Luxor Temple
معبد الأقصر
A temple of Amun on the Nile in the city center, with an entrance obelisk and a colossal statue of Ramesses II. It is especially atmospheric at night.
Luxor Temple was built in the 14th century BCE, begun by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramesses II. It is the endpoint of the annual Opet Festival, when the statue of Amun is carried in procession from Karnak. Originally a pair of obelisks stood in front of the entrance pylon. Only one remains today, while the other was taken to Paris in 1836 and now stands in the Place de la Concorde. Seated statues of Ramesses II flank the pylon. Beyond the entrance you'll find the Court of Ramesses II, the colonnade and great court of Amenhotep III. Embedded in the court is the medieval Mosque of Abu al-Haggag, showing how different eras layered on top of one another. On the north side of the temple, a restored avenue of sphinxes runs about 2.7 km straight to Karnak Temple. It reopened in 2021, and you can walk part of it. Admission costs about 500 Egyptian pounds (check on site). The temple is right by the riverside road in the city center and is within walking distance. It is highly recommended to enter before sunset. After the sun goes down, wait for the lights to come on, when the columns and statues are most atmospheric. At night there are fewer people and it's cooler, so photos come out better.
Opening hours
06:00–22:00
Nearby sights
- Nile Felucca & Luxor Corniche
- Mummification Museum
- Luxor Souk
- Winter Palace Hotel
- Luxor Museum
- Avenue of Sphinxes
- Karnak Temple Complex
- Colossi of Memnon