Compared to Cairo - the largest city in the Arab World - Luxor is rather ‘small'. However, with sites such as the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in sightseeing. Archaeologically, Luxor is considered Egypt's most significant city.

Sightseeing:

• Luxor Temple and the Karnak temple complex
  Right on the Nile promenade in the middle of the city lies the Luxor Temple. Home to the famous granite statue of Ramesses II, the temple was once connected to the Karnak temple complex via a statue-lined avenue. Called Ipet-isut - ‘The Most Selected of Places' - by the Ancient Egyptians, the Karnak temple complex is today, an unparalleled collection of ruined temples, chapels, pylons and other buildings.
• Great Hypostyle Hall
  An incredible construction of massive columns, it is one of Egypt's most visited ancient sites
• Luxor Museum
  Inaugurated in 1975, the modern museum is located between the Luxor Temple and Karnak. The museum dazzles with quality rather than quantity and prides itself on multilingual educational displays.
• Valley of the Kings
  Most famous for Howard Carter's 1922 discovery of KV 62 - better known as the tomb of Tutankhamun - the Valley of the Kings is home to around 70 ancient burial facilities. With its spectacular hieroglyphics and tomb museums, it is considered the most impressive archaeological excavation within the Theban Necropolis.
• Hatshepsut's mortuary temple
  Commissioned by one of the few female pharaohs, Hatshepsut's mortuary temple complex at Deir el-Bahri is an architectural masterpiece that does not fail to impress.
• Medinet Habu
  In addition to its impressive scale, architectural scope and artistic importance, Medinet Habu (Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III) is probably best known for the inscriptions depicting the defeat and internment of marauding Sea Peoples.

Recommendations:

Nile river cruise
Combine your holiday with a cruise along the Nile and discover the mystical sights of Ancient Egypt lining its banks. There's no better way to enjoy the Nile's wonderful landscape or the impressive testaments to time built along its winding waters.