The city of Luxor, located in southern Égypte, attracts thousands of tourists from around the world each year. The charm of this grand city stems from its countless archaeological sites located both within and around the metropolis.

Situated in the very heart of the ancient city of Thebes, the immense Karnak religious complex amazes adventurers passionate about ancient Égypte. Just a stone's throw away, the Luxor Museum holds the secrets of the great monarchs of antiquity. And, on the west side of the city, a visit to the mythical Valley of the Kings cannot help but rekindle passions for the mysteries of the pharaonic realm.

Harbouring massive funerary temples, places of worship, and a necropolis designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Luxor is "the world's largest open-air museum".

History

The city of Luxor was named Waset by the Égyptiens, then Thebes by the Greeks.

More than 2,000 years ago, Waset was a modest settlement in southern Égypte. At that time, it was known as a major trading hub. Caravans from the south flocked there to sell various earthly goods. However, the entire country fell into a significant civil war. The pharaoh of the north was in conflict with the regent of the south. It was then that Montuhotep II, from Waset, unified the country and restored a measure of stability. He made his native city the religious, political, and military centre of his new kingdom.

Over the years, his successors each contributed to the city's economic growth. They brought their war treasures there, built monumental temples, and established their tombs in the mythical Valley of the Kings.

Much later, during the 12th Dynasty, the city diminished in importance when the country's capital was relocated to cities further north. Yet the city of Waset remained the religious centre of the kingdom, protected by the god Amon-Rê himself.

Luxor Today

The great city of Luxor is situated right in the heart of Upper Égypte, 700 kilometres south of Cairo and 300 kilometres north of Aswan. Nestled on the east bank of the Nile, it is surrounded by vast plantations of bananas, sugar cane, and wheat. The dwellings within this ancient city of Thebes resemble houses found throughout the country.

The overall picture is one of a modern city, dotted here and there with buildings constructed in medieval style. Further west, along the Nile, Luxor boasts a magnificent and peaceful corniche where majestic cruise ships continuously dock.

The Karnak Complex

In the heart of the city, along the riverbank, the Karnak religious complex stands on a plateau spanning more than 100 hectares. This majestic city is entirely dedicated to the worship of the gods. It seems to form a city unto itself, where dwellings are replaced by immense pylons, chapels, and hypostyle halls. The ruins of great Karnak remain simply impressive. They house mysterious avenues of sphinxes, a titanic forest of columns, various temples, and a great sacred lake. It took nearly 2,000 years and the determination of several Égyptien, Greek, and Roman monarchs to erect this gigantic religious complex.

The Luxor Museum

A few hundred metres south of the Karnak complex, a magnificent building constructed in contemporary style reveals certain secrets about Égypte's past. The Luxor Museum houses stunning galleries where fascinating works dating from the Old Kingdom are displayed. The highly modern design of its interior magnifies the treasures on display in this repository. Strolling through its vast halls allows you to discover statues, sarcophagi, and mummies of ancient pharaohs. Among them, a grauwacke sculpture of Thutmose III, an alabaster bust of Amenhotep III, the impressive wall of Akhenaten, and various everyday objects used by the inhabitants of Waset.

The Luxor Temple

Further south, a few hundred metres from the Karnak religious complex, stands the famous Luxor Temple. It was built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II to serve as the Ipet of the god Amon, his harem. A visit to this place of worship fascinates with the impressive army of sphinxes erected at the monument's entrance, the great statues of Ramses II gazing at the horizon, and its gigantic obelisk, whose twin now stands in Paris at the centre of Place de la Concorde. A walk through its Great Court or hypostyle chamber makes lovers of ancient Égypte forget the passage of time.

The Theban Necropolis

On the other side of the Nile, the Theban necropolis has yet to reveal all the secrets it holds. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the vast site is a conglomeration of tombs constructed and sumptuously decorated by the pharaohs. This expanse is immensely large, and archaeologists struggle to determine its true boundaries. Its famous Valley of the Kings, its remarkable funerary temples, and its renowned Valley of the Queens are open to the public.

The Valley of the Kings

Located in the very heart of the Theban necropolis, it contains the tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs and some of their nobles. Each structure was erected to be the eternal dwelling of a great king's mummy. Thus, each constitutes a genuine underground palace. Tourists come to admire the colours of Horemheb's antechamber, the impressive sarcophagus of Ramses III's tomb, the countless hieroglyphs of the hypostyle hall of Ramses VI's tomb, and the impressive golden vault of Sety I's burial chamber.

Deir el-Bahari

Abutting the southern part of the Valley of the Kings, the Deir el-Bahari funerary complex also holds many treasures. Built on the cliffs of the Theban mountain, it comprises several structures worth visiting. Among them, the funerary temple of Hatshepsut, the wife of pharaoh Thutmose II. The long avenue of the site leads to a series of gigantic terraces. At the top of the edifice stands a majestic row of statues, the Djeser-Djeseru. This esplanade offers an unobstructed view of the surrounding site.

The Ramesseum

Just opposite the Deir el-Bahari necropolis, the ruins of the great funerary temple of Ramses II continue to capture the attention of tourists visiting the region. It once housed a large hypostyle hall, two great courts, and two great pylons magnificently adorned. Nowadays, the Ramesseum fascinates its visitors with the remnants of its great statues, immense columns, and gigantic pylons decorated with reliefs depicting Ramses II's victories in war.

Medinet Habu

The ancient city of Medinet Habu is located on the south side of the Theban necropolis. Ramses III erected his famous temple of millions of years there. This gigantic fortress is designed as an immense complex where the king arranged a great palace for his private apartments as well as a funerary temple dedicated to himself. This place of worship astounds its visitors with its immense wall where the tableau of Ramses III obtaining victory against the Sea Peoples has been inscribed. It also amazes with its great inner courts and its great hypostyle hall adorned with mysterious hieroglyphs.

The city of Luxor is the ultimate destination for lovers of ancient Égypte. The Valley of the Queens, the Tombs of the Nobles, and the countless temples of the Theban necropolis have yet to reveal all their secrets, and continue to attract adventurers from around the world solely to admire them.

Climate

The city of Luxor enjoys brilliant sunshine throughout the year, with minimal rainfall. Temperatures range from 17 to 50°C. In summer, it is absolutely suffocating by day and sometimes at night, ranging from 25 to over 40°C. In winter, days are milder and nights very cool, around 13 to 14°C. Thus, the "cold" season is the best time of year to visit the ancient city of Thebes, extending from November through February.

By Air

The ancient city of Thebes is served by Luxor International Airport. The flight time between this airport and Roissy Airport is on average five hours. And half that time for those departing from Cairo.

By Train

A train journey from Ramses Station in Cairo to Luxor Station takes on average ten to eleven hours. Upon arrival, white and blue taxis nearly jostle each other on the pavement to welcome visitors.

By Bus

Several bus companies also offer travel between Cairo and Luxor. Fares range from 40 to 140 Égyptien pounds. And the journey duration is approximately eleven to twelve hours with possible stops along the route.

By Taxi

The fastest and safest way to get around Luxor is to hail a taxi. Their fares vary depending on the destination and bargaining. To travel from the airport to the city centre, it's generally 50 Égyptien pounds. Transport costs for a ride within the city are cheaper, around 10 to 20 Égyptien pounds. And to cross the bridge and explore the surroundings of the west bank of the Nile, you'll need to spend about 100 Égyptien pounds.

By Minibus

Taking a minibus is the best way to get around the city at minimal cost. But this experience is reserved for the most daring tourists as there are no signs indicating their exact route. Transport costs range from 1.5 to 2 Égyptien pounds.

By Boat

For those with a love of the sea, it is possible to take the ferry or rent a felucca in the southern part of the corniche. Crossing the Nile costs between 5 to 15 Égyptien pounds per person.