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LuxorTemple

Pharonic statue at Luxor, Egypt.


Luxor is a city located in the southern region of Upper Egypt and has been described as a living museum, and is one indeed! It reflects the grandeur of the Ancient Egypt. Luxor stands at the site where once stood the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes and the ruins of some ancient temple complexes are now within the city precincts of this city of around 200,000. Opposite the Nile River on the West Bank lie the monuments spread across the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. It is a very popular tourist destination of the world, and city attract thousands of tourists round the year. From Luxor you may also take cruises in the Nile River, or end your cruises here if you are coming from some other direction.


Tips for: backpackersbusiness travelersluxury/exotic travelhitchhikersfamiliesseniorsLBG travelerspet owners

Hotels and lodging[]

Egypt has been a special destination for as long as records have been kept, but this escalated when archaeological fever was fed by the fantastic discovery of the Tomb of King Tutenkhamen in the Vally of the Kings in Luxor. The Winter Palace Hotel was the top hotel in Luxor at that time and still operates today, supplemented a modern wing.

Nile cruises became popular very early, with traditional dahbiyyas being superseded in popularity by the current huge Nile cruisers which have serious environmental and economic implications for the local community.

Self-catering accommodation has not traditionally been an option in Luxor, but in recent years, with a flurry of building of dedicated apartment blocks, self-catering apartments are widely available in locations ranging from the utilitarian and noisy downtown setting of Television Street to the peaceful more traditional west bank setting close to the Valley of the Kings.


HOTELS IN LUXOR

  • Hotel St. George Luxor, A luxurious hotel, right on the banks of the Nile River, overlooking Egypt's famous antiquities.


Attractions[]

Luxor, the living museum has many monuments and historical heritage of Ancient Egypt.

Historical monumnets
  • Temple of Karnak
  • Valley of the Kings
  • Luxor Temple
  • Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari
  • Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari
  • Temple of Amun
  • Colossi of Memnon
  • Temple of Medinat Habu
  • Valley of the Artisans (Deir el-Medina)
  • Tomb of Queen Nefertari
  • Souks (Market)
  • Ramesseum (Mortuary Temple of Ramses II)
  • Temple of Seti I
  • Tomb of King Tutankhamun (Tut)
  • Avenue of Sphinxes
  • Gurna Village
  • Valley of the Nobles
  • Tomb of Ramses III
  • Tomb of Merenptah
  • Corniche
  • Tomb of Sennedjem
  • Temple of Hathor,
  • Obelisk of Thutmoses I
  • Abu El-Hagag Mosque
  • Tomb of Amonherkhopeshef
  • Tomb of Amenophis II

Shopping[]

How to Shop: Haggling and baksheesh[]

Haggling and baksheesh (tipping) are a way of life in Luxor, which can make shopping here both rewarding and infuriating. Luxor has earned the title 'hassle capital of the world', but the Egyptians are generally good natured in their persistence. The haggling can be enjoyable (it certainly is to the locals) but the begging can become irritating. However, 'tipping' is not reserved for tourists - when you understand how 'baksheesh' fits into the culture it makes coping with it easier!


Maps and transportation[]

Getting to Luxor[]

Flighrs
Luxor has an international airport named Luxor International Airport (IATA: LXR, ICAO: HELX) and it has flights from many major destinations of the world:
Trains
Buses

Local minibuses run through main streets in the city (except the Corniche - the tourist promenade along the Nile) for a flat rate of 25 Piastres. This will take you from centre of Luxor to the Temple of Karnak, some 5 km to the North. Don't be afraid to hail one, ask for directions and jump in. Most locals are friendly.

Boats

The municipal ferry costs foreigners £1Egyptian for a single Nile crossing. The departure is from the dock opposite Luxor Temple. Not as iconic as Hong Kong's Star Ferry or New York's Stanten Island Ferry, but enjoyable nevertheless for a view of Nile life at sunset.

Exploring Luxor[]

Practical information and resources[]

  • Currency: Egyptian pound (LE) (EGP)
  • Time zone: EET (UTC+2) [Summer (DST) - EEST (UTC+3]
  • Calling code: +20
  • Official language: Arabic and Masri

Restaurants[]

Text with links to user-reviews on other pages[]

Nightlife[]

Photo gallery[]

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Everything else[]

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External resources[]

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