Travel: In pharaohs’ steps

The National (Katherine Darcy)

Holidaymakers with a passion for the historical will be in their element in Luxor. The city, often nicknamed the “world’s greatest open-air museum”, is home to two thirds of the world’s historical monuments. Located on the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt, this mesmerising city is often overlooked in favour of Egypt’s capital, Cairo. Nevertheless, Luxor is the perfect place for those who wish to experience the magnificent culture of ancient Egypt.

As you’d expect from a city that has been influenced by some of history’s most legendary characters, including Ramses, Tutankhamen and Alexander the Great, Luxor is abuzz with mystical charm and ancient culture. Boasting a remarkably rich legacy of temples, monuments and tombs, many of Luxor’s most renowned archaeological sites are located on the West Bank. High-end hotels take the stress out of exploring by organising one-day trips there, but if you really want to savour the sites and take in their magnitude, tackle the West Bank over a few days.

The Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens are both must-sees. Likewise, no trip to Luxor would be complete without a visit to Queen Hatshepsut’s temple. The female pharaoh is widely recognised as one of Egypt’s most successful rulers. The temple of Karnak is also a box to tick. Undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements, Karnak was built over a period of 1,300 years and is the biggest temple complex in the world, covering an area of 100 hectares.

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