Luxor

Luxor is a big city in Egypt.

It sits by the Nile River.

Many old temples are there. They are very big.

You can see them in the city. Across the river, there are many tombs. Some people fly in hot air balloons.

This is a very special place to visit.

Luxor is a big city in Upper Egypt.

It sits right by the Nile River.

The city is about 670 km south of Cairo. It is also about 220 km north of Aswan. Long ago, this place was called Thebes. It was a capital for Ancient Egypt. Today, people call it the "world's greatest open-air museum."

This is because old ruins sit inside the modern city. You can see the large Karnak and Luxor temples. Across the river, you will find the West Bank. This area has many old tombs. These include the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

Many people visit Luxor every year. About 5 million tourists come to see it. They visit hotels and ride in hot air balloons.

You can also see churches and mosques side by side. The name Luxor comes from an Arabic word for "palace." It is a very busy and important place in Egypt.

Luxor is a famous city in Upper Egypt.

It sits along the banks of the Nile River.

The city is about 670 km south of Cairo. It is also about 220 km north of Aswan. Many people call it the "world's greatest open-air museum."

This is because ancient ruins sit right inside the modern city. You can see the massive Karnak and Luxor temple complexes here. The city covers an area of about 416 km².

The populated part of the city is 208 km².

To understand the city, you can look at both sides of the river. On one side, the modern city has many hotels and resorts.

Many tourists visit these places every year. About 5 million tourists arrive from all over the world. They often ride in famous hot air balloons to see the view.

Directly across the Nile lies the West Bank. This area is known as the Theban Necropolis. It holds many famous monuments, temples, and tombs. These include the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

Luxor has a very long and important history.

In ancient times, the city was called Thebes. It was a capital of Ancient Egypt. It was also known as the "city of the 100 gates."

The city grew very large during the New Kingdom. It became a center for politics, religion, and the military. The god Amun was very important to the people there. His great temple at Karnak was the most important in Egypt. Later, the city saw many different people and cultures visit its lands.

Archaeologists are always finding new things in Luxor.

In 2021, they found a "lost golden city" called Aten.

This is the largest ancient Egyptian city found so far. In 2025, a team found the tomb of Thutmose II.

This was the first royal tomb found in over a hundred years. Archaeologists also found a 13th-century tomb on the West Bank. This tomb had 1,000 small statues called ushabti inside. They also found an ancient industrial area used to make furniture and pottery.

Today, Luxor is a central part of Egypt's culture. The name Luxor comes from the Arabic word for "palaces."

Different types of buildings live side by side here. You can find ancient temples, churches, and mosques in the city.

For example, the Abu Haggag Mosque is located in a former church. The city is easy to reach by land or air. Travelers can use the Luxor International Airport to arrive.

Others can take the train to the Luxor railway station.

It remains a place where the past and present meet.

Luxor is a major city located in Upper Egypt.

It serves as the capital of the Luxor Governorate. The city is situated between latitudes 25–26 North and 32–33 East. It lies approximately 670 km south of Cairo and 220 km north of Aswan. Luxor covers a total area of about 416 km². The populated area of the city accounts for 208 km². As of 2023, the population was estimated at 284,952 people. The city is a vital hub for Egypt's modern economic and cultural life.

The name Luxor comes from the Arabic word al-quṣūr. This term means "palaces" in its plural form.

Historical names for the city are very diverse. In ancient times, it was known as Waset or Nut. The name Waset meant "city of the sceptre." Later, the Demotic Egyptian name was ta jpt, meaning "the shrine" or "the temple." The ancient Greeks called the city Thebes or Diospolis.

The city has been called the "City of a Hundred Gates" and the "City of the Sun."

Luxor is often called the "world's greatest open-air museum." This is because massive ancient ruins sit within the modern city.

The city is split by the River Nile. On one side, you find the Karnak and Luxor temple complexes.

On the opposite side, known as the West Bank, lies the Theban Necropolis. This area contains the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

This side of the river is famous for its monuments, temples, and tombs. The landscape offers a direct view of Egypt's ancient history.

The history of Luxor began to grow during the 11th Dynasty. Montuhotep II helped bring stability to the region. This allowed the community to grow into a thriving city. During the New Kingdom, the city became the capital of Upper Egypt. It was a center for politics, religion, and military power. The Pharaohs accumulated great wealth through expeditions to Kush and Canaan.

The city also played a role in expelling the Hyksos invaders. It attracted many different peoples, including the Hittites and the Minoans. A Hittite prince even married the widow of Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun.

Religion played a massive role in the city's ancient development. Thebes was the city of the god Amun.

Over time, Amun was linked with the sun god Ra. This created the powerful deity Amun-Ra. The great temple at Karnak was the most important temple in Egypt. The city also remained a spiritual site during the Christian era. Christian monks established monasteries near ancient monuments like the temple of Hatshepsut. Later, the Abu Haggag Mosque was built in a location that was once a church.

Archaeologists continue to make incredible discoveries in the Luxor region. In 2021, they found a "lost golden city" named Aten.

This is the largest known ancient Egyptian city ever unearthed. It provides a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people. In 2025, a team identified the tomb of Thutmose II in Wadi C.

This was the first royal tomb found in over a century. Other finds include a 13th-century tomb with 1,000 ushabti statues. Ushabti are small funerary statues used in burials. Archaeologists also found an ancient industrial area used to make pottery and gold items.

Today, tourism is a major part of the local economy. About 5 million tourists visit Luxor's attractions every year.

Visitors enjoy large hotels, resorts, and famous hot air balloon rides. The city is easy to access through various travel methods. Travelers can arrive at the Luxor International Airport.

Others use the Luxor railway station to reach the city.

Luxor remains a place where ancient heritage and modern life exist side by side.