Luxor is the city for which the word "myth" could have been invented, so much does its evocation arouse the passions of lovers of Egypt. Luxor has been recounted a thousand times by its ancient visitors, such as the Emperor Hadrian, who came to listen to the song of Memnon; the Western explorers of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, lovers of esotericism and mummy powder; Bonaparte's scientists and the creators of modern Egyptology, tomb inventors and tomb raiders; and the ever-increasing number of tourists stung by Egyptomania. Thebes, Luxor... So many myths.It was under the rulers of the 11th dynasty, established by Antef I in the 22nd century, that the city of Luxor, capital of the4th nome of Upper Egypt known as ouaset (i.e. the sceptre), grew in importance. King Montouhotep II completed the reunification of the two countries between 2030 and 2020, after some 30 years of war. This marked the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. The country was restructured and organized administratively, and Luxor developed its influence, which disappeared for a time when the country was separated from the 15th and 16th Hyksos dynasties (1650-1540), which Kamosis, also from Luxor, defeated.The New Kingdom, which began with the 18th dynasty, remained in Luxor, the capital, from where action was taken towards Nubia. This was the period of construction by Amenhotep I, Thutmose and Hatshepsut, all great builders of Luxor. Amenhotep IV, when he developed his new cult and took the name Akhenaten, left Luxor for Amarna, but his son Tutankhamun reigned over Thebes. From the 19th dynasty onwards, the Ramessides remained in Luxor, making it even more grandiose under Seti I and Ramses II, as well as during the 20th dynasty under Ramses III. With the XXIstdynasty , Luxor lost its status as capital to Tanis, in Lower Egypt, around 1069.Reading the Egyptian pantheon and the temples built for its gods, we understand that never in the country's history, during antiquity, was there a larger city than Luxor. Here, Pharaoh managed the reunification of Egypt, the development of his administration, stayed on during the dark hours, and generated a new religion, combining the cosmogonic myth of Ra with the great gods of the Nile and the elephantine triad, but creating his own Theban triad dominated by Amun, a hitherto rather obscure god. Nothing was beautiful enough for the cult of the gods that gave Pharaoh his power, and temples and obelisks climbed higher and higher towards Horus, "Ra at his zenith". More modestly, the royal palaces are made of earth, and the refined tombs are hidden in the sand.The Luxor myth invests the visitor when the evocation of the gods takes its place in the daily rhythm of those who had only come to see stones assembled into pylons or columns. In the manner of Pharaoh, successor to Osiris, we no longer think of the sun but of Ra when it sets on the Theban mountain; no longer of a ram peacefully grazing grass but of Amun the Wise; no longer of a cow dozing under a sycamore tree but of Hathor keeping watch; no longer of a wild dog in the middle of a cemetery but of the graceful Anubis; no longer of the calm-looking Nile but of Hapy, who manages its flow. This is the magic of Luxor, for it is only here that the Egyptian pantheon takes shape, with force, and leaves its mark on the visitor.Alongside the temples and royal tombs, full of majesty, visitors will also be enchanted by the tombs in the valleys of the Nobles and Artisans, in a freer style revealing details of daily life. For little or nothing remains of the buildings designed for the living, even those of the mighty Pharaoh or his priests. The arts and techniques required to build the marvelous structures that have stood the test of time were intended to honor souls and gods. To mortals, raw brick; to Amun and the gods, limestone and, above all, pink Aswan granite. Our knowledge of life at the time comes from the frescoes and objects found in the tombs.In the surrounding area, it's worth lingering a while in the verdant countryside: palm trees with branches bent under the weight of dates, small muddy canals irrigating sugarcane fields, peeled donkeys carrying sacks of fodder... The scenery seems to be the same today as that in which these peasant people lived on a daily basis. For the visitor, Luxor's daily routine is to keep away the "temple merchants" who, by their insistence on selling and offering everything, are likely to spoil the peace and quiet you've come for. It's all good-natured fun, but window-shoppers, horse-drawn carriage drivers, taxi-drivers, feluccas and kids can try your patience. The best thing to do is to respond with a weary smile and not start a never-ending discussion.

What to visit Luxor?

When to go to Luxor?

When to go to Luxor? In Upper Egypt, of which Luxor is a part, the high tourist season runs from October to February: winter is indeed a very pleasant season in the Nile Valley. The best time to go to Luxor is certainly from November to mid-February. In spring, a prevailing southwest wind (khamsin or "50", as it is supposed to blow for fifty days) warms the entire country. Hot and dry, it sometimes blows violently (100 to 120 km per hour) and can cause delays in air and road transport (silted roads, cleared tracks...). However, the temperature is very good and tourist numbers tend to decrease compared to winter. From June onwards, the thermometer climbs to unreasonable temperatures (up to 48°C on some days in Upper Egypt), and Luxor empties, until the end of August, when the temperature becomes tolerable again in Upper Egypt. When to go to Luxor then? The most pleasant period is between the end of September and mid-May. It is always possible in the middle of August to visit archaeological sites very early in the morning before the sun turns your decor white to the extreme. Then going on to the air-conditioned museums is a wise choice. A small restaurant in the shade and a long nap will make you feel better. Luxor can also be visited during Ramadan. Admittedly, the hours of museums and sites are shortened, but the nightlife is incomparable, with concerts organized in the streets, cafés, cultural centers, and tents of Ramadan which welcome musicians until 4am. Eid celebrations, which are family celebrations and do not give rise to any particular event, should be avoided.

Use the map to see the lowest prices at a glance:
See prices on map

Weather at the moment

Loading...
Weather all year round

We can say that Luxor's temperatures are perfect between October and May, terribly hot in June and July, hot in August and September. However, things are not so simple because, as in all semi-desert countries, the influence of the wind (frequent) remains primordial on the level of the temperatures, and the weather of Luxor is thus directly dependent on it.

Jan.
/ 23°
Feb.
/ 25°
Mar.
11° / 29°
Apr.
16° / 35°
May
20° / 39°
June
23° / 41°
Jul.
23° / 41°
Aug.
24° / 41°
Sept.
22° / 39°
Oct.
18° / 35°
Nov.
12° / 30°
Dec.
/ 25°
Budget

The Egyptian pound (EL) is the prevailing currency in Luxor. However, it is necessary to bring euros to pay for certain tourist services such as hotel rooms. You will have no difficulty finding accommodation in Luxor. Many hotels offer very reasonable prices, but the standard is not always there. You should also be aware that it is common for prices to be higher in the winter than in the summer. There is no shortage of inexpensive restaurants to eat at.

Procedures

A tourist visa (maximum validity of 1 month, cost 25 US$) is required in addition to the passport to enter Egypt, and thus to go to Luxor. It can be obtained from the Egyptian diplomatic authorities in France, notably at the Egyptian embassy in Paris, but it is easier to buy it upon arrival at one of Egypt's international airports, such as Luxor.

Health

In Luxor, the biggest health hazard is certainly the sun, which is particularly relentless in summer. In addition to sunscreen, a hat and bottled water (the water is not drinkable in Luxor), you should also take repellent to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, carriers of viral diseases (Egypt is one of the countries affected by the avian flu epizootic). Make sure that your mandatory vaccinations in France are up to date (D.T. Polio for example). Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended. You will also need to be vaccinated against a number of diseases such as typhoid, rabies and hepatitis B as a preventive measure for a prolonged stay where conditions can be precarious. There is no longer any malaria in Egypt.

How to go to Luxor? Our advice & tips

Eminently touristic, Luxor has many French-speaking agencies specialized in the destination, and more than in many other regions of the world, it is here interesting to opt for an all-inclusive trip. Individual travelers will pay at least twice as much on the spot for accommodation, food and travel. A stop in Luxor can also be considered during a trip to Egypt or a cruise on the Nile.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

If you plan ahead, you can find plane tickets from France, with a stopover in Cairo, from 450 €. Then, as everywhere else, anticipation will allow you to get by at a lower cost, especially in terms of accommodation. Luxor being a very touristy city, it is nevertheless advisable to use the services of specialists offering all-inclusive stays that are very interesting economically. Nothing obliges you to stay in a group once you are there.

If you land in Cairo, you can reach Luxor either by plane, or by train (normal or sleeping car), or by cab, or via a boat cruise on the Nile. On the spot, you can travel by cab or collective cab (price to be negotiated, always!), but also by carriage(hantours) or by bicycle. To cross the Nile, we take the ferry. The felucca (small sailing boat) is also a pleasant and picturesque means of transportation on the Nile.

Organize your trip with our partners Luxor
Transportation
Accommodation & stays
Services / On site

Luxor travel inspiration

Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners

Pictures and images Luxor

La nécropole thébaine en face de Louxor. Author's Image
Dédié au dieu Amon-Ré, le temple de Luxor a été construit par Amenophis III. Sylvain GRANDADAM
Lecture et chant en langue copte ancienne, monastère Theodoros El-Morhab. Sylvain GRANDADAM
Vue sur la corniche et le temple de Louxor Author's Image

Discover Luxor

When to travel?

When to go to Luxor? In Upper Egypt, of which Luxor is a part, the high tourist season runs from October to February:...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

We can say that Luxor's temperatures are perfect between October and May, terribly hot in June and July, hot in Augus...
Read more about it

Budget

The Egyptian pound (EL) is the prevailing currency in Luxor. However, it is necessary to bring euros to pay for certa...
Read more about it

Formalities

A tourist visa (maximum validity of 1 month, cost 25 US$) is required in addition to the passport to enter Egypt, and...
Read more about it

Health

In Luxor, the biggest health hazard is certainly the sun, which is particularly relentless in summer. In addition to...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

If you plan ahead, you can find plane tickets from France, with a stopover in Cairo, from 450 €. Then, as everywher...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Eminently touristic, Luxor has many French-speaking agencies specialized in the destination, and more than in many ot...
Read more about it

Getting around

If you land in Cairo, you can reach Luxor either by plane, or by train (normal or sleeping car), or by cab, or via a...
Read more about it

Send a reply