Luxor holds the power the sun able to give life and awaken the sense of beauty and wonder in the soul who wishes to cross the boundaries of time and space to witness the glory of Ancient Egypt in the most spectacular fashion. The main goal of this article is to offer every traveler the facts and information about the legendary city of Luxor. This article was written by a group of very skilled and professional tour guides, tour operators, and travel consultants who know all the details about the magical city of Luxor. Luxor is the home of ancient Thebes, one of the oldest and most inhabited cities on earth, the capital of the pharaohs in Ancient Egypt, during the height of their power from the 16th to 11th centuries B.C which explains why it became known as the city of immortal royalty.

Luxor, the city of a hundred doors is considered by many to be the globe’s greatest open-air museum as it holds some of the most majestic temples such as the Valley of the king, the Karnak temple, Queen Hatshepsut temple, and Luxor temple that holds some of the most extraordinary monuments and artifacts. Luxor is located in the south of Upper Egypt, on the east bank of the Nile River and part of the ancient city of Thebes. Luxor was considered to be a very important city during the old kingdom and the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom.

Location of Luxor

Luxor is located in upper Egypt on the southern front on the east bank of the Nile river on an area of 417 sq km (161 sq mi) with a population of over half a million citizens who depends almost on tourism.

Luxor Etymology

Luxor was a very important city as the Greeks named it “Thebes” and the ancient Egyptians called “Waset.”The current name "Luxor" means in Arabic Al-Uqṣur that means “The Palaces” or perhaps “The Forts,” from the Roman castrum and from the Latin castrum as the "fortified camp". Today Luxor is known in Arabic as “The Palaces” and during ancient times plus today by the known nickname “The city of Hundred Doors“.

Climate of Luxor

The climate in Luxor is quite sunny and hot with average temperatures of 40 C (104 F) in the summer months and 22 C (71.6 F) during the winter months. The city has millions of visitors from all over the world to witness all the incredible wonders within this heavenly city.

The History of Luxor

Luxor Temple - Egypt Tours Portal The history of Luxor shows us that the city had a deeply religious nature as it was known to be Thebes which means the city of Hundred doors and the city of Amun as it was the worship center for the Theban triad which consisted of the creator sun God Amun-Ra, His wife the goddess of truth & justice Mut and her son Khnosu the moon god. The city was known in ancient times to be the home of the god Amun and a physical embodiment of the relationship between Amun the God of gods and Egyptian royalty which Egyptian queens actually credited with fathering their own children. Luxor was very important during the 11th dynasty, the early middle kingdom (2050-1652 BC), the 12th dynasty (1938-1756 BC), and later in Egypt new kingdom as the city of the gods where the Karnak temple is the official place for worship as each god had a shrine-like Amun-Re, Mut and many more.

Luxor was a provincial administration center during the Old Kingdom collapsed, but with the rise of the middle kingdom in a time called the “first intermediate period.” the ancient city at Luxor became the capital of the new kingdom of Egypt. The importance of the city grows at the beginning of the 11th dynasty during the early middle kingdom leading to the new kingdom where the city became the capital and a universal hub for all the political, religious, and military aspects in Ancient Egypt. From the 18th to the 20th Dynasty, many kings and Queens established many temples to honor the gods as king Amenhotep III constructed the temple of the deity Amon, his consort the goddess Mut and their son Khonsu the moon good A.K.A Luxor temple in the late 18th dynasty, soon the power of Amon grow stronger as he was merged with the sun God Ra to Form Amun-RA who was worshipped in his temple in the Karnak Temples Complex.

King Akhenaton (1353-1336 BC) tried to enforce Monotheism as the way of the land when he moved the capital to the city of Amarna and force Atonism (the worship of the only god Aton) on the nation but he failed to do so after a period of civil war and unrest. During the new kingdom, a new set of constructions took place as many kings and Queens like Ramsess II (1279-1213 BC) and Hatshepsut (1507- 1458 BC) desired to immortalize their legacy plus it became a custom for any king or queen during the new kingdom to be buried in the valley of the kings as it holds 63 royal tombs such as the tomb of Ramses the great, Tutankhamen, Thutmose III, Nefertari and many more. Luxor is quite famous for the glorious temple of Hatshepsut that reflects the true artistic design and classical architecture of that era. One of the last characters to add something new to the city was Alexander the Great as a granite shrine of him was added to the Luxor temple.

The ancient Egyptian nature of Luxor hasn’t changed or decreased even when the Greek, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic Era came to Luxor and many churches and mosques were built near or even on some of the temples, Luxor still remained a window to the Ancient Egyptian History. The city of Luxor keeps surprising us with new discoveries every single day. Luxor along with the Karnak temples complex, the Valley of the Queens, and the Valley of the Kings, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Many excavations, restorations, and preservation efforts are still operating to this current day. In 1988 the Egyptian Antiquities Organization uncovered many 18th-dynasty statues. Modern Luxor is a market town that serves all the surrounding agricultural districts, plus the majority of the population is Christian. The town also has a railway station, an airport, and a ferry service to the western bank, plus The marvelous Luxor Museum was opened here in 1975 to offer travelers from all over the world a glimpse into the remarkable history and culture of ancient Thebes.

Best Attractions in Luxor

Luxor Tourist Attractions are universal treasures made of physical allure and grandeur. Located all over the city which made Luxor earn the title of being a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. At the first footsteps of the city exists the heavenly guardian the great Colossi of Memnon and in the heart of a mountain is the heavenly valley of the king home to 63 tombs for a number of royalty and nobles plus 20 tombs of kings and queens from the new kingdom period such as the Ramsess dynasty, Tutankhamun, Seti I, Amenhotep I, Thutmose and many more. Another rare monument is the marvelous valley of the nobles that holds 500 tombs of nobility, governors, and tax collectors plus wall images and wall decorations that shows their daily lives in a very detailed manner.

The beautiful temple of Queen Hatshepsut was built in 1479 BC which represents the most ideal example of ancient Egyptian architecture and one of the most preserved temples in all of Egypt. The Great Luxor Temple a.k.a the southern sanctuary was built in 1400 BCE and is one of the oldest and most marvelous temples in Luxor which was dedicated to the Theban Triad.

The great Karnak temples Complex a.k.a the most selected of Places is one of the world's largest open-air museums that was dedicated to the documentation of the spiritual development of the entire ancient Egyptian society. Karnak temple complex is a heavenly treasure that used to be the most important place of worship in Ancient Egypt, filled with sanctuaries, kiosks, and obelisks dedicated to the god of ancient Thebes and the glory of pharaohs dating more than 3500 years. Luxor is dominated by the Temple of Amun-Ra, one of the world’s largest religious complexes. Karnak temple is popular for its hall lined with giant papyrus-shaped columns. Karnak temple complex is a heavenly treasure that used to be the most important place of worship in Ancient Egypt, filled with sanctuaries, kiosks, and obelisks dedicated to the god of ancient Thebes and the glory of pharaohs dating more than 3500 years. Most of the constructions were built by the pharaohs of the 18th to 20th dynasties (1570–1090 BC), The legendary 3 kilometer-long avenue of human-headed sphinxes that links the great Temple of Amun at Karnak with Luxor Temple is a true sight to behold.

Things to Do in Luxor

There are amazing things to do in Luxor where every traveler will have the chance to explore all the ancient historical attractions across the city plus there are a number of shops and bazaars where you can buy some lovely souvenirs, board a marvelous hot air balloon, enter the sound and light shoe and witness the history of Ancient Egypt come to life. From Luxor every traveler has the chance to board a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan where all the attractions of Ancient Egypt can be explored fully, there is also the amazing Luxor Museum home to the rarest collection of ancient Egyptian Artifacts.

Egypt has wonderful attractions and activities so if you prefer to explore them; you can try our best Egypt holiday packages from UK, Nile River Cruise, and book the tour most suitable for you. Or if you are in Luxor city and prefer to explore the most famous archaeological sites in Luxor then you can visit our Luxor Excursions.

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Egypt Tours Portal is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history, culture, and mysteries of ancient Egypt, helping travelers and history enthusiasts explore Egypt’s most iconic destinations and monuments. The team consists of experienced Egyptologists, archaeologists, historians, travelers, content creators, marketers, consultants, and explorers with 5–20 years of expertise in their respective fields.

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Read the Heartfelt Reviews of Our Esteemed Clients

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Erin W

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

"We had a great experience touring Aswan, Edfu, and Luxor with Mahmoud. I would highly recommend him as a guide. He adapted to our needs (2 teenagers) and kept everything interesting. He was always prompt, professional, and easy to communicate with. He was also very prompt answering questions via WhatsApp"

Estelle V

"We would like to share our wonderful experience with Egypt Tours Portal. From the very first quote to our final airport drop-off, we were impressed by the professionalism, organization, and excellent communication from Walaa and the entire team. Our tour guides in both Luxor (“Habibi” was the best!) and Cairo were incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and passionate about sharing Egypt’s history and treasures with us. We especially appreciated how thoughtfully the itinerary was planned — allowing us time to rest in the afternoons, scheduling visits during the cooler hours, and remaining flexible to accommodate our needs. Everything was smooth, well-organized, and made our trip truly memorable. We wholeheartedly recommend Egypt Tours Portal to anyone looking to discover the incredible history, culture, and wonders Egypt has to offer."

Tim K

"We had an outstanding time touring Luxor with our guide, Essra. She was knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly kind throughout the entire experience. Her explanations of Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon brought Egypt's history to life. What really set her apart was her thoughtfulness. She made sure we stayed comfortable in the heat, surprising us with water and refreshments. She also took us to an excellent local restaurant that we never would have found on our own. Her attention to detail, genuine care, and passion for sharing Egypt made this one of the highlights of our trip. We highly recommend her to anyone visiting Luxor. On another note, the drivers we had each day were great. So professional, always on time and personable."

Will S

Bluff Park, Alabama

"We had a great vacation. Omar Haridi did our Nile Cruise and Zizi did our Cairo tour. They were amazing and very knowledgeable."

Mira F

"The best experience of my lifetime! Nour, the tour guide was absolutely amazing! Went over and beyond thinking about every little thing. I had a mishap and Egypt Air overbooked my flight and bumped me to a later flight causing me to miss an entire day of activities. Nour made sure I got to do every single thing I missed that first day. But that’s not all: his knowledge of old Egypt is unparalleled, he truly brings Egypt (Aswan Luxor) alive. I’ve traveled all over the world and met many tour guides: Nour stands apart from all of them. He’s also considerate, caring and genuinely wants his guests to enjoy the trip and learn the most about the incredible history of Egypt. He’s also funny and genuinely great to be around. Please, do yourself a favor when booking a trip in Upper Egypt and ask for Nour. Hands down the best guide ever!"

Paul B

Hook, United Kingdom

"Excellent guide Mr Mohamed Osman, who was incredibly knowledgeable and very informative. Couldn't ask for more. Food on day 1 was ok, but much better at lunch on day 2. Hotel was excellent. Also our driver was excellent. All in all a great experience. Would highly recommend."

Marianna A

"Our experience in Egypt, especially in Luxor and Aswan, was truly unforgettable, and a huge part of that was thanks to our incredible guide Omar. We cannot recommend him highly enough. From the moment we met him, it was clear that he was exceptionally knowledgeable, professional, and deeply passionate about Egyptian history and culture. What made our tour extraordinary was that our guide is not only a master’s in Egyptology but is also currently pursuing a PhD in Egyptology. His depth of knowledge was absolutely remarkable. He is also very creative and artistic. Every temple, tomb, monument, and historical site came alive through his explanations. He did not simply recite facts, he explained the historical context, symbolism, religious beliefs, architecture, and fascinating stories behind everything we saw. It truly felt like we were traveling through ancient Egypt with a real scholar and expert by our side. He brought ancient Egyptian history to life by assigning us the roles of Egyptian gods and legendary heroes. Through these interactive mini-plays, we were able to experience, understand, and truly connect with the stories he shared. In Luxor, visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut Temple became an unforgettable educational and emotional experience because of the way he explained the history in such an engaging and easy-to-understand manner. In Aswan, his insights about Philae Temple, Nubian history, and ancient Egyptian civilization added so much depth to our trip. He answered every question thoughtfully and with incredible detail, and you could genuinely feel his passion for Egyptology. Beyond his academic expertise, he was one of the kindest and most caring people we met during our travels. He constantly made sure we were comfortable, safe, hydrated, and enjoying ourselves. He was patient, attentive, organized, and always willing to help with anything we needed. His warm personality and kindness made us feel welcomed not just as tourists, but as friends. He also paced the tours perfectly, allowing us enough time to truly appreciate each site without ever feeling rushed. His professionalism, friendliness, and genuine care created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the trip. Thanks to him, our visit to Egypt became far more than a vacation. It became an unforgettable journey into history and culture. If you are planning to visit Luxor, Aswan, or anywhere in Egypt, choosing this guide will be one of the best decisions you can make. He is truly exceptional, and we feel incredibly lucky to have had him as our guide. Thank you again for such an amazing experience. We will never forget it. Marianna and Khris"

James H

"This has been a tour agency and guides I can’t wait to give a glowing review to and to recommend to friends and family. Both Riham and Walid were happy to help coordinate excursions and share a wealth of knowledge. 10/10 experience"

H D

"We had a wonderful experience with the 5 day cruise. The price is wry reasonable. The best part is that the visits are done in very small numbers with a guide. It is almost like having a private guide. The food was good with lots of variety and all the staff members are very friendly and helpful. Omar Haradi, our guide was very knowledgeable and very generous with his time and with sharing his knowledge."

Marlina

West Palm Beach, Florida

"We just returned home from an incredible trip to Egypt, and we cannot say enough good things about Egypt Tours. From the moment we booked our trip until the day we flew home, their communication, organization, and attention to detail were outstanding. Our adventure began in Cairo, where we were warmly welcomed at the airport by our guide, Abdulrahman Mosbah. He immediately made us feel comfortable and at ease, and our Nile River sunset cruise was the perfect introduction to Egypt. Abdul’s warm personality and infectious enthusiasm made our first day both fun and memorable. The following day, we toured with Reda Elgendy, who brought the pyramids to life with fascinating stories and historical insights. Seeing the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) was truly breathtaking and a highlight of our time in Cairo. In Aswan, we were greeted at the airport by Ahmed Haggag, who guided us over the next two days. Ahmed was incredibly knowledgeable, thorough in his explanations, and always kept us entertained with his great sense of humor. We learned so much while enjoying every moment of our time with him. Our final stop was Luxor, where we met Ghada Kamel. Saving the best for last, Ghada was absolutely exceptional. Her passion for Egypt’s history and culture made our visits to the temples and the Valley of the Kings unforgettable. She was engaging, informative, and truly outstanding. This trip exceeded all of our expectations. Not only did we experience some of the world’s most amazing historical sites, but each of our guides also shared valuable insights into Egyptian culture and daily life. We returned home with wonderful memories, a deeper appreciation for Egypt, and gratitude for the amazing team at Egypt Tours. We highly recommend Egypt Tours to anyone planning a trip to Egypt. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!"

Alejandro M

"We loved it, great experience and treatment. Our guide Noah had great knowledge of the subject. Thank you very much."

Jeff T

"Our trip in May 2026 was fantastic! We saw all the major wonders of Egypt! Our incredibly knowledgeable guide Walid Ahmed met us at the hotel and was great at explaining all the particular uniqueness of each tomb and temple, inserting background myths and stories, keeping our tour on track, taking and sharing so many pictures so we could be in them as a couple and helping us navigate local customs. We strongly recommend Egypt, the tour and Walid!"

Joe P

"We had a wonderful week long vacation in Egypt, split between Cairo and Luxor. The tour was very professionally run with excellent communication starting weeks before our arrival and then nearly daily while in Egypt. A highlight was our English-speaking guide in Luxor, Walid Ahmed, who was extremely knowledgeable and exceptionally kind. The tour was flexible and accommodating, allowing last minute special detours and restaurant choices. Overall, it was one of the best vacations of our life."

Damien B

"We had Ahmed Refaat as our family guide in Cairo, and he truly made our trip to Egypt unforgettable. His positive attitude, passion for Egypt’s history and culture, and incredible patience made all the difference throughout our stay in Cairo. Ahmed brought every site to life with fascinating explanations and was always attentive to our needs, making the experience enjoyable for both adults and children. We especially recommend him for visits to Saqqara and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), where his deep knowledge and enthusiasm greatly enhanced our understanding and appreciation of these extraordinary places. Without any hesitation, we highly recommend Ahmed Refaat to anyone visiting Egypt. Thank you again for helping create such wonderful memories for our family!"

Departure20554993605

"Knowledgeable guide, clean vehicle, interesting stories about the sites. Tour guide: Muhmmed Abd El-aal was very nice to be in the company of, dry attentive and honest."

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