Ramesseum Temple

Why the Ramesseum Temple Should Be on Your Itinerary

The Rameseum Temple, built as the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramses II, stands very much among the most intriguing monuments found on the west bank of Luxor. Travelers tend to think of the Valley of the Kings or the famous Temple of Karnak first, yet the Ramesseum offers an equally impressive and quieter experience. For anyone interested in day tours in Luxor or just browsing Egypt travel guide, the temple is a good choice to experience the actual Ancient Egyptian history without the hordes of tourists.

This temple, in particular, is known for its giant stone statue of Ramses II lying on the ground, while over 17 meters tall. Amidst the ruins, exquisitely carved reliefs show the Battle of Kadesh, an epic military campaign in which Ramses so adamantly declared victory. For those who prize history, culture, and architecture, mixing the Ramesseum into the Egypt Classic Tours or even the customized Luxury Egypt Tours really makes the excursion worthwhile.

How to Reach the Ramesseum Temple Easily

The Ramesseum is located on the west bank of Luxor, in the midst of many other famed places. Most travelers visit it as part of half-day or full-day excursions to Luxor that include the Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, and Colossi of Memnon. If staying in Cairo, a day trip to Luxor via air makes it deeper since it usually covers both the East Bank and the West Bank in a single day. 

Getting to the Ramesseum is a breeze, whether one decides to travel via private car, taxi, or guided tour. Most cruise itineraries from Luxor along the Nile also stop at the West Bank, thus making it possible to couple the Ramesseum with other spectacles. For something more unusual, some travelers would elect to take a felucca boat trip along the Nile before driving to the site, mixing in a bit of local culture and adventure.

Highlights You Can’t Miss Inside the Ramesseum

Inside the Ramesseum Temple, history comes alive. Some of the highlights are:

The Fallen Colossus of Ramses II is said to have been one of the largest statues in Egypt, lying now in pieces but of imposing stature.

The Hypostyle Hall- a forest of giant papyrus-shaped columns with fine carvings.

Reliefs of the Battle of Kadesh- almost pictorial scenes describing the military glory of Ramses II.

Storerooms and side chapels look into the function of the temple as a religious site and practical needs.

Being here is easily combined with other things to do in Luxor, such as visiting the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun's tomb is located, or taking part in a Luxor hot air balloon ride that floats over the entire West Bank, with majestic views of the temples and the River Nile. If you're following an Egypt travel guide, you will notice that the Ramesseum is often recommended as a hidden gem-too good to be missed, but often less crowded than either Luxor Temple or Karnak.

Best Time of Day to Explore the Ramesseum 

The best time to visit the Ramesseum is early in the morning when the weather is cooler and the site is tranquil. This allows one to more fully appreciate the details of the temple's inscriptions and architectural elements. Most Egypt Classic Tours combine a morning visit to the Ramesseum with neighboring attractions like Medinet Habu and the Valley of the Queens.

In the afternoon, keep your energies toward the East Bank's more active spots, inclusive of the Luxor Temple and the gigantic Karnak Temple complex. Nighttime is best spent frolicking away at the Luxor Sound and Light Show. Peppered with spice is timing your visits well—especially if a day trip is squeezed into Luxor or as part of the larger Egypt travel package.

Tips for a Comfortable Visit

Visiting the Ramesseum on an Egyptian Nile Cruise Tour is among the easiest and most attractive ways of enjoying the experience. Cruises have guided excursions on offer, whereby they provide all transfers, entrance tickets, and the expert Egyptologist who enlightens you with all the historical details concerning every aspect. 

In planning for your visit, be sure to have comfortable and breathable clothes, bring a hat and sunscreen, as well as enough quantities of water. Walking long distances is kind of unavoidable around Luxor West Bank, so the best pair of shoes to have with you would be a comfortable one. Entrance tickets to the Ramesseum may be bought there at the site or included in Luxor day tour packages.

For those wanting a completely worry-free experience, Luxury Egypt Tours offers private guides and itineraries that have been redesigned to suit each visitor, optionally with additions such as felucca sailing on the Nile in Luxor, hot air ballooning in Luxor, or extending the tour to Aswan and beyond with an Aswan tour from Cairo, or even covering your day trips to Abu Simbel from Cairo.

Suggested Excursions For Tour

Being the Ramesseum, the location offers wonderful possibilities for many kinds of tours depending on your interests. Some travelers prefer to focus on Luxor West Bank tours, including the Ramesseum, the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and Medinet Habu. Others like a combination of East Bank and West Bank highlights for a full-day Luxor adventure tour.

In the process of planning your Egypt tours, you will even find the Ramesseum listed with a cruise up the Nile from Luxor, continuing temple explorations to Edfu and Kom Ombo, followed by a visit to Aswan. For those after unique things to do in Luxor, this may serve as a gateway to experiences like:

Hot air balloon ride during sunrise over Luxor

Luxor Sound and Light Show by night

Nile felucca boat sunset cruise

And if you are short on time, there are also day tours to Luxor from Cairo.

Whatever you decide to do, the enriching experience of visiting the Ramesseum is bound to add value toward deepening respect for Ramses II and the massive Ancient Egyptian temples.