Luxor: Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
Karnak · Valley of the Kings · Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Karnak's hypostyle hall of 134 columns and the pharaohs' tombs in the Valley of the Kings across the Nile — the complete story of ancient Egypt's religious capital.
Know before you go
- No flash inside the tombs (to protect the paintings)
- don't touch the murals or reliefs
- ask before photographing local people.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The last great discovery in the Valley of the Kings
From 1907 Howard Carter excavated at Thebes funded by Lord Carnarvon, who obtained the concession for the Valley of the Kings in 1914. By 1922, after years without results, Carnarvon was deeply dissatisfied. That November Carter found the steps leading to the tomb of Tutankhamun — the best-preserved pharaoh's tomb in the Valley of the Kings, whose gold mask and thousands of grave goods caused a worldwide sensation.
Source: Wikipedia: Howard Carter; Wikipedia: Valley of the Kings
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Luxor is ancient Thebes, the religious capital of the New Kingdom. The Karnak temple complex is dedicated to Amun; its Hypostyle Hall has 134 columns, the central 12 about 21 m tall, the pinnacle of ancient Egyptian architecture. The Valley of the Kings on the Nile's west bank holds the tombs of the pharaohs of the 18th to 20th Dynasties; Tutankhamun's tomb amazed the world when it was opened in 1922, and its murals are still vivid. Luxor Temple has a special charm when lit up at night.
Local customs
- Upper Egypt (the Sa'id) is simple and conservative
- feluccas are the traditional transport on the Nile, and locals like to stroll by the river in the evening.
Religion & beliefs
- Modern Luxor is mainly Muslim, with a sizeable Coptic Christian community
- the temples and tombs are ancient monuments, so simply respect the local religious atmosphere.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Egypt: drink only at licensed venues
- Drink in licensed restaurants, bars or within resorts
- Drinking in the street or other public places
Drinking outside licensed premises is illegal and can lead to arrest.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Egypt: no drones without a permit
- Leave your drone at home
- Bringing in or using a drone without Ministry of Defence permission
Up to 7 years in prison, or a fine of EGP 5,000 to 50,000.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Egypt: ask before photographing people, and don't photograph children
- Ask local people before photographing them
- If in doubt, ask before taking a photo
- Photographing children
- Photographing military installations (including the Suez Canal)
- Taking or sharing photos that could harm the country's image
Tourism ministry rules require written permission to photograph Egyptian citizens, and photographing children is banned; photographing military installations is illegal.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Egypt: dress modestly and avoid public displays of affection
- Dress conservatively in villages, mosques and markets
- Kissing or hugging in public (holding hands is usually fine)
Behaviour accepted in resorts may be seen as offensive elsewhere.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- No flash inside the tombs (to protect the paintings)
- don't touch the murals or reliefs
- ask before photographing local people.
Locals appreciate DO
- Locals know pharaonic history inside out and love chatting about archaeological finds
- tipping culture is strong here too.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Summer temperatures in Luxor often exceed 40°C, so plan sightseeing for early morning and evening and rest at your hotel at midday. A Valley of the Kings ticket usually covers 3 tombs
- Tutankhamun's and Seti I's need separate tickets. Hire a guide at Karnak, or it's easy to rush through without understanding much
- book sunrise balloon flights in advance.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Stuffed pigeon
- Tagine stew
- Koshari
Roast pigeon, tagen (clay-pot stew of vegetables and meat), kushari, Nile fish (grilled or fried), dates and hibiscus tea (karkade)
| Where to eat | Restaurants around the souk on the East Bank of Luxor, Nile-side restaurants near the Winter Palace hotel, home cooking in West Bank villages |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Mainly halal; when visiting West Bank villages, accepting tea first is the polite thing to do |
| Typical price per person | EGP 200–450 ≈ CNY 30–68 |
| Tips | There are no proper meals in the Valley of the Kings or temple areas, so visit early and go back to the East Bank for lunch; with fresh juices, check they use bottled water and no ice. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
medea_material · CC BY 2.0
Photos
Photos
Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
John D. Croft · CC BY-SA 3.0
Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
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