Are you visiting Luxor, Egypt and curious about where to stay and what to see? In this post, we’ll cover the differences between the West Bank vs the East Bank of Luxor so you know exactly where to stay and what to do.
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I think you’ll agree with me when I say that visiting a new place or country can be intimidating. Especially when you don’t know much about the area, culture, or language.
I felt the same way when I started to research Luxor, Egypt. I thought, “Wait, there are two different banks? How do I know which side I should stay on?!” Luckily, everything you need to know about Luxor is just below!
Whether you’re most excited to visit the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, or shop in El-Souk, I’ve got you covered. Here is all the information you need to visit Luxor and the main differences between the West Bank vs the East Bank.
Luxor West Bank vs East Bank Overview
Luxor is a beautiful, quiet town with so much archeological history, nestled right along the Nile River. Although Luxor is located to the south of Cairo, this area is known as Upper Egypt because of the direction in which the Nile flows.
In comparison, Luxor is a much smaller and calmer town than the busy streets of Cairo. I personally enjoyed it way more and wish I had spent more time in Luxor than in the capital city.
The Main Differences to Note
The main thing to know is that the East Bank is the livelier side of Luxor while the West Bank is the dead side – literally.
The East side is where the town of Luxor is located. This is where most Egyptians live and work while it’s also where most hotels and restaurants are located. Because of this, the majority of tourists stay on this side as you will likely do as well. Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple are the two main attractions on the East Bank.
The West side is where the ancient Egyptians buried the dead. So this is where you will find most of the archeological sites and tombs like Valley of the Kings.
You will most likely spend an equal amount of time on both sides. I would recommend at least two full days in Luxor that way you have one day for each bank. When it comes to which side is better – the West Bank vs the East Bank of Luxor – ultimately depends on what you are looking to get out of your travels.
If you are more interested in Ancient Egyptian history and exploring tombs and archeological sites then the West Bank is for you! However, if you prefer to have options such as places to dine, places to sleep, and places to walk around and visit, then the East Bank is your side!
How To Get From One Side To The Other
Luckily, it’s quite easy to cross from one side of the Nile to the other. The easiest and cheapest way is to take the local ferry that runs every 15 minutes. It’s about a 10-minute ferry ride and costs about 5 Egyptian Pounds. That was less than 30 US cents when I visited in early 2022.
If you don’t wish to wait for the ferry, there are plenty of smaller private boats you can hire. I’m not sure how much one of these costs but I’m sure they’re reasonably priced. There’s no walking bridge to cross by foot in the town of Luxor.
There is a driving bridge further down that crosses over the river. However, it’s about a 45-minute drive to get to the East side. This is the route your tour bus or taxi will take to get to the Valley of the Kings.
Which Side To Stay On
Since the majority of hotels and restaurants are located on the East Bank, you will likely stay on that side. Plus this way you can walk around the town, shop or eat whenever you’d like. Everything most tourists need or want is conveniently located on the east side.
However, that being said, there are apartments and some hotels located on the West Bank. I would suggest you stay on this side if you want a more intimate, quiet, and local experience. You won’t have as many options when it comes to food or shopping on this side but you will be much closer to the tombs and sites if that’s what you desire.
Things to do in The West Bank
Sightseeing the West Bank
I want to start by saying that you don’t have to take a tour of the west side if you don’t wish to. Most people probably want a guide to explain to them the history and facts about Ancient Egypt – if so, then go for it!
I just personally would rather explore areas like this by myself and take it all in. We were able to find a taxi driver for hire who was willing to drive us around to any site we wanted for the whole day. It ended up costing us less than $50 USD and we got a more private experience.
If this sounds more like you, just ask around for local taxis. I got the feeling that driving tourists around for the day would be better than their usual earnings. Because of this, I doubt you will have a hard time finding someone if you choose to go that route.
Main Attractions to Visit
Below is a list of some of the main attractions to see on the West Bank. However, these are just some sites! There are so many places to visit on the West side. You could probably spend a few days exploring all of them.
However, if you only have one day these were my favorites and the ones I recommend not missing!
Valley of the Kings
This is the most famous archeological site on the West Bank as it houses over 60 tombs of royal pharaohs and nobles. This is also where the infamous King Tut tomb was found with all his treasures still intact. The original entry ticket will only grant you access to some of the tombs.
The best ones such as Ramesses V & VI and Tutankhamun are both at an additional cost. You should definitely visit the tomb of Ramesses V & VI – this was the largest and most impressive one!
Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (hot-shep-soot)
This mortuary temple is likely the second most popular one so do expect some crowds unless you get there super early. This is also an impressive temple nestled on the side of the mountain. Queen Hatshepsut was a powerful ruler of Egypt for over 20 years and brought a lot of wealth to the country.
Valley of the Queens
The archeological site is where the wives of the royal pharaohs were buried. Most of the tombs here are rather small and not as impressive as the Valley of the Kings. However, the tomb of Queen Nefertari is located here and is said to be one of the best-preserved tombs you can visit in Egypt.
Colossi of Memnon
These twin statutes are going to be one of the first sites you see. They’re located at the beginning once you enter the area of archeological sites. This one is free so take advantage and snap some pictures.
Deir El-Medina (Valley of the Artisans)
Some of the best workers that worked in the Valley of the Kings’ tombs are buried here. Even though these tombs are smaller and not as grandiose, I still very much enjoyed this site. There was hardly anyone there so we had the place to ourselves. It’s also interesting to see the difference between where the artisans are laid to rest vs the royal pharaohs.
Things to do in The East Bank
Nestled in the town are the Luxor and Karnak Temples, as well as a few museums housing ancient Egyptian artifacts and mummies. You can easily spend one full day walking around here as well.
The Luxor Temple
This is the main smaller temple located right in the city center. There are two massive Ramesses statues at the front and so much beauty to explore here. The further you walk in, you’ll start to see these large columns everywhere.
This is a great place to walk around and admire the beauty of the ancient Egyptians. You may also ponder on how this temple is still standing all these years later. The sunset here is absolutely beautiful but it will be a bit crowded. If you want the temple almost all to yourself, be sure to visit first thing in the morning.
The Karnak Temple
The Karnak Temple is a bit more impressive and larger than the Luxor Temple. However, the same beauty is mirrored in these ancient ruins. Karnak Temple is located further north from the city center down the Nile River.
The Sphinx Avenue
This area is a must-see! There’s a whole walkway lined with sphinxes that actually connects the two temples. So you can walk from one to the other. I actually didn’t know this at the time of my visit, otherwise, I definitely would have done it.
Regardless, some of the sphinxes are in very good condition and astonishing. I came around sunset and I was mesmerized by the beauty here. If you have the time and are able you should definitely walk the Sphynx Avenue.
El-Souk Shopping Market
No international trip is complete without a visit to the local market. El-Souk market is located right behind the Luxor Temple near all of the restaurants and bars. There are all kinds of stalls and stores here selling any kind of souvenir you could want.
They sell things like papyrus paintings, handwoven rugs, spices, and jewelry. You can easily spend some time walking around here and shopping. Just be sure to negotiate with the stall owners! This is a smaller market than the Khan el-Khalili in Cairo but still worth a visit.
Museums
The East Bank is also where you can find museums if you have an extra day to spend. The Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum are the most popular ones.
Here you can find ancient Egyptian artifacts and mummies. The Mummification Museum even goes through the process with specimens and artifacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to stay on the East Bank or West Bank in Luxor?
As there are more hotels and restaurants on the East Bank, it’s better to stay on that side so you can enjoy the Egyptian nightlife and shopping in Luxor. However, if you prefer a more quiet, intimate, and local experience closer to the archeological sites then perhaps the West Bank is more for you.
What are the east and west banks of Luxor?
The East Bank of Luxor is more lively with more to do vs the West Bank which houses the archeological sites and tombs of ancient Egyptians.
The East Bank is filled with hotels, restaurants, and shopping which makes it the best place to stay for tourists looking to experience the modern-day culture of Egypt. Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple are also located on this side.
The West Bank is where the ancient Egyptian tombs are located in the Valley of the Kings. Many tombs and temples such as King Tut, Ramesses V & VI, and Queen Nefertari’s tombs can be found here.
How to get from East to West Bank Luxor?
The ferry departs every 15 minutes and takes about 10 minutes to cross. The cost is only 5 Egyptian Pounds which is equivalent to less than $1 US dollar. There are also plenty of smaller private boats that you can pay for to take you across.
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