Luxor Temple stands in the heart of modern Luxor, on the east bank of the Nile. Unlike most Egyptian temples, it was not dedicated to a king who had died but to the renewal of kingship itself, and it played a central role in the great Opet Festival of ancient Thebes.
History of Luxor Temple
Most of Luxor Temple was built by Amenhotep III around 1390 BC and later extended by Ramesses II, who added the great pylon, the statues at the entrance and a large courtyard. The temple was dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu, the moon god who gave his name to Khonsu Tours. Later rulers left their mark too: Alexander the Great rebuilt a shrine inside, the Romans used the temple as a military camp, and the Mosque of Abu al-Haggag still sits on top of one of the courts today.
What to See at Luxor Temple
- The first pylon of Ramesses II: carved with scenes of the Battle of Kadesh and guarded by colossal seated statues
- The obelisk: one of the original pair still stands; the other has been in the Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836
- The Colonnade of Amenhotep III: a processional hall of 14 tall papyrus columns
- The Sun Court of Amenhotep III: surrounded by elegant double rows of columns
- The shrine of Alexander the Great: showing Alexander dressed as an Egyptian pharaoh
The Avenue of Sphinxes
An almost 3 km avenue lined with sphinxes once connected Luxor Temple with Karnak. During the Opet Festival, statues of the gods were carried along this road. After decades of excavation, the avenue has been restored and is open to visitors again. Read more about Karnak Temple.
Visiting Tips
Luxor Temple is open into the evening, and many travelers prefer to visit after sunset, when the columns and statues are lit up and the air is cooler. Allow about an hour and a half. It is easy to combine with Karnak on the same day.
How to Visit
Luxor Temple is part of most Nile cruises and of our 8-day Classic Egypt package. Coming from Cairo? Our Luxor day trip by plane covers the highlights of Luxor in one day.
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