Gardens, greenery and graceful colonial-era buildings, Luxor is a beautiful oasis along the banks of the Nile River, hundreds of miles south from the hustle and bustle of Cairo. An ancient Egyptian capital, the city is known today as the world’s great open-air museum, boasting incredible amounts of temples, tombs and artifacts from the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
![Temple of Luxor, Egypt © Holgs | iStock](https://www.trazeetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Temple-of-Luxor-Egypt-©-Holgs-iStock.jpg)
Temple of Luxor © Holgs | iStock
Pack an on-the-go breakfast in order to start your morning early and beat the heat. Begin on the East Bank and end on the West Bank, two areas considered in ancient Egyptian times as symbolizing life and death. The Temple of Luxor is a must-see site, showing the history of the country from the 18th dynasty of ancient Egyptian rule to the 14th century AD when a mosque was built in the complex. Admission costs about $6.
![Luxor Temple, Egypt © Ramblingman | Dreamstime 17750951 3mb](https://www.trazeetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Luxor-Temple-Egypt-©-Ramblingman-Dreamstime-17750951-3mb.jpg)
Luxor Temple Complex © Ramblingman | Dreamstime
Next, visit Karnak Temple Complex, home to three main temples and several smaller enclosed temples that show the might of many generations of ancient builders over a period of 1,500 years. Entry costs about $8.
Visit the city’s bazaar located on the East Bank near Karnak and the Temple of Luxor for lunch and to pick up some souvenirs to take home. A simple lunch won’t run you more than $5.
![2015.5.13 A Boat cruising on the Nile River at sunset, near Luxor, Egypt © Donyanedomam | Dreamstime 33948732](https://www.trazeetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2015.5.13-A-Boat-cruising-on-the-Nile-River-at-sunset-near-Luxor-Egypt-©-Donyanedomam-Dreamstime-33948732-e1438534143800.jpg)
Boat cruising on the Nile River © Donyanedomam | Dreamstime
Spend the afternoon exploring the ancient site of Thebes on Luxor’s West Bank. You can easily spend several hours in the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial ground of many of Egypt’s New Kingdom rulers. Here, you can step into King Tut’s tomb, discovered almost intact in 1922. For the price of about $10, you can visit three of the more than 60 tombs on-site. Visiting King Tut’s requires an additional ticket, for the price of about $13.
![Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt © Icon72 | Dreamstime 17805395](https://www.trazeetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Temple-of-Hatshepsut-Valley-of-the-Kings-Luxor-Egypt-©-Icon72-Dreamstime-17805395-e1438534069948.jpg)
Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of the Kings © Icon72 | Dreamstime
Close by is the Temple of Hatshepsut dedicated to Amon-Ra, the sun god. Featuring classical architecture, the temple includes a beautiful sun court, chapel and sanctuary as well as intact temple reliefs depicting the tale of the divine birth of Hatshepsut and trade expeditions to the Land of Punt, in modern Somalia today. Admission costs approximately $4.
For a delicious dinner on the banks of the Nile, visit the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, boasting a variety of dining venues serving a range of cuisine, from the best in Egyptian to international fare. Savor goodies fresh from the grill and a beautiful, cotton-candy sunset at Olives Poolside Restaurant, offering an outside setting and dishes from about $10.
Read This Next
Top 5: Historic Cities of Egypt
Africa
Jul 25, 2015All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedDestinations / Europe
Sep 5, 2024Why Trekking Trails Are This Year’s Hidden Gem for European Fall Travel
According to this year’s Global Wellness Summit Trend Report, people are rediscovering the beauty of exploring nature. Walking enthusiasts are ready to get out and explore trails around the world, connect with nature, and learn more about an area’s cultural heritage while on multiday hikes. With European countries battling overtourism, remote locations and trekking trails gain more and more traction.
Sponsored Content
Sunflower Accessibility Program Featured at O’Hare and Midway Airports
Travelers with invisible disabilities passing through O’Hare and Midway International Airports can now discreetly signal they need assistance thanks to a new Chicago Department of Aviation partnership that helps create more accessible and inclusive spaces.
Hotel
Sep 5, 2024The Heartwood at Vassar Opens
A new boutique hotel in New York’s Hudson Valley opened: The Heartwood at Vassar, on the edge of Vassar’s campus. Poughkeepsie sits about 90 minutes from New York City. The 50-room hotel is a celebration of and gathering place for different communities in the area, with local art, memorabilia from Vassar, a custom art installation with native flora and fauna, and more.
Destinations / North America
Sep 4, 2024Early Fall North Dakota Outdoor Adventures
While North Dakota may be covered in snow soon, that doesn’t mean you don’t still have time to enjoy a few outdoor adventures in the state before the weather turns.
Sponsored Content
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
As you look ahead to winter travel, United Airlines and its MileagePlus loyalty program introduced MileagePlus miles pooling, which allows members to contribute and combine miles into a joint account. Groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. As the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature, United also allows any MileagePlus member, whether relatives or close friends, to be in a pool with other members.
Destinations / North America
Sep 4, 2024Things to Do in Traverse City, Michigan, This Fall
Traverse City, Michigan, offers travelers quintessentially fall experiences throughout the upcoming autumn season.
ShareThis