Luxor Egypt, is a must-see for anyone planning a trip to Egypt. This incredible city offers a wealth of historical attractions and experiences. Don’t miss our Luxor bucket list, featuring the top 10 must-visit sites and activities, including our favorite—an unforgettable hot air balloon experience!

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Navigate our Top 10

• Luxor Egypt – Top Activities
  • 1. Hot Air Balloon Ride – Our favorite experience
  • 2. Luxor Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple
  • 3. Shopping in Luxor, Egypt
  • 4. Nile River Cruise – Luxor Egypt
• Luxor Egypt – Top Things to Visit
  • 5. Luxor Egypt Valley of the Kings
  • 6. Temple of Hatshepsut – Luxor Egypt
  • 7. Colossi of Memnon – Luxor Egypt
  • 8- Luxor Temple – Luxor Egypt
  • 9- Karnak Temple – Luxor Egypt
  • 10- Luxor Museum – Luxor Egypt
• Overall Top 10 Bucket List Things to Do in Luxor Egypt

Luxor Egypt – Top Activities

1. Hot Air Balloon Ride – Our favorite experience

If you’ve never flown in a hot air balloon, Luxor is the perfect place to try it. This experience allows you to witness the sunrise over the legendary Valley of the Kings, and it truly felt like a magical moment, becoming one of our top memories from Luxor.

How to Book a Ride

We recommend booking in advance through Viator right here. Prices start around $30 and up to 50$, though they are quite similar across different options.

What to Expect

Your morning starts with a 4:30 AM pickup from your hotel. After a boat ride across the Nile, you’ll enjoy coffee and snacks while watching the impressive sight of dozens of balloons being prepared. The flight itself offers breathtaking views of the Valley of the Kings and the city of Luxor, which looks stunning from above.

Overall

We highly recommend this ride. Not only is it relatively affordable compared to other locations around the world, but Luxor also offers a truly spectacular backdrop for this unforgettable experience.

2. Luxor Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple

Experience the magic of Karnak Temple at night with the captivating Sound and Light Show. This unique event adds a mystical touch to your visit, illuminating the temple’s grandeur in a whole new way.

How to Book the Show

You don’t really need a tour, as it’s much cheaper to take a taxi and buy tickets directly at the site. However, if you prefer a stress-free experience, Viator offers a full package that takes care of everything for you.

Booking Tickets Onsite:

Taxi Ride: Approximately 100-150 Egyptian pounds (~$3-5) for a round trip

Entry Ticket: 400 Egyptian pounds (~$13)

Light and Sound Show on Viator:

• Price: $40
• This usually includes transportation, entry tickets, and sometimes additional amenities.

What to Expect

The show begins at 8 PM, offering a fascinating journey through ancient Egyptian history and traditions. You’ll witness vibrant images projected onto the temple walls, accompanied by immersive music and narration.

Overall

This show is a fantastic way to experience one of Egypt’s many sound and light spectacles. The tour lasts about two hours and provides a memorable glimpse into the ancient world of Luxor.

3. Shopping in Luxor, Egypt

Luxor offers a vibrant shopping scene with a variety of unique items to explore and purchase. Here’s what you can look for and where to find it:

What to Buy in Luxor Egypt

Luxor is renowned for its high-quality Egyptian cotton products, including sheets, clothing, and more. Egypt is also known for its relatively affordable gold jewelry, and Luxor is a prime spot to find some exquisite pieces. Additionally, you can pick up beautiful Pharaoh-themed carvings and various souvenirs that capture the essence of ancient Egypt.

Where to Shop in Luxor Egypt

• Souk Luxor Market: A visit to the Souk Luxor Market is a must for an authentic shopping experience. This bustling market is filled with numerous stalls offering everything from textiles to trinkets. You can have a lot of fun wandering through the market, discovering little stands, and showing off your bargaining skills. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in local culture and find unique pieces.

• Ata Bazar: One of the oldest shops in Luxor, Ata Bazar is an excellent destination for those in search of fine jewelry. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or contemporary, Ata Bazar has a diverse selection of pieces to choose from.

• Nobles Art Gallery: If you have a passion for art, the Nobles Art Gallery is a must-visit. The gallery showcases a range of art pieces that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Egypt, making it a perfect spot for art enthusiasts to find something special.

Luxor’s shopping scene offers something for everyone, whether you’re after luxurious fabrics, unique jewelry, or artistic treasures. Enjoy the experience of exploring local markets and finding the perfect mementos from your trip!

4. Nile River Cruise – Luxor Egypt

One of the most iconic experiences in Luxor is taking a Nile cruise. Whether you have several days or just a few hours, cruising on the Nile is a magical way to see the stunning landscapes and historical sites.

Multi-Day Cruises

For a truly immersive experience, consider a multi-day Nile cruise that typically travels between Luxor and Aswan. For detailed information on choosing the best cruise, check out Nile Cruise Luxor Aswan: How to Choose the Best Cruise.

Shorter Cruises

If you’re short on time, you can also enjoy a few hours on the Nile. To book a shorter cruise:

• Hotel Concierge: Many hotels can arrange short Nile cruises for you. Simply inquire at the front desk or concierge.
• Pier and Felucca Owners: Alternatively, you can visit the pier and speak directly with the felucca owners. It’s often a good idea to ask around to get the best price. Feel free to negotiate and consult locals to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.

What to Bring

Consider bringing your own drinks to enjoy during a sunset cruise, and just relax as you take in the beautiful views.

No matter how long your cruise, it’s a wonderful way to experience the Nile’s serene beauty and the charm of Luxor from the water.

Luxor Egypt – Top Things to Visit

5. Luxor Egypt Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Egypt. It’s renowned for its huge collection of royal tombs. Even today, they are still searching for and discovering new tombs. It’s a very impressive site, and you simply cannot miss it.

How to Get to Luxor Egypt Valley of the Kings?

To make the most of your time in Luxor, we advise booking a half-day tour of Luxor’s West Bank and the Valley of the Kings. We found it to be the perfect length, and having a guide was fantastic as they shared incredible and even creepy stories about ancient Egypt. For just $30, it’s a very affordable way to see some of the top sights in Luxor Egypt.

While we’re not always fans of guides, we were glad to have one for this tour.

The tour also includes other sites, so you’ll get to see not only the Valley of the Kings but also the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

6. Temple of Hatshepsut – Luxor Egypt

We really enjoyed our visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut. The site is quite impressive, set against a massive rock wall that makes it look even more dramatic. You walk up a series of stairs to reach the temple, which adds to the sense of grandeur.

Our guide shared some pretty creepy stories about betrayal and the life of Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was a female pharaoh who ruled Egypt during the 15th century BCE. She took power after her husband, Thutmose II, died and became regent for her stepson, Thutmose III. Eventually, she declared herself pharaoh. After her death around 1458 BCE, there were efforts to erase her memory from history, but her temple still stands as a testament to her remarkable reign.

How to Visit Hatshepsut Temple?

As we mentioned in the Valley of the Kings section, the best way to visit the Temple of Hatshepsut is by joining a tour that includes other top sites in the region. It’s a fantastic way to make the most of your visit and see everything you want to explore. Be sure to click here to book your tour and make your trip unforgettable. You’re going to love it!

7. Colossi of Memnon – Luxor Egypt

The Colossi of Memnon are two huge statues of a pharaoh that stand side by side. They’re really impressive and you can’t miss them when you visit. They used to guard a big temple that no longer exists. Even though they’re quite old, they still look amazing and give you a sense of the grandeur of ancient Egypt.

How to Visit the Colossi of Memnon

Yes, I’ll mention it again: the Colossi of Memnon is included in the $30 tour. This half-day trip covers hotel pickup and drop-off. We really enjoyed it because we got to see the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon all in one go. While the Colossi of Memnon are impressive, it’s a quick stop, so it wouldn’t be worth a long drive just to see them.

This tour is a great way to fit it all in without spending too much time.

8- Luxor Temple – Luxor Egypt

Luxor Temple is a nice place to visit, though it’s not our favorite—Hatshepsut would be our top pick. Still, it’s worth seeing. The great thing is it’s right in the middle of Luxor, so you can easily walk from your hotel. We chose not to pay to go inside but enjoyed a pleasant walk around the temple. We were lucky to catch a Friday noon ceremony, which was a traditional Islamic prayer.

If you want to enter the temple, tickets are 100 Egyptian pounds or about $3.50.

For a great view of Luxor Temple while enjoying a drink, head to The Roof Top Café at the Steigenberger Nile Palace. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the temple and the surrounding area. It’s a perfect spot to unwind with an iced coffee or fresh juice while taking in the stunning scenery.

9- Karnak Temple – Luxor Egypt

Karnak Temple is a massive and impressive temple complex in Luxor, filled with grand columns, statues, and hieroglyphs. It’s easy to get there from the center of Luxor by taxi. A taxi ride should cost around 100-150 Egyptian pounds (about $3-5), but make sure to negotiate the price before you get in.

You can also experience the Light and Sound Show at Karnak Temple, which is a great way to see the temple at night. This show was mentioned in the top activities at the beginning of the article.

The entry price is 200 Egyptian pounds or about $6.50.

10- Luxor Museum – Luxor Egypt

Luxor Museum is conveniently located in the center of Luxor, and it’s within walking distance from many hotels and key areas in the city. If you’re staying nearby, it’s a pleasant walk to the museum.

The museum features a fascinating collection of artifacts, including statues and mummies. While it may not be as extensive as the Cairo Museum, which houses a broader range of ancient Egyptian treasures, Luxor Museum offers a more intimate experience with well-preserved items from the local area.

If you’re not a big fan of museums and can only visit one, the Cairo Museum would be the better choice due to its larger and more diverse collection. However, if you have time and are interested in a quieter, more focused experience, Luxor Museum is definitely worth a visit.

The entry fee for Luxor Museum is 100 Egyptian pounds or about $3.50.

Overall Top 10 Bucket List Things to Do in Luxor Egypt

Luxor, Egypt offers a fantastic blend of adventure and history. From the thrilling experience of a hot air balloon ride over Luxor, Egypt, to discovering the incredible historical sites like the Valley of the Kings, this city has something for everyone. We absolutely loved our stay in Luxor.

If you need a break after all that exploring, we highly recommend visiting Dahab, Egypt. It’s one of our favorite places in Egypt and a perfect way to unwind! Make sure to check out the Dahab, Egypt Guide: Explore the Best of Dahab, South Sinai.