EGYPT LUXOR - THINGS TO DO

THINGS TO DO IN LUXOR

SHOPPING

Luxor’s souks (markets), offer all sorts of souvenirs, clothing and jewelry, some of it kitsch, some fine and uniquely crated. As you visit the necropolis, now as in centuries past, souvenir sellers will display statuettes of the animal headed gods made of alabaster and stone. 

The Valleys of the Kings and Queens are dotted with alabaster workshops, where this translucent local stone is handcrafted into vases, bowls and statues. The mud brick buildings are covered with brightly colored paintings showing scenes of ancient and modern Egyptian life.

The main souk, with its recently widened central artery (entrance near the east side of the Luxor Temple) is fragrant with spices, perfumes and incense and open from around 10 am until midnight. Near its northern end, on the way to Luxor Museum, the local market begins. 

Especially on Tuesday mornings, townspeople flock there to buy groceries and fresh produce. The Nile cornice also offers colourful shops and mini bazaars. Be sure and take the stairs located at various intervals along the Corniche to the lower, river side level, near where Luxor’s cruise ships dock. There, you will find more shops, restaurants and cafes in a pleasant pedestrian only environment.

TEA TIME:

For a taste of Victorian luxury, visit the Sofitel Winter Palace for high tea (4pm to 6pm daily), served in a grand salon overlooking one of Luxor’s oldest and loveliest gardens. Built in 1886, the Winter Palace helped establish Luxor as a glamorous winter spot for Europe’s well to do and formed the back drop for many a diamond drenched party. A variety of cafes with lovely river side ambience are located along the lower river walkway along the East Bank cornice.

BOOKSTORES

Gaddies Bookstore, located beside the Winter Palace at the southern end of the Luxor Temple, is a century old family business that began as one of the first Egyptian owned photographic studios. A wonderful collection of prints from the Gaddis archives are on sale dating from the 1920- 1930s, in addition to an eclectic selection of souvenirs, jewelry and clothing. (Closed June and July)

For a variety of Egypt-related books and daily newspapers, visit the Abboudi Bookstore, between the southern end of Luxor Temple and the Winter Palace.

THE LUXOR MARATHON

In 1977, Egyptologist Ahmed Moussa discovered an ancient inscription describing a 100m footrace for the pharaoh’s soldiers. With this historic sporting event in mind, the first annual Luxor Marathon was first held in 1993 and is now a prominent international event, attracting some 2000 participants each year. The Luxor Marathon is held in the cool and dry month of February on the scenic West Bank.