Luxor was one of the religious centers for Pharaohnic Egypt. The temples and religious monuments dotting the city have earned the city the sobriquet of "open air museum". Luxor is a grand holiday destination for those who wish to know more about Egypt's mysterious past.
Luxor is divided into three parts: Luxor on the Eastern bank of the Nile River, Karnak, and Waset. The last two are old cities dating back to the Pharaonic Era, not inhabited anymore.
Luxor is a popular tourist destination owing to its Mediterranean climate and the many mysterious monuments found in all corners of the city. The Luxor Temple is the biggest Luxor tourist attraction. The Temple complex has large, sprawling gardens. The Luxor Temple is at least 2000 years old, built at the peak of the Egyptian Pharaohnic rule.
Most government buildings in Luxor are designed around traditional architecture. The El Mekashkesh mosque, the Franciscan Church, the Nile Corniche and the Mummification Museum are some of the other noteworthy Luxor tourist attractions.
The Temple of Karnak, with a statue of Ramses II, is another one of the major Luxor sightseeing destinations. Also visit the Valley of Kings, across the Nile. The Valley has tombs that hold the remains of the Pharaohs of the 18th and 19th dynasties.
