Before Your Trip to Luxor and Aswan! Know These 6 Great Places.

Luxor and Aswan are two great Egyptian cities that have been in existence for a very long time. Located along the River Nile, these cities have a rich historical background and equally interesting cultural traditions. Luxor and Aswan are known to be the locations of nearly all of the remaining intact ancient Egyptian temples dating back around 4000 years.
In this article, we shall give you a brief explanation of Luxor and Aswan, highlight the best places to visit in Luxor alongside the best places to visit in Aswan, and also give you some advice on the best time to travel to these cities so that you can have a good time.

Where are Luxor and Aswan?

Luxor and Aswan are in the south of Egypt. Luxor is an Egyptian city that is located in Upper Egypt. Luxor is one of the most famous cities in Egypt and receives a large number of tourists from all over the world. The popularity of Luxor is due to its location on the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Waset, known to the Greeks as Thebes, the pharaoh’s capital city at the height of their power. Most of the best places to visit in Luxor have a large number of ancient structures that draw visitors from all over the world. The graceful Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and the historic royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens are just some of the best places to visit in Luxor and are all located in this wonderful city, making it the perfect travel location for people all around the world.

Aswan, on the other hand, is located in South Egypt and at the first cataract. Being an ancient city, Aswan also has its fair share of historical and archaeological discoveries and structures, making it a great tourist attraction. The modern city of Aswan is an ancient city. So, Luxor and Aswan can be reached by cruise from Cairo or from Luxor to Aswan and vice versa

Top places to visit in Luxor and Aswan 

Due to the rich historical background of Luxor and Aswan, there are a lot of wonderful places to visit. Some of these top places are highlighted below.

1) Valley of Kings 

The Valley of the Kings is a large area of land that was reserved by the ancient Egyptians for the burial of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs and a few lesser nobles. For about 200 years, archeologists have been exploring this large burial site, and so far, about 65 ancient tombs have been discovered, with several others still hidden to this very day. Although most of the tombs in Luxor and Aswan are virtually empty due to the efforts of tomb raiders or ancient priests trying to protect these bodies from tomb raiders, two major and important tombs belonging to King Amenhotep and King Tutankhamun have been found on this site, making it even more exciting. There are even rumors of more important tombs that are yet to be discovered on these sites. So as you can see, the exciting history of the Valley of the Kings makes it the perfect place for you to visit in Luxor and Aswan, and tourists are even allowed to explore some of these tombs themselves.

Highlight: The tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922, is one of the most famous finds in the Valley, containing a wealth of treasures, including the young pharaoh’s iconic golden mask.

Tip: Some tombs require special tickets, so plan your visit accordingly to make the most of your experience.

2) Karnak temple 

Referred to as the largest religious site in the world, the Karnak temple is one of the most popular and most visited temples in the world. This vast temple city, dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god Anum, contains a lot of historical structures, with the oldest dating back to about 4000 years ago, although there are also younger structures in this great city. The Karnak temple is part of the ancient capital city of Thebes. The Karnack Temple is a fantastic travel destination for anyone visiting Luxor and Aswan because it allows tourists to see firsthand how life was in ancient Egypt and how important religion was to the ancient Egyptians.

Highlight: The Hypostyle Hall is a marvel with 134 massive columns arranged in rows. It’s an architectural feat that continues to awe visitors.

Tip: Visit the Karnak Sound and Light Show in the evening for an atmospheric retelling of the temple's history.

3) Luxor Temple 

Luxor Temple is one of Egypt's most iconic ancient landmarks, located on the east bank of the Nile River in the city of Luxor (ancient Thebes). Built primarily by Pharaoh Amenhotep III around 1400 BCE, and later expanded by Ramses II, the temple was dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship and was a center for rituals that affirmed the divine birth of the king. Unlike other temples, Luxor Temple is not dedicated to a specific god but to the idea of kingship itself. Its grandeur is reflected in the impressive statues of Ramses II, colossal columns, and intricate hieroglyphics. The temple remains a testament to the architectural and artistic achievements of ancient Egypt, drawing visitors from around the world to marvel at its splendor.

Highlight: The avenue of sphinxes, which once connected Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple, has been recently restored and is now open to visitors, offering a scenic walk between the two monumental structures.

Tip: Luxor Temple is especially beautiful at night when it’s illuminated, giving the columns and statues a dramatic glow.

4) Horus Temple 

We have been discussing the tourist attractions in Luxor, and now it is time to talk about one or two wonderful and best places to visit in Aswan. One of these special places to visit in Aswan is the Horus Temple. Located in Edfu, the temple of Horus is considered the most impressive and fascinating of all the temples along the Nile in both Luxor and Aswan. Since the temple of Horus is not as old as all the other temples along the Nile, almost all the structures and designs of this magnificent temple can still be seen easily, thus allowing tourists to see some additional details that have disappeared from older structures due to erosion.

Highlight: The massive statue of Horus as a falcon stands guard at the entrance of the temple, providing a stunning welcome to visitors.

Tip: As one of the largest temples in Egypt, set aside plenty of time to fully explore the detailed carvings and inscriptions that adorn the walls.

5) Philae Temple

Philae Temple, located on Agilkia Island near Aswan, Egypt, is one of the most iconic ancient temples dedicated to the goddess Isis. Originally built during the Ptolemaic era, the temple complex showcases stunning Greco-Roman architecture, featuring intricately carved reliefs and hieroglyphics. It played a significant role in the ancient Egyptian religion, particularly in the worship of Isis, the goddess of motherhood, magic, and fertility. The temple was relocated from its original site on Philae Island to Agilkia Island in the 1960s to save it from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Today, Philae Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting visitors from around the world who marvel at its historical and cultural significance.

 Highlight: The temple’s reliefs tell the story of the legend of Isis and Osiris, making it an important religious site in Egyptian mythology.

Tip: To appreciate the beauty of the temple, take a boat trip to the island and enjoy the scenic views.

6) Abu Simbel Temple

The Abu Simbel Temples, located in southern Egypt near the Sudanese border, are among the most famous and remarkable monuments of ancient Egypt. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BCE, these massive rock temples were designed to demonstrate the power and divinity of the pharaoh. The larger temple is dedicated to Ramses II himself, featuring colossal statues of the pharaoh at its entrance, while the smaller temple is dedicated to his wife, Queen Nefertari. What makes Abu Simbel particularly unique is the extraordinary engineering feat accomplished in the 1960s, when the temples were relocated to higher ground to avoid submersion during the creation of Lake Nasser. Today, they stand as a testament to ancient Egyptian grandeur and modern engineering ingenuity.

Highlight: Twice a year, the temple is aligned with the sun so that its rays illuminate the inner sanctum, a spectacle that continues to attract tourists from around the world.

Tip: Plan your visit to coincide with the sun festival in February or October for a chance to witness this rare solar phenomenon.

Best time to visit Luxor and Aswan
If you are planning to travel to Luxor and Aswan anytime soon, here is some advice on the best time for you to make your journey. Although the weather there is generally wonderful, if you want to make your journey more pleasurable, you are better off traveling between March and April and between October and November. During these months, the crowds are less, better hotel rates are available, and the temperature is generally cooler, allowing you to explore these cities to the fullest without any fear of heavy rainfall or scorching sun.

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