Built by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramesses II, Luxor Temple stands in the heart of the modern city. The Roman era saw it converted into a church, and a mosque was later built within the complex. The 3 km Avenue of Sphinxes connecting it to Karnak was recently excavated.
Luxor Temple stands on the east bank of the Nile in the centre of modern Luxor, built primarily during the reigns of Amenhotep III (c. 1390–1352 BC) and Ramesses II (c. 1279–1213 BC). Unlike Karnak to the north, which served as the primary home of Amun, Luxor Temple was constructed as the ceremonial destination of the annual Opet Festival, when the divine statues of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu were carried in sacred barques along the Avenue of Sphinxes in a ritual designed to rejuvenate pharaonic power. The temple is oriented northeast–southwest along the Nile's flood plain, a deliberate alignment toward Karnak.
The entrance pylon, constructed by Ramesses II, is flanked by six colossal seated and standing statues of the pharaoh. One of the original pair of obelisks remains in place; the second was presented to France in 1830 and now stands at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The pylon walls carry relief carvings of the Battle of Kadesh. Beyond the pylon lies the Court of Ramesses II, followed by the colonnade of Amenhotep III — a double row of 14 towering papyrus columns whose walls depict the Opet Festival procession with unusual narrative completeness. The inner sanctuary's hypostyle hall was converted into a Roman chapel during the imperial period when the temple was absorbed into a Roman military camp; portraits of Roman emperors were plastered over earlier pharaonic reliefs and remain partially visible.
The Abu el-Haggag Mosque, built within the temple precincts in the medieval period, continues to function as an active place of worship. It sits atop the accumulated silt level that once buried the temple to half its current visible height — the mosque's original street-level entrance now appears as an upper window after the surrounding ground was excavated. The 3-kilometre Avenue of Sphinxes connecting Luxor Temple to Karnak was restored and reopened in November 2021 after decades of excavation. The temple is illuminated after dark and remains open until approximately 10 PM, providing one of Egypt's most impressive evening visits.
Why it matters
Luxor Temple functioned for over a millennium as the site of the annual Opet Festival, in which the sacred barques of Amun, Mut, and Khons were carried from Karnak to Luxor to renew the divine power of the reigning pharaoh. Its continuous sacred use from the New Kingdom through the Coptic and Islamic periods — with a mosque still active within its walls — makes it one of the most layered religious spaces in the ancient world.
Highlights
- Walk along the colonnade of Amenhotep III's 14 towering papyrus columns, decorated with reliefs of the annual Opet Festival procession
- Examine the Ramesses II pylon with its single remaining original obelisk; the twin now stands at the Place de la Concorde in Paris
- Observe the Abu el-Haggag Mosque, still in active use, built into the temple during the medieval period above the then-buried ruins
- Follow the recently reopened 3-kilometre Avenue of Sphinxes connecting Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple
Tips for visiting
- Visit at sunset when the sandstone glows amber, then remain for the evening illumination; the temple stays open until approximately 10 PM.
- Luxor Temple is significantly less crowded than Karnak and can be explored at a leisurely pace; evening visits are particularly pleasant.
- Look for the plastered Roman portrait reliefs in the inner hypostyle hall where imperial-era murals cover earlier pharaonic carvings.
- The Avenue of Sphinxes is best walked from Luxor Temple toward Karnak in the early morning when the pathway is partly shaded.
- An audio guide is available for hire at the entrance and covers all major structures with historical context in multiple languages.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Luxor Temple take?
A thorough independent visit takes 1.5–2 hours. With a licensed guide, allow 2–2.5 hours. The temple is compact compared to Karnak and can be fully explored in a single visit.
Is Luxor Temple accessible at night?
Yes — Luxor Temple remains open until approximately 9–10 PM and is lit after dark. Evening visits are cooler and the illuminated columns are particularly impressive for photography.
Is Luxor Temple suitable for children?
The open-air layout and compact size make it very suitable for children. The colossal statues and the mosque built within the ruins are especially engaging. Strollers can navigate the main path but not all inner courts.
Can visitors enter the Abu el-Haggag Mosque inside the temple?
The mosque is an active place of worship; non-Muslim visitors do not typically enter but can view it from the temple courts below. During prayer times the entrance area should be approached respectfully.