At a glance
Karnak is a historical place at Karnak, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt. Google reviewers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 31,255 reviews. It's open every day, 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM. To book or check ahead, see egymonuments.gov.eg/ar/archaeological-sites/karnak.
About Temple of Karnak
Karnak is a complex of temples on the east bank of the Nile in Luxor, called Ipet-Sut, "the Most Select of Places," by the ancient Egyptians. The largest part is the Precinct of Amun, where the cult of Amun of Thebes was held. Smaller precincts lie to the south (Mut), north (Montu) and east (Akhenaten's temple to Aten). Kings from the Middle Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period kept adding to it.
The highlight is the Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 columns. Most are 15 meters tall, and the twelve central ones reach 21 meters. Most of the building and all of the carved decoration date to Seti I and his son Ramesses II. Nearby stands an obelisk raised by Hatshepsut, almost 30 meters high and over 300 tons.
Beyond the hall, leave time for the Sacred Lake, where priests purified themselves before rituals, the Khonsu temple in the southwest corner, and Thutmose III's Akh-menu at the eastern end. The site is big, so plan for a long, open-air walk. A processional avenue of sphinxes once linked Karnak to Luxor Temple, and part of it can still be walked.
Tips
- Arrive when the gates open at 6:00 a.m. to see the Hypostyle Hall before tour groups and the heat.
- In summer, bring water, a hat and sun protection.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. The complex is large.
- Check ticket prices and hours on the official Ministry site before you go, as they can change.
Good to know
- Foreign adult tickets were listed at EGP 600 (students EGP 300), covering Karnak and its open-air museum.
- The Mut precinct has a separate ticket: EGP 200 adult, EGP 100 student for foreign visitors.
- Opening hours are listed as 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, with last entry at 4:00 p.m.
- Children under 6 enter free. Phone photography is free of charge.
Getting there
Karnak is on Luxor's east bank, north of Luxor Temple. Taxis are the easiest way to get there. The Avenue of Sphinxes also links the two temples if you want to walk the route.
Best time to go
Go right at 6:00 a.m. opening, any season. From November to February the days are mild; in summer, highs often pass 40°C, so plan to be finished by mid-morning..
Plan about 2.5 hours here, and check the hours before you go.
