Luxor was one of the main sites of power in ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom, and continues to attract pilgrims and adventurers seeking a taste of the golden era. Straddling the Nile River, far upstream from Cairo, this small, charming city has an incredible amount of antiquities for its size. Tourists typically arrive via a romantic cruise up the Nile.
There are only three streets within this riverside city, making navigation an easy proposition. Along the Nile runs the Corniche, where you can soak in the timeless sight of feluccas floating along the river and watch the sun setting every evening. Sharia al-Mahatta runs in front of the train station and heads away from the Nile until it reaches Luxor Temple.
Sharia al-Karnak runs along the Nile from Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple, forming a logical network of roads from one major site to another. Sharia al-Lokanda, next to Karnak Temple, is lined with dozens of cafés, shops and markets where you can pick up a few souvenirs. Across the Nile you’ll find the amazing tombs of ancient Thebes, and farther still the Valley of the Kings where the tomb of Tutankhamun was famously discovered.
Highlights
Karnak Temple: this mind-boggling complex built over a period of 1,300 years offers hours of wandering among hundreds of perfectly straight columns and past well-preserved murals, obelisks and the famous Sleeping Pool.
Luxor Museum: though small, this exhaustive museum has an outstanding collection of local artifacts relating to the monuments and tombs of this important historical area.****
Luxor Temple: huge statues of Ramses VI guard the entrance to this legendary temple which is connected to Karnak by a long stone corridor lined with sphinxes. A night-time visit offers a special illuminated ambiance.
Mummification Museum: everything you ever wanted to know about mummification will be answered at this fascinating center on the Nile Corniche dedicated to the ancient art.
Theban Necropolis: just across the river is the legendary town of Thebes, where incredibly well-preserved tombs and mortuaries create the sublime structure that is the Necropolis.
West Bank: across the Nile lies some of Egypt’s greatest monuments, all within easy striking distance of Luxor. The Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, the City of the Dead and the Tombs of the Nobles are the highlights of this staggering historical region.