The western shore of the Nile River is known as the West Bank and is home to some of the most architecturally significant buildings in the region. Most tourists never venture onto the West Bank, which means the lucky few who cross the river have this quiet strip of Luxor to themselves. Travellers, especially those who come during high season, will find great respite from the hordes of crowds in this underappreciated area.

One of the most notable architectural sites on this side is the Valley of Kings, one of the country’s biggest attractions. In ancient Egypt, the West Bank was always reserved as the resting place for the royals so tourists who venture here will find many interesting tombs and shrines.

The eastern shore, known as the East Bank, is a complete contrast to the western side. The East Bank is the metropolis of Luxor, home to the city centre and most of the accommodation and nightlife. Although it is not as peaceful as the West Bank, it still has a great deal to offer in terms of historical sites. Both the temples of Luxor and Karnak are located here, as are many of the country’s most informative museums. Travellers looking for a bustling city and a vibrant tourism industry should spend a few days on the East Bank.

The Downtown area on the East Bank is also worth exploring as authorities have just recently opened new sites to the public including the Avenue of the Sphinxes and the Temple of Seti.

If there is one place that should not be missed in Luxor, it is the Valley of the Kings. Located to the south of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings is home to 63 tombs of ancient Egyptian royalty. All of the tombs are different from one another and make for an interesting excursion. The area marks an important shift in the Empire’s history when Pharaohs decided to be buried in these hillsides instead of the pyramids. This was an attempt to subvert the popular act of grave robbing.

The temple complex of Karnak is an extraordinary arrangement of structures built in honour of the ancient Theban Gods. Covering two square kilometres, the complex houses several kiosks, pylons, sanctuaries and obelisks. The most popular of all the temples in the complex is the Temple of Amun. Karnak was the most important place for ancient Egyptian worshippers and provides great insight into the belief and rituals of the Egypt of old.

The topic of many a Hollywood blockbuster is the Tomb of Tutankhamen. Only discovered in 1922, this tomb is one of the few Egyptian tombs that remain intact. The tomb, along with Tutankhamen’s treasures which are kept at the Cairo Museum, is an important part of the country’s history and a magical excursion for many Egyptian enthusiasts. The tomb is not the only attraction as the chambers leading to it are covered in amazing wall paintings which tell a great deal about the development of the Arabic language and Arabic art.

Standing majestically on the West Bank of the Nile River, the Colossi of Memnon are well-recognised sites in Luxor. The final remnant of one of the largest temples built in Egypt, the colossi once guarded the Pharaoh Amanhotep III’s memorial structure. Standing tall at almost 18 metres, the colossi are cut from a single 1,000 tonne block of stone and can literally not be missed.

There are several entertainment options in Luxor, ranging from traditional folklore shows to good old Irish pubs. Travellers looking for crowded nightclubs pumping out Western beats will have to move to larger cities like Cairo as Luxor offers a simpler, more cultural nightlife experience.

Many establishments host traditional Egyptian music evenings, boasting belly dancers, folkloric shows with authentic rababa musicians and, if travellers are lucky, snake charmers. Most of these places offer oriental buffets, making for a delicious and fun cultural experience for everyone involved.

Travellers looking for home comforts will not be disappointed by the large number of Irish pubs. Serving everything from pints of real British larger and the heartiest of pub grub meals, these pubs are the perfect place to get some respite from the harsh Egyptian sun. Some pubs even stream live matches of the latest football clashes.

There also a few festivals in the city which can be enjoyed by travellers who are lucky enough to be in the region at the right time. The most famous festival in Luxor is Moulid of Abu el-Haggag, which is held two weeks before Ramadan and is characterised by two days of street celebrations. From processions and horse races to stick fights and drumming concerts, there are activities to satisfy every taste.

Most restaurants start operating quite late in the day, opening at midday and catering for the lunch time rush. The most exciting time to dine out is at dinner when Egyptian locals come out in full force. Dinner is served at most establishments until 22:00. The atmosphere at this time of night is rather vibrant and dinner time turns into more of an event than just a meal.

There is a large variety of dining options in the city catering for those who are interested in sampling the local fare as well as those who prefer international cuisines. Luxor is one of the best places in Egypt for vegetarian travellers as many restaurants use the region’s fresh seasonal vegetables prolifically in their dishes.

While the international options are aplenty, with everything from spicy Indian curries to English fish and chips, there are a few local Luxor dishes which should be sampled at least once. Dishes that are popular with both locals and tourists include kurshari (a macaroni bake made with seasoned lentils) and kebabs (grilled spicy meats skewered on a stick and sold on most streets). There also lovely desserts to appease the sweet-toothed traveller, including ruz bi laan (a sweet, creamy rice pudding) and muhalabiyya (creamy yoghurt topped with strawberry and blueberry syrup).

To quench the thirsts of parched tourists after a long day in the heat, many refreshing Egyptian drinks are on offer at mostly authentic Egyptian restaurants. Sugarcane juice is popular with tourists and locals alike, while tamarind juice takes some getting used to.