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Best Attractions in Luxor (2026)

Luxor's attractions fall into two groups, divided by the Nile. On the East Bank, Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple are the heart of ancient Thebes, linked by the restored Avenue of Sphinxes, with Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum on the Corniche between them. On the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum and the Colossi of Memnon make up a remarkable archaeological landscape.

Most visitors spend a day on each bank. Start the West Bank early, as the valleys are hot and exposed by late morning, and combine the Valley of the Kings with Hatshepsut's temple, then Medinet Habu or the Valley of the Queens and the Colossi of Memnon on the way back. Tutankhamun's tomb and Nefertari's tomb need separate tickets, so decide in advance whether to include them. On the East Bank, Karnak deserves a full morning or late afternoon, while Luxor Temple stays open into the evening and is at its best when floodlit after dark. The museums are a good choice for the hottest part of the day. A licensed Egyptologist guide adds a great deal at Karnak and in the tombs, where explanations must be given before you go inside.

10 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 attractions in Luxor

  1. Karnak Temple Complex Ancient temple complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site, El-Karnak, East BankThe 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.
  2. Valley of the Kings Royal necropolis, UNESCO World Heritage Site, West BankThe desert valley on Luxor's West Bank where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in painted rock-cut tombs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.
  3. Luxor Temple Ancient temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site, City centre, East BankThe riverside temple at the heart of Luxor, built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II and especially atmospheric when floodlit after dark.

Attraction

1. Karnak Temple Complex

Ancient temple complex, UNESCO World Heritage SiteEl-Karnak, East Bank

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.

View details — Karnak Temple Complex

Attraction

3. Luxor Temple

Ancient temple, UNESCO World Heritage SiteCity centre, East Bank

The riverside temple at the heart of Luxor, built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II and especially atmospheric when floodlit after dark.

View details — Luxor Temple

Attraction

4. Temple of Hatshepsut

Mortuary temple, UNESCO World Heritage SiteDeir el-Bahari, West Bank

Queen Hatshepsut's terraced mortuary temple, set against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari on the West Bank and decorated with reliefs of an expedition to Punt.

View details — Temple of Hatshepsut

Attraction

5. Medinet Habu

Mortuary temple complex, UNESCO World Heritage SiteWest Bank

Ramesses III's fortified mortuary temple on the West Bank, with deep-cut reliefs, surviving original colour and scenes of battles against the Sea Peoples.

View details — Medinet Habu

Attraction

6. Luxor Museum

Archaeology museumCorniche, East Bank

A compact, well-lit museum on the Corniche showing finds from Thebes, including the Luxor Temple statue cache, Tutankhamun objects and two royal mummies.

View details — Luxor Museum

Attraction

9. Ramesseum

Mortuary temple, UNESCO World Heritage SiteQurna, West Bank

The ruined memorial temple of Ramesses II on the West Bank, home to the toppled colossus that inspired Shelley's poem 'Ozymandias'.

View details — Ramesseum