Ancient site · Luxor
Luxor Temple
A pharaonic temple on the Nile corniche in the heart of Luxor, beautifully lit after sunset.
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The story
Work on Luxor Temple began under Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty, around the 14th century BC, and the ancient Egyptians called it ipet resyt, 'the southern sanctuary'. It was tied to the yearly Opet festival, when the divine family of Amun, Mut and Khonsu travelled in procession from Karnak to Luxor, and to the renewal of kingship. Ramesses II added the great pylon, the broad forecourt and the obelisks, while Tutankhamun completed some of the temple's wall reliefs. In Roman times it became a military fortress, and the Abu al-Haggag Mosque later rose inside it and is still in use today. The temple is part of Ancient Thebes, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Good to know
- The western obelisk that once flanked the entrance has stood in Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836; its twin remains in Luxor.
- The Avenue of Sphinxes links Luxor Temple with Karnak over about 2.7 km, and reopened after restoration in November 2021.
- On 22 January 1989 a cache of 26 statues was found by chance in the court of Amenhotep III; it is now displayed in the Luxor Museum.
- The Abu al-Haggag Mosque still stands and is in use inside the temple, a living reminder of thousands of years of worship on a single site.
- Around AD 300, under Diocletian, the Romans turned the temple into a legionary fortress; traces of their wall paintings survive.
Visiting tips
The best moments to visit are right at opening, before the crowds, or at sunset when the stone glows; it is well worth returning after dark to see the reliefs and colonnades under dramatic lighting. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and wear comfortable shoes for walking among the ruins. Afterwards you can stroll the Avenue of Sphinxes towards Karnak. Summer 2026 hours were reported as 7 am to 9 pm, so check before visiting for current hours and ticket prices.