Luxor is an open-air museum stretching along the Nile in Upper Egypt, home to the greatest concentration of ancient monuments on Earth. From the colossal Karnak Temple Complex to the tombs of pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor preserves millennia of Egyptian civilization. Once the ancient capital of Thebes, it remains one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological destinations.
Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, one of the most magnificent cities of the ancient world and the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom (c. 1550-1070 BCE). Known in antiquity as 'Waset' and later as 'No-Amun' (city of Amun), Thebes was the political and religious heart of Egyptian civilisation for over 500 years. The city's extraordinary legacy includes the largest temple complex ever built (Karnak), the tombs of Egypt's greatest pharaohs, and an unbroken tradition of human settlement reaching back 5,000 years.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Luxor.
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1
Early Settlement
The Theban region is settled during the Early Dynastic period; the area becomes an important administrative centre in Upper Egypt
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2
First Intermediate Period Rise
The Theban monarchs (Intef dynasty) rise to challenge northern rulers; Thebes becomes a major power base
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3
Middle Kingdom — Reunification
Mentuhotep II unifies Egypt from Thebes, making it the capital of the reunified kingdom and beginning a golden age
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4
New Kingdom — Imperial Capital
Ahmose I expels the Hyksos and begins the New Kingdom; Thebes becomes the greatest city in the world, home to pharaohs including Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Amenhotep III, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramesses II
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5
Karnak Temple Construction Begins
The massive Karnak temple complex begins taking shape; over the next 1,500 years, successive pharaohs add pylons, obelisks, and sanctuaries
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6
Hatshepsut's Reign
Egypt's most famous female pharaoh rules for 20 years, commissioning Deir el-Bahari temple, obelisks at Karnak, and a legendary trading expedition to Punt
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7
Akhenaten and Amarna Period
Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten abandons Thebes to build a new capital at Amarna; Tutankhamun restores the traditional gods and returns to Thebes
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8
Tutankhamun's Burial
The young pharaoh Tutankhamun is buried in the Valley of the Kings — his intact tomb, discovered in 1922, becomes the most famous archaeological find in history
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9
Ramesses II — The Great Builder
Ramesses II (Ramesses the Great) rules for 66 years and transforms Luxor with massive building projects including the Ramesseum and additions to Luxor and Karnak temples
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10
End of the New Kingdom
The New Kingdom collapses; Thebes loses its status as Egypt's capital but remains a major religious centre
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11
Assyrian Sack of Thebes
The Assyrian king Assurbanipal sacks Thebes in 663 BCE — an event so significant it was known throughout the ancient world
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12
Late Period and Ptolemaic Era
Ptolemaic rulers (after Alexander the Great) continue building at Thebes; several important temples including Deir el-Medina's Ptolemaic temple date from this era
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13
Roman Period
The Romans call the city 'Diospolis Magna'; Luxor Temple is used as a Roman fortress
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14
Christian Period
Coptic Christians occupy and modify ancient temples; an early Christian church is built within Luxor Temple; many temples are damaged or converted
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15
Arab Conquest
The Arab conquest of Egypt brings Islam to the Nile Valley; the town that would become Luxor develops on the site of ancient Thebes
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16
Napoleonic Expedition
Napoleon's expedition to Egypt includes teams of scholars who document Luxor's monuments systematically for the first time, sparking Egyptomania in Europe
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17
Royal Mummy Cache Discovery
A cache of over 40 royal mummies is discovered at Deir el-Bahari — ancient priests had hidden them to protect them from tomb robbers
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18
Tutankhamun Discovery
Howard Carter discovers the intact tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings — the greatest archaeological discovery in history, announced from the Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor
Historical eras
The chapters of Luxor's past.
Predynastic and Early Dynastic
Settlement of the Theban region; early agricultural communities along the Nile
Middle Kingdom
Reunification under Theban rulers; first major temples at Karnak; foundation of Thebes as capital
New Kingdom
Egypt's golden age and Thebes at its greatest glory — the Luxor and Karnak temples, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and all major West Bank monuments date from this era
Late Period and Ptolemaic
Foreign dynasties rule Egypt but continue building at Thebes; the Ptolemaic temple at Deir el-Medina is among the finest of this era
Roman and Early Christian
Roman occupation transforms Luxor Temple into a military camp; early Coptic Christian communities modify ancient temples
Historical sites
Places where Luxor's past comes alive.
Karnak Temple Complex
The largest religious complex ever built, spanning 2,000 years of pharaonic construction. The Great Hypostyle Hall with 134 columns is one of humanity's greatest architectural achievements.
Where: El-Karnak, East Bank
Admission: $7 (EGP 200)
Luxor Temple
A riverside temple dedicated to the Opet Festival, connecting the mortal and divine. Built by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, later used as a Roman military camp with a church inside.
Where: Corniche, East Bank
Admission: $10 (EGP 300)
Valley of the Kings
The royal necropolis where the greatest pharaohs of Egypt's golden age were buried. 63 tombs cut deep into the limestone hills, many with extraordinarily preserved painted burial chambers.
Where: West Bank
Admission: $25 (EGP 750)
Deir el-Medina
The village of the royal tomb builders — artisans whose own tombs and papyrus records give an astonishingly detailed picture of daily life in ancient Thebes.
Where: West Bank
Admission: $5 (EGP 140)
Museums
Curated collections that tell Luxor's story.
Luxor Museum
Egypt's finest regional museum with a curated collection of statuary and artefacts from the Theban region, including the reconstructed Akhenaten wall and a mummy room
Hours: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Admission: $10 (EGP 300)
Mummification Museum
Fascinating displays of ancient Egyptian mummification science and art, including human and animal mummies with well-captioned English explanations
Hours: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Admission: $7 (EGP 200)
Howard Carter's House
The restored home of Tutankhamun's discoverer, preserving the atmosphere of the Egyptology golden age
Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Admission: $3 (EGP 80)
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Walking tours
Free self-guided walks along the Avenue of Sphinxes and Corniche; Valley of the Kings self-guided with audio guide hire
Day tours
Full-day Egyptologist-guided tours of West Bank (EGP 500-1,500); East Bank tours available
Private tours
Private Egyptologist guides from EGP 500-800/half day; highly recommended for Valley of the Kings and Karnak