Luxor: the East Bank
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Karnak Temple | The largest temple complex of the ancient world, with its giant hall of columns and sacred lake. | EGP 600 for foreigners |
| Luxor Temple | A temple on the Nile lit up at night, with statues and an obelisk at its entrance. | Central Luxor |
| The Avenue of Sphinxes | A road lined with sphinxes linking the Karnak and Luxor temples. | About 2.7 kilometres |
| The Luxor Museum | Selected pieces from the temples and tombs of Thebes. | On the corniche |
Luxor: the West Bank
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Valley of the Kings | Pharaohs' tombs cut into the mountain, with their painted reliefs. | EGP 750 for three tombs; Tutankhamun's tomb is an extra ticket |
| Hatshepsut's temple | A terraced, colonnaded temple at the foot of the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. | West Bank |
| The Colossi of Memnon | Two giant statues of Amenhotep III in the fields. | On the way to the Valley of the Kings |
| A dawn balloon ride | The temples, the Nile and the fields from above at sunrise. | Weather permitting |
Aswan
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| A felucca on the Nile | A traditional sailing boat between the islands and granite rocks at sunset. | From the Aswan corniche |
| Philae Temple | A temple on a Nile island, moved stone by stone to escape the dam's waters. | By boat |
| The Nubian village | Colourful houses on the Nile bank, whose people welcome visitors. | By boat |
Abu Simbel
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Abu Simbel temples | Two temples cut into the mountain with giant statues of Ramesses II; the sun reaches the sanctuary twice a year. | About EGP 800; the sun aligns on 22 February and 22 October |
Tips before you go
- October to April is the best time; summer tops 40 degrees.
- A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan takes 3 to 4 nights.
- Abu Simbel is about 3 hours by road from Aswan, or a short flight.
More places nearby
- Things to do in Egypt
- Things to do in Cairo
- Things to do in Sharm El Sheikh
- Things to do in Alexandria
- Things to do in Hurghada
- Things to do in Dahab
- Things to do in El Alamein and Marsa Matrouh
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Luxor and Aswan?
Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Philae, the Nubian village and Abu Simbel.
How much is the Valley of the Kings?
EGP 750 for foreigners, including three tombs; Tutankhamun's tomb is an extra ticket.
When does the sun align at Abu Simbel?
On 22 February and 22 October every year.
Planning your trip to Egypt? Read Travel to Egypt from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.