Karnak is the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, a group of temples, pylons and obelisks devoted mainly to the god Amun-Ra, at Luxor on the east bank of the Nile. Its hypostyle hall, with 134 columns, is one of the best-known images of the country. From Hurghada the Luxor excursion is long (about four to five hours by road each way), and Karnak is the east-bank stop, usually paired with the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple on the west bank. Allow two to three hours on the site.
Highlights
The great hypostyle hall
134 sandstone columns, the twelve central ones over 20 metres tall, hold up a ceiling that has largely disappeared. The columns are covered in reliefs and hieroglyphs. Look up as you enter.
The avenue of sphinxes
An avenue lined with ram-headed sphinxes leads to the temple entrance. Another sphinx avenue, about 2.7 km long, links Karnak to Luxor Temple; it reopened in 2021.
Pylons, obelisks and courtyards
The site covers several hectares: expect to walk from one courtyard to the next, among obelisks, statues and sanctuaries built over more than a thousand years by a long line of pharaohs.
Practical info
Tips
- A guide is useful to find your way around such a large site. The entrance fee could not be confirmed by an official source: check with the ticket office of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Wear a hat and good shoes, and bring water. When the sun is high there is little shade between the columns.
How to get there
Karnak is about 3 km from central Luxor, which is reached from Hurghada, about 280 km away, by the Qena road in four to five hours. Hurghada agencies offer day trips (minibus or private car) combining Karnak and the west bank. Staying a night makes the journey less tiring. See getting around Hurghada.
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