Jan
10
Luxor Holiday & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Egypt
A trip to Luxor
The king of tourist sites in Egypt is no doubt the Giza plateau, but there are just as many ruins, relics and reason to visit the areas south of Cairo. Along the Nile, exploring the ruins of Luxor is one of the best ways to get a glimpse into life in the time of the pharaohs. Some of the biggest temples are here, from Thebes to Karnak, and visitors won’t be able to help but be impressed by the sheer scale of these ancient constructions.
Flights to Luxor
Cairo is the main air gateway to Egypt, but these days more and more direct flights are being offered to Luxor. If you can’t find a direct flight, the 45-minute domestic journey between Cairo and Luxor is fast, easy and services are frequent, with flights operated by Egypt Air. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Luxor try Ebookers. Those with more time can feasibly cruise along the Nile to reach Luxor, with journey times varying between four and six days.
The train station in Luxor is connected with other major cities in Egypt, and trains from Cairo leave from Ramses Station. Upon arrival in Luxor, don’t be daunted by the hordes of hotel touts and taxi drivers. The town is relatively small and easy to explore on foot.
Egypt is not a suitable country in which to rent a car; road rules are often ignored by drivers. The roads in Egypt are mostly of bad quality, making hiring a car one of the least advisable transport options.
Luxor
Sightseeing in Luxor
Sightseeing is why most visitors come to Luxor, and the area that makes up the open-air museum is very impressive. Luxor Temple is the first stop for many, followed by the equally impressive Temple of Karnak. The structure took 1,300 years to complete, and a walk through the immense ruin is an experience to remember.
Egypt is known for its mummification process, and here you can get the lowdown on just about everything you could ever want to know about the art of the mummy at the Mummification Museum. The Valley of the Kings is also an absolute must-see.
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Luxor isn’t exactly Ibiza, and most people come here to explore the fascinating history of the place, making the most of their days here by touring ancient sites. The Egyptians have a tolerant attitude towards alcohol, and non-Muslim establishments sell booze, though walking in public with a beer is considered unacceptable. As far as eating goes, the local staple of baba ganoush and pita bread with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers is always filling. With the number of tourists coming through the town, western fare isn’t hard to come by.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
Your shopping in Luxor will most likely be limited to souvenirs. There are markets where you can put your bargaining skills to good use. Remember that you’re expected to bargain, and it can in fact be considered rude if you don’t play along with the haggling game. Remember this is normal for Egyptians and try to have fun during the process.
There are some great daytrips you can make from Luxor, with many hotels organising trips to Hathor, a remarkably well-preserved temple. Arrangements can also be made for onward travel to other destinations such as Abu Simbel.
Daytrips
Situated in the hills behind the West Bank of Luxor, the Wadi el-Muluk (Valley of the Kings) is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. The final resting place for many of Egypt’s past pharaohs, the wonders of this fascinating area can be discovered on a one-day trip from the city of Luxor.
Also located just outside of the city is the Karnak Temple Complex, a historical place of worship for the ancient Theban Triad (three Egyptian Gods). On a daytrip here visitors can take in the many wonders of ancient temple ruins, chapels, pylons and various other fascinating ruins and structures.
Situated just across the River Nile, and within easy distance from the city of Luxor, the Colossi of Memnon are two huge stone statues that can be visited in a half day excursion from the city. Made from quartzite sandstone, these amazing statues date back to the 14th century BC.
Must-see attractions
Luxor Temple, located on the east bank of the River Nile, is one of the main highlights on a visit to the city and a definite must-see attraction. This huge ancient Egyptian temple contains a number of fascinating articles, including the incredible statue of the Sitting Ramesses II Colossus.
Just north of the Luxor Temple, visitors can discover the attractions on display at the Mummification Museum. Here you can learn about the process of mummification and also view some lesser known mummified species, including cats, dogs and even fish!
A must-see attraction of rare historic significance, the Old Winter Palace Hotel can be found just south of the Luxor Temple on the banks of the Nile. This present day hotel is a rarity because of its architectural design, which dates back to the styles adopted during the 17th century English and French occupation of the city.
Best time to go
Luxor is well known for its extreme weather and temperatures. The city’s climate is characterised by intensely hot summers (May to September), where temperatures reach up to 40˚C and humidity is high and slightly cooler winters (October to February) with temperatures that average around 24˚C.
Avoiding the hottest time of year in Luxor is a good idea, particularly for those not used to extreme temperatures; therefore, the best time to go is during the months between October and February.
Rainy day suggestions
Luxor receives very little rain, but on a particularly hot day visitors to the city may prefer to spend the day indoors and out of the scorching heat, in which case the Luxor Museum is a great venue for cooling off in air-conditioned surroundings. Located in the central part of the city, the museum houses a collection that include items from Tutankhamun’s tomb, the mummies of pharaohs Ahmose I and Ramesses I, and various other fascinating Egyptian artefacts.
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