The 8 Best Outdoor Activities in Luxor

The Nile has been the heart of Egypt for millennia, and cruising along it is one of the most magical experiences you can have in Luxor. You will sail among ancient temples, palm groves and villages that still preserve their traditional essence.

From the deck of the ship, you can watch golden sunsets over the river and visit places like Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, where history blends with the tranquility of the landscape.

Seeing Luxor from the sky is an experience hard to forget. A hot air balloon ride at sunrise will allow you to fly over the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the ruins of ancient Egypt as the sun tints the desert with golden hues.

The sensation of floating in the air while the landscape spreads out at your feet is indescribable. It is also a unique opportunity to take spectacular photos of some of Egypt's most iconic sites.

If you are passionate about history, a trip to Edfu and Kom Ombo is a must. At Edfu, you will find one of the best preserved temples in Egypt, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, with inscriptions telling stories of pharaohs and gods.

At Kom Ombo, you will discover a unique temple dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon god. You can also visit an ancient nilometer and a museum with crocodile mummies.

Luxor is an open-air museum and the best way to get to know it is by combining a boat tour on the Nile with visits to its most emblematic temples.

You can visit the Temple of Karnak, the largest in ancient Egypt, stroll among the colossal columns of its hypostyle hall and marvel at the hieroglyphs that decorate every corner. You will also visit the Temple of Luxor, spectacularly illuminated at nightfall.

If you want to experience Egypt at your leisure, a four-night cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the best option. This trip will take you through the most impressive temples of the Nile, with time to enjoy the scenery and the comfort of the ship.

During the tour, you will visit sites such as the Temple of Philae, the Obelisk Quarry and the Temple of Abu Simbel, as well as enjoy quiet nights under the starry desert sky.

On the west bank of the Nile, you will find one of the most enigmatic places in Egypt: the Valley of the Kings. Here rest the pharaohs of the New Empire in tombs carved into the rock, decorated with paintings that have survived thousands of years.

Some of the most impressive tombs are those of Tutankhamun, Ramses VI and Seti I, with their hieroglyphic-covered passageways and vibrant colors that still amaze visitors.

Feluccas are traditional sailing boats that have plied the Nile for centuries. Climbing aboard one of them is a quiet and authentic way to enjoy the river, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind as the wind pushes the sail.

At sunset, the reflection of the sun on the water and the silhouette of the temples on the horizon create an image you will hardly forget.

The eastern bank of Luxor is the epicenter of its pharaonic legacy. Here are two of the most imposing temples of the country: Karnak and Luxor.

The Temple of Karnak is a masterpiece of Egyptian architecture, with its avenue of sphinxes and huge colonnaded hall. While Luxor Temple, linked to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes, takes on a special magic when illuminated at night.