Luxor holidays

This Egyptian city is bursting with historic sites to visit and things to do, set under the constant hot sun and straddling the mighty Nile...

There's sunbathing in hotels on the sunny banks of the River Nile for one, or feeling the breeze on a felucca boat trip along the water, or perhaps seeing the incredible city from a hot air balloon will float your boat. You can also test your haggling skills at Luxor's intoxicating and colourful markets and bazaars. 

Of course sightseeing is the main draw for visitors to the city now known as Luxor - the former ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes. The Nile city has grown into a mass tourism centre thanks to the temple complexes and other large-scale monuments that fascinate the modern world.

Delve into Egypt's past at the temples of Karnak and Luxor, take a stroll down the Avenue of Sphinxes, imagine Tutankhamen, Ramses and Cleopatra holding court in the ancient capital, marvel at the Temple of Hatshepsut, learn about the ancient process of mummification at the city's dedicated museum, and hop across the magnificent Nile to the Valley of the Kings (where Tutankhamen's tomb is) and the Valley of the Queens. 

Excursions are available from your hotel, so diving into the past 4,000 years is easy in Luxor. You can drink in the ancient history in the morning, and spend the afternoon drinking cocktails by the pool. Holidays in Luxor begin at Luxor International Airport (LXR) and many of the city's hotels can be found lining the banks of the River Nile. The city's food scene is varied and there are plenty of options to suit every budget and taste. 

Luxor is also an excellent starting point for a Nile cruise.

The late autumn, winter and early spring months are the best time to visit Luxor with temperatures ideal for sightseeing...

However, the mercury soars past 30C almost every day between May and September which can make it too hot for many, so ensure you have good access to air conditioned hotels. There is year-round sun and Luxor is pleasant to visit during the cooler months of winter and spring, when temperatures range from 15 to 25C. Rainfall is almost non-existent.

If you are planning a visit to Luxor you could combine it with one of the many events that take place in the city...

Here are three of our favourites:

Moulid of Abu el-Haggag; August: Held two weeks prior to Ramadan, this 'birthday' celebration honours Abu el-Haggag, the patron sheikh. Watch the procession of boats through the crowded streets and catch the horse races and dances held throughout the city. 

Sham el-Nessim; Easter Monday: Also known as 'sniffing the breeze', this event welcomes the spring breezes. Watching as the locals enjoy a well-deserved national holiday is priceless. If you get an invite, do join in. It's certain to be an eye-opening experience.

Pharaonic Wedding Festival; October: At Karnak Temple you can be a witness to the weddings of 40-odd couples who are invited to enjoy their nuptials in a way that the ancient pharaohs would have done. The regal atmosphere is electric.