Luxor
Luxor is often called the world's greatest open-air museum, home to the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple. It's the site of ancient Thebes, capital of pharaonic Egypt.
History
Luxor was the ancient city of Thebes, capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom (1550-1070 BCE). It was the most powerful city of its time and the religious center dedicated to the god Amun. The Valley of the Kings contains 63 tombs of pharaohs including Tutankhamun.
Famous for
How to reach
By air: Luxor International Airport (LXR). By rail: overnight train from Cairo (8-10 hours). By road: 3-4 hours from Hurghada, 4-5 hours from Cairo.
Nearby attractions
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About
Luxor is divided by the Nile: the East Bank holds the living city, Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple; the West Bank is the necropolis with tombs and mortuary temples. The Valley of the Kings is the most famous archaeological site in Egypt, with 63 discovered tombs cut into the desert rock.
Karnak Temple is the largest religious complex ever built, a vast open-air museum of columns, obelisks, and statues. The Great Hypostyle Hall has 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows, covering an area larger than the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
A hot air balloon ride over the West Bank at dawn provides an unforgettable perspective of the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Nile. Luxor is best visited in winter months (November-February) when temperatures are comfortable for extensive outdoor exploration.