Attraction
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.
Luxor Temple
The riverside temple at the heart of Luxor, built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II and especially atmospheric when floodlit after dark.
At a glance
- Type
- Ancient temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Area
- City centre, East Bank, Luxor, Egypt
- Opening
- Open daily · 06:00–20:00
Good to know
- Open into the evening
- Floodlit after dark
- Mosque within the temple
Why we recommend it
Luxor Temple stands right in the centre of the modern town, a short walk from the Nile Corniche, and is the easiest of the great monuments to fit into any visit. The ancient Egyptians called it Ipet-resyt, the Southern Sanctuary. Unlike most temples it is not aligned east to west but faces Karnak, about three kilometres to the north, and the two were once joined by a processional road lined with sphinxes.
The temple was the main stage of the Opet Festival, when the cult images of Amun, Mut and Khonsu were carried in procession from Karnak to Luxor. The oldest surviving structure is a shrine built under Hatshepsut, but the core of the temple, including the Great Colonnade, was built by Amenhotep III, with the colonnade's decoration finished under Tutankhamun and Horemheb. In the inner rooms, scenes of the Divine Birth present Amenhotep III as the son of Amun-Ra.
Ramesses II added the peristyle court, the great entrance pylon and a pair of obelisks about 25 metres tall. Only one still stands here; the other has been in the Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836. Colossal seated statues of Ramesses II flank the entrance. Later layers are just as interesting: in the late third century AD the Romans built a fort around the temple and turned one room into a sanctuary decorated with painted images of Diocletian and his co-rulers, and the Abu Haggag Mosque still stands on top of the ancient columns of the first court.
Luxor Temple is open from 06:00 to 20:00 according to the official monuments website, which makes it one of the few sites you can visit after dark. Many people come twice, once in daylight to read the reliefs and once in the evening when the floodlighting picks out the columns and statues. Allow one and a half to two hours. The ground is mostly level, making it one of the more manageable sites for families and visitors with limited mobility.
The temple is in the middle of the East Bank, close to the Corniche, the souq and many hotels and restaurants. From the entrance you can follow the restored Avenue of Sphinxes north towards Karnak, and the Mummification Museum and Luxor Museum are both a short walk or carriage ride along the Corniche.
Luxor Temple FAQs
What are the opening hours of Luxor Temple?
The official monuments website lists opening hours of 06:00 to 20:00.
Can you visit Luxor Temple at night?
Yes. It stays open into the evening and the temple is floodlit after dark.
How long should I allow?
About one and a half to two hours is enough for most visitors.
Who built Luxor Temple?
The core was built by Amenhotep III, with major additions by Ramesses II, and earlier and later work by Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun, Horemheb and the Romans.
Where is the missing obelisk?
The second obelisk from the entrance has stood in the Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836.
Is there a mosque inside the temple?
Yes. The Abu Haggag Mosque stands on the ancient columns of the first court.
How is it linked to Karnak?
The Avenue of Sphinxes runs about 2.7 kilometres north from Luxor Temple to Karnak.
Is it suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
The site is mostly level, so it is one of the easier monuments in Luxor to get around.