Luxor evenings: what to do after the temples

Most visitors plan Luxor around mornings. The great temples and tombs are best before the sun gets high, and many travelers start at dawn. By afternoon they are tired, and the evening can feel like an afterthought. It should not. The town and the river are at their best once the heat has gone.

Here are four ways to use those hours, from gentle to active. We run each as a private trip with pick-up from your hotel or cruise boat.

A carriage through the town

A horse-drawn carriage is a relaxed way to see Luxor. Our private evening ride starts at about half past five, runs along the corniche, then turns into the back streets and the church quarter. After that you walk through the local market with a guide, looking at spices, hibiscus and cotton, and stop for tea at a street café.

The ride ends at Luxor Temple, which is lit after dark. You see it from the outside, with the Avenue of Sphinxes beside it. It takes about three hours, and it suits couples, families and older travelers.

The Nile at sunset

A private motorboat takes you up the river from the corniche to Banana Island. You walk through the groves, taste fruit and drink mint tea on the bank. On the ride back the sun drops behind the West Bank hills and the water turns gold and pink. It takes about three hours.

Something more active

The quad bike safari on the West Bank is timed for late-afternoon light. You ride through farm tracks and the desert edge, stop for tea with a view of the Theban hills, and return as the sun sets. No experience is needed, and there is a safety briefing and practice ride before you start.

• Horse carriage and market walk – about 3 hours, gentle, private
• Banana Island motorboat – about 3 hours, calm, private
• West Bank quad safari – about 3 hours, active, private
• Karnak sound and light show – evening, seated

A night at Karnak

The Karnak sound and light show tells the story of the temple through lights and narration as you walk through the site. It is a different way to see a place you may have visited in daylight. It is a good option when you want culture without a long walk.

Planning your evenings

Pick one evening activity per night, and leave at least one night free. If you are on a Nile cruise, remember that many boats have their own evening program, so check before you book. We can fit pick-ups around it.

Whatever you choose, eat afterward at a local restaurant rather than rushing back. Luxor stays up late, and the corniche is pleasant until well after dark.

Eating and getting around at night

Luxor has restaurants along the corniche and in the center of town, from simple grills to rooftop terraces. A meal after your outing is a good way to end the evening. Ask your guide or your hotel for a place that suits your taste.

Taxis and carriages are easy to find, but prices should be agreed in advance. If you are on one of our trips, your pick-up and return are taken care of.

Keep an eye on the clock before an early start the next day. Luxor evenings are enjoyable, and it is easy to stay out later than planned.

Tell us what kind of evening you like, quiet or lively, and we will suggest the right outing. Pick-up from your hotel or cruise boat is included, so there is nothing to organize once you have chosen.