How would you spend one day in Luxor?

After Cairo, I flew to Luxor, Egypt to await the arrival of my friend Jeff. He planned the entire itinerary, which was a huge relief as someone who usually travels alone. So I had a few days to settle in and get the lay of the land before he arrived.

First time in Luxor: How was it?

Luxor was pretty overwhelming too, as there was again a lot of street harassment (with or without Jeff’s presence). However, instead of the sandy desert of Cairo, Luxor is lush and green with lots of vegetation and irrigation systems from the Nile River.

I really enjoyed walking along the Nile, finding a restaurant or quiet place to sit down and enjoy the view of the feluccas (traditional Egyptian sailboats). The hotel was lovely, too, with a beautiful garden. You can easily spend your time in Luxor walking around, eating delicious food, and visiting ancient sites.

Solo female travel in Egypt

Since Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, you can hear the call to prayer five times every day broadcast on loudspeakers from the mosques around each city. Check it out here:

What should you know about Luxor?

Luxor (Arabic Al-Uqṣur, also called El-Aksur) is located on the east bank of the Nile River. It is on the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaohs’ capital at the height of their power. The city is one of the oldest and most Ancient Egyptian sites and many travelers regard it as the World’s greatest open-air Museum.

Top 5 things to do in Luxor in 2023:

• Temple of Karnak – The Karnak Temple Complex is a village of temples, chapels, and other buildings. It was built to honor the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, and is one of the largest religious buildings ever made.
• Valley of the Kings – Here you’ll find the ancient burial ground of many Egyptian pharaohs. Among over 60 royal tombs is also the famous Tomb of Tutankhamun, found in pristine condition.
• Luxor Temple – A temple built for ritual practices during The Festival of Opet, which was one of the most important Ancient Egyptian festivals.
• Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari – A mortuary temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, the longest-ruling female of Ancient Egypt. The temple is decorated with statues, sphinxes, and reliefs.
• Luxor Museum – History lover? Luxor Museum features items found beneath the Luxor Temple, and from the tomb of King Tut. Plus you’ll get to see a re-assembled wall from the Temple of Aten.

Don’t miss out on our travel adventures and travel tips! Sign up for our free newsletter. And if you have any questions about living in or traveling to Mexico, overlanding with pets, being a digital nomad, or general travel planning questions, book a consultation with me.