Location: Luxor
Top Things to do in Luxor
What to do and see in Luxor, Nile River Valley: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
The Luxor in Las Vegas is to the actual CITY of Luxor, Egypt, as marshmallow fluff is to fois gras. (We’re sure you knew that. We just enjoy analogies.) Sure, the hotel/casino in Vegas might have a beam of light visible from space, but we bet you'll find a hot-air balloon ride over the Valley of Kings much more illuminating. (Editor's note: Our list was compiled before political unrest prompted many countries to issue travel warnings for Egypt. If you're currently planning a trip to Egypt, please consider the risks and monitor your government's travel alerts.)
Restaurants in Luxor
1. Tomb of Ramses VI
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 504 reviews
The key feature of this tomb, which was originally built for Ramses V and expanded by Ramses VI during the 20th Dynasty, is its vaulted astronomical ceiling with a double image of the Goddess Nut swallowing the sun.
Reviewed By KarenAzinger
In my opinion, this is one of the top tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The color on the walls is amazing and the star chart aching across the burial chamber is a true wonder! Don't miss this tomb! Your ticket to the Valley of the Kings will allow you entrance into 3 tombs. I recommend Ramses III, Ramses V & VI (one tomb where they buried two pharaohs), and Ramses IV. All of these tombs have incredible color and stunning art work. Recommend that you also pay extra for Sety I, the largest and most beautiful tomb in the Valley. The rules have changed so you can use your cellphone to take photos, so you don't need to buy a photographic pass. If you tour Egypt, you must see the Valley of the Kings, truly a wonder of the ancient world!
2. Temple of Medinat Habu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,169 reviews
This ancient complex is dominated by the massive memorial temple of Ramses III, similar to the mortuary temple of Ramses II at Ramesseum.
Reviewed By 780kicks
One of the Best Preserved Temples on the Westbank, Luxor Dedicated to Rameses III, Funeral Temple and Palace. 20th Dynasty ca.1260 BC.
3. Tomb of Sennedjem
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By TTOverseas - Cairo, Egypt
The artisan tombs are smaller than the grandiose King, Queen, or Noble tombs- but, they make up for it in character! We loved the sense of adventure climbing down the Tomb of Sennedjem and, once inside, enjoyed the relatable scenes of life. We felt like explorers and we heard the kids calling out in excitement at each turn and new area. Again, the tomb was included in our Luxor Premium Pass, so no time buying a ticket and we visited mid day, but no lines. Actually, only one other small tour group. This was where we went when the tombs and sights on tlhe main trail were completely overwhelmed with tourists.
4. ACE - Animal Care in Egypt
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 386 reviews
Animal Care in Egypt is a British registered charity hospital for animals. Please come to see us at work, and visit our in-patients. ACE provides free veterinary care and treatment to all neglected and abused animals. ACE also runs an educational programme, local school children come to learn that animals feel pain and should be treated with respect. ACE relieve the suffering of the animals in Luxor by prevention, maintenance treatment and education. Most taxi drivers know where we are and it will cost you appx 100le for a return journey to visit us via taxi. A registered charity. Donations welcome.
Reviewed By byegreg - St. Albans, United Kingdom
We visited this animal charity on recommendation on our recent trip to Egypt. We were impressed by the level of care shown to the many working animals that the centre caters for and the dedication of the team of volunteers (some from the UK) and the local Egyptian staff.
5. Luxor Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,520 reviews
A museum featuring items found beneath the Luxor Temple, and from the tomb of King Tut. Also on exhibit is a re-assembled wall from the Temple of Aten.
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
The Luxor Museum prides itself on the quality, not the quantity, of its artifacts. The collection is beautifully curated among two floors, displayed in an uncluttered manner with each piece clearly labeled. Quite a contrast to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo, where I was totally overwhelmed by the experience. Luxor has two royal mummies on display, so if you’ve never seen a mummy, here’s your chance! I admit it’s creepy, but the Egyptians were masters of mummification and it was normal to them.
6. Tomb of Ramses III
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Located in the Valley of the Kings, this well-preserved tomb is known as the “Tomb of the Harpists” due to the bas-relief of two blind musicians located in one of the side chambers.
Reviewed By mariom274 - Quebec City, Canada
Valley of the Kings | West Bank, Louxor, Égypt. The Tomb of Ramses III is one of the nicest tomb in this valley. The colors of the walls, yes the color!!! the hieroglyphs, are absolutely fantastic. it looks like they were painted just a few years ago. Simply majestic. Another beautiful tomb to visit!!!
7. Tomb of Merenptah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
This tomb of the 19th-Dynasty pharaoh Merenptah, son of Ramses II, features beautiful reliefs of Isis and Nephthys and a steeply-inclined corridor leading to the burial chamber where the sarcophagus still rests.
Reviewed By DEK_29 - Brisbane, Australia
The Tomb of Merenptah is one of the largest tombs in the valley and is on par with his father's (Ramses II) and his grandfather's (Seti I) tombs. The tombs has two descending ramps and at least four levels and some stairs. It is one of the deepest tombs in the valley. This was one of the three tombs that we decided to see after doing some research and not wanting to visit the same tombs that we saw in 2010. Well worth the effort that it takes to view this huge tomb. Each pharaoh started their tomb the day after they were crowned. Merenptah reigned for 10 years, so this tomb was completed in time for his journey into the afterlife.
8. Ramesseum (Mortuary Temple of Ramses II)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 347 reviews
This magnificent mortuary temple was built on the site of Seti I’s ruined temple and was described as the “tomb of Ozymandia,” which later inspired a poetic verse by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Reviewed By DEK_29 - Brisbane, Australia
I visited the Ramesseum in the early morning before all the tourists had left their boats and hotels; I had the place to myself. There was not even one tout or salesman. Sheer bliss. The design of Ramses II's mortuary temple adheres to the standard canons of New Kingdom temple architecture as it consisted of pylons, a covered 48-column hypostyle hall surrounding a inner sanctuary. Additionally, Ramses had a chapel dedicated to his mother erected in the sanctuary. My guide informed me that the site was used previously in the Middle Kingdom and that a shaft tomb had yielded a rich hoard of religious and funerary artifacts. Remains of the second court include part of the internal facade of the pylon and a portion of the Osiride portico on the right which includes scenes of war and the rout of the Hittites at Qadesh which was actual propaganda by Ramses. The temple as remnants of large statues, one of which would have stood 19 m (62 ft) high and weighed more than 1000 tons and would have rivalled the Colossi of Memnon and the statues of Ramses carved into the mountain at Abu Simbel. While there I saw a Anubis headed sphinx which is unusual. Quiet and poetic is Ramses's Mortuary Temple.
9. Temple of Amun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
A major part of the Temple of Karnak complex is occupied by the Temple of Amun, built during the 18th Dynasty (1554-1305 BC).
Reviewed By DEK_29 - Brisbane, Australia
The Temple of Amun features a number of parts that were proposed by different pharaohs. Seti I and Ramses II created the Great Hypostyle Hall with its myriad of columns; some with lotus bulb and others with open flower capitals. Previous pharaohs, such as, Thutmose III and Hatsheput had begone work on parts of the temple hundreds of years before. Interestingly, the deeper you go into the temple - the older it gets. A twelfth century structure is at the heart of the complex. As with anything to do with Karnak; time is what is needed to appreciate the vastness of the temple and its long history.
10. Tomb of King Tutankhamun (Tut)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,307 reviews
The tomb of King Tut was discovered in the Valley of the Kings in 1922 by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon.
Reviewed By 742wayned - Key West, United States
Yeah, go to it, but get ready to be underwhelmed. First, the build up. So, you paid for the whole trip just to get to the Valley of the Kings. Then you bought a ticket to the Valley of the Kings (good for only 3 tombs, but not King Tut’s). Then you bought another ticket just to be able to take pictures in the tombs (but not in King Tut’s). Then you bought a third ticket to go into King Tut’s tomb. Oh, and you have to buy the tickets at the entrance before you go in. So, you walk to the tomb, conveniently close to the valley entrance, and find a spot where you have to show your ticket and hand over your camera (no pictures in the tomb). Walk down some stairs and you are in an “L” shaped room, coming in from the back of the L. The ceiling and most of the walls are unfinished. To your right is a glass case with King Tut’s mummy. Ok, that is cool. Then to your right is the bottom of the “L.” The floor there is a bit lower and there is a railing to keep you back. On the floor is one of King Tut’s sarcophagi. On the wall to your left are painted baboons. On the wall in front of you are painted big people. On the wall to the right are painted little people. That’s it. That is all there is to see. Three painted walls, sarcophagus, mummy. And you paid extra for this. All the really cool stuff they moved to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and you will have to pay more to see and not take pictures of that too. Please, if you are in the area, go into King Tut’s tomb. If for bragging rights only. But don’t plan to spend too much time there. The tombs Of Merenptah and Rameses III are much more impressive.
