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Karnak Temple
Best time to visit
Between 7 and 9 in the morning, when the sunlight is lower and the large groups have not yet arrived. The months between November and February are the best, and the morning opening is always the quietest.
Budget tips
The entrance fee is about 240 Egyptian pounds (approximately 4-5 euros), and you can also pay by credit card at the cash register. The sound and light show ticket is extra, which is better to book in advance, and in the morning hours there are fewer people, so there is less waiting in line.
Recommended for
History enthusiasts, Photography enthusiasts, Cultural tourists, Families
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: Construction lasting nearly two thousand years produced a single sanctuary complex shaped by more than thirty pharaohs. In the hypostyle hall, 134 colossal stone columns stand, the largest 23 meters tall and nearly 15 meters in circumference.
Highlights: The main hall is large enough that Rome's St. Peter's Basilica and Paris's Notre-Dame could both fit inside at the same time. Morning sunlight streaming through the tall column openings colors the surface of the 23-meter columns deep orange-red, as if the stone itself were alive.
Insider tips
- Arrive at the 7 am opening, when the light between the columns is the most dramatic and the groups have not yet arrived.
- The northern side of the sacred lake is the best photo spot, because the reflection of the columns in the water is beautiful.
- Sunglasses are needed, because the stone surfaces reflect the strong afternoon light, and a wide hat provides protection.
- Walking around the scarab statue seven times is the ancient custom for achieving good luck, and the locals often do this.
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