With a population of around 500,000, Luxor is the largest city in Upper Egypt and serves as the administrative capital of the Luxor Governorate. The Nile River divides the city into two sections.
In the northeastern part of Luxor lies the renowned Karnak Temple, once the most important temple in ancient Egypt, with its towering columns, obelisks, and statues that impress with their sheer size. Further south, you’ll find the Luxor Museum, housing recent archaeological discoveries from the region, followed by the Luxor Temple. Built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, this temple was dedicated to Amun-Ra, the king of the gods.
Across the Nile, on the west bank, stands the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the best-preserved temples of Thebes, dating back to the 18th Dynasty. Nearby is the Valley of the Kings, where the nearly intact tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. Also on the west bank are the imposing Colossi of Memnon, which represent Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
The Valley of the Kings is especially notable for its tombs of the New Kingdom’s most famous rulers. A bus trip from Hurghada to Luxor is a must for anyone eager to explore Egypt’s rich history.