Hotels in Luxor

Luxor: Open-Air Museum on the Nile

Luxor, roughly 670 km south of Cairo on the east bank of the Nile, occupies the site of ancient Thebes, Egypt's capital during the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BC). The Karnak Temple Complex — built over 2,000 years by successive pharaohs — remains the largest religious structure ever constructed, covering approximately 100 hectares. Across the river, the West Bank holds the Valley of the Kings, where 63 royal tombs have been excavated, including Tutankhamun's tomb, opened by Howard Carter in 1922.

Where to Stay in Luxor

Most hotels cluster along the Corniche el-Nil on the East Bank, within walking distance of Luxor Temple and the covered Luxor Souq. The West Bank village of Al-Gezira offers smaller guesthouses with direct access to the Valley of the Queens and Deir el-Medina. Budget and mid-range properties concentrate near the train station on Midan el-Mahatta.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Luxor International Airport receives direct flights from Cairo (1 hr) and several European cities.
• Transport: Horse-drawn calèches and microbuses connect the Corniche; a public ferry crosses the Nile to the West Bank for a few Egyptian pounds.
• Climate: Summers exceed 40 °C — October through April offers manageable temperatures for outdoor sites.
• Entry fees: Valley of the Kings tickets (2024 rate: EGP 500 standard) cover three tombs; individual tombs such as Seti I require separate tickets.