.jpg)
Luxor: A place where history comes to life
If you’re staying in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Safaga or El Gouna, then honestly… Luxor is one of the most incredible trips you can do whilst in Egypt.
This isn’t simply a sightseeing excursion.
This is stepping inside one of the greatest civilisations the world has ever known.
You can read about Ancient Egypt in books; you can watch documentaries; you can see photos online - but none of it compares to standing inside a tomb over 3,000 years old with original colours still glowing on the walls around you.
Luxor makes history feel real.
The journey from the Red Sea
Depending where you are staying, the drive to Luxor is usually around 3 to 4 hours.
And one thing many people ask me beforehand… “Is it safe?”
Honestly, yes. I felt incredibly safe throughout the journey.
There are multiple tourist police and security checkpoints on the roads, usually around five in total, with regular vehicle checks along the route.
There’s also a main comfort stop used by most tour vehicles where you can grab drinks, snacks and use the toilets. The facilities were clean during my visit but do keep small money handy for tips or access charges.
My top tips before you go
Luxor is hot; very hot at certain times of year.
So a few practical things really help:
Comfortable walking shoes
Lightweight clothing
Water
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Toilet roll
Hand sanitiser
And definitely carry small notes or coins.
You’ll often tip attendants at toilets or small amounts for people helping with photos at tourist sites.
Having £1/ €1/ $1 or Egyptian Pounds handy makes life much easier.
Book a proper Egyptologist guide
This genuinely transforms the experience.
You can absolutely visit temples and tombs alone, but having a knowledgeable Egyptologist beside you changes everything.
For my customers, I’ve got a fantastic contact called Abdul who I honestly cannot recommend highly enough.
He’s not simply a guide reciting facts. He has actually been involved in significant archaeological digs and has lectured at university level.
And you notice the difference immediately.
Instead of simply hearing “this is a temple”, you learn:
Why it was built
What the symbols mean
How daily life worked
How tombs were discovered
The politics, beliefs and rivalries of Ancient Egypt
Suddenly the walls start telling stories.
Don’t just learn history from a book… Step inside the book at Luxor. ❤️
Valley of the Kings
This is the place most people dream about visiting.
Hidden within the mountains on Luxor’s West Bank, this is where the great pharaohs were buried.
Unlike the pyramids, these tombs were carved deep into the rock to try and protect them from robbers.
Your standard ticket usually includes entry into three tombs and every single one feels different.
Some are narrow and steep; others open into surprisingly large chambers filled with colour and intricate carvings.
What shocked me most was how vivid the colours still are.
These aren’t faded markings you can barely see. In many places the artwork still feels alive. The hieroglyphics cover entire walls and ceilings, telling stories about gods, journeys to the afterlife and royal life thousands of years ago.
Tutankhamun’s Tomb
This is an additional ticket and normally costs around £10–15 extra, depending on exchange rates and ticket updates.
It’s smaller than many people expect but standing inside the tomb of the world’s most famous pharaoh is still incredibly special.
Queen Hatshepsut Temple
This temple completely surprised me.
Built dramatically into the cliffs at Deir el Bahari, it looks very different from many other Egyptian temples.
The terraces rise beautifully against the mountains, creating one of the most iconic views in Luxor.
Queen Hatshepsut herself was fascinating too. One of Egypt’s few female pharaohs, she ruled with immense power during a time when that was almost unheard of.
The setting here is breathtaking and the scale is difficult to appreciate until you’re standing there yourself.
Karnak Temple
Karnak is enormous. Honestly, no photo prepares you for it.
This wasn’t built by one ruler either. Pharaoh after pharaoh added to the complex over nearly 2,000 years.
Walking through the Great Hypostyle Hall is one of those genuine goosebump moments. Towering columns rise above you in every direction and you suddenly feel tiny beneath them.
Look closely and you’ll still spot original colours on carvings and ceilings.
Everywhere you turn there are statues, obelisks, hidden details and stories carved into the stone.
This is where a brilliant Egyptologist guide really matters because otherwise it’s easy to miss so much.
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple has a completely different feel from Karnak. It's more atmospheric, and more intimate.
And what makes it unique is its location right in the centre of modern Luxor city.
Ancient Egypt and modern life almost sit side by side.
The avenue of sphinxes linking Luxor and Karnak temples is fascinating and the huge statues at the entrance are incredibly impressive.
If possible, visit later in the day when the light softens or in the evening when the temple is illuminated beautifully.
Valley of the Scribes
This was probably my personal favourite.
Far quieter than the Valley of the Kings, this is where important officials, scribes and nobles were buried.
And honestly? Some of the artwork here is even more impressive.
The colours are beautifully preserved, and because there are fewer visitors, you can take your time properly appreciating everything around you.
It feels calmer, quieter and somehow more personal.
If you enjoy history, don’t skip this area.
Medinet Habu Temple
This was actually my favourite temple in Luxor.
Often overlooked by many tourists rushing between the bigger famous sites, Medinet Habu somehow feels quieter, calmer and more atmospheric the moment you walk inside.
Built by Ramses III, the scale of the temple is incredibly impressive, but what really stood out to me were the carvings and colours.
The detail here is extraordinary. In many places, the carvings are cut so deeply and sharply into the stone that they still look incredibly clear thousands of years later. You can run your eyes across entire walls filled with scenes of battles, victories, religious ceremonies and offerings to the gods.
And then there’s the colour…
Unlike some sites where only tiny traces remain, Medinet Habu still has areas where the original reds, blues and ochres are beautifully visible on ceilings, columns and carvings. In certain light, it almost feels as though the artists have only just finished painting them.
Another thing I really appreciated here was the amount of shaded areas throughout the temple. On very hot days in Luxor, that genuinely makes a huge difference and allows you to explore much more comfortably than some of the more exposed sites.
Because it’s usually far less crowded than Karnak or the Valley of the Kings, you can actually stop, look properly and take it all in without constantly being pushed through by crowds.
For me, this was one of those places where Ancient Egypt suddenly stopped feeling distant and started feeling real.
Alabaster Factory
Most tours stop at an alabaster workshop and I actually found this really interesting.
You can watch local craftsmen demonstrating techniques passed down through generations and learn the difference between genuine alabaster and cheaper imitations.
During our visit, we went to the workshop belonging to the sixth generation descendant of the famous “Water Boy” featured in so many historic photographs of Luxor’s West Bank. The original Water Boy became well known decades ago carrying water to workers and visitors in the Valley of the Kings area, with his image becoming part of old Luxor history itself.
Before going inside the workshop, the craftsmen demonstrated the traditional carving techniques by hand, showing how alabaster is shaped and polished using methods still passed down through families today.
Inside, there was an opportunity to see both modern handcrafted pieces alongside much older items and styles inspired by ancient Egyptian designs.
Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s fascinating seeing the skill involved and hearing the family history connected to Luxor itself.
Nile Boat Lunch
This was one of the loveliest parts of the day.
Crossing the Nile by boat gives you a completely different perspective of Luxor and seeing daily life along the riverbanks was genuinely relaxing.
Some tours include lunch on or beside the Nile and honestly it’s such a nice break from the heat and sightseeing.
Horse & Carriage Rides
Horse and carriages are everywhere in Luxor and it’s a really fun way to experience the city differently.
You’ll see them waiting around the Corniche and near temples.
Prices vary but approximately 300 Egyptian Pounds (£4–5) per hour is fairly typical although always agree prices beforehand.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Without hesitation… One of the best experiences I’ve ever done.
Yes, the start is painfully early. Mine began around 3am!
But watching the sunrise over the Valley of the Kings whilst floating silently above ancient temples, mountains and farmland was unforgettable.
Seeing dozens of colourful balloons rising together over Luxor was magical.
Flights are weather dependent and can be cancelled if winds are too strong or temperatures too high, but if conditions allow…
Do it.
You won’t regret it.
Final Thoughts
Luxor isn’t somewhere you simply visit; it’s somewhere you feel.
You leave understanding why Ancient Egypt fascinates people across the world.
The scale; the history; the atmosphere; and the stories.
And suddenly history stops feeling like something trapped inside textbooks and becomes real.
So if you’re heading to Egypt’s Red Sea resorts and wondering whether Luxor is worth the early start and long day…
For me?
Absolutely yes.
