Luxor holds more of ancient Egypt’s great monuments than anywhere else in the country, and the best things to do in Luxor can fill several days without repeating. The modern city stands on the site of ancient Thebes, capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom. The Nile divides it in two: the East Bank, where the living worshipped at Karnak and Luxor Temple, and the West Bank, where pharaohs were buried in the Valley of the Kings.
This guide covers 15 things to do in Luxor, bank by bank, with current ticket notes, how much time each site needs and how to plan your days, whether you are staying in Luxor, arriving on a Nile cruise or visiting on a day trip from Hurghada.
Things to Do in Luxor: The Quick Answer
With one day, see Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, adding the Temple of Hatshepsut if time allows. With two days, give each bank a full day and see Luxor Temple lit up at night. With three days, add Medinet Habu, the Valley of the Queens and a sunrise balloon flight, or a day trip to Dendera.
| Area | Highlights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| East Bank | Karnak, Luxor Temple, Avenue of Sphinxes, Luxor Museum | 1 day |
| West Bank | Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Medinet Habu | 1–2 days |
| Beyond the city | Hot-air balloon, felucca, Dendera and Abydos | Half a day to a full day each |
East Bank: Temples of the Living
The East Bank is the modern city, where most hotels, the corniche and the two great temples are. These five are its essential things to do in Luxor.
1. Karnak Temple Complex
Karnak is one of the largest religious complexes ever built, developed over roughly 2,000 years by successive pharaohs in honor of the god Amun-Ra. Its Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 giant columns carved with reliefs, stops almost everyone in their tracks. Karnak is the single most important of all the things to do in Luxor on the East Bank, and it deserves at least two to three hours.
2. Luxor Temple
Built mainly by Amenhotep III and later expanded by Ramesses II, Luxor Temple sits in the centre of town beside the Nile. It is impressive by day, but many visitors think it is at its best after dark, when the columns and statues are lit. Seeing it in the evening is one of the most atmospheric things to do in Luxor, and it fits neatly after a day on the West Bank.
3. The Avenue of Sphinxes
Once lined with hundreds of sphinx statues, this processional road runs for about 2.7 km between Karnak and Luxor Temple. After decades of excavation it was reopened in 2021 with a major public ceremony. Walking alongside part of it is one of the simplest things to do in Luxor, and it shows how ancient festivals moved between the two temples.
4. Luxor Museum
The Luxor Museum is compact, well lit and much calmer than the big Cairo museums. Its collection includes fine New Kingdom statues, among them pieces discovered in a cache at Luxor Temple. An hour here is one of the more relaxed things to do in Luxor, especially in the late afternoon heat.
5. The Mummification Museum
On the corniche, this small museum explains how ancient Egyptians preserved the dead, with tools, mummified animals and clear displays. It takes less than an hour and is one of the most useful things to do in Luxor before you visit the tombs.
West Bank: The City of the Dead
Across the Nile, the West Bank holds the royal tombs and mortuary temples. For many visitors, this is where the most memorable things to do in Luxor are found.
6. The Valley of the Kings
This royal burial ground holds more than 60 tombs cut into the limestone hills, built for New Kingdom pharaohs between about 1539 and 1075 BC. The standard ticket lets you choose three of the open tombs, and the colors and carvings inside are astonishing. It is the headline among all things to do in Luxor. Arrive early, because the valley gets busy and hot by mid-morning. Guides explain the tombs outside but are not permitted inside.
7. The Tombs of Tutankhamun and Seti I
Several tombs need separate tickets on top of the standard entry. Tutankhamun’s tomb is small and modestly decorated, but his mummy is still displayed inside. The tomb of Seti I is the longest and among the most beautifully decorated in the valley, with a much higher price to match. The tomb of Ramesses V and VI, also an extra ticket, is often praised as the best value. Choosing between them is one of the harder things to do in Luxor.
8. The Temple of Hatshepsut
Set against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, the terraced mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, is one of the most striking buildings in the country. Its clean lines look almost modern from a distance. The site is very exposed, so it is one of the things to do in Luxor best done early or late in the day.
9. The Colossi of Memnon
Two huge seated statues of Amenhotep III, each around 18 metres tall, are all that stands above ground of his once-vast mortuary temple. They sit beside the road and take only a few minutes to see, which makes them one of the easiest things to do in Luxor to fit into a West Bank day.
10. Medinet Habu
The mortuary temple of Ramesses III is one of the best preserved on the West Bank, with deep, colorful reliefs, including scenes of battles with the so-called Sea Peoples. It sees far fewer visitors than the big names, so it is one of the most rewarding quieter things to do in Luxor.
11. The Valley of the Queens and Nefertari’s Tomb
Queens and royal children were buried here. The tomb of Nefertari, wife of Ramesses II, is widely considered the most beautiful painted tomb in Egypt and requires an expensive separate ticket with limited visiting time. If your budget allows only one splurge among the things to do in Luxor, many visitors choose this.
12. Deir el-Medina
This was the village of the craftsmen who built and decorated the royal tombs. Their own small tombs are vividly painted and personal, offering a rare look at the lives of ordinary skilled workers. It is one of the most human things to do in Luxor.
Beyond the Temples
The best things to do in Luxor are not only ruins. These experiences add variety to a temple-heavy trip.
13. A Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Flight
Balloon flights rise over the West Bank at dawn, giving views of the temples, the green Nile valley and the desert edge. Flights depend on weather and wind, and pickups are very early. For many travelers it is the most spectacular of the things to do in Luxor, but it is worth checking an operator’s safety practices before booking.
14. Sail a Felucca on the Nile
A late-afternoon felucca ride between the two banks is one of the simplest pleasures in Luxor. Some trips stop at Banana Island, a small plantation island south of the city. It is one of the cheapest things to do in Luxor and a good way to end a temple day.
15. Day Trip to Dendera and Abydos
North of Luxor, the Temple of Hathor at Dendera is one of the best preserved in Egypt, famous for its colorful ceilings. Further north, the Temple of Seti I at Abydos holds some of the finest relief carving of the New Kingdom and the famous Abydos King List. Together they make a long but rewarding excursion, and one of the best things to do in Luxor for repeat visitors.
Planning Your Luxor Visit
The things to do in Luxor reward a little planning, especially around tickets and the heat.
Tickets and the Luxor Pass
At the time of writing, the standard Valley of the Kings ticket costs 750 EGP for foreign adults and covers three tombs, with Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramesses V and VI on separate tickets, according to Earth Trekkers’ July 2026 update. Card payment is now standard at most sites. If you plan to see many sites over several days, the Luxor Pass, valid for five days, may work out cheaper. Prices change often, so check EgyMonuments before you go.
When to Go and How to Time Your Day?
The most comfortable months for the things to do in Luxor are October to April. In summer, temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C, so start at opening, rest at midday and return to sites in the late afternoon. Our guide to the best time to visit Egypt covers the seasons in detail.
How Many Days Do You Need?
Two days covers the essentials. Three days lets you add the quieter West Bank sites and a balloon flight or Dendera. If you are on a Nile cruise, the main East and West Bank sites are usually included, so you can spend extra days on the lesser-known things to do in Luxor.
Visiting Luxor from Hurghada
Luxor is about four hours by road from Hurghada, so a full-day trip is possible. It typically covers Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. It is a long day, but it is one of the most popular things to do in Luxor for travelers staying on the Red Sea.
Three Example Luxor Itineraries
These examples show how different travelers might choose their things to do in Luxor. They are illustrations, not fixed tours.
One day from Hurghada. A couple on a Red Sea holiday joins a Luxor day trip: Karnak in the morning, then across the Nile for the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, returning to Hurghada in the evening.
Two days in Luxor. Day one is the West Bank at opening time, with three tombs, Tutankhamun and Hatshepsut, then Medinet Habu in the afternoon. Day two covers Karnak, the Luxor Museum and Luxor Temple after dark. These are the core things to do in Luxor at a sensible pace.
Three days with extras. Add a sunrise balloon flight, Deir el-Medina and the Valley of the Queens, then a final day trip to Dendera and Abydos. This covers nearly all of the major things to do in Luxor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Luxor Temple at night are the essentials. Medinet Habu, Nefertari’s tomb, a balloon flight and a day trip to Dendera are the best additions.
Two days covers the main East and West Bank sites. Three days allows a slower pace and extras such as a balloon flight or Dendera.
Yes. Luxor is about four hours by road from Hurghada, and day trips usually cover Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
It depends on your interest. The tomb is small and less decorated than others, but seeing the young king’s mummy in place is a moving experience for many visitors. Ramesses V and VI offers more decoration for less money.
You can visit independently, but an Egyptologist guide adds context that signs do not, helps you choose tombs and handles logistics. Guides cannot enter the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, so they explain beforehand.
Plan Your Luxor Days
The best things to do in Luxor combine the grand scale of Karnak, the color of the royal tombs and quieter moments on the Nile. Give each bank its own time, start early, and Luxor will be the highlight of your Egypt trip.
When you are ready, explore our Luxor tours, including day trips from Hurghada and private Luxor tours, see our Nile cruise options, or contact Lovely Egypt Tours to plan your visit.
