• Call: +201503044449
Email us

Luxor Museum: A Modern Treasury of Ancient Masterpieces

See royal mummies in Luxor! The Luxor Museum is a stunning, modern masterpiece. It's the perfect, air-conditioned escape, famous for its dramatic lighting and beautiful displays. See the mummies of Pharaohs Ahmose I & Ramesses I, a massive wall from Akhenaten's lost temple, and incredible statues. A "must-do" on your Luxor tour!
  • Updated: March 15, 2026

The Luxor Museum: A Gateway to Ancient Thebes

The Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art is an essential stop for anyone visiting Luxor. This world-famous city sits about 670 kilometers south of Cairo. The museum itself stands on the Nile Corniche, facing the Ramesseum on the west bank and connecting the Luxor and Karnak temples.

The Nile River divides the city center into two parts. The main part of the town sits on the east bank. This was once ancient Thebes, Egypt’s metropolis for almost three centuries during the New Kingdom. The ancient Egyptians built mortuary temples to the gods on the west bank, next to the royal tombs. They worshipped Amun, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu in magnificent temples. These three formed the Theban Triad.

FUN

The City of Luxor: A Historical Overview

The city has had many names throughout history. Ancient Egyptians called it Weset. During the Old Kingdom, they knew it as Nu Amun, or “the town of Amon.” Its Greek name was Thebes.

After a Roman invasion, soldiers built a large military garrison around the Luxor temple. Later, Arab invaders saw the ruins of its forts and mistook them for palaces. Therefore, they named the city al-uqsur, the plural form of the word qasr (palace or castle). The name was later corrupted into “Luxor.”

During the New Kingdom, Egypt’s wealth poured into Thebes. This made it the world’s richest metropolis. The city’s wealth reflected in its art and architecture. As a result, Luxor holds more pharaonic artifacts than anywhere else in the world. It has become an open-air museum of human history.

FUN

The Museum’s Founding and Design

In 1962, the Egyptian Ministry of Culture proposed establishing a museum in Luxor. This was because of the many rare and expensive artifacts discovered there. They commissioned the prominent Egyptian architect Mahmud Al-Hakim to create the plans.

Workers completed the museum in 1969. Officials designated it as a regional museum to display artifacts unearthed in Luxor. The exhibits came from the region’s treasures. The museum officially opened on December 12, 1975, after workers completed the inside and outdoor displays. When you exit, you get a spectacular panoramic view of the West Bank. The museum galleries are split into two floors, and two ramps connect them. Curators used modern display methods to showcase the artifacts. They use artificial lighting, a dark gray background, and simple stands. This prevents the displays from feeling crowded. Visitors feel a calm sensation, which allows them to fully study each unique piece.

Abul Haggag Mosque: A Spiritual Jewel at the Heart of Luxor Temple

The Abul Haggag Mosque is a remarkable 13th-century landmark built directly on top of the...
Read more
Related post
FUN

A Growing Collection of Masterpieces

luxor museum artifacts - christmas and new year holidays

The museum’s collection continues to grow. Two-thirds of Egypt’s artifacts come from the Luxor area. Therefore, the museum management has recommended expanding its display rooms to accommodate purchases and new finds. The Higher Council of Antiquities has already approved the expansion. A workshop to restore and preserve artifacts using modern techniques is also planned for the new wing.

Here are some of the most famous pieces you can find:

  • Statue of King Tuthmosis III: This green slate statue is one of the museum’s most important acquisitions. It was found in the Karnak temple in 1904. It was temporarily moved to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo before returning to Luxor. The king’s noble facial features convey his confidence as a ruler and a god.
  • Statue of Sobek and King Amenhotep III: This statue was discovered inside a well. It depicts King Amenhotep III alongside the crocodile god Sobek. An ancient sculptor achieved a perfect balance between the pharaoh and the god, despite their size difference. Ramses II later claimed ownership of the monument by erasing the original name and replacing it with his own.
  • The Harpist and Female Dancers Slab: This quartzite construction slab dates from the 18th Dynasty. It was originally part of Queen Hatshepsut’s obelisk at the Karnak temple. The slab shows a group of dancers and singers performing at a religious festival.
  • The Luxor Temple Cache: This collection of 24 unique sculptures was discovered in 1989. Workers found the cache in the hypostyle hall of Amenhotep III. The sculptures depict gods, goddesses, and kings. Sixteen of the best sculptures were chosen for a special display in the museum’s basement.

Valley of the Kings: Descend into the Pharaohs’ Golden Afterlife

Descend into the world's most famous burial ground, the Valley of the Kings. This is...
Read more
Related post
FUN

A Museum for the Community

Today, a museum is not just a place for displaying artifacts. It is a cultural institution that educates society and promotes understanding of civilization and history.

When the Luxor Museum first opened, management faced a significant challenge. While the museum attracted tourists, it did not serve the local community. To address this, the museum devised an educational initiative to foster communication with the people of Luxor.

  • Public Seminars: The museum invites townspeople to regular monthly seminars. These events highlight the most important archaeological discoveries. They also address historical problems and public controversies. For instance, the museum arranged a scientific conference to explain the need to remove and reassemble columns at the Amenhotep III temple hall.
  • “Museum Education” Program: The museum has a special program for students. Employees visit schools to give presentations, then provide supervised tours. They even give students questionnaires to gather feedback and ideas for improvement.

The success of these programs has prompted the museum to continue this activity and expand it to social groups that serve as gathering places for young people and adults.

The King Tut Story: Howard Carter’s House & The Tomb Replica

Go "behind-the-scenes" of the King Tut discovery! Visit Howard Carter's House in Luxor, a 1920s...
Read more
Related post
FUN

Luxor Tours and Excursions

Visitors to Luxor have many options to explore the area’s rich history.

  • East Bank Tour: Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
  • West Bank Tour: Explore the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. You can also take an early morning hot air balloon ride.
  • Nile Cruise: Take a cruise from Luxor to Aswan, with stops at Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Esna along the way.
  • Day Trips: Travel to Cairo to see the Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum. You can also go to Aswan to see Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and Abu Simbel.

Weather in Egypt

Luxor Museum’s Photo Gallery

 

7 Day Egypt Tour By Locals Egypt Fun Tours

Hidden Wonders Uncovery

Immerse yourself in local culture and unravel the hidden gems known only to the residents....
  • Cairo / Alexandria / Aswan / Abu Simbel / Luxor
  • 7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Classic Tour Package
  • US$1300
View Trip
  • Available Everyday
15 Days Family Tour Across the Corners of Egypt - Family-Friendly 5-Day Nile Cruise

Family Ultimate Adventure

Tour the most enchanting attractions of Egypt....
  • Cairo / Alexandria / Luxor / Aswan / Hurghada
  • 15 Days / 14 Nights
  • Private
  • US$2300
View Trip
  • Available Everyday
  • Egypt Tours Reviews
hani ahmed 1

Hani Was our Awesome Tour Guide!

We had an 11-hour layover in Cairo on 12/15/2011. We wanted to go to see the Pyramids, Tahrir Square, and possibly the museum. We were so lucky to have a guide, Hani from Egypt Fun Tour, who made it possible to see all the above, plus the Bazaar, and time

More »

Cairo Day Trip

My day trip to Cairo was brilliant, and close to the best one-day experience of my life. Hani was an amazing ambassador for his city and country; his wealth of knowledge, courtesy, and good humour was awesome. The itinerary was perfect, I visited most of the famous landmarks as well

More »
group tour of wonders

Solid Tour Company

Last year (2010) my wife and I did a 20 day trip in Egypt, mostly Do-It-Yourself. However, one of the first things we did was a trip to Bahariya oasis and to the White Desert — not so easy to do yourself, so we needed an agency. After e-mail back-and-forths

More »

Egypt Fun Tours makes the most out of your layover!

I had a really short layover in Cairo and didn’t want to be stuck in the Cairo Airport for several hours. It was like Mission Impossible: Egypt Fun Tours’ mission was to show me around Cairo during my short 5 hour layover which was made even shorter because my plane

More »
Isis with wings

Top-rated Tour Packages

Isis with wings