On the east bank of the Nile, in the heart of Luxor, Luxor Temple spreads its colonnades, courtyards and pylons across nearly 260 metres in length. Built from the 14th century BC, it was dedicated to the god Amun-Ra and royal worship. Known locally by the Arabic name maebad alaqsir, it forms with Karnak Temple one of the two religious poles of ancient Thebes.

Why visit Luxor Temple

The site concentrates several points of interest in a single location:

• A condensed pharaonic timeline: Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun, Horemheb, Ramesses II, then the Ptolemaic and Roman periods all left their mark on the structure.
• Legible architecture: entrance pylon, court with papyriform columns, great court of Amenhotep III, hypostyle hall and sanctuaries succeed one another in a clear axis.
• Central location: the temple stands just steps from the harbour and corniche, making it an easy stop to incorporate into a stay in Luxor.
• Evening visits possible: illuminated in the evening, the temple offers a very different reading of the reliefs and columns.

History

Nearly 1400 years BC, Pharaoh Amenhotep III initiated construction of Luxor Temple. According to tradition, he was to meet Amun-Ra there to be reborn as a pharaoh-divinity. The architect Amenhotep was sent to the city of Waset, present-day Luxor, to oversee the project. Work began midway through his reign but remained unfinished at his death.

The work was continued by Tutankhamun, Horemheb and Ramesses II, who added courtyards, colonnades, colossal statues and the entrance pylon. Later, the Ptolemies and then the Romans reused part of the sanctuary, and a Muslim place of worship, the Mosque of Abu el-Haggag, was built on the partially sand-buried ruins in the Middle Ages — it still stands there today.

The Beautiful Feast of Opet

Every year, at the Nile flood, the temple hosted the Beautiful Feast of Opet. The statues of Amun-Ra, Mut and Khonsu were transported from Karnak to Luxor Temple for the rebirth of Amun as pharaoh. After the rituals celebrated in the sanctuary, the procession returned to Karnak by the Nile. The bas-reliefs of Amenhotep III's colonnade still preserve today the visual account of this procession.

What to see on the site

The entrance and pylon

The temple opens with an avenue of human-headed sphinxes, a remnant of the path that once connected Luxor to Karnak over nearly three kilometres. It leads to the entrance pylon, about twenty metres high, flanked by two colossal statues of Ramesses II. Originally a pair of obelisks stood before the pylon. Only one obelisk remains on site today: its twin was given to France in 1831 by the viceroy Muhammad Ali and now stands at Place de la Concorde in Paris.

The court of Ramesses II

Once past the pylon, you enter a court with papyriform columns decorated with statues of Amenhotep III and Ramesses II. The walls bear bas-reliefs depicting the Beautiful Feast of Opet. This is where the Mosque of Abu el-Haggag stands, perched several metres above the ancient ground level.

The colonnade and great court of Amenhotep III

A row of fourteen monumental columns, approximately 16 metres high, then leads to the great court of Amenhotep III, paved and surrounded by sandstone columns on three sides. This is one of the best-preserved spaces in the temple.

The hypostyle hall and sanctuaries

Beyond the court, the hypostyle hall leads to the former offering chamber and inner sanctuaries. The walls are covered with hieroglyphics and ritual scenes. It was in this area that the heart of Amun worship originally took place.

Practical information

• Visit duration: allow 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the entire site at a leisurely pace.
• Ticket office: purchase on site at the site entrance. Moderate rates, standard discounts for students with an international card.
• Hours: open daily, during the day and in the evening until a relatively late hour — check current opening hours with your accommodation, they vary by season and during Ramadan.
• Evening visit: the temple is lit in the evening. A recommended visit if daytime heat is strong.
• Tips: water, hat and closed shoes. Very little shade on the site.

When to visit

Luxor is pleasant from October to April, with sunny days and manageable temperatures. From May to September, temperatures regularly exceed 40°C: choose an early morning visit or in the evening when the temple is lit. Winter months draw the most tourist traffic; for a quieter atmosphere, aim for early morning or late afternoon.

How to get there

From Luxor harbour

The temple stands on the east bank of the Nile, just dozens of metres from the southern part of the harbour. If your boat docks nearby, you simply need to cross the corniche to reach the access avenue. From a pier further north, count a few minutes' walk along the Nile heading south.

From a Luxor hotel

From most hotels in the city, taxi, carriage or tour bus are the simplest options. Tell the driver the local name of the site, maebad alaqsir. On foot, the temple is accessible from any centrally-located accommodation on the east bank in 10 to 20 minutes.

Nearby

• Karnak Temple: about 3 km to the north, once connected to Luxor Temple by the avenue of sphinxes.
• Ramesséum: on the west bank, the mortuary temple of Ramesses II.
• Medinet Habu: the temple of Ramesses III, famous for its polychrome reliefs.
• Deir el-Medina: the village of craftsmen who carved the royal tombs.
• Kom Ombo Temple: a usual stop on Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan.

Frequently asked questions

Organise your visit

Luxor Temple fits naturally into a larger circuit around Thebes and the Nile. To plan a complete itinerary, consult our suggestions for travel in Égypte.