Luxor, Egypt - Karnak and Luxor Temples

Luxor is set on the east bank of the Nile River. The city was once known as Thebes and served as the capital of Egypt's New Kingdom.

Karnak Temple is impressive mainly because of its sheer size. The complex is huge, and walking through it really shows how important it was in ancient Egypt. The Great Hypostyle Hall stands out the most, with its rows of massive columns covered in carvings and hieroglyphs. There’s a lot to see, but it’s easy to walk around at your own pace and take in the details without feeling rushed.

Luxor Temple in the evening has a very different feel. As the sun starts to set, the light changes and the stone takes on warmer tones, which makes the temple feel calmer and more atmospheric. Once the lights come on, the statues of Ramses II and the surrounding structures look especially striking. It’s a pleasant place to walk through after a long day, with a nice balance of history and scenery.Read more