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The Luxor Temple is one of the most beautiful pieces in the whole of ancient Egyptian civilization. A standalone on the east shore of the Nile River in modern Luxor, once the great city of Thebes, was built around 1400 BCE to reflect Egypt’s New Kingdom. Unlike the other temples in Egypt, the Luxor Temple was where kingship was renewed symbolically. It was a place used for this grand Opet Festival. Later, it was converted into a Christian church during the Roman period, and after that, it also functioned as the Mosque of Abu al-Haggag.
Quick Facts About Luxor Temple
Location: Luxor, East Bank of the Nile, Egypt
Entry Fee: E£ 140 for adults, E£ 70 for students
Timings: 6 AM – 9 PM
Nearest Airport: Luxor International Airport, 9 km
Nearest Railway: Luxor Railway Station, 1 km
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Where To Stay: Happy land Luxor hotel, Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor, Nefertiti Hotel
Where To Eat: Metro Restaurant, El-kababgy Luxor, Tutankhamon, Aboudi Break
Location
Photo: Artem Bryzgalov / Unspalsh
Luxor Temple is situated right in the centre of the city of Luxor along Corniche El Nile Street on the east bank of the Nile River, within the Luxor District. Being centrally located, the temple is also set in relative proximity to the office of the Governor of Luxor and the Luxor train station, both just a short distance away. Additionally, it is close to community centres like the Central Police Station and Luxor City Mall, places frequented by the residents for their daily needs.
How To Reach
Photo: Charlesdrakew / Wikimedia Commons
By Airport: The nearest airport is Luxor International; the temple is about 9 km from there. Taxi or private transfer is 15 to 20 minutes, coming out from the airport to reach the temple.
By Train: The Luxor Railway Station is 1 km from the temple. Trains to Luxor from Cairo, Aswan, and other cities of Egypt reach there. You can hail a taxi or tuk-tuk from the station or walk.
By Road: Luxor is linked with other cities by road. It takes you 220 km to reach Aswan and 650 km to reach Cairo. Private car hiring, buses, or joining organised tours are ways to reach the temple.
By Nile Cruise: Local ferries and motorboats operate regularly from the west bank of the Nile to the east bank, where the Luxor Temple is located.
Things To Do
1. Visit The Avenue Of Sphinxes
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
The Avenue of Sphinxes is a ritual road connecting Luxor and Karnak Temples. It is 2.7 kilometres long, covered with 1,350 human-headed sphinx and ram-headed statues. This processional route was established during the reign of Pharaoh Nectanebo I, connecting great religious festivals during the Opet Festival. Now, parts of the Avenue of Sphinxes have been restored so that the visitor can see what the others, turned into resting sites with benches, glimpse as they envision the former ceremonies that brought the avenue to life.
2. Explore Obelisks And Colossi And Inner Sanctuaries
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
One obelisk is placed at the gate of Luxor Temple and its equivalent in Paris, and the giant colossi of Ramesses II, over 15 meters. Such architectural marvels reflect the strength and architectural capability of ancient Egyptians and present political power with religious belief. The hypostyle halls and sanctuaries are replete with minute carvings of pharaohs and gods depicting religious rituals and mythologies. The climax is the chapels of the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, reflecting the spiritual importance of the temple.
3. Visit The Mosque Of Abu Al-Haggag
Photo: Marc Ryckaert / Wikimedia Commons
Perhaps it is an inimitable architecture of the mosque because its history and construction are on an ancient temple. It stands out as a functional mosque, which underlines the antiquity of the Luxor temple as a place of worship. The night in Luxor Temple is another thing to experience, as it turns out to be a fantastic lit sight with spotlights that highlight architecture and make for an ethereal experience under the stars. It is also a quiet time offering magic opportunities for photography.
Places To Visit Near Luxor Temple
Near the Nile, there are many places to explore after experiencing the beauty of the Luxor temple.
1. Karnak Temple
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
The Karnak Temple is an inspiring complex largely dedicated to the Theban Triad, Amun-Ra, Mut, and Khonsu. The complex stretches over 100 hectares and features some of the most iconic buildings, including the Great Hypostyle Hall, with 134 towering columns carved with intricate hieroglyphs. The Sacred Lake still stands as a serene highlight where purification rituals were performed in the past. Karnak is an open-air museum with its statues and artefacts recovered from the site. A visit unravels over 2,000 years of religious commitment and architectural ingenuity. Nighttime brings a sound-and-light show that brings history to life in a magical setting.
Distance From Temple: 3 km
2. Valley Of The Kings
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
The Valley of the Kings was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, located on the west bank of the Nile. This royal necropolis was built from 1539 to 1075 BCE and had more than 60 tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs, with people such as Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II apart from other elites. The tombs in the valley include intricate carvings, vibrant wall paintings, and detailed hieroglyphs. Most of the tombs have many corridors, chambers, and hidden burial rooms to avoid grave robbers. Though most tombs were looted, treasures like King Tutankhamun’s tomb, discovered in 1922, are among the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.
Distance From Temple: 16 km
3. Colossi Of Memnon
Photo: MusikAnimal / Wikimedia Commons
These are enormous, crown-topped statues of both, who are about 60 feet tall in the personification of Amenhotep III, a powerful 18th dynasty of Pharaoh. It was located on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor. It comprised an elaborate mortuary temple prepared for the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Though so much of the temple remains in ruins, the twin colossi stand as great testaments of ancient greatness. The statues are carved out of a single block of quartzite and represent the pharaoh sitting on a throne, with carvings representing his family and the gods of Egypt.
Distance From Temple: 17 km
4. Luxor Museum
Photo: Michiel1972 / Wikimedia Commons
Luxor Museum is a collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts strategically placed between the two cities, the Luxor and Karnak Temples. Explore some of the finest finds archaeologists ever managed to uncover during the New Kingdom. The museum contains all forms of fascinating artefacts on display, such as the Luxor Cachette beautifully preserved statue collection and one of the collections taken from Tutankhamun’s tomb, with one artefact having a cow’s head made of gilded. One of the notable features of the museum is the reconstructed Akhenaten temple wall, which reflects the art style related to Amarna well.
Distance From Temple: 1 km
5. Deir el-Bahari
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
The Temple of Hatshepsut Deir el-Bahari houses an architectural masterpiece in the name of one of Egypt’s most successful pharaohs, the Temple of Hatshepsut. Compared to the other mortuary temples during the New Kingdom, its design is not sandstone but limestone. The structure extends up the three levels of the cliffside in the form of terraces beautified with reliefs of her reign and religion. There are several sanctified areas within this temple complex, including the Hathor chapel, the divine birth scene that served to justify Hatshepsut’s rule, and the shrine where the mummy of Hatshepsut might have lain.
Distance From Temple: 16 km
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
Average Cost Of The Trip
The normal price of a visit to Luxor Temple usually depends on the comfort and services you want. This can be around E£ 2,500 to E£ 10,000 per person. Licensed guides, transportation, food, and a Nile River cruise are add-ons, which can go up from E£ 5,000 to E£ 20,000. This cost also includes your choice of private tour, group visit, or luxury services.
Tips For Travellers
- Wear comfortable shoes when visiting Luxor Temple, as the grounds are enormous in the area, requiring considerable walking.
- Take water and sunscreen along because the sun can be intense.
- Renting a licensed guide improves your visit with historical information.
- To avoid large crowds as well as the midday heat, the temple is best visited early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
The Luxor Temple is the door into the very heart of ancient Egypt, speaking of eternal greatness with people and their rituals, beliefs, and art. Whether you are struck by the quality of its reliefs or captivated by the ritual ceremonies of kingship that were once held here, this temple has something to communicate and reflect. So, plan your trip to Egypt with TripXL today.
Cover Photo: AXP Photography / Unsplash
