🏛️ Luxor: The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum

Once the ancient capital of Thebes, Luxor holds an almost unbelievable concentration of monuments. The city is split by the Nile into two distinct halves: the East Bank (The City of the Living) and the West Bank (The City of the Dead).

☀️ The East Bank: Temples & Triumphs

  • Karnak Temple Complex: This isn’t just a temple; it’s a massive city of gods built over 2,000 years. The Hypostyle Hall, with its 134 towering columns, is a place where you truly feel the scale of the Pharaohs’ ambition.
  • Luxor Temple: Located right in the heart of the modern city.
    • Pro-Tip: Visit at sunset. The temple stays open until 9:00 PM and is beautifully illuminated, making it much cooler and more atmospheric than during the midday heat.
  • Avenue of Sphinxes: You can now walk the full 3km path that connects Luxor Temple to Karnak, just as the ancient processions did thousands of years ago.

⛰️ The West Bank: Valleys of Mystery

  • Valley of the Kings: This is where the New Kingdom Pharaohs were hidden in rock-cut tombs.
    • The 2026 Ticket: Your standard ticket usually covers 3 tombs.
    • The “Big Three” Extras: For an additional fee, you can enter the tombs of Tutankhamun (small but iconic), Seti I (the most spectacular), or Ramesses VI (famed for its astronomical ceiling).
  • Temple of Hatshepsut: A dramatic, three-tiered mortuary temple built into the limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. It looks incredibly modern for being over 3,400 years old!
  • Colossi of Memnon: Two massive 18-meter-high statues that are the first thing you see when arriving on the West Bank. They are free to visit and make for a quick, epic photo op.

🎈 The Ultimate Bucket List: Hot Air Balloons

In 2026, Luxor remains one of the most affordable places on Earth for a hot air balloon ride.

  • The Experience: You’ll be picked up at 4:30 AM to drift over the West Bank as the sun rises, lighting up the Nile and the ancient temples below.
  • Cost: Expect to pay between £50 and £80 ($65–$100) including transfers. It is the single most “Instagrammed” moment in Egypt.

🚆 Getting to Luxor from Cairo

  • The Flight (1 hour): Multiple daily flights via EgyptAir or Air Cairo. Prices range from £50–£90.
  • The Talgo Train (8–9 hours): The most comfortable daytime rail option. Tickets for first class are around £25–£35 ($35–$45).
  • The Sleeper Train: A classic experience where you “sleep your way to the south.” Private cabins cost around £65–£100 ($80–$120) per person, including dinner and breakfast.

💡 Always Egypt Insider Tip:

The “Luxor Pass”: If you plan on visiting everything (including the expensive tombs of Seti I and Nefertari), look into the Luxor Pass. It costs about $200 USD for 5 days of unlimited access to all sites in Luxor. It sounds expensive, but if you’re a history buff, it can save you over £50 in individual ticket costs!