8 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Temples (Ranked By Wow Factor)

Let me start with a confession: I’m not really into cruising.

Being trapped on a huge floating hotel and shuffling round after tour groups isn’t really my idea of fun.

But a Nile River Cruise through Egypt is a different beast altogether.

The idea of gently floating down the river on a small, sleek ship, passing palm groves and villages, and stopping to explore a new destination before heading back for a sunset cocktail… well, it sounds pretty idyllic, doesn’t it?

Not to mention the fact that if you’re a lover of historic sites, a Nile Cruise is widely agreed to be the best, safest and most effortless way to see all of Egypt’s most spectacular ancient temples and other Egypt highlights in one amazing trip.

So when I was offered the chance to do just that, on assignment for the Independent newspaper – well, any idiot would have said yes. And I’m not an idiot (at least, most of the time). 

It turned out to be a full-on but unforgettable trip. We packed in everything: temples, tombs, museums, mosques, and markets. But the ancient Egyptian temples were the highlight – and for many people, they’re the main reason to take a Nile cruise in the first place.

Why you should read this Egyptian temples blog post (instead of all the others)

I know your time is precious and you have loads of choice about what to read, so here are a few reasons why this post is worth a look.

First, I’m a bit of an archaeology nerd. I find the stories fascinating and I love looking at ancient architecture.

In my 20-year career as a documentary director I’ve made films about ancient sites and civilisations including Gordion, Troy and Hierapolis in Turkey, Herculaneum in Italy, the Aztecs in Mexico and the Ancient Maya in Guatemala. I’ve also made documentaries about prehistoric whales in Egypt and various species of dinosaurs.

And I’ve written about ancient sites for BBC Travel and National Geographic Traveller among others. 

All this has given me a great foundation for exploring Ancient Egypt temples up close and sharing the most important or interesting bits with you. 

Secondly, I wrote it all myself. As you can probably tell, it wasn’t written using AI, so hopefully it’ll be an engaging read, and not so dull you fall asleep halfway through.

And finally, this post is full of gorgeous photos, all taken by me. So even if you don’t want to read my waffle, you can scroll and enjoy the pretty pictures. 

So if you’re planning a luxury Nile cruise, looking for a bucket list Egypt tour, or trying to build the perfect Nile cruise itinerary with temples and tombs, this post will give you the lowdown on the best temple stops, what makes each one special, and which features to look out for.

About my Egypt Nile Cruise

I spent 12 days on Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids cruise tour: four days in Cairo and eight days cruising the Nile from Luxor to Aswan and back again. 

It included nearly all of the most important temples in Egypt, from famous sites like Karnak to more remote treasures like Philae, and some places that other Nile tours don’t visit. 

We were guided the entire time by the wonderful Suzy, an expert Egyptologist and all-round brilliant person. That meant that as well as getting to see absolutely everything, I got loads of great information about what we were looking at.  

Which I’m now going to share with you.

Note: Although this was a hosted press trip I wasn’t asked to write this blog post – I’m doing it because I want to. All opinions, typos and errors are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. Prices are correct at the time of writing.

My unmissable Ancient Egyptian temples list

So here, in my personal order of preference, are the top temples to see in Egypt on a Nile Cruise. There’ll also be a separate post about the best tombs to see in Egypt – coming soon – so don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for updates if you don’t want to miss it.

1/ Dendera Temple (Temple of Hathor)

In my view, the Temple of Hathor at Dendera is the best ancient site in Egypt, surpassing even the Pyramids at Giza or the more famous Temple at Karnak (see next entry). 

I think the only reason it’s not better know is because few Egypt cruise itineraries include it – Viking is one of the only cruise lines that sails north to visit this underrated gem.

Located north of Luxor (most Nile cruises only go south), it was built during the Greco-Roman period (making it roughly 2000 years old) and dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of love, music, and fertility. 

While it doesn’t look especially amazing from the outside, inside the temple’s ceiling bursts with vivid blue and gold astronomical scenes, all recently restored. 

I loved wandering through atmospherically-lit chambers filled with intricate carvings and gazing up at the faces of Hathor on the looming columns (though these were sadly defaced by Christian settlers who moved in in about the 4^th century CE). 

Top features to look out for at Dendera Temple

Astronomical ceiling: Inside the first hall (pronaos), the restored ceiling bursts with celestial imagery showing the eye of the god Horus, the goddess Nut, planets, stars, and all the signs of the Zodiac. Taking it all in will give you a crick in your neck, but it’s worth it. 

Relief of Cleopatra: Outside, round the back of the temple, a rare carving shows legendary Queen Cleopatra VII alongside her son by Julius Caesar, Caesarion (Ptolemy XV), presenting offerings to the goddess Hathor. It’s part of a (failed) strategy to legitimise Caesarion so he could be Pharaoh after her, and is one of very few depictions of Cleopatra known in Ancient Egypt. 

The cats: At least when I visited, there were three resident cats wandering the halls. Don’t pet them though – they are not domesticated and may carry diseases.

Practical tips for visiting Dendera Temple

• Dendera is located near the city of Qena, about 60 km north of Luxor.
• Entry costs EGP 300 (about US $6)
• Some Nile Cruise companies may offer it as a bus excursion – if you get the chance, you should take it!
• The temple is fairly small and mostly indoors, so you don’t need to worry too much about having to walk too far in the heat.

2/ Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple, just outside Luxor, is one of the top-rated stops on any classic Egypt itinerary – second only to the Pyramids at Giza. And for good reason. 

This vast open-air museum is like a Tardis – it doesn’t look that big from the outside, but once you get past the main gateway, it expands into a vast warren of monumental columns, obelisks, and a sacred lake.

Built over at least 1,500 years by more than 30 successive pharaohs, it was the main temple of Amun-Ra, the sun god. 

Karnak is not just a historic monument – it’s among the absolute must-see sites in Egypt for anyone interested in its ancient past.

Look out for the scarab statue said to bring good luck if you circle it seven times, the obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut (the tallest one still standing in Egypt), and the sacred lake used by priests for ritual washing.

Top features to look out for at Karnak Temple

Great Hypostyle Hall: Famous for its forest of 134 towering sandstone columns arranged in 16 rows, some of them up to 21 metres tall, and all stunningly decorated with hieroglyphs. You could spend hours getting lost in here and taking photos – ask me how I know… 

Statues of Amun-Ra: Outside the main gate and in the first courtyard you’ll find rows of ram-headed sphinxes (stone animals with the head of a ram and the body of a lion). These represent

Practical tips for visiting the Temple of Karnak

• Entry to Karnak costs EGP 600 (about US $12).
• It’s huge and most of it is not covered. Make sure you bring a hat, comfy shoes and some water.
• Most people walk up and down the main avenue, so look for side alleyways where you can have fun posing for photos among the columns without anyone else in your shot.

3/ Edfu Temple (Temple of Horus)

Third on my list is the Temple of Horus at Edfu – which I loved because it’s one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. 

Built between 237 and 57 BC during the Ptolemaic period, it was dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god of protection, kingship, and the sky. 

As you’ll learn when you visit, most Egyptian temples follow the same layout – with a massive entrance gateway (called a pylon) leading to an open courtyard, then one or more colonnaded halls (called a hypostyle hall), leading to an inner sanctuary where only the priests could go.

Edfu Temple follows this structure. 

Buried under sand and silt for centuries, it was only rediscovered and excavated in the 19th century, which is why it’s so stunningly well preserved. Just like at Dendera, it’s packed with atmospheric rooms, with every inch covered in stunning hieroglyphs and reliefs. 

Edfu is often included on mid-range and luxury Nile cruise routes, and thanks to its layout and preservation, it’s ideal for travellers who love photography and mythology.

Top features to look out for at Edfu Temple

Battle scenes on the pylon: In one of the most famous mythological stories, the god Osiris is killed and chopped into pieces by his evil brother Seth, who then scatters the body parts around the world. The huge front walls of Edfu show Osiris’s son Horus avenging his father by defeating Seth in a dramatic mythological battle. 

Statues of Horus: Around the temple stand imposing granite statues of Horus in falcon form. They’re one of the most iconic images of Edfu.

Through the main temple and out a side door at the back, don’t miss the fun relief of Horus spearing a hippo. The hippo again represents his uncle Seth, the embodiment of evil. 

Ceremonial boat: Inside the sanctuary, in the heart of the temple, you’ll find the ceremonial barque or boat of Horus. During festivals, the barque, with Horus’s statue inside, would be paraded or carried through the temple.

Practical tips for visiting Edfu

• Entry to Edfu costs EGP 550 (about US $11).
• The site is large and the ground uneven in places. You’ll be walking over stone slabs, sand, and dust, so wear trainers or sturdy sandals, not flip-flops.
• Don’t forget to look up: the ceiling still shows soot marks from when the temple was used as a stable by villagers in later centuries.

4/ Philae Temple

Philae is one of the most impressive ancient temples in Egypt because it sits on an island in the river Nile.

It gets a lofty fourth place on my list not only because it’s gorgeous, but because getting there involves a stunning small-boat cruise along the river, passing huge golden sand dunes and reed beds filled with herons. It was one of my favourite hours of my entire Egypt tour.

Located not far from the city of Aswan, Philae’s temple complex was built mainly during the Ptolemaic period (from the 3rd century BC onwards), and is dedicated to Isis, goddess of motherhood and magic, as well as her brother and husband Osiris and their son Horus.  

Originally located on a different island, the temple complex was due to be completely submerged during the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which was built in the 1960s to control the Nile’s annual flooding. 

To save it, UNESCO leaped into action and the entire temple complex was cut into pieces and moved stone by stone to nearby Agilkia Island, where it stands today.

Top features to look out for at Philae Temple

Isis breastfeeding: Philae is packed with carvings telling the famous tale of Isis bringing her husband Osiris back to life and giving birth to their son Horus. In one room deep inside the temple you’ll find a striking key scene showing Isis breastfeeding baby Horus.

Her face has been cut out. Some scholars think this was done by early Christians, who were offended by how closely this image resembled later depictions of the Virgin Mary nursing baby Jesus. Others think the face was stolen to start the Cult of the Black Madonna – the worship of dark-skinned images of Mary and Jesus.

Kiosk of Trajan: Sometimes called Pharaoh’s Bed, this elegant Roman pavilion features 14 columns with floral capitals and open sides. Though unfinished, it’s one of the most photographed spots on the island thanks to its unique setting and gorgeous design.

Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess: One of my favourite reliefs is this one, showing the Pharaoh making an offering to Sekhmet. Sekhmet was revered as a fierce warrior-goddess of healing and vengeance so it was important to calm her wrath by giving her gifts.

Practical tips for visiting Philae

• Entry to Philae costs EGP 550 (about US $11).
• Bring some small notes in cash (single dollars or EGP 50) to tip the boatman.
• Sit on the left side of the boat for the best view as you approach Philae, or the right to admire the sand dunes.
• Save time to just wander or sit by the water and admire the stunning location.

5/ Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple sits just down the road from Karnak, in the heart of Luxor, and while smaller, is definitely worth a visit as well.

Built around 1400 BC by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramesses II, it’s not dedicated to a god like other temples, but to the concept of divine royal power. 

You enter through a grand stone gateway (pylon) guarded by seated statues of Ramesses II, then stroll the colonnade lined with towering lotus-topped sandstone columns. 

Many tours visit at the end of the day, so you may get to enjoy the gorgeous light and long shadows as the sun sets. If you visit in the winter the end of your tour might be after dusk, in which case you’ll have the chance to see it lit up at night which I’m told is stunning (but sadly I didn’t get to see this as I visited in July). 

It’s also one of the easiest major temples to visit independently in Egypt, since it’s located right in the centre of town.

Top features to look out for at Luxor Temple

Alexander the Great’s shrine: Deep inside the sanctuary at the back of the temple, you’ll find a shrine to Alexander the Great, featuring carvings of Alexander wearing the traditional white crown of Upper Egypt and making offerings to the god Amun-Min.

This depiction of Alexander as a pharaoh was a deliberate act of propaganda, intended to legitimise his rule over Egypt. 

The divine conception scene: One of the most extraordinary and hilarious reliefs shows a later scene from the same story about the murder of Osiris by Seth. After Osiris’s body parts have been scattered, Isis collects them all up again, but she can’t find one important body part – his penis.

She wants to get pregnant, so she fashions a magical new penis out of mud, which she uses to conceive her son, Horus. 

Practical tips for visiting Luxor Temple

• Entry to Luxor costs EGP 500 (about US $10).
• Luxor Temple is especially magical at sunset. The entire complex is dramatically lit after dark, casting shadows across the columns and statues. If you’re visiting in winter, aim for a late-afternoon entry and stay as the sun goes down. It’s one of the most atmospheric experiences in Egypt.
• Don’t miss the other end of the Avenue of the Sphinxes, a 2.7 km (1.7 miles) long avenue lined with over 1000 sphinx statues, that connects Luxor and Karnak Temples.

6/ Kom Ombo Temple

The Temple of Kom Ombo stands dramatically on a bend of the Nile between Edfu and Aswan. 

Unusually, it’s a double temple, with two sanctuaries dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility and chaos, and Horus the Elder (Haroeris), a form of the falcon-headed god of kingship and healing. 

It’s quite small and quick to wander round – but when we visited it was very crowded. It seems that all the cruise ships and tours do similarly-timed itineraries, and we showed up at exactly the same time as everyone else. 

That is the only downside of a Nile Cruise – I imagine that if you have the freedom to visit at a time of your choosing, you’d have the place to yourself. 

Top features to look out for at Kom Ombo Temple

Reliefs of Sobek: Keep an eye out for images of the crocodile-headed god Sobek, one of the two gods of the temple. 

Crocodile mummies: Next door to the temple is a small Crocodile Museum housing statues of Sobek and real mummified crocodiles that were found near the temple, a creepy but memorable reminder of Sobek’s power and influence. It’s quick to see but fascinating – and blissfullly air-conditioned!

Practical tips for visiting Kom Ombo

• Entry to Kom Ombo costs EGP 450 (about US $9).
• Most Nile cruises arrive at Kom Ombo in the late afternoon, often all at the same time. If your tour allows any flexibility, try to go early or lag slightly behind the crowds – it’ll make a big difference to your photos and your sanity. I got permission from our guide to wait behind for the crowds to clear, and then make my own way back to the ship.
• Kom Ombo is pretty small – this will only be a short visit so you can get away with your floaty dress and no hat.

7/ Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)

This one wins hands down for the most striking setting. Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple rises in three grand terraces, built right into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari on the west bank of the Nile, directly across from Luxor in the world-famous Valley of the Kings.

It almost looks modern until you get up close and realise it was built more than 3,400 years ago. It’s one of the most photogenic temples in Egypt.

Hatshepsut was one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, and the temple is all about reinforcing her divine right to do so.

It’s filled with beautifully carved reliefs of her achievements, including a famous trade expedition to the Land of Punt (a region in Africa thought to be in modern-day Somalia). There’s also a scene showing her divine birth – a way of proving that she was descended from the gods and therefore had the right to rule.

Practical tips for visiting Hatshepsut’s Temple

• Entry to Hatshepsut Temple costs EGP 440 (about US $9).
• Bring water and a hat – this one is HOT! The temple faces east and is fully exposed to the sun by mid-morning. With very little shade on site, visiting early in the day makes a big difference.
• Take the electric golf buggy / shuttle if you can. From the visitor entrance, it’s a surprisingly long walk to the temple itself. In the heat, the shuttles are totally worth it.
• Start at the top and work down. Many groups begin at the bottom and climb up, but if you want cleaner photos and fewer crowds, head straight to the top terrace first, then work backwards.

8/ Abu Simbel 

The one that got away. This temple absolutely shouldn’t be seventh on my list, since it looks incredible – but sadly it’s the one I didn’t visit. Hence why I’ve left it till the end, even though it should be much higher up.

Perched on the edge of Lake Nasser, the twin temples of Abu Simbel were cut into the cliffs by Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC to proclaim his power and connection to the gods. 

The façade is dominated by four 20 metre seated colossi of Ramesses, flanked at their feet by statues of his wife Nefertari, sons, daughters and mother. Inside, halls are adorned with carvings of military triumphs. 

A smaller temple nearby honours Hathor and Nefertari, equally grand with statues of the queen. 

LIke at Philae, when the Aswan High Dam was constructed in the 1960s, rising waters from Lake Nasser threatened to submerge Abu Simbel entirely. 

In a massive UNESCO-led rescue effort, the temples were carefully cut into blocks and relocated 65 metres higher and 200 metres back from their original site to preserve them.

Practical tips for visiting Abu Simbel

• Entry to Abu Simbel costs EGP 750 (about US $15).
• Abu Simbel isn’t always included in standard Nile cruise itineraries, but many companies – including Viking – offer it as an optional extra day trip from Aswan, usually by a 45-minute internal flight.
• Go as early as you can to beat the crowds and enjoy the early morning light on the façade of the Great Temple.
• Some other tour operators also run overland trips by bus, which take around 3–4 hours each way through the desert. Bring snacks!
• After exploring the temples, take the time to walk round the back, where you’ll see the concrete backing that covers the relocated chambers – hard proof of the engineering feat that saved the temples from being lost under Lake Nasser.
• Bring water, a hat and sunscreen – shade is minimal.

Best tombs to see in Egypt

So that it for all the main Egyptian temples you’ll likely see on a Nile Cruise. Which one do you most want to see?

Of course, a visit to Egypt on a Nile Cruise isn’t only about temples. There are also some incredible and stunning tombs too. 

Watch this space – and subscribe for updates if you haven’t already – as there’ll be a similar post about the tombs coming soon. 

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Where to next?

If you enjoyed this post all about the temples of Ancient Egypt, why not try some of my other history and archaeology-related posts?

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• Yaxha Guatemala: The Magical Mayan Ruins You Need To Visit
• An Unhelpful Guide to… Tepoztlan Mexico
• How To Visit Perge Ancient City Ruins In Antalya, Turkey
• Aspendos Ruins And Theatre In Turkey: The Essential Guide
• The Best Ancient Ruins In Turkey And Where To See Them

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