on the corniche.
Make careful you walk inside the building.
It was created in 1975 to store antiquities from the ancient civilizations of the region that had been discovered in more recent times, including some of the Tutankhamun treasures.
It has a very contemporary look and was built to accommodate antiques from the ancient civilizations of the area.
When compared to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where ancient artifacts are meticulously displayed, it is rather striking to witness such magnificent treasures on show in Luxor, the place where they were discovered.
The Karnak Temples are a group of structures in the city of Karnak, Egypt.
They are so well-known that they hardly need an introduction.
The complex, which gets its name from the nearby community of Al-Karnak, is the world’s biggest ancient religious monument and, in reality, consists of three different temples, each of which is the largest in the world.
The Precinct of Amun-Re, which is the biggest and most ancient, is devoted to the deity Amon. It is the only location that is accessible to the general public.
There is also the Precinct of Montu, the Precinct of Mut, and the Temple of Amenhotep IV, which has been demolished since its construction.
Amun, Mut, and Khonsu are the three gods of Luxor.
Despite the fact that construction would have been low-key in the beginning, it is estimated that approximately 30 pharaohs over a period of approximately 2,000 years from the Middle Kingdom through Ptolemaic times added buildings, temples, chapels, and architectural wonders to it that time period.
The result is a fantastic treasure trove of ancient buildings and structures, columns, courtyards, pylons and obelisks, and even a holy lake, the magnitude of which is unrivaled anywhere else in the world, and which is open to the public.
At the entry, you travel over what is thought to have been a canal that linked to the Nile, complete with an antique dock, before entering the museum.
Unfortunately, there is very little of the dock left today. The Avenue of Rams is the name given to the route that leads into the city, which is called dromos (dromos means road).
The sculptures, which depict Amon, have been magnificently maintained.
When you enter the structure, be sure to look up to view the massive figure of Ramses II, which is considered to be one of the most iconic pictures of the Karnak Temples.
One of the most important attractions on the East Bank of Luxor is the Mummification Museum, which is conveniently placed directly on the corniche.
It is well marked with a large sign outside and is quite simple to locate.
Inside, you may see a graphic representation of how the ancient Egyptians mummified not just people, but also crocodiles, which were plentiful in the Nile’s waters, household pets, and fish. All are presented in mummified condition, including the corpse of Masaharta, a High Priest of Amun in Thebes in 1050 BC.
In addition to artifacts such as embalming fluid, canopic jars, and coffins, you can view examples of the instruments used to extract corpses’ important organs and drain fluids, as well as equipment used to fill cavities with salt and replace voids with salt.
This is a fascinating site, similar to the Cairo Mummification Museum, which is housed inside the Egyptian Museum, but it is not for the faint of heart.
Keep an eye out for the El-Mekashkesh Mosque, which is supposed to contain the bones of an Islamic saint from the 10th century, as well as various churches and the vast Coptic basilica, which is located near the Luxor Temple. Take a felucca to explore Luxor from the river, which is a more leisurely approach to seeing the city.
A wooden sailing boat or one of the motorboats that may be seen making their way up or downstream most of the day are examples of such vessels.
For a large number of cruise ships that go to and from Aswan, landing stages along the East Bank serve as their embarkation destination.
Luxor is located on the West Bank.
Many more magnificent temples and buildings may also be found on the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of Queens, and the Valley of the Nobles, among many other attractions.
The Medinet Habu Temple complex includes temples dedicated to Amenhotep I and Ramses III, the two massive statues known as the Colossi of Memnon, the funerary temple of Ramesseum, and the landmark temple dedicated to the great female pharaoh Hatshepsut, the elegant building known as the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, should not be missed.
The stunning temple, which was carved into a steep limestone rock face, has three storeys and is reached by a broad sweep of stairs and a walkway as its entry.
Tours that have been recommended
A 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan from $802 Tours to the East and West Banks of the Nile from $93 Luxor 2 day trip from Safaga Port from $235 5 days Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan
Movenpick MS Royal Lotus Nile Cruise from $594 Luxor Day Trip from Safaga Port from $149 Radamis Nile Cruise from $738 Radamis Nile Cruise from New York from $594
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