13 Best Temples in Egypt You Should Not Miss
Planning to visit temples in Egypt but not sure which ones are worth your time?
Egypt has so many that it can be hard to know where to start, but the temples here are impressive even if you are not a history person.
Here are the 13 best temples in Egypt, what makes each one special, and the practical details you need to plan your visit.
Short on time? Here are my top picks for hotels, tours, and transfers in Luxor and Aswan:
➡️Steigenberger Nile Palace – A great base for exploring the temples, located in Luxor with beautiful views of the Nile.
➡️Luxor: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak & Luxor Day Tour – A full-day tour covering the most important temples and historical sites around Luxor.
➡️From Aswan: Abu Simbel Group Tour with Guide & Entrance Fees – The easiest way to visit Abu Simbel, with transport, a guide, and entrance fees all included.
➡️Welcome Pickup Private Transfer – A comfortable and convenient way to get between cities, hotels, and airports without the hassle of public transport.
1. Karnak Temple
Karnak Temple is the largest religious complex in the world. It dates back to 2000 BCE and was devoted to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.
The complex is enormous. It has grand halls, a sacred lake, smaller chapels, and towering pylons. The standout feature is the Great Hypostyle Hall, which has 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows, some reaching nearly 21 metres high.
From the southern entrance, the Grand Avenue of the Sphinxes stretches 3 km all the way to Luxor Temple. The best time to visit is early morning or at sunset.
There are also evening light and sound shows in different languages, which are worth checking out.
Location: Luxor
Opening hours: 6 am until 5:30 pm. The light shows start from 7 pm until 10 pm, and they are in different languages, so you should check and choose the one you want before booking.
2. Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple, considered the world’s largest outdoor museum, is one of the most visited temples in Egypt and for good reason.
It sits on the east bank of the Nile River in Luxor city, which was once known as Thebes, the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom.
The temple was built around 1400 BCE by pharaohs Amenhotep III, Ramesses II, and Tutankhamun, and was dedicated to three gods: Amun, Mut, and Chons.
It was the main site for the Opet Festival, one of the most important celebrations in ancient Thebes. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and most Nile cruises start or end here.
The best time to visit is early morning at sunrise or late afternoon at sunset. It is also beautifully lit in the evening.
Location: Luxor city center, on the east bank of the Nile River
Opening hours: 6 am until 9 pm or 10 pm, depending on the season. Opening hours during Ramadan may vary.
3. The Temple of Kom Ombo
The Temple of Kom Ombo is about 45 km north of Aswan, on the east bank of the Nile. What makes it unique is that it was dedicated to two gods: the crocodile-headed god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Horus.
Because of this, the entire temple is duplicated, with two entrances, two hypostyle halls, two courts, and two sanctuaries.
In ancient times, the Nile here was full of crocodiles, and people feared coming to the temple. There was even a pool inside where crocodiles were raised.
Today, the only crocodiles you will find are the mummified ones in the small museum next to the temple, which is worth a look.
Location: Kom Ombo village, 45 km from Aswan
Opening hours: 9 am until 5 pm
4. Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is actually two temples, both built by Ramesses II. The larger one was dedicated to himself and the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah.
The smaller one was dedicated to the goddess Hathor and his wife Queen Nefertari. It took 20 years to build them.
The larger temple is marked by four enormous statues of Ramesses II, each 20 metres tall. Smaller statues at his feet represent Nefertari, his children, and his mother. The smaller temple has statues of the king and queen, each about 10 metres high.
Abu Simbel is located 300 km from Aswan, close to the border with Sudan. Because of the distance, the easiest way to visit is by organised tour, though you can also hire a car or take a bus.
Location: Upper Egypt, 300 km from Aswan, close to the border of Sudan
Opening hours: 6 am until 5 pm
5. Temple of Hatshepsut
The Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as Djeser-Djeseru, which means Holy of Holies in ancient Egyptian, is one of the most impressive sites in Egypt.
It was built as a mortuary temple to honour Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh of the 18th dynasty who ruled for longer than any other female pharaoh in Egyptian history. Historians consider her one of the most accomplished leaders of ancient Egypt.
The temple is built into a cliff face near Luxor, which makes it visually unlike anything else you will see in Egypt.
Location: Deir el-Bahari, on the bank of the Nile, near Luxor
Opening hours: 6 am until 5 pm
6. The Temple of Isis
The Temple of Isis, also called the Temple of Philae, was originally built on Philae Island.
When the Aswan Dam was built and the island began to flood, the entire temple was moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island, with the help of UNESCO. It is a remarkable story of preservation.
The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, who was revered for bringing her husband Osiris back to life after he was killed by his brother Seth. As the mother of the god Horus, Isis was given the title Mother of God.
Location: Agilkia Island, south of Aswan
Opening hours: 7 am until 4 pm
7. The Temple of Edfu
The Temple of Edfu is located between Luxor and Aswan and is dedicated to the god Horus, which is why it is also called the Temple of Horus.
It is the second largest temple in Egypt after Karnak, and the best preserved of all ancient Egyptian temples, largely because it was buried under 12 metres of sand for around 200 years.
The temple was built on the site where the legendary battle between Horus and Set, representing good and evil, is said to have taken place.
It is best visited as part of a Nile cruise, as it sits conveniently between Luxor and Aswan.
Location: In Edfu City between Aswan and Luxor. Best visited during a Nile cruise
Opening hours: 6 or 7 am until 5 pm
8. Ramesseum Temple
The Ramesseum is the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramesses II, dedicated to him and the god Amun Ra. It is on the west bank of the Nile in the Theban Necropolis near Luxor.
The most impressive feature is a statue of Ramesses II that originally stood 18 metres tall and weighed around 1,000 tons.
Inside, there is a large hypostyle hall with 29 columns decorated with carvings depicting the famous Battle of Kadesh.
Location: Luxor
Opening hours: 6 am until 5 pm
9. Colossi of Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon are two enormous seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, each 18 metres high and weighing around 700 tons.
They were built around 1350 BC and originally served as guardians at the entrance to Amenhotep’s mortuary temple.
The rest of the temple complex has mostly disappeared over time, and the statues themselves have suffered significant damage. They are still an impressive sight and a good stop on a west bank Luxor tour.
Location: Luxor
Opening hours: 6 am until 5 pm
10. Temple of Seti I (Abydos Temple)
The Temple of Seti I in Abydos is one of the most historically significant temples in Egypt.
Built around 1300 BC, it is a mortuary temple for Pharaoh Seti I and contains the famous Abydos King List, a carved record of Egyptian pharaohs in chronological order, starting from the first king Menes all the way to Ramesses I, the father of Seti.
Location: Abydos City, Upper Egypt, Sohag Governorate
Opening hours: 7 am until 6 pm
11. Medinet Habu Temple
Medinet Habu is a large temple complex on the west bank of Luxor. The name means “huge temple complex” in Arabic, which gives you an idea of its scale.
It was originally built by pharaohs Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III and dedicated to the god Amun.
Next to their temple, Ramesses III built his own mortuary temple. The entrance towers show scenes of Ramesses defeating his enemies, and the walls inside are covered with detailed carvings of his military victories.
Location: Luxor
Opening hours: Summer- 6 am until 5 pm, Winter- 6 am until 4 pm
12. Dendera Temple
Dendera Temple is one of the most colourful and well-preserved temples in Egypt. The complex covers around 40,000 square metres and the main temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor.
The ceilings and columns are covered in detailed carvings and paintings, which are unusually well preserved.
One of the most interesting features is the Dendera Zodiac, a decorative bas-relief on the ceiling that is rare in ancient Egyptian art.
Location: On the west bank of the River Nile, opposite the town of Qena, about 60 km from Luxor
Opening hours: 7 am until 5 pm
13. The Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk is a little different from the other sites on this list, but it is fascinating in its own way.
Located in the northern part of Aswan, it was never completed because a crack appeared in the granite while it was being carved.
Because it was abandoned in place, you can see exactly how the ancient Egyptians quarried and shaped stone on this enormous scale. It gives you a real sense of the engineering behind the monuments you see elsewhere in Egypt.
Location: Aswan
Opening hours: 7 am until 4 pm
Temples In Egypt: FAQs
When is the Best Time to Visit Temples in Egypt?
Spring and autumn are the best times, when the temperatures are comfortable for walking around large outdoor sites. Winter is also possible, but it is peak season, so expect more crowds and higher prices.
I would avoid summer as it is too hot for sightseeing. Whatever time of year you visit, aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and get the best light for photos.
What to Wear While Visiting Temples in Egypt?
Wear light, loose, and comfortable clothing. Women should cover their shoulders and knees. Men can wear shorts or long trousers and a T-shirt.
The most important thing for everyone is comfortable shoes, as you will be walking a lot on uneven ground. If you are visiting in winter, bring a light jumper for the evenings.
What is the most Famous Temple on the Nile?
Luxor Temple, on the east bank of the Nile, is the most famous. It was built from Nubian sandstone around 1400 BCE and is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt.
What is the Most Colorful Temple in Egypt?
Dendera Temple is the most colourful and decorative temple in Egypt, known for its detailed painted carvings and the famous Dendera Zodiac on the ceiling.
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