Luxor holidays

Popular holidays

Holidays to Luxor show off the icons of Egypt. We're talking giant temples, pharaohs' tombs and bee-hive-busy souks – not to mention the world's most famous river.

Something old, something new

Perched on the east bank of the River Nile where Thebes – the ancient Egyptian capital – once stood, Luxor City is a mind-boggling mix of the old and the new. Throw in a cast of outgoing locals, and you’ve got a bustling city with bags of personality and monuments that come in one size only – epic.

Heaps of history

The neck-craning sandstone walls of Luxor Temple dominate the city’s downtown area. Head a mile north, and you’ll find the Temple of Karnak. This super-sized complex is in amazingly good nick, considering it’s over 1,300 years old. Both open early in the morning, so there’s no need to bake in the midday sun as you bask in the glory of ancient Egypt.

Cosmopolitan Luxor

When you’re not gaping at all the historic sights, Luxor has plenty more to offer. You’ll find smart hotels packed with cocktail bars and restaurants, bazaars scented with spices, and white-sailed felucca boats that take you along the Nile.

Dash over to Dendera

Around an hour’s journey north of Luxor is Dendera, where you’ll find the Temple of Hathor. This brilliantly-preserved temple includes a wall relief of Cleopatra and her son, Caesarion, fathered by Julius Caesar. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can get here by taking Egypt’s rail network – get off at Qena, then hail a taxi.

Popular hotels in Luxor

Top things to see and do in Luxor

Beaches

Pools and Nile cruises

Luxor’s miles from the coast, so beaches aren’t exactly the city’s forte. But most hotels have swimming pools – some with river views – and Nile cruise boats all have spacious sundecks on top, so you can work on your tan with an ever-changing vista.

Shopping

Bargain buys

If you’re good at talking the price down, head to one of Luxor’s souks. You’ll find the main tourist bazaar in Sharia Al-Souk, which runs parallel to Sharia El Karank, near Luxor Temple. Heated haggling takes place here over everything from shisha pipes to perfume bottles. If the thought of bartering brings you out in a cold sweat, there are a few fixed-price shops around Television Street.

Mid-range buys

Papyrus and Egyptian cotton products are a dime-a-dozen in Luxor’s shops and bazaars. You’ll find some of the best papyrus gifts in the Nefertari Papyrus Institute on Memnon Street. For cotton with a conscience, head to the Fair Trade Centre, near the corner of Sharia El Karnak and Station Street. This place sells things like handmade sheets and tablecloths at ethical prices.

Designer buys

Luxor’s not really the place for posh boutiques and designer labels. But if you’ve got the urge to splurge, you can always head to one of the jewellers. Gold and silver are sold by the gram out here, and prices are more or less fixed, so you won’t need to haggle. You’ll find some reputable shops on Sharia Labaib Habachi and Sharia Sidi Mahmoud.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

In Luxor, you’ll find the best restaurants on Corniche Street, which runs parallel to the river. They serve up everything from baba ganouche to sushi, and they put on great shows – think gyrating belly dancers and local singers giving it their all. For something a bit different, head to the Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple.

Lively evenings

Try out your belly-dancing moves at a hotel disco on Corniche Street, and there are a few on the riverboats, too. Or head to a traditional show in a Sellah Tent for tabla drumming and Nubian folklore shows under the canvas.

Food & drink

Mezze

Egyptians like to warm up their tastebuds with a plate of mezze at the start of a meal. It might include taameya – the Egyptian take on falafel, made from fava beans instead of chickpeas – and a smoky aubergine dip called baba ganouche. Of course, it’s all finished off with a spoonful of creamy hummus.

Karkade

This deep-red drink is made with cranberry-like hibiscus flowers and a decent dose of sugar. You’ll often find it sold from tiny stalls in the souks, as well as in traditional cafés. And as an added bonus, it’s really good for your blood pressure.

Kofta

Forget the English post-clubbing snacks – Egyptian kofta kebabs are tasty stuff. Pop in to one of the traditional restaurants in the souks and order one of these thick, sausage-sized rolls of spicy minced lamb with a bowl of savoury rice and a bit of salad.

Oum Ali

Oum Ali literally means ‘Mother of Ali’, and it’s definitely the mother of all Egyptian desserts. It’s a bit like bread and butter pudding, but made with puff pastry and super-rich vanilla cream, with a few handfuls of dried fruit thrown in for good measure.

Shish taouk

For this tasty kebab, chunks of succulent chicken are marinated in tomato and spices until the flavour has really absorbed, then whacked on a barbecue to turn them golden brown. They taste really rich and smoky, and are usually wrapped in pitta with salad and a dollop of garlic sauce.