The sheer scale of Luxor impresses children. Columns as thick as trees, painted tombs and stone figures with animal heads are all more exciting than a textbook picture. The challenge is heat and distance, so a good plan is more important than a long list.
Sights that work well
Karnak's forest of columns is a favourite, because children can run along the avenues and look up. On the West Bank, the Colossi of Memnon are quick to see and easy to understand. Some tombs in the Valley of the Kings are steep and enclosed, so let the guide choose the ones that suit your children.
A change of pace on the water
A private motorboat to Banana Island takes about three hours and keeps everyone cool. Children can taste fresh bananas, walk among trees and watch for birds. There is no swimming, which parents often prefer. Pick-up is from the hotel, and you are back before bedtime.
A carriage ride in the early evening
A horse carriage with a guide is a hit with younger children, who like the horse and the clip-clop through the streets. It runs for about three hours in the evening, with a short market walk and tea. Luxor Temple is seen lit from the outside, so there is no climbing.
For older children
- Quad safari: age six and over, your party only, about three hours.
- Hot air balloon: check the age rules on the trip page.
- A full West Bank day: best from about eight upwards.
- Dendera: a long drive, so choose it for teenagers.
Pacing a family week
Alternate big mornings with free afternoons, and leave at least one full day for the pool. Eat early if the children are tired, and carry snacks for the car. Keep the schedule loose enough that nobody has to push through a bad moment.
Hotels and rest
A hotel with a pool changes the whole feel of a family trip to Luxor. Children can swim in the afternoon after a morning of sights, and parents can rest in the shade. Choose a hotel with air conditioning, family rooms and an early breakfast. Ask about the distance to the corniche or the temples, since short transfers make a big difference.
Use bottled water for drinking and cleaning teeth. Wash hands before meals and carry hand gel. Keep children close in markets and near the river, and make sure they wear hats and sun cream. If anyone feels unwell, rest early and drink plenty of fluids. Your guide and driver know where the nearest clinic is, and our Luxor office can help if needed.
A guide who enjoys children makes a big difference. Tell us your children's ages and interests, and we will match a guide who can tell stories, ask questions and keep things moving. Many of our guides are parents themselves and understand the need for a snack stop and a toilet break.
Give each child a small task: find five animals in the carvings, count the columns, spot a bird on the river. Ask the guide to tell the stories of the gods in simple terms. A notebook for drawings keeps older children busy in the car. Small tricks like these turn a hot morning into a good memory.
Open the trip pages to see current dates, ages and how to book.
Plan with us
Luxor with children: tombs, boats and sensible timing
Taking children to Luxor? Which sights suit which ages, how to handle the heat, and trips like a boat ride, a carriage and a quad safari for older kids.