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Overview
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple stands on the east bank of the Nile in the heart of modern Luxor city, its ancient pylons and columns rising directly from the surrounding urban fabric. Built primarily by Amenhotep III and extended by Ramesses II, the temple served as the destination of the annual Opet Festival — a two-to-four-week celebration in which the statues of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu were carried in procession from Karnak to Luxor. The full 2.7-km Avenue of Sphinxes connecting the two temples was reopened in 2021 after 70 years of excavation.
The entrance is dominated by Ramesses II’s massive pylon — 65 meters wide and originally flanked by six colossal statues and two obelisks. One obelisk remains in place; the other was given to France in 1836 and now stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Unlike most Egyptian temples, Luxor contains a significant Roman presence: the inner sanctuary was converted into a chapel for the imperial cult, with red-painted Roman frescoes surviving in some areas.
The Abu el-Haggag Mosque, built over the temple in the medieval period, still functions as an active place of worship and sits directly within the temple precincts — a visible reminder of the temple’s 3,400-year span of continuous use. The temple is floodlit after dark and open until 10 PM, making it one of the most accessible evening attractions in Luxor.
Photo Gallery
Interesting Facts
The original pink granite obelisk from Luxor Temple's entrance now stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris — given to France by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1836
Alexander the Great added a granite shrine to the inner sanctuary in 332 BCE, depicting himself in full pharaonic dress — one of the earliest representations of Alexander as an Egyptian king
The Abu el-Haggag Mosque built over the temple in the medieval period still functions as an active mosque, sitting 8–10 meters above the original ancient temple floor
The Opet Festival, which the temple was built to serve, involved a procession of divine barques from Karnak to Luxor lasting up to 27 days during the flood season
Roman soldiers stationed in Thebes painted red frescoes over original Egyptian reliefs in the inner sanctuary — sections of both layers are visible in the same chambers
History & Significance
The core of Luxor Temple was built by Amenhotep III (c. 1390–1352 BCE) as a sanctuary for Amun in his ithyphallic manifestation as Amun-Min, associated with fertility and royal rejuvenation. Ramesses II later added a large court and pylon, incorporating an earlier peristyle court of Amenhotep III.
Alexander the Great visited in 332 BCE and added a granite shrine to the inner sanctuary, depicted in traditional pharaonic style making offerings to Amun — one of the earliest examples of a Macedonian ruler adopting full Egyptian royal iconography.
The Abu el-Haggag Mosque was constructed in the 12th century CE over accumulated silt that had buried the temple to colonnade level. Gaston Maspero began clearing the temple in 1884; the mosque was already an active place of worship and could not be removed, and it remains in use today floating above the original ancient floor level.
What to See
Ramesses II Pylon and Colossus
The entrance pylon flanked by seated and standing colossal statues, with the single remaining obelisk rising 25 meters above the forecourt.
Colonnade of Amenhotep III
A procession avenue of 14 towering papyrus-bundle columns, each 19 meters tall, leads to the inner temple — originally used for the Opet Festival barque procession.
Alexander the Great's Shrine
A granite sanctuary added by Alexander depicting him as a pharaoh making offerings — one of the best-preserved Macedonian-era additions to any Egyptian temple.
Abu el-Haggag Mosque
A functioning 12th-century mosque perched on top of the ancient colonnade, its minaret rising above the temple walls — a vivid symbol of Egypt's layered religious history.
Evening Illumination
The temple is floodlit after dark and open until 10 PM; the illuminated columns and pylon create one of the most atmospheric nighttime experiences in Egypt.
Luxor Temple Tickets and Prices (2026)
Luxor Temple stands in the middle of town on the Nile Corniche. Prices below are the official ones for foreign visitors, as listed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in October 2026.
| Ticket | Adult | Student |
|---|---|---|
| Luxor Temple | EGP 500 | EGP 250 |
Students need a valid student card and must be 24 or younger. Children under six enter free. Phone photography is free. Bring a bank card, as payment at the major sites is now mostly by card.
Opening Hours: Day or Night?
The temple opens every day at 6:00 AM. The ministry's booking site lists the last entry at 7:00 PM; in the busy winter season the temple often stays open later in the evening, so check at the gate on the day.
Luxor Temple is the one great temple that is open after dark, and that is the best time to see it. The floodlights pick out the reliefs and colossi against the night sky, the air is cool, and the Avenue of Sphinxes glows towards Karnak. If you have time, come twice: at dawn for clear light and empty courts, and again after sunset.
What to See, in Order
- The Avenue of Sphinxes: the 2.7 km processional road to Karnak, reopened in 2021 after decades of excavation. See the Avenue of Sphinxes.
- The First Pylon of Ramesses II, with two seated colossi and a single obelisk. Its twin has stood in the Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836.
- The Court of Ramesses II, with the Abu el-Haggag Mosque still built into its upper walls, a reminder that the temple was buried and lived in for centuries.
- The Colonnade of Amenhotep III: fourteen papyrus columns, with reliefs of the Opet festival, when the gods sailed from Karnak to Luxor.
- The Sun Court of Amenhotep III, where a cache of statues was found buried in 1989; many are now in the Luxor Museum.
- The sanctuary of Alexander the Great, rebuilt in his name with reliefs showing him as a pharaoh, and a Roman chamber with traces of painted saints.
How to Get There and How Long You Need
The temple is in central Luxor on the east bank, within walking distance of most town hotels and the Nile cruise moorings. Allow one to two hours, plus time to walk part of the Avenue of Sphinxes.
| How | Best for |
|---|---|
| Luxor East Bank tour | Luxor Temple and Karnak with a private Egyptologist. |
| Full-day Luxor tour | Both banks of Luxor in one day. |
| Nile cruise | Many cruises moor within walking distance of the temple. |
Luxor Temple Tours
Luxor Temple is beautiful at sunset and after dark; visit it with an Egyptologist on one of our Luxor tours, together with Karnak and the Avenue of Sphinxes.
Luxor Temple: Common Questions
How much is the Luxor Temple ticket in 2026?
The ticket for foreign visitors is EGP 500, or EGP 250 for students.
Is Luxor Temple better at night?
For most visitors, yes. The temple is floodlit after sunset and is cooler and calmer than in the day. Morning is better for clear photos of the reliefs.
How long do you need at Luxor Temple?
One to two hours is enough for the temple. Add half an hour to walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes.
Can you walk from Luxor Temple to Karnak?
Yes. The two temples are about 2.7 km apart, 30 to 40 minutes on foot along the Corniche or beside the Avenue of Sphinxes, which links them.
Luxor Temple Tours
Most Luxor Temple tours pair it with Karnak on a single morning, then return at dusk when the temple is lit. Join our Karnak & Luxor Temples tour, or see it on a Nile cruise or a longer package below.
These packages visit this site as part of the itinerary.
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