Where to stay in Luxor — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Luxor is the world's greatest open-air museum — a city built over the ruins of ancient Thebes, capital of the pharaohs more than 3,000 years ago. On the Nile's East Bank stand the colossal temples of Karnak and Luxor; across the river, the West Bank holds the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. The signature experience is a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Nile. It's easy to reach by overnight sleeper train from Cairo or by direct flight.
Why stay in Luxor
The largest temple on earth
Karnak was built over 2,000 years; its Hypostyle Hall of 134 giant columns is so vast you'll crane your neck just to take it in.
Real pharaohs' tombs
The Valley of the Kings holds 63 tombs, including Tutankhamun's, where painted reliefs still glow with their original colour.
Balloon over the Nile
Drift up at dawn over the royal valleys, the temples and the green ribbon of the Nile — a genuine once-in-a-lifetime ride.
Nile cruises & feluccas
Luxor is the main port for Nile cruises down to Aswan, or sail a traditional felucca at sunset for a slower, gentler view.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Luxor
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
East Bank (Corniche)City centre · beside Luxor Temple · riverfront luxury hotels
Coming soonKarnak area (north)Near Karnak Temple · riverside resorts · quieter
Coming soonWest Bank (Gezira / El Bairat)Near the tombs · local guesthouses · village atmosphere
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Luxor
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Luxor stay reviews — meanwhile search Luxor hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Luxor
- 1🍚
Koshari
Rice, macaroni, lentils and chickpeas under a spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions — filling and cheap.
📍 National dish - 2🫘
Ful & Taameya
Slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil and lemon, served with Egyptian falafel made from split fava beans.
📍 Breakfast - 3🕊️
Hamam Mahshi
Pigeon stuffed with freekeh (roasted green wheat) and grilled or baked — a celebrated Upper Egyptian dish.
📍 Luxor specialty - 4🥬
Molokhia
A green soup of finely chopped jute leaves cooked with garlic and coriander, served with chicken or rabbit and rice.
📍 Local soup - 5🍖
Kebab & Kofta
Charcoal-grilled skewers of lamb or beef and spiced minced-meat kofta, served with aish baladi bread and salads.
📍 Grilled meat - 6🌺
Karkadeh & Sugarcane
Chilled hibiscus tea and freshly pressed sugarcane juice — refreshing against the desert heat.
📍 Drinks
- 1🏛️
Karnak Temple
Egypt's largest temple complex, built across 2,000 years — the 134-column Hypostyle Hall and the Sacred Lake are unmissable.
📍 East Bank - 2🛕
Luxor Temple
A grand temple in the heart of town, best after dark when floodlit, with its obelisk and seated statues of Ramesses II.
📍 City centre - 3⚰️
Valley of the Kings
63 royal tombs cut deep into the hills, including Tutankhamun and Seti I, with wall paintings in astonishing colour.
📍 West Bank - 4🏜️
Temple of Hatshepsut
The three-tiered mortuary temple of Egypt's female pharaoh, set dramatically against sheer limestone cliffs.
📍 Deir el-Bahari - 5🗿
Colossi of Memnon
Two 18-metre statues of Amenhotep III standing in the fields — free to visit and a classic photo stop.
📍 West Bank - 6🎈
Hot Air Balloon
Sunrise flight over the Valley of the Kings, the temples and the Nile — Luxor's signature experience.
📍 West Bank - 7🏺
Medinet Habu
Ramesses III's mortuary temple, with crisp battle reliefs and surviving paint, far less crowded than the big names.
📍 West Bank - 8🦁
Avenue of Sphinxes
The ancient processional road linking Karnak to Luxor Temple, lined with over a thousand sphinxes, recently restored.
📍 City centre
Things to do in Luxor
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Luxor — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Luxor hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.6Luxury
★ 9.2LuxurySonesta St. George Hotel Luxor
Top-ranked, prime Nile-front location
★ 9.1Luxuryโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในLuxor
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa Kings Island Luxor
Private-island resort, lush gardens
Steigenberger Resort Achti Luxor
5-star Nile resort, great value
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Luxor dates
🚆 Getting around Luxor
Luxor Airport (LXR)
About 7 km from the centre with no public transport — take an airport taxi or pre-book a transfer. Direct flights from Cairo and some European cities.
Sleeper train from Cairo
Overnight sleeper from Cairo's Bashtil station takes ~10-12 hours, arriving in the morning. Single and double cabins; saves a night's hotel.
Nile ferry crossing
Cross to the West Bank by the local public ferry or a motorboat for just a few Egyptian pounds — frequent and quick.
Caleche & taxis
Horse-drawn caleche along the Corniche for fun; in-town taxis should be agreed before you ride. Hiring a car for the day covers the West Bank well.
Cash & tipping (baksheesh)
Egyptian pounds (EGP) rule day to day — keep small notes for tips (baksheesh) of around 10%. Big hotels and city restaurants take cards.
Where to go next near Luxor
CairoA metropolis on the Nile — the Pyramids of Giza, a brand-new Egyptian museum, and the centuries-old Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
See this city's guide →
AswanEgypt's southernmost Nile city — Philae Temple, the High Dam, vivid Nubian villages, and sunset felucca sailing.
See this city's guide →
Sharm El SheikhRed Sea resort at the tip of Sinai — world-class reefs, buzzing Naama Bay, and the Ras Mohammed dive park
See this city's guide →
HurghadaRed Sea resort town — all-inclusive resorts, world-class coral diving, and boat trips to Giftun's white-sand islands.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Luxor
Should I stay on the East Bank or West Bank in Luxor?+
First-timers should pick the East Bank — it's the city centre, right by Luxor Temple, with the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and shops and the easiest transport. The West Bank is quieter, closer to the tombs and balloon launches, and suits travellers who want a village feel and early starts.
How many days do you need in Luxor?+
At least 2-3 days — one for the East Bank (Karnak and Luxor temples), one for the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, the Colossi), plus a dawn for the balloon. Add 3-4 more if you continue by Nile cruise to Aswan.
When is the best time to visit Luxor?+
October to April is best, with pleasant temperatures around 20-25°C, peaking December to February. Summer (May-September) tops 40°C, so plan early-morning sightseeing and rest through the midday heat.
Ready to book your Luxor stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking