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Luxor Holiday & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Luxor

The king of tourist sites in Egypt is no doubt the Giza plateau, but there are just as many ruins, relics and reason to visit the areas south of Cairo. Along the Nile, exploring the ruins of Luxor is one of the best ways to get a glimpse into life in the time of the pharaohs. Some of the biggest temples are here, from Thebes to Karnak, and visitors won’t be able to help but be impressed by the sheer scale of these ancient constructions.

Flights to Luxor
Cairo is the main air gateway to Egypt, but these days more and more direct flights are being offered to Luxor. If you can’t find a direct flight, the 45-minute domestic journey between Cairo and Luxor is fast, easy and services are frequent, with flights operated by Egypt Air. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Luxor try Ebookers. Those with more time can feasibly cruise along the Nile to reach Luxor, with journey times varying between four and six days.

The train station in Luxor is connected with other major cities in Egypt, and trains from Cairo leave from Ramses Station. Upon arrival in Luxor, don’t be daunted by the hordes of hotel touts and taxi drivers. The town is relatively small and easy to explore on foot.

Egypt is not a suitable country in which to rent a car; road rules are often ignored by drivers. The roads in Egypt are mostly of bad quality, making hiring a car one of the least advisable transport options.

Luxor


Sightseeing in Luxor
Sightseeing is why most visitors come to Luxor, and the area that makes up the open-air museum is very impressive. Luxor Temple is the first stop for many, followed by the equally impressive Temple of Karnak. The structure took 1,300 years to complete, and a walk through the immense ruin is an experience to remember.

Egypt is known for its mummification process, and here you can get the lowdown on just about everything you could ever want to know about the art of the mummy at the Mummification Museum. The Valley of the Kings is also an absolute must-see.

Book Sightseeing Tours

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Luxor isn’t exactly Ibiza, and most people come here to explore the fascinating history of the place, making the most of their days here by touring ancient sites. The Egyptians have a tolerant attitude towards alcohol, and non-Muslim establishments sell booze, though walking in public with a beer is considered unacceptable. As far as eating goes, the local staple of baba ganoush and pita bread with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers is always filling. With the number of tourists coming through the town, western fare isn’t hard to come by.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Your shopping in Luxor will most likely be limited to souvenirs. There are markets where you can put your bargaining skills to good use. Remember that you’re expected to bargain, and it can in fact be considered rude if you don’t play along with the haggling game. Remember this is normal for Egyptians and try to have fun during the process.

There are some great daytrips you can make from Luxor, with many hotels organising trips to Hathor, a remarkably well-preserved temple. Arrangements can also be made for onward travel to other destinations such as Abu Simbel.


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