Luxor is an ancient Egyptian city (Pharaonic City) located on the banks of the Nile River in the heart of Upper Egypt. Luxor is a city with many names. The ancient Egyptians called it Waset, meaning the city of the scepter. When the Greeks came, they called it Thebes.
Today it is the modern city of Luxor, so it comes from the Arabic word Al-ʾuqṣur, which means the palaces. This charming city is located directly on the Great Nile River, about 500 kilometers south of the modern Egyptian capital, Cairo. Luxor is the best place to get acquainted with the treasures of ancient Egypt. A walk along the ruins is like traveling back in time 3,000 years.
Luxor is divided by the Nile into the west side and east side. The treasure of Tutankhamen was also found in the Valley of the Kings. Excursions in the surroundings of Luxor lead to other buildings of the Pharaohs and their Greek and Roman successors.
Luxor alone is home to one-third of the world’s ancient monuments. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come every year to visit these monuments, which makes an important contribution to the economy of the modern city.
i) Tourist Information
Luxor gives the visitor a picture of rural life in the Nile Valley. From a cruise ship or felucca in the early morning, one can see white-clad farmers or young boys riding their donkeys to green fields planted with sugar cane, grain, or cotton bushes.
Women and girls prepare a bean stew in front of the mud-brick houses or wash clothes down by the river. Some of the watering troughs used to irrigate the fields are now electric, but most look much as they did in Pharaonic times.
The name comes from the Arabic word (el-uksur), which means The Palaces because temples are considered the palaces of the gods in the Middle East. The city has developed since the 19th century at the same time as tourism, but outside the hotel zone, you still feel like you are back in Egypt.
Besides the tourist bazaar with souvenirs and handicrafts, the bazaar of the locals offers fruits, vegetables, spices, and household goods. The best way to visit temples and markets is by horse-drawn carriage. There are also bicycles for rent.
ii) The weather in Luxor
The weather in summer is hot and dry. The special thing about this city is the weather in winter. You can escape from the cold and enjoy the warm Egyptian winter sun. Sun radiation is very useful for bones and nerves. This radiation has a positive influence on autoimmune and cancer diseases.
You can also take a cruise from Luxor to Aswan, where you can enjoy the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. On both banks of the Nile, you can enjoy a combination of sand and greenery and enjoy fascinating golden sunsets and sunrises.
iii) Sightseeing
It would take weeks to experience everything in Luxor. With the following recommendations, you can ensure that you discover all the highlights of Luxor.
One of the most unique experiences in Luxor is a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the city. The early morning light only adds to this breathtaking experience.
The sound and light show at the Karnak Temple are very special. After sunset, the temple lights up with an audio-visual show that explains how the temple was built and what life was like in ancient Egypt.
Next, take a tour of the east and west banks. We recommend spending a full day on each side. The highlights on the east bank are the Karnak and Luxor temples, dedicated to the god Amon, his wife Mut, and their son Khonso. The west bank includes the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. The Colossi of Memnon are two gigantic 59-foot statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and his wife.
Visit the beautiful fascinating city of Luxor and don’t miss the chance to book one of the dreams Egypt round trips.
