One Of The Very Few Small Towns Rick Steves Says Is Worth A Five-Day Visit Isn't In Europe

To travel guru and Europe expert Rick Steves, "five days in a small town is asking for boredom." That said, his one exception to this rule may surprise you. It's not in Europe, and it's not in his all-time favorite country, India, either. It's in Africa, actually — specifically Luxor, Egypt! According to Mr. Steves, Luxor is a small town worthy of a lengthy visit (or at least a visit of five days) because, as he says: "Luxor fills five days like no town its size." 

Luxor is small, yes, but mighty. Once the capital of ancient Egypt (as the city of Thebes), Luxor's ancient, UNESCO-listed Egyptian monuments are scattered on both sides of the famed Nile River. Luxor is an essential stop on many a traveler's tour, especially those interested in Egyptian antiquities and history. Even if seeing the epic, ancient sites isn't your cup of tea, there's still plenty to do in Luxor to fill those five days (and more). Hey, if Rick Steves says so, it must be true! 

Luxor is one of the essential destinations in Egypt to see temples and tombs. Considered the world's greatest open-air museum, exploring the sites in this small town will take you back in time to the peak of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Luxor, once known as Thebes, was the capital of Egypt from 2040 to 1750 B.C.E. and 1550 to 1070 B.C.E., and for a chunk of that time, it was the largest city in the world, with around 80,000 people.

The city itself is split by the Nile, into the East Bank and the West Bank. The East Bank of Luxor is where you'll find the main town, along with most amenities such as hotels and restaurants. On this bank, you can visit some of the top spots that Rick Steves raves about, including the Luxor Museum (home to hundreds of artifacts found in the area) and the spectacular temples of Karnak and Luxor.

On the West Bank, Rick Steves highlights the legendary Valley of the Kings, a royal burial ground for some of the most famous Egyptian pharaohs, including King Tutankhamun. Nearby, you can also explore the tombs of the Valley of the Queens. Although tombs of queens are generally smaller, one exception is the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the most powerful rulers in ancient Egypt. Other sites on the West Bank include the Howard Carter House (the preserved home of a famous British archaeologist), the Valley of the Nobles, and several other mortuary temples of prominent rulers.

Many people come to Egypt to visit the pyramids of Giza, but as Rick Steves discusses, Luxor is an essential destination — and not just because of its relics. Make the most of your time in Luxor while watching the sunrise over the city during a hot-air balloon ride, or take a traditional felucca sailboat along the Nile to experience the desert breezes. Take the local ferry on the Nile to meet more locals, or visit one of Luxor's smaller museums. Rick Steves' most memorable day in Luxor was renting a bike and cycling away from the crowds on the West Bank, passing through tiny Egyptian villages that hardly ever see visitors. The small town of Luxor itself is also worthy of your time, especially during an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride. 

If you have time, Rick Steves recommends you take day trips to nearby prominent sites. Aswan (about three hours away from Luxor) is where you can see the famous Aswan High Dam and the Philae Temple. Likewise, Edfu (about 2.5 hours away from Luxor) offers a chance to visit the incredible Temple of Horus.