Attraction
Valley of the Kings
The desert valley on Luxor's West Bank where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in painted rock-cut tombs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Karnak Temple Complex
The vast temple complex of Amun-Re on Luxor's East Bank, built and rebuilt by around thirty pharaohs and famous for its forest-like Great Hypostyle Hall.
At a glance
- Type
- Ancient temple complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Area
- El-Karnak, East Bank, Luxor, Egypt
Good to know
- Sound and light show in the evening
- Large open-air site
- Shade limited
Why we recommend it
Karnak is the great religious complex of ancient Thebes and the place most visitors to Luxor put first on their list. It grew over many centuries: building started under Senusret I in the Middle Kingdom and carried on into the Ptolemaic period, with around thirty pharaohs adding pylons, courts, chapels and obelisks. Most of what stands today belongs to the New Kingdom, when Thebes was the religious capital of Egypt and Amun was its chief god. Karnak forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, inscribed in 1979.
The part you will spend most time in is the Precinct of Amun-Re, the largest of the enclosures and the only one most people see. Its centrepiece is the Great Hypostyle Hall, which covers about 5,000 square metres and holds 134 columns arranged in 16 rows. The twelve central columns rise to about 21 metres, and walking between them is the moment that stays with most visitors. Look out too for Hatshepsut's obelisk, one of a pair raised at the entrance and the second-tallest ancient obelisk still standing, and for the sacred lake where priests once purified themselves.
South of the main enclosure lies the Precinct of Mut, dedicated to the mother goddess and set around a crescent-shaped sacred lake. It has been opened to visitors after excavation and restoration and is far quieter than the Amun precinct. The Precinct of Montu to the north is closed to the public.
Karnak suits anyone with an interest in ancient Egypt, and children usually enjoy the sheer scale of the columns and statues. Allow at least two to three hours, longer if you want to explore the outer courts and the Mut precinct. There is little shade, so come early in the morning or in the late afternoon, bring water and a hat, and wear comfortable shoes for uneven stone and sand. A licensed Egyptologist guide makes the reliefs and the building sequence far easier to follow.
The complex lies in the village of El-Karnak, about 2.5 kilometres north of central Luxor, and is easy to reach by taxi or horse-drawn carriage along the Corniche. In ancient times it was linked to Luxor Temple by the Avenue of Sphinxes, which has been excavated and reopened, so you can walk part of the processional route. In the evening the complex also hosts a sound and light show.
Karnak Temple Complex FAQs
Where is Karnak Temple?
It is in the village of El-Karnak on the East Bank of the Nile, about 2.5 kilometres north of central Luxor.
How long should I allow at Karnak?
Plan on at least two to three hours for the Precinct of Amun-Re, and more if you also want to see the Precinct of Mut.
What is the Great Hypostyle Hall?
It is a hall of about 5,000 square metres filled with 134 columns in 16 rows, the tallest of them around 21 metres high.
Can you visit all of Karnak?
Most visitors see the Precinct of Amun-Re. The Precinct of Mut is open after restoration, while the Precinct of Montu is closed to the public.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler and the light is softer. There is very little shade on the site.
Is Karnak connected to Luxor Temple?
Yes. The Avenue of Sphinxes once linked the two temples and has been excavated and reopened.
Is Karnak a UNESCO site?
Yes. It is part of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979.
Is there an evening show?
Yes, a sound and light show is held at Karnak in the evenings; check the official schedule before you go.