Karnak
East Bank, about 3 km north of the centre
A vast temple complex built and enlarged over some 2,000 years, dedicated mainly to the god Amun. Its Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 giant columns, is one of the best-known sights in Egypt.
Photo: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0Thebes, on both banks of the Nile
Where to stay in Luxor: areas and hotels
Luxor sits on both banks of the Nile. The modern town, the railway station, the airport and the temples of Luxor and Karnak are on the East Bank; the tombs and mortuary temples, including the Valley of the Kings, are on the West Bank. Where you sleep decides whether your evenings are spent in town or in the quiet of the villages across the river.
Why go to Luxor
Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, and few places hold so much of ancient Egypt in one town. Karnak and Luxor Temple are on the East Bank, joined by the Avenue of Sphinxes; across the river lie the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut and dozens of tombs and temples.
Most of this cannot be seen properly on a day trip. The sites open early, the light is best in the morning and late afternoon, and the midday heat makes a slower pace sensible. Two or three nights let you take the East Bank one day and the West Bank the next, with time to rest in between.
Staying also shows you the other Luxor: the public ferry across the Nile, sugar cane and clover fields on the West Bank, small villages around the tombs and the riverside promenade in the evening. Where you sleep, East or West Bank, shapes how your days feel, and this guide compares both.
What to see
Luxor Temple
East Bank, in the town centre by the Corniche
A temple built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, right in the middle of the modern town. It is open after dark and lit up at night, so it fits easily into an evening walk.
Photo: Avenue of Sphinxes
East Bank, between Luxor Temple and Karnak
The processional road of almost 3 km that linked Luxor Temple with Karnak, lined with sphinxes. After decades of excavation it reopened in 2021, and parts of it can be walked.
Valley of the Kings
West Bank, in the hills behind the temples
The desert valley where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried, including Tutankhamun. The standard ticket covers a choice of open tombs, with some, such as Tutankhamun's or Seti I's, on separate tickets.
Photo: Temple of Hatshepsut
West Bank, at Deir el-Bahari
The terraced mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh. Its long ramps and colonnades sit directly against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
Photo: Medinet Habu
West Bank, at the southern end of the temple area
The mortuary temple of Ramesses III, with deep carved reliefs that still keep much of their original colour. It is usually quieter than the Valley of the Kings or Hatshepsut's temple.
West Bank villages and fields
West Bank, a short ferry ride from the centre
Between the river and the tombs, the West Bank is farmland and small villages, much calmer than the town across the water. The public ferry from the East Bank takes a few minutes, and bikes are a common way to get around.
Photo: Hot-air balloons at dawn
West Bank, launch sites near the temples
Most mornings, weather permitting, balloons take off from the West Bank around sunrise and float over the fields and temples. Our balloon guide covers how it works and what to check before booking.
Where to stay
Each area suits a different kind of trip. Pick yours, then compare the hotels in it.
| If you… | Stay in | |
|---|---|---|
| If it's your first time and you want to walk to things | City centre (East Bank) | Luxor Temple, the souq, cafés and the station are all within walking distance, and the public ferry to the West Bank is a few minutes away. |
| If you want a big hotel with a pool but still close to town | Corniche hotel strip | The large five-star hotels south of Luxor Temple combine pools and spas with a walk or a short taxi ride into the centre. |
| If you want to be at Karnak Temple before the crowds | Karnak and the north | Staying at the north end of town puts the largest temple complex a few minutes away, at the cost of a longer trip to everything else. |
| If you travel with children and want space and things to do | Kings Island (Crocodile Island) | The island resort south of town has large gardens, several pools and a free shuttle into the centre. |
| If you want village life and an early start at the tombs | West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira) | The villages by the West Bank ferry are calmer and closer to the tombs, with the East Bank a short boat crossing away. |
| If you want a retreat and plan to stay in most evenings | West Bank, desert edge | Out at the desert edge you get silence and space, but you need a car for almost everything. |
City centre (East Bank)
The centre of modern Luxor spreads inland from Luxor Temple: the souq, the railway station, cafés, pharmacies and most of the cheaper restaurants are here. The Avenue of Sphinxes, reopened in 2021, links Luxor Temple with Karnak, about 3 km to the north. The public ferry to the West Bank leaves from the riverbank near Luxor Temple.
This is the most practical base for a short stay without a car or a tour. The trade-off is noise, traffic and touts, and few hotels here have gardens or large pools. In this guide, Abeer Guest House is in the centre, about 0.6 km from Luxor Temple.
Good for
- Walk to Luxor Temple, the souq and the station
- Many places to eat at local prices
- Short walk to the public ferry for the West Bank
- Cheapest rooms in town
Less good
- Busy and noisy streets
- Insistent touts and calèche drivers in places
- Few pools or gardens
- Tombs on the West Bank still need a crossing and a car
Corniche hotel strip
South of Luxor Temple, the Corniche and the streets just behind it are lined with the big hotels. Here you find pools, spas and river views, and you can still walk to Luxor Temple in roughly 15 to 30 minutes along the riverside promenade, or take a taxi in a few minutes.
In this guide, the Sonesta St. George and the Steigenberger Nile Palace stand next to each other, and the garden resort Steigenberger Resort Achti is a little further south. All three score between 9.0 and 9.1 on Booking.com (checked 11 Oct 2026).
Good for
- Five-star facilities with pools and spas
- Walking distance to Luxor Temple and the shops
- Easy taxis and tour pick-ups
- Some rooms with Nile views
Less good
- Busy road outside the hotels
- Higher prices than the centre or the West Bank
- Nile-view rooms cost extra
- Still a crossing and a drive to the West Bank sites
Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY-SA 1.0Corniche hotel strip9.1Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor
5-star hotelThe Sonesta St. George suits travellers who want a classic city five-star on the Corniche, with a pool and spa, close enough to walk to Luxor Temple and the souq. It is not the place for a quiet garden resort, and its cheapest rooms face the city, not the Nile.9.1on Booking.com · 3,505 reviewsfrom €185Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY-SA 1.0Corniche hotel strip9.0Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor
5-star hotelThe Steigenberger Nile Palace suits travellers who want a five-star city hotel within walking distance of Luxor Temple, with two pools and reliable Wi-Fi. It suits less those on a tighter budget or families with a baby, since it was the priciest of the Corniche hotels on our dates and it has no cots.9.0on Booking.com · 2,155 reviewsfrom €215Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY-SA 1.0Corniche hotel strip9.0Steigenberger Resort Achti
5-star resortAchti suits travellers who want a garden resort on the Nile at a mid-range five-star price, still within reach of Luxor Temple on foot or by a short taxi ride. It is less suited to anyone who wants to step out of the door into the souq, or to under-18s travelling without a parent.9.0on Booking.com · 5,497 reviewsfrom €137Karnak and the north
North of the centre, the river road passes Luxor Museum and reaches Karnak, the largest temple complex in Luxor. Beyond it, the area along the Nile is mostly residential, with a few large resorts.
The Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa is here, about 1.3 km in a straight line from Karnak. It is a good base if Karnak and a resort day by the pool are your priorities. Luxor Temple and the station are about 4 km south, and the drive to the West Bank goes through town to the bridge, so plan more time for the tombs.
Good for
- Karnak Temple a few minutes away
- Quieter than the centre
- Large resort grounds on the river
Less good
- About 4 km from the centre and the station
- Longest drive to the West Bank sites
- Few restaurants outside the hotel
Kings Island (Crocodile Island)
Kings Island, also known as Crocodile Island, lies in the Nile at the southern edge of town and is linked to the East Bank by a short bridge. Most of it is taken up by one resort and its gardens.
The Jolie Ville Kings Island has 165 acres of gardens, three pools and a free scheduled shuttle to the centre, about 15 minutes to Luxor Temple according to the hotel. It suits families and anyone who wants space, but the evenings are spent at the resort unless you take the shuttle or a taxi.
Good for
- Huge gardens and a lot of space
- Good facilities for children
- Free shuttle to the centre
- Quiet at night
Less good
- Nothing within walking distance outside the resort
- You depend on shuttle times or taxis
- Lower Wi-Fi score than the Corniche hotels
West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira)
Across the river from Luxor Temple, the villages of Al Bairat and Al Gezira line the West Bank near the public ferry landing. The ferry crossing takes only a few minutes, and from the landing taxis and minibuses run to the West Bank sites. The Colossi of Memnon are about 3 km away in a straight line and the Valley of the Kings about 5.5 km, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car.
Life here is slower: fields, donkey carts and rooftop terraces with views of the river and the Theban hills. Hot-air balloon flights take off from the West Bank at dawn, so pick-ups are short. In this guide, Nile Castle, Luxor Oasis Guest House and Luxor Guest House are here.
Good for
- Closest base to the tombs and temples of the West Bank
- Calm village setting with river views
- Short ferry to Luxor Temple and the souq
- Good value guest houses, some with pools
Less good
- Fewer restaurants, shops and ATMs
- Evenings in town mean crossing back by ferry or boat
- Wi-Fi tends to score lower
- Getting there by car from the airport means a detour over the bridge
Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira)9.5Nile Castle
Guest house with apartmentsNile Castle suits travellers who want a small, very highly rated place on the West Bank, a short ferry ride from Luxor Temple and a short drive from the tombs. It is less suited to anyone who needs fast, reliable Wi-Fi for work or who wants a big hotel with a spa and long pool.9.5on Booking.com · 842 reviewsfrom €136Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira)9.1Luxor Oasis Guest House
Guest house with poolLuxor Oasis Guest House suits budget travellers who want a pool and a quiet village base on the West Bank, a short ferry ride from Luxor Temple. It suits less those who want to pay in cash, or who would rather step out of the door into the town's shops and restaurants.9.1on Booking.com · 827 reviewsfrom €41Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira)9.0Luxor Guest House
Apartments with poolLuxor Guest House suits families, small groups and slow travellers who want a self-catering apartment with a pool on the West Bank, near the public ferry, for a budget price. It suits less those who need strong Wi-Fi or expect the polish of a hotel room.9.0on Booking.com · 471 reviewsfrom €28West Bank, desert edge
Further from the river, the West Bank runs from green fields to the desert at the foot of the Theban hills, where the mortuary temples and tomb areas are. Hotels here are spread out among farms and small villages, and some are well away from any shop.
In this guide, Al Moudira is out in the countryside south-west of Medinet Habu, about 6 km from it in a straight line. It is a place to rest between visits rather than a base for going out: Luxor Temple is about 9 km away and the station even further, so you rely on a driver or the hotel for transport.
Good for
- Silence, space and desert views
- Short drives to the West Bank temples
- Feels far from the busy centre
Less good
- You need a car for almost everything
- Long trip to the East Bank, the station and the airport
- Very few places to eat outside the hotel
Map
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
All hotels in this guide
Area photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0West Bank, desert edge9.5Al Moudira Hotel
Boutique palace hotelAl Moudira suits travellers who want an all-suite palace hotel on the West Bank, with the tombs and mortuary temples closer than the town, and who are happy to spend their evenings at the hotel. It does not suit anyone who wants to walk out to cafés and Luxor Temple, or who is watching the budget.9.5on Booking.com · 558 reviewsfrom €436Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira)9.5Nile Castle
Guest house with apartmentsNile Castle suits travellers who want a small, very highly rated place on the West Bank, a short ferry ride from Luxor Temple and a short drive from the tombs. It is less suited to anyone who needs fast, reliable Wi-Fi for work or who wants a big hotel with a spa and long pool.9.5on Booking.com · 842 reviewsfrom €136
Area photo: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0City centre (East Bank)9.4Abeer Guest House
Guest houseAbeer Guest House suits budget travellers who want to stay in town on the East Bank, within walking distance of Luxor Temple and the railway station. It does not suit anyone who wants a pool, or whose train or flight arrives late in the evening without a plan for check-in.9.4on Booking.com · 592 reviewsfrom €17Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira)9.1Luxor Oasis Guest House
Guest house with poolLuxor Oasis Guest House suits budget travellers who want a pool and a quiet village base on the West Bank, a short ferry ride from Luxor Temple. It suits less those who want to pay in cash, or who would rather step out of the door into the town's shops and restaurants.9.1on Booking.com · 827 reviewsfrom €41Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY-SA 1.0Corniche hotel strip9.1Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor
5-star hotelThe Sonesta St. George suits travellers who want a classic city five-star on the Corniche, with a pool and spa, close enough to walk to Luxor Temple and the souq. It is not the place for a quiet garden resort, and its cheapest rooms face the city, not the Nile.9.1on Booking.com · 3,505 reviewsfrom €185
Area photo: MusikAnimal, CC BY-SA 4.0Karnak and the north9.0Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
5-star resortThe Hilton suits travellers who want a full resort on the Nile, with spa, pools and many places to eat, a short ride from Karnak Temple. It is not the right base if you want to walk into town each evening or keep costs down: the centre is about 4 km away and this is one of the two most expensive stays in this guide.9.0on Booking.com · 923 reviewsfrom €313Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira)9.0Luxor Guest House
Apartments with poolLuxor Guest House suits families, small groups and slow travellers who want a self-catering apartment with a pool on the West Bank, near the public ferry, for a budget price. It suits less those who need strong Wi-Fi or expect the polish of a hotel room.9.0on Booking.com · 471 reviewsfrom €28Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY-SA 1.0Corniche hotel strip9.0Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor
5-star hotelThe Steigenberger Nile Palace suits travellers who want a five-star city hotel within walking distance of Luxor Temple, with two pools and reliable Wi-Fi. It suits less those on a tighter budget or families with a baby, since it was the priciest of the Corniche hotels on our dates and it has no cots.9.0on Booking.com · 2,155 reviewsfrom €215Area photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY-SA 1.0Corniche hotel strip9.0Steigenberger Resort Achti
5-star resortAchti suits travellers who want a garden resort on the Nile at a mid-range five-star price, still within reach of Luxor Temple on foot or by a short taxi ride. It is less suited to anyone who wants to step out of the door into the souq, or to under-18s travelling without a parent.9.0on Booking.com · 5,497 reviewsfrom €137
Area photo: Votpuske, CC BY-SA 4.0Kings Island (Crocodile Island)8.7Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa Kings Island Luxor
5-star island resortJolie Ville suits families and travellers who want space, gardens and a lot to do at the hotel between temple visits, at a mid-range price. It is a poor fit if you want to walk out to restaurants and the souq in the evening, or if you need fast Wi-Fi.8.7on Booking.com · 3,764 reviewsfrom €157| Hotel | Area | Booking.com score | Price level | Approx. price, 2 people | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Moudira Hotel | West Bank, desert edge | 9.5 (558) | €€€€ · Luxury | €436 | Booking.com |
| Nile Castle | West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira) | 9.5 (842) | €€€ · Upper mid-range | €136 | Booking.com |
| Abeer Guest House | City centre (East Bank) | 9.4 (592) | € · Budget | €17 | Booking.com |
| Luxor Oasis Guest House | West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira) | 9.1 (827) | € · Budget | €41 | Booking.com |
| Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor | Corniche hotel strip | 9.1 (3,505) | €€€ · Upper mid-range | €185 | Booking.com |
| Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa | Karnak and the north | 9.0 (923) | €€€€ · Luxury | €313 | Booking.com |
| Luxor Guest House | West Bank by the ferry (Al Bairat and Al Gezira) | 9.0 (471) | € · Budget | €28 | Booking.com |
| Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor | Corniche hotel strip | 9.0 (2,155) | €€€ · Upper mid-range | €215 | Booking.com |
| Steigenberger Resort Achti | Corniche hotel strip | 9.0 (5,497) | €€€ · Upper mid-range | €137 | Booking.com |
| Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa Kings Island Luxor | Kings Island (Crocodile Island) | 8.7 (3,764) | €€€ · Upper mid-range | €157 | Booking.com |
Price for 2 adults, 12–15 January 2027, as shown on Booking.com on 12 Oct 2026.
Planning the rest of your trip
Most visitors give Luxor two to four nights. Our Luxor in 3 days plan splits the time between the two banks, and Luxor or Aswan helps you divide the nights between the two cities. If you are coming by train or plane, read getting there; for the dawn flight over the West Bank, see hot-air balloons in Luxor. Scores and prices on this page were checked on 11 Oct 2026, and prices change: see how we review.
Photo: MusikAnimal, CC BY-SA 4.0PlanningLuxor or Aswan? How many nights to spend in each
Luxor has more ancient sites than most people can see in a week; Aswan has the slower river, the Nubian villages and the road to Abu Simbel. Most first trips ne…
Photo: Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA 3.0ItineraryHow to get from Luxor to Aswan: train, car, cruise or dahabiya
The train is the quickest way to cover the distance, but it passes every temple on the way. A day by car with stops at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, a cruise or a sl…
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0ItineraryLuxor in 3 days: a day-by-day plan for both banks
Three days is enough to see Luxor's East Bank in one day and the West Bank properly in two, without spending the hottest hours in the sun. This plan follows the…