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Luxor is the world's greatest open-air museum, ancient Thebes laid out along both banks of the Nile. This guide brings together the best Luxor luxury hotels, the Valley of the Kings and the finest ways to begin a Nile cruise.
Updated
At a glance
From the United States
The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.
Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.
Why go
For centuries Thebes was the royal and religious heart of Egypt, and Luxor keeps an astonishing share of what it built. On the east bank stand Karnak, one of the largest temple complexes ever raised, and the graceful Luxor Temple, joined by a restored avenue of sphinxes. On the west bank, the land of the dead, lie the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the great temples of Hatshepsut and Ramesses II.
The setting is pure romance: sugarcane fields, palm groves and the Theban hills turning pink at dawn as hot-air balloons drift overhead. Most travelers combine Luxor with Cairo and the Grand Egyptian Museum and a cruise upriver to Aswan. Our Egypt luxury vacation guide shows how the pieces fit.
Luxor's grandest hotel is closed for restoration until 2027, so this season the best stays are on the riverbank, on the quiet west bank, or aboard a luxury Nile ship.
The Victorian palace where news of Tutankhamun's tomb was first shared is closed for a complete restoration and will reopen under Mandarin Oriental, set to become the finest address in Upper Egypt again.
Official site ↗A calm riverside resort with infinity pools facing the west-bank hills, a large spa and easy access to Karnak. Loved for its sunsets.
A central riverfront hotel with a broad terrace on the Nile, within walking distance of Luxor Temple and the souk.
Official site ↗A large, polished hotel with gardens and a pool running down toward the river, close to the town center.
A beloved boutique hideaway of domes, courtyards and antique-filled suites set in gardens among the fields. Peaceful, characterful and ideal for early starts at the royal tombs.
A garden resort on its own Nile island with bungalow-style rooms, a good choice for families who want space and greenery.
Three to seven nights between Luxor and Aswan is the classic way to see Upper Egypt. These are among the finest ships.
Elegant, spacious ships with large suites, spas and Egyptologist guides, long considered the benchmark for Nile luxury.
Official site ↗An intimate, classic ship with few suites and excellent guiding.
A traditional sailing boat with a handful of cabins, chartered for family or friends, mooring at quiet islands the large ships pass by.
Mandarin Oriental's first river ship, planned for three-, four- and seven-night voyages between Luxor and Aswan. In design; no sailing date announced.
Things to do
Start before sunrise with a hot-air balloon flight over the west bank, then visit the Valley of the Kings while it is cool. A standard ticket includes three tombs; add the tombs of Seti I and Tutankhamun for something unforgettable. Continue to the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the painted tombs of the nobles and the Colossi of Memnon.
Spend an afternoon at Karnak, ideally with a private Egyptologist, and return to Luxor Temple after dark when it is beautifully lit. The Luxor Museum is small but superb, and the temples of Dendera and Abydos make a rewarding private day trip.
For more on the past, see Egypt history and culture and our list of UNESCO World Heritage sites; Ancient Thebes is one of Egypt's earliest listings.
The best dinners are usually at the riverside hotels and aboard the luxury ships, whose kitchens rival good city restaurants. On the west bank, lunch in the garden at Al Moudira is a pleasure, and family-run restaurants near the temples serve fresh Egyptian dishes, grilled meats and warm bread. Sunset drinks on a terrace facing the Theban hills is a Luxor ritual.
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Luxor. Fly nonstop to Cairo from New York, Newark, Washington, Chicago or Los Angeles, then take the roughly one-hour domestic flight. Some European and Gulf carriers also serve Luxor directly, and the overnight sleeper train from Cairo is a charming alternative.
Luxor International Airport handles private jets, and many travelers arrive by air and leave by river. See cruise lines in the region and private jet charter.
Americans can buy an e-visa online or a visa on arrival (each about $30). Days are warm even in winter and summers are very hot, so plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon. Modest dress is appreciated outside the hotels. Alcohol is served in hotels and on cruise ships. Small tips for guides, drivers and tomb guardians are customary; carry Egyptian pounds and some US dollars.
Luxor is mainly a place to visit rather than to buy, though restored west-bank houses and Nile-view villas occasionally change hands. Investors looking at Egypt usually focus on Cairo, the Red Sea and the North Coast; see our Egypt Luxury Real Estate guide.
Questions travelers ask
Not at present. It is closed for a full restoration and is scheduled to reopen as Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor in July 2027.
Two full days covers both banks; three lets you add Dendera or Abydos and a balloon flight without rushing.
If you can, yes. Three or four nights between Luxor and Aswan is the most relaxed way to see the temples in between.
Yes, with a separate ticket at the Valley of the Kings. His treasures are now at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here
The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Generally up to two homes for personal use, outside restricted areas.
Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate
Weather
Average day highs, night lows and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.
| Month | Day high | Night low | Rainy days | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °F | °C | °F | °C | ||
| Jan | 71° | 22° | 48° | 9° | 0 |
| Feb | 76° | 25° | 51° | 10° | 0 |
| Mar | 85° | 30° | 58° | 14° | 0 |
| Apr | 94° | 34° | 65° | 18° | 0 |
| May | 102° | 39° | 73° | 23° | 0 |
| Jun | 107° | 42° | 79° | 26° | 0 |
| Jul | 107° | 41° | 80° | 27° | 0 |
| Aug | 107° | 42° | 81° | 27° | 0 |
| Sep | 104° | 40° | 76° | 25° | 0 |
| Oct | 96° | 36° | 69° | 21° | 0 |
| Nov | 84° | 29° | 60° | 16° | 0 |
| Dec | 75° | 24° | 52° | 11° | 0 |
Averages for 2015–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.
Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.