Luxor, often known as the “City of Civilization” or the “Open Temple,” is one of Egypt’s most prominent tourist destinations, as it is as ancient as history itself. Wherever you walk in Luxor, you will come upon a monument commemorating a magnificent civilization, and why not? It is “Thebes,” the ancient Pharaonic state’s capital, and it houses the most notable temples and Pharaonic structures.

Luxor does not only attract culture and history buffs because of its enormous cultural heritage, but it also offers tourists many surprises, most notably cruise trips in Luxor on the Nile River, which divides Luxor city into two parts, and enjoying the most mesmerizing landscapes, as well as flying balloon trips that give you ariel view of the city. The city from above, and don’t forget to ride the stagecoach, Luxor’s most popular mode of transportation, and, most importantly, the warm winter temperature, which has made Luxor an unrivaled international winter destination.

The most important archaeological sites in Luxor

1- Karnak Temple

This is a complex of 11 temples that dates back more than 4500 years. As one of the earliest places of worship known to history, Karnak Temple is one of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites and one of the most famous in the world.

Karnak Temple was built for around 2000 years on a total area of about 46 acres to honor the god “Amun-Ra,” his wife “Mut,” and their son, the god “Khonsu.” The building of Karnak Temple began on the interior with the Holy of Holies, then moved to the exterior with the lobby of the world’s biggest columns, which comprises 134 columns, and finally with the entry to the Temple, which is the renowned route of rams.

The music and light performances at night at Karnak Temple, one of the most prominent monuments in Luxor, are some of the most magnificent events. They recount the tale of the Temple in more than one language.

2- Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple, located near Karnak Temple, is one of the most renowned temples on Egypt’s eastern continent. It was built during the Middle Kingdom by command of King “Amenhotep III” to serve as the abode of the deity Amun-Ra.

The Luxor Temple is notable for its expansive facilities, which include a massive gate and sculptures of Ramses II on each side of the entry, as well as two obelisks, one of which has been in its location since 1836 AD, and the other in the French capital, Paris.

Then there’s Ramses II’s massive building with a width of 65 m, followed by the massive corridor with two rows of enormous papyrus columns and numerous remarkable edifices and chambers.

The Luxor Temple is particularly notable historically for its so-called “birth chamber,” which was a significant cause for the Luxor Temple’s construction until King Amenhotep confirmed his eligibility to govern by demonstrating his ancestry to the deity Amun.

3- Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is consistently ranked as one of the most significant tourist attractions in Luxor and Egypt as a whole. When you visit, you’ll understand why thousands of people visit this historical site every day. This site that contains the most notable royal tombs as well as some prominent members of the entourage of Pharaonic Egypt’s reigning family.

The Valley of the Kings has around 64 tombs, the most significant of which is King Tutankhamun’s tomb. It is worth noting that the Valley of the Kings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the pharaonic tombs with paintings are the most spectacular ever seen. This burial location is supposed to have been chosen because it is adjacent to the pharaonic temples.

4- The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

The Temple of Deir el-Bahari, also known as the Temple of Hatshepsut, is rightfully known as the Jewel of the Luxor Temples since it was the most significant funeral Temple during the Pharaonic period. Tourists come from whole world to marvel at the splendor of its one-of-a-kind architecture.

The Temple was erected beneath a rocky slope in the Deir el-Bahari district of Luxor, one of the most significant archaeological locations on the Nile’s west bank. The goal of its creation was to worship the sun deity Amun. The Temple is divided into two parts: 

• The outer section is for the living, 
• While the inner section is for the deceased.

The Deir el-Bahari Temple was made completely of limestone and was planned on three floors with open balconies. In front of the second story, there are numerous magnificent sculptures of Queen Hatshepsut and the deity Osiris. The Temple is especially notable for the ancient inscriptions that adorn its walls and have retained their hues after the passage of thousands of years.