Luxor is a city in Upper Egypt and the capital of Luxor Governorate, located on the east bank of the Nile River. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country due to its rich cultural heritage, beautiful scenery, and abundance of historical sites. Luxor has been inhabited since ancient times and is home to some of Egypt's most iconic monuments, including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. With so much to see and do, it can be difficult to decide where to start. To help you make the most of your time, here are the top 20 places to see in Luxor.
1. Valley of the Kings: The Valley of the Kings is an ancient burial ground located in the Theban Necropolis, on the west bank of the Nile. It is home to the tombs of some of Egypt's most famous pharaohs, including Tutankhamen, Ramses II, and Seti I. The tombs are decorated with beautiful hieroglyphic inscriptions and paintings, and many of them are open to the public.
2. Karnak Temple: Karnak Temple is the largest ancient religious site in the world, located just north of Luxor. It was built over 2000 years ago and consists of a complex of temples, chapels, and other structures dedicated to the gods of the ancient Egyptian pantheon. The temple is filled with intricate hieroglyphics, statues, and carvings, and is especially impressive at night when it is lit up with thousands of lights.
3. Luxor Temple: Luxor Temple is one of the most iconic temples in Egypt, located on the east bank of the Nile in the center of Luxor. It was built by Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC, and has been restored over the centuries to its original grandeur. The temple is filled with beautiful statues and hieroglyphics, and is a must-see for anyone visiting Luxor.
4. Colossi of Memnon: The Colossi of Memnon are two massive statues located on the west bank of the Nile, near the entrance to the Valley of the Kings. The statues were built as guardians of the entrance to the tomb of Amenhotep III and are some of the most recognizable monuments in Egypt.
5. Temple of Hatshepsut: The Temple of Hatshepsut is an ancient funerary temple located on the west bank of the Nile in the Theban Necropolis. It was built by Hatshepsut, the second female pharaoh, in the 15th century BC and is one of the most stunning monuments in Egypt. The temple is filled with intricate carvings and hieroglyphics, and is a must-see for anyone visiting Luxor.
6. Ramesseum: The Ramesseum is an ancient funerary temple located on the west bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. It was built by Ramses II, the most famous of all the pharaohs, in the 13th century BC. The temple is filled with statues and hieroglyphics, and is a must-see for anyone visiting Luxor.
7. Temple of Seti I: The Temple of Seti I is an ancient funerary temple located on the west bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. It was built by Seti I, the father of Ramses II, in the 13th century BC. The temple is filled with statues and hieroglyphics, and is a must-see for anyone visiting Luxor.
8. Deir el-Medina: Deir el-Medina is an ancient village located on the west bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. It was home to the artisans and craftsmen who built the tombs in the Valley of the Kings and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is filled with ancient dwellings and tombs, and is a must-see for anyone visiting Luxor.
9. Luxor Museum: Luxor Museum is located in the center of Luxor and is home to a large collection of artifacts from the area. The museum is filled with ancient statues, jewelry, and other artifacts, and is a great place to learn more about the history of Luxor.
10. Mummification Museum: The Mummification Museum is located on the west bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. The museum is dedicated to the ancient art of mummification and is filled with mummies, artifacts, and other items related to the practice.
11. Valley of the Queens: The Valley of the Queens is an ancient burial ground located on the west bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. It was used to bury the wives and daughters of pharaohs and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The valley is filled with tombs and other monuments, and is a must-see for anyone visiting Luxor.
12. Medinet Habu: Medinet Habu is an ancient temple located on the west bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. It was built by Ramses III in the 12th century BC and is filled with statues and hieroglyphics. The temple is one of the most impressive monuments in Luxor and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
13. Temple of Dandara: The Temple of Dandara is an ancient temple located on the east bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. It was built by Ramses II in the 13th century BC and is filled with statues and hieroglyphics. The temple is one of the most impressive monuments in Luxor and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
14. Temple of Luxor: The Temple of Luxor is an ancient temple located in the center of Luxor. It was built by Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC and is filled with statues and hieroglyphics. The temple is one of the most impressive monuments in Luxor and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
15. Temple of Khonsu: The Temple of Khonsu is an ancient temple located on the east bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. It was built by Ramses III in the 12th century BC and is filled with statues and hieroglyphics. The temple is one of the most impressive monuments in Luxor and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
16. Luxor Obelisk: The Luxor Obelisk is an ancient monument located in the center of Luxor. It was originally built by Thutmose III in the 15th century BC and is one of the most iconic monuments in Luxor. The obelisk is still standing today and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
17. Tomb of Tutankhamen: The Tomb of Tutankhamen is an ancient burial chamber located in the Valley of the Kings. It was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922 and is one of