El Gezira Roof Terrace

The roof terrace of the El Gezira Hotel is one of the simplest and most rewarding places for an evening drink on Luxor's West Bank. The hotel stands at the edge of the village of Geziret el-Beirat, about three minutes' walk from the Nile, and its roof looks straight across the river to the East Bank and the town of Luxor.

In the evening the view is of the illuminated skyline of Luxor across the water, with the lights of the Corniche and the hotels reflected in the river. The hotel serves dinner and drinks on the roof, so you can make a full evening of it, and early risers can come up for the sunrise over the East Bank. The hotel also has a restaurant with an outdoor terrace downstairs.

This is not a nightclub or a busy bar. The atmosphere is quiet and local, suited to conversation, a cold drink and a simple meal after a day in the tombs and temples. The West Bank has few places to go out in the evening, so a roof terrace like this is a welcome option for anyone staying on this side of the river who does not want to cross to the East Bank.

The terrace suits independent travellers, couples and small groups staying in the West Bank guesthouses, as well as visitors who want to see Luxor from a different angle. Prices are modest compared with the large East Bank hotels.

The hotel is a short walk from the West Bank ferry landing, so you can also come over from the East Bank for the evening by public ferry and return the same way. Call or email the hotel to check that the terrace is open and to reserve dinner, as it is a small property with limited seating. Bring a light layer in winter, as rooftop evenings can be cool, and a torch for the walk back through the village lanes.

If you are staying on the East Bank, an evening crossing to the West Bank for dinner on a roof terrace is a good way to see the river at night. The local ferry runs a short, inexpensive route between the landings, but check the time of the last crossing before you set out.