Luxor, Egypt Destination Guide
Section 1: Intro to the Destination
Discover the ancient treasures of Luxor, Egypt, considered the open-air museum of the world. There are so many different historic sites to visit including the famous tombs, humbling museums, and temples. The city is split down the middle by the Nile River, separating the modern city and west-bank necropolis. It is important to do your research before visiting the ancient city, especially take into consideration the current political situation. No matter what you there are riches and ancient remains to be discovered in Luxor.
Which of the Following Phrases Best Describes this Destination?
Historic, ancient, modern
What’s the Destination Known For?
The main reason for visiting Luxor is to see the ancient Egyptian sites. On the west bank you will find the valley of the kings where the famous tomb of Tutankhamun is located.
On the east bank you’ll find Luxor temple and the avenue of the Sphynxes as well as other historic sites.
Nile cruising is a popular way to see all of the main sights and can be enjoyed over different durations depending on how much you want to see.
Getting There
LXR Luxor International Airport
Location: Monshaat Al Amari, Luxor, Luxor Governorate
Located 3.7 miles outside of Luxor city centre.
Visa: U.S. citizens can obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for a 25 USD fee.
Car: You can hire private transfers from different parts of Egypt to Luxor but make sure you decide on a price before making the journey.
Airport Shuttle Bus: You can get a shuttle bus from the airport to central Luxor, however it is safer to get a taxi.
Taxi: prices to the city should cost around $6.00 total
Main Central Station: Luxor Train station.
Location: Abd Allah Ibn El-Zobeir, Luxor City, Luxor
Local Etiquette
Tipping: 5-10% for porters, bartenders, and tour guides. For restaurants you will be expected to tip around 5 Egyptian pounds per person instead of a percentage and tip in Egyptian pounds rather than foreign currency.
Culture: Avoid publicising any strongly negative opinions about Egypt or making political comments. This includes in person and on social media.
Words/Phrases to know:
Hello – salām 'alaykum
Please – low samaht
Thank you – shukrān
Yes – Aiwa
No – La
Goodbye – Ma'a el Salama
Do you speak English? – Bititkalimy Englizee
I don’t understand – ā afaham
Cheers! – fee saḥitkum
How much does that cost? – kam huwa th- thaman?
Weather
Temperatures:
Spring:
High: 86F / 30C
Low: 77F / 25C
Summer:
High: 90F / 32C
Low: 88F / 31C
Fall:
High: 86F / 30C
Low: 77F / 25C
Winter:
High: 68F /20C
Low: 57F /14C
Elevation: 249ft / 76m
The wettest month of the year is October with an average of 1 mm of rain. The weather is best in December when it is not too hot and great sightseeing weather. July is the hottest month in Luxor with an average temperature of 91°F.
How to dress: Dress modestly and adhere to local customs to be respectful. Light cotton clothes are the best to keep you cool and cover you up from the hot sun.
Getting Around
In-city transportation:
Minibuses are the cheapest and most common way to travel around Luxor. The main finishing point is at the train station. You can pay your fare directly to the driver when getting in the bus.
Taxis are in abundance and prices start at LE5 and cost between LE10-20 for a trip around Luxor.
Uber/Lyft: There’s no Uber or Lyft in Luxor.
Trains: Trains run from Cairo to Luxor and you can book cabins on tourist sleeper trains.
Bikes: Basic bikes can be rented for LE20 per day.
City Card: There are two options for the Luxor pass. The first includes all sites and museums open to the public on both the East and West Banks of Luxor, except the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari. The second includes both tombs as well as all the sites and museums included on the first ticket.
Pick up the card at Public Relations Office in the Luxor Inspectorate – you will need a passport photo and ID to buy your pass.
Price: $100 for the first option, $200 for the second option.
Walking: It is easy to get around on foot but be aware of lots of vendors attention, especially in tourist hotspots.
Section 2: What to See, Do, and Eat
Breakfast
Egyptian, English
$
Location: Radwa Sherifa St, opposite Sonesta Hotel
Times: Sunday to Saturday 10:00 - 18:00
Casual dress
Offers a mix of British and Egyptian cuisines and is a favourite with expats
Best dish: Traditional English breakfast
Egyptian, Medditeranean
$$
Location: Luxor Temple Street Opposite Luxor temple 85952
Times: Daily – hours vary
Casual dress
Located on the first floor you can drink your coffee and eat breakfast overlooking Luxor temple.
Best dish: The coffees especially the lattes
Egyptian, Vegetarian
$$
Location: Luxor Temple Street opposite the temple, Mabad Al Karnak, Luxor City, Luxor
Times: Daily 11:00-24:00
Casual dress
You can look out to the Luxor temple whilst enjoying your breakfast
Best dish: vegetable pancakes and mint iced tea
Brunch
Middle Eastern, Egyptian, American
$$
Location: Dr Labib Habashy Street, Luxor
Times: Sunday to Saturday 10:00 - 22:00
Casual dress
Fell immersed into Egyptian culture in the old Egyptian atmosphere and very friendly service.
Best dish: the authentic Baba Ganoush
Middle Eastern, Egyptian, Vegetarian
$$
Location: 90 Mohamed Farid Street Al Manshiya, Luxor 83911
Times: Daily 11:00-24:00
Casual dress
You will find genuine local food in an authentic atmosphere are décor to match.
Best dish: Lentil soup and flatbread
Lunch
Egyptian
$
Location: Youssef Hassan St. in Front Of Lotus mall, Luxor
Times: daily - 24 hours
Casual dress
The food is cooked almost right in front of you so you know exactly what you are getting.
Best dish: Koshary and chicken and meat kebabs
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Egyptian
$$$
Location: West Bank, Hager Al Dabbeya, Luxor 23502
Times: daily 8:00 – 24:00
Smart casual
Found on the West Bank this restaurant is known for its extraordinarily flamboyant décor and upmarket cuisine
Best dish: Salads and grills at lunchtime
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Egyptian
$$$
Location: El Sahabi Street, Luxor City
Times: daily 11:00-23:00
Smart casual
You can try one of the many camel dishes whilst enjoying an incredible view across the Nile
Best dish: The adventurous and delicious camel stew
Dinner
European
$$$
Location: Old Winter Palace Hotel, Corniche el Nile street, 11 432 Luxor
Times: daily 19:00 – 23:00
Dressy attire: Tie and jacket and long trousers
You get a very good deal if you ask for the fixed price menu
Best Dish: The Tian of lamb is a popular dish
International, Mediterranean, European
$$
Location: Al Roda Al Sharifa Street Luxor, Luxor 85836
Times: daily 17:00-23:00
Smart casual
This restaurant is family friendly and has a range of options for different needs.
Best dish: The vegetable or chicken tagines.
Mediterranean, Egyptian, Vegetarian
$$
Location: El Rawda El Sharifa St Front of Sonesta Hotel
Times: Daily 11:00-23:00
Smart Casual
Best dish:
Other
Wenkie's German Ice Cream & Iced Coffee Parlour
Desserts, Ice Cream
$
Location: El Gawazat Street, Opposite the Nile Palace at the Far-Left End of the Street, Luxor
Times: Saturday to Wednesday 14:00 - 21:00; Thursday & Friday: closed
Casual dress
Unique ice cream flavours and a favourite for the kids.
Best dish: ice cream and waffles
The Kings Head Pub and Restaurant
British pub
$
Location: Khalid Ibn El Walid Street, Luxor, Egypt 85951
Times: daily 12:00 - 2:00 am
Casual dress
Great for drinks and watching live sports events
Best dish: Beers and a burger
Barbecue, Middle Eastern, Egyptian
$
Location: Youssef Hassan St., Luxor,
Times: daily 24/7
Casual dress
This take away venue offers authentic street food at rock bottom prices.
Best dish: Kebabs, mezes and freshly made bread
Top things to See and Do
An early example of necropolis even by ancient Egyptian standards. The valley of the kings is a burial ground of great pharaohs and persons of importance in ancient Egypt for 500 years. There are a total of 63 tombs within the valley, all built between 1539 BC and 1075 BC.
Main attraction: The Tomb of Rameses VI
Location: West Bank, Luxor
Time Open: Summer: 6:00-19:00; Winter: 6:00-17:00
Price: admission $4.00
Other: Entrance here is included in the Luxor Pass.
The museum contains some of the most precious antiques from ancient Egyptian times that remain in Egypt today. The price is steep for local standards however is one of the best museums in Egypt.
Main Attraction: A collection of items from the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Location: Corniche An Nil, Luxor
Time Open: daily 9:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00
Price: admission $6.50
Most of the exhibits here relate to the ancient Thebes
Dating back to 1392 BC this ancient temple has had various uses during its history and the building is still in use today. From its original form the temple was added to and changed by presiding Pharohs and has also been used as a church during the Christian era and a mosque during the Islamic period.
Main Attraction: The avenue of the sphinxes that once connected the temples of Luxor and Karnak.
Location: Corniche El Nil St. Luxor, Luxor 23512
Time Open: daily 6:00 - 22:00
Price: Free
This temple was developed further throughout ancient times by each Pharoh who wanted his temple to be the most magnificent. And to be better and more distinguished than his predecessor. This make the Karnak temples important today as it shows the development stages of ancient Egyptian art.
The Great Hypostyle Hall IS
Location: Luxor 81111
Time Open: daily 6:00-23:00
Price: admission $6.50
If you want to see the temple in a different way you can join the light and sound show which costs 150LE but is an amazing experience and sight to behold.
Located in the Queens valley Nefertari’s tomb is said to be the most beautiful of all the queens’ tombs. For its intricate design and its beautifully painted decoration in vivid colours. Due to the fear of deterioration there are only a limited number of visitors allowed per day.
Main Attraction: The beautifully painted walls and exhibits
Location: Luxor
Time Open: Bookable by tour only – prices to be confirmed locally or with tour operator.
Other: Not included in the Luxor pass
Festivals/Parades
2-day film festival showcasing African talent and representing a return to African identity through the medium of film
Location:
Date: end of January, early February
Prices:
Nightlife
Old time bar with a quirky charm
Location: Sofitel Old Winter Palace, Corniche al-Nil St., Luxor
$$
Time Open: daily
Egyptian bar with entertainment on the weekend
Location: Khaled Ibn Al Walid St., First Floor
$
Time Open: daily 10:00 -2:00 am
How to best experience it: Visit at the weekend for live entertainment
Open three nights a week this bar has a lovely garden setting and great drinks at competitive prices
The live blues music nights are the best times to visit
Location: JJ_s at El Gezira Gardens Hotel Gezira-el-Beirat. West Bank, Luxor LU1
$$
Time Open: Monday, Thursday & Saturday 17:30 - 23:30; Sunday, Wednesday& Friday: closed
How to best experience it: Start early grab a good seat and relax the night away
Hidden Gems
If you want to mix with the locals whilst enjoying a drink, then this is the place to go. Enjoy milkshakes, juices and hot drinks as well as Shisha.
The main attraction is getting to know local people
Location: Sharia Khalid Ibn Al Walid
$
Time Open: 10:00-24:00
A hotel on the West Bank which boasts a pool and a rooftop restaurant where you can eat drink and enjoy view of the foot-hills and the valley of the kings
Location: Gezira El Bairat, Luxor
$$
Time Open: Daily
This temple is not on the main tourist route and is often missed with visiting Luxor. You can still see some of the original paintwork.
Location: Thebes, Luxor
Time Open: daily 6:00-23:00
Price: See locally
