Luxor stands on the east bank of the river Nile, on the site of the ancient city of Thebes. It is a fascinating place steeped in history. With its vast number of ancient temples, monuments and tombs, it can be described as perhaps the greatest open air museum in the world.
Luxor is a must for those visiting Egypt. It isn't surprising that it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country. The sheer number and size of the ancient sites are overwhelming, while luxury hotels offer a peaceful haven away from the exertions of sightseeing.
Adults of all ages would appreciate the wonders of Luxor. Even those without an interest in ancient history would find the temples and the tombs fascinating.
In the height of summer the temperatures in Luxor soar into the thirties and forties. Consequently October to March is the most popular time to visit Luxor when the temperature lies pleasantly in the mid twenties, and makes touring the ancient sites a much more pleasant and relaxing experience.
Luxor is a lively city with the ancient and the modern lying side by side. The Temple of Luxor, with its vast colonnades and colossal statutes is situated in the centre of the modern city, overlooking the Nile. Another very popular attraction in Luxor, particularly for those with strong stomachs, is the Mummification Museum. The Temple of Karnak is one of the largest ancient religious sites in the world. The columns, the altars and shrines, and the avenues of ram-headed sphynxes are awe-inspiring and stand as a lasting tribute to the work of the craftsmen thousands of years ago.
Across the Nile on the west bank lies the famous Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, a huge necropalis that houses amongst others the famous tomb of Tutankhamun. For an alternative view of the ancient sights, a hot air balloon ride gives a true appreciation of their scale and wonder. Boating down the Nile in a traditional felucca is another popular pursuit.
Luxor is very much a city of antiquities that sits happily along side the bustling vibrancy of modern life. The Egyptian people go out of their way to be helpful and offer a warm welcome to tourists.
Although there are bars in Luxor, nighlife is mainly based in the hotels, most of which will offer a range of evening entertainment with traditional music and belly dancers. For a taste of the local nightlife, an evening stroll around Luxor Bazaar provides the opportunity to sample local drinks and pick up some reasonably priced souvenirs.
The market or souk on Sharia el-Birka in Luxor offers a host of holiday souvenirs including such diverse things as spices, scarves, perfumes and carpets. Be prepared to barter as the asking price will be inflated. Expect to pay between a half to two thirds of the original price.
There is a wide variety of cuisine to be sampled in Luxor ranging from local dishes such as felafel, deep fried balls of ground chickpeas and spices served with pitta bread, to European and Far Eastern foods. Water should not be drunk from the tap. Bottled water is cheap to buy but make sure that the cap is sealed.
Egypt is a Muslim country and their faith should be respected. Locally wages are low, particularly in bars and restaurants and tipping is expected. Egyptians are well known for their warmth and helpfulness towards visitors.
The only time you'll be able to find any cheap deals to Luxor is in November and December or May and June. This is due to the temperatures making it potentially unbearable for most holiday makers.
Egypt is a very cheap place, and as a result, it's recommended that you book into bed and breakfast accommodation and use the money you'll save to buy your food from the many quality restaurants in the local area.
Luxor, standing on the east bank of the Nile, is famous for it's incredible amount of history. There are ancient tombs and ruins all over the area, and it is described by some as an open air museum.
The main attraction to the area is to see the wonderful ancient tombs, and even people without an interest in history will most likely enjoy the sights. These tours are much more pleasurable during the winter months where temperatures will drop to twenty degrees as opposed to the thirty or forty you'll be seeing in the summer months, however.
The nightlife in Luxor is almost fully based around resorts and hotels, with various shows including belly dancing, live music and small festivals, although there are some bars and tavernas you can visit in the towns to sample local drinks or pick up a cheap bargain souvenir.
If you're looking for a cheap Luxor holiday, you'll be best off looking in December or May. Bearing in mind the temperature in May however, December might be the best bet.
