Luxor

Luxor is ancient Thebes with the best temples and tombs in Egypt. The Nile splits the city with temples on the east and the Valley of the Kings on the west. It’s smaller and more manageable than Cairo. Two or three days covers the main sites. The heat in summer is brutal.

The East Bank has Karnak Temple which is massive with columns and hieroglyphs everywhere. Go late afternoon when it’s cooler and the light is better. Luxor Temple is smaller and right in town. It’s beautiful at night when lit up. Both temples are connected by an ancient sphinx-lined avenue they’re still excavating.

The West Bank has the Valley of the Kings where pharaohs were buried. Tutankhamun’s tomb is there but small and plain. Other tombs have incredible painted walls. You get three tombs with the ticket so choose carefully. Valley of the Queens is nearby with fewer crowds. Hatshepsut Temple built into cliffs is stunning.

Hot air balloon rides at sunrise over the temples and tombs are worth the early wake up. The views are incredible. Book through your hotel the night before. Nile cruises run between Luxor and Aswan stopping at temples along the way. Three nights is standard.

The hassle from touts is constant. Taxi drivers, felucca captains, shop owners. Everyone wants to sell you something. Stay firm and walk away. It gets tiring. The West Bank is worse than East Bank for hassle.

Food is similar to Cairo. Kushari, falafel, grilled meats. The quality varies wildly. Hotel restaurants are safer but boring. Street food is hit or miss. Drink bottled water only.

Getting around means taxis or hiring a driver for the day. The West Bank sites are spread out so you need transport. Bicycles work for some temples but the heat makes it tough. Ferries cross the Nile.

Luxor is cheap. Entry fees for all the sites add up but it’s still affordable. Hotels range from budget to luxury Nile view places.