Luxor — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetOct 6, 2026

9 Tombs and Temples to Visit in Luxor and Aswan

From Tutankhamun

12 things in this story

Valley of the KingsSightEgypt’s largest pharaonic necropolis, hides over 60 tombs
KarnakHotelEgypt’s largest temple complex, contains Temple of Amun-Ra
Luxor TempleAttractionmonumental entranceway with statues of Ramses II, open late
Tomb of Seti ISightlongest, deepest, most complete tomb in Valley of the Kings
Carter HouseSighthome of archaeologist Howard Carter, has model of Tut's tomb
Elsewhere
Philae TempleSightAswan, Egyptoriginal island location of Temple of Isis, moved to Agilkia
Temple of KhnumAttractionEsna, EgyptRoman era temple dedicated to ram-headed creator god
Temple of HorusAttractionEdfu, Egyptbest preserved temple in Egypt, among few with roof intact
Temple of Kom OmboAttractionKom Ombo, EgyptEgypt’s only double temple, dedicated to Sobek and Horus
Crocodile MuseumMuseumKom Ombo, Egyptdisplays mummified crocodiles found near Temple of Kom Ombo
Temple of IsisSightAswan, Egypton Agilkia island, last pagan temple to operate
Great Temple of Ramses IISightAbu Simbel, Egyptat Abu Simbel, guarded by four 20m-high statues

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Lonely PlanetOct 1

Top Tips for Exploring Egypt on a Budget

Don

22 things in this story

Valley of the KingsSightstudent discounts available
West BankRestaurantdotted with free ruins and monuments
Luxor PassPlaceaccess to sites on both banks of Nile
Bob Marley Peace HotelHotelfavored by budget travelers in Luxor
Elsewhere
Great PyramidSightGiza, Egyptadditional fee to enter
SphinxPublic artworkGiza, Egyptview from outside
Pyramids of GizaNeighborhoodGiza, Egyptentry fee lets you view from outside
Siwa OasisNeighborhoodSiwa, Egypthub for desert walks and salt pools
NileSightEgyptbudget 3-day no-frills cruises available
Red Sea coastSightEgyptbeach camps available
Grand Egyptian MuseumMuseumCairo, Egypthigh entry fee worth it for treasures
Egyptian MuseumMuseumCairo, Egyptcheaper dose of history
Mt SinaiSightSaint Catherine, Egypt4-5 hour trip to summit
St Katherine's MonasterySightSaint Catherine, Egyptbase for Sinai hikes
Blue HoleAttractionDahab, Egyptaccessible from shore for snorkeling
Shali FortressSightSiwa, Egyptmud-brick ruins to explore
bazaars of CairoMarketCairo, Egyptfree to explore, maze-like alleys
Cairo PassHostelCairo, Egyptaccess to most sites in Cairo and Giza
kushariFast foodEgyptnoodles, lentils, onions and tomato sauce
Cairo MetroPlaceCairo, Egyptastonishingly low fares
Mwasalat MisrPlaceCairo, Egyptreliable public bus service
Holy Sheet HostelHostelCairo, Egypttraveler favorite in Cairo

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National GeographicSep 22

The Ultimate Guide to Egypt in 15 Experiences

Touring the pyramids and sailing down the Nile are undoubted highlights of any trip to Egypt — but what else should be on your list?

23 things in this story

Colossi of MemnonAttractionStatues standing beneath banana plantations and village streets.
Valley of the KingsSightScorched hills with tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs.
Temple of HatshepsutSightStriking terraces stepping into the cliffs.
Valley of the QueensSightDesert tombs spread out across the West Bank.
Luxor's West BankNeighborhoodSee everyday life and ancient history coexist on bicycle.
Al MoudiraHotelOffers pharaonic foot massages.
Elsewhere
Great Pyramid of GizaSightGiza, EgyptAncient royal tomb built for King Khufu.
Big Belly Supper ClubRestaurantCairo, EgyptPioneer in transforming venues for community dining.
Dine with DeenuhRestaurantCairo, EgyptServes elevated Egyptian street food.
CachéRestaurantCairo, EgyptMonthly supper club announced via social media.
Dahabiya Nile SailingPlaceCairo, EgyptRevives tradition of travelling on elegant two-sailed vessels.
Grand Egyptian MuseumMuseumCairo, EgyptHouses world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Wissa Wassef Art CentreMuseumCairo, EgyptArtisans create tapestry masterpieces from hand-dyed wool.
Islamic CairoSuburbCairo, EgyptMedieval streets with markets and mosques over a thousand years old.
Khan el-KhaliliNeighborhoodCairo, EgyptLabyrinthine bazaar where traders sell spices and lanterns.
Al-Muizz StreetSightCairo, EgyptOne of the world's finest open-air collections of Islamic architecture.
Al-Azhar MosquePlace of worshipCairo, EgyptAdmire its dazzling marble courtyard.
Bayt al-SuhaymiAttractionCairo, EgyptBeautifully preserved house museum.
Sultan Hassan MosquePlace of worshipCairo, EgyptFamed for its soaring vaulted halls.
Manshiyat NaserNeighborhoodCairo, EgyptResidents carved unique religious monuments into limestone cliffs.
St Catherine's MonasterySightSaint Catherine, EgyptSixth-century Christian complex attracting pilgrims.
Mount SinaiTrailSaint Catherine, EgyptWhere Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.
Philae TempleSightAswan, EgyptIsland sanctuary with last hieroglyphic inscriptions carved.

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National GeographicSep 19

For a New Perspective on Luxor's West Bank, Hop on a Bike

One of the world’s great open-air museums, Luxor’s West Bank is also a living, breathing neighbourhood best explored by bicycle.

7 things in this story

Colossi of MemnonAttractionStatues guarding the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
Deir el-MedinaNeighborhoodVillage of artisans who decorated the royal tombs.
Valley of the KingsSightElaborately decorated tombs where pharaohs were buried.
Tombs of the NoblesSightTombs of ancient Egyptian nobles.
Queen Hatshepsut's templeSightTemple chiselled into cliffs.
Medinet HabuAttractionMortuary temple built for Ramesses III.
Old QurnaNeighborhoodAbandoned village built over ancient burial grounds.

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Atlas ObscuraAug 12

The Atlas Obscura Guide to the 2027 Total Solar Eclipse

On August 2, 2027, the Moon's shadow will cross southern Spain, North Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Near Luxor, in the Nile Valley, totality will last six minutes and twenty-three seconds. That number is the whole story. Most total eclipses give you two or three minutes. The celebrated North American eclipse of 2024 managed four and a half at its very best. Six minutes and twenty-three sec…

5 things in this story

Colossi of MemnonAttractionstood for 3,400 years, acoustic wonder of ancient world
tomb of NefertariSightcalled the Sistine Chapel of Egypt for its paintings
tomb of RekhmireSightInside this 3,500-year-old tomb are remarkable ancient Egyptian paintings of African wildlife.
Deir el-MedinaNeighborhoodvillage where workers who cut royal tombs lived
Elsewhere
Temple of Abu SimbelSightAbu Simbel, Egyptconstructed along axis of sun for light to flood innermost sanctum

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Condé Nast TravelerDec 15, 2025

The Best Hotels and Resorts in the World: The Gold List 2026

Our editors across the globe share their favorite places to stay.

20 things in this story

Al Moudira HotelHotelOasis on Luxor's quiet west bank.
Elsewhere
Bvlgari Resort DubaiHotelDubai, United Arab EmiratesSecret refuge with understated luxury.
Kinondo KwetuHotelGalu, KenyaBarefoot Indian Ocean retreat.
Mount Gahinga LodgeHotelsouthwest Uganda, UgandaUnderstated luxury with Virunga views.
Our Habitas AlUlaHotelAlUla, Saudi ArabiaVillas dissolve into sandstone cliffs.
HegraSightAlUla, Saudi ArabiaUNESCO-listed tombs, 20-minute drive.
Raffles DohaHotelLusail Marina, QatarLandmark hotel shaped like a scimitar.
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu DhabiHotelAbu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesGrandest luxury resort on beautiful beach.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi DesertHotelRas Al Khaimah, United Arab EmiratesDreamy escape with wildlife and desert adventures.
Somalisa CampHotelHwange National Park, ZimbabweSafari lodge in Hwange National Park.
Sterrekopje FarmHotelWestern Cape, South AfricaThoughtful healing hotel on a farm.
SussurroHotelMozambique Island, MozambiqueArtistry in every corner on a peninsula.
Wilderness Bisate LodgeHotelVolcanoes National Park, RwandaLuxury conservation tourism base camp.
Buahan, A Banyan Tree EscapeHotelTaro village, IndonesiaOriginal property with volcanic views.
Cape WeligamaHotelSouthern Riviera, Sri LankaClifftop hotel with new beach club.
The AtlasRestaurantSouthern Riviera, Sri LankaAll-day dining at Cape Weligama.
TableauRestaurantSouthern Riviera, Sri LankaLive cooking experience on cliff's edge.
The SocietyRestaurantSouthern Riviera, Sri LankaRevamped bar with inspired tipples.
Capella SingaporeHotelSentosa Island, SingaporeHilltop haven in former barracks.
CassiaRestaurantSentosa Island, SingaporeFine dining at Capella Singapore.

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →