Top Things to Do in Luxor: A Two-Day Guide
Often called the world's greatest open-air museum, Luxor packs in temples and tombs. Here's how to see the best of it.
Luxor, built on the ancient city of Thebes, is often called the world's greatest open-air museum, and it lives up to it. The temples and tombs here are the highlight of any Nile cruise or Upper Egypt trip. Here's how to make the most of two days.
East Bank: temples of the living Spend your first day on the East Bank. Karnak Temple is the showstopper, a vast complex whose Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 colossal columns, is one of the most awe-inspiring spaces in the ancient world. Nearby, Luxor Temple is especially magical in the late afternoon and after dark when it's beautifully lit.
West Bank: cities of the dead Day two crosses the Nile to the West Bank, where the pharaohs were buried. The Valley of the Kings holds the rock-cut tombs of rulers including Tutankhamun, their walls still vivid with colour. Add the dramatic terraced Temple of Hatshepsut and the towering Colossi of Memnon.
See it from above For something unforgettable, take a hot-air balloon at sunrise over the West Bank, drifting above the temples, the Nile and the green valley as the light comes up is a genuine bucket-list moment.
The best way to visit Luxor is the natural centrepiece of a Nile cruise, which lets you reach Karnak and the Valley of the Kings with a private Egyptologist and continue on to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. See our <a href="/tours/epic-journey-ancient-egypt">8-day Epic Journey</a>, or read our full <a href="/blog/nile-cruise-guide">Nile cruise guide</a>.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Luxor? Two days lets you cover the East Bank (Karnak, Luxor Temple) and the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut) without rushing. One day is possible but tight.
Is Luxor worth visiting? Absolutely, for many travellers the temples and tombs of Luxor are the highlight of the entire trip, even more than the Pyramids.
Want Luxor built into a Nile cruise itinerary? Tell us your dates and we'll design it around you.