A holiday in Egypt is perfect if you're looking for a cheap package deal, usually to Sharm el Sheikh. But this year, why not try something different but still stay within your budget? Give Luxor a look and discover the ancient Egyptian capital, the sun-soaked banks of the River Nile and the many important temples and archaeological sites nearby.

Where is Luxor?

Luxor is a city in southern Egypt, on the banks of the River Nile. It's 500 kilometres south of Cairo, the capital of Egypt and it's largest city. Between 1500 to 1000 BC it was Egypt's most important city and the most respected rulers, including the famous King Tutankhamen, chose to be buried at the nearby Valley of the Kings. The city flourished, and many of the area's most important sites, including the Luxor and Karnak Temples, were built during this time.

Why is Luxor so popular?

Egypt has experienced a tough few years, but growing numbers of us Brits are booking flights to Luxor, partly due to an increase in the number of flights you can catch there - March alone saw the launch of four new flights from Europe to the ancient capital. It's also the Capital of Arab Culture for 2017. And then there's the mummies...There have been quite a few exciting recent discoveries: in March, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced that scientists working in Luxor had discovered a statue of Queen Tiye, the grandmother of King Tutankhamen.

This ancient city, which hugs the banks of the River Nile, is often referred to as the world's biggest open-air museum. Its west bank is dotted with some of the oldest temples in Egypt and several of Egypt's most important archaeological sites, like the Valley of the Kings, are easily accessible on day trips from Luxor.

"While destinations like Sharm el Sheikh are fantastic beach resorts with great facilities for sun, sea and sand-seekers, Luxor is regarded as one of the world's largest open air-museums," explains Marlen Taffarello Godwin at Discover Egypt.

What to see and do in Luxor

The Temple Complex of Karnak is one of Luxor's most popular attractions. It's an enormous complex of three main temples dedicated to the Theban Gods, and includes a lake and the Avenue of the Sphinxes, which was once several kilometres long, and connected the complex to the Temple of Luxor. The Valley of The Kings, on the outskirts of the city, has over 60 tombs, including the resting place of Tutankhamen. The sprawling Luxor Temple, which dominates the city's downtown, and the Luxor Museum both deserve full-day visits if your looking for ways to escaping the sun. Other must-sees include the Temple of Deir el-Bahri, Medinet Habu (a beautifully-decorated temple on the Nile's western bank) and the Tombs of the Nobles - here you'll have more than 400 tombs to explore! A great way to get around between all of the ancient sites is on a Nile cruise. Discover Egypt offers a number of fantastic cruises, including ones which stop in Aswan and Cairo.

What's the weather like in Luxor?

The best time to go to Luxor is between March-April and October-November. The weather will still be warm but not stiflingly hot, and you'll avoid the largest crowds, which usually descend on Luxor in winter. Temperatures peak between May and September. Remember that a visit to Luxor usually involves a huge amount of time outside, wandering around vast temple complexes and walking from one historic tomb to another. In other words, pack PLENTY of sun cream, and try to book outside of both the hottest and coldest months, during the UK's spring and autumn.

How to get to Luxor

Getting to Luxor is easy. Flights from the UK go via Cairo, and can be booked with a number of airlines including Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir. The flight time from the UK to Cairo is just under five hours, and flights from Cairo to Luxor take just over an hour. The cost of flights from London to Luxor start at around £407 for flights with Egyptair. Wondering how to get to Luxor from the airport? It's just 10km away, and while most hotels in Luxor will organise a transfer, a cheaper option is to book with a transfer operator. You'll pay around £20* for a return trip in a private car, or £7 for shared coach ride. An even cheaper option is to book one of the official taxis touting for business outside the airport, but be prepared to barter hard. Most drivers will start by quoting a rate which is double what you should actually pay, so aim to reduce their initial quote by at least 40%.

Where to stay in Luxor