Luxor is a city on the east bank of the nile river in southern egypt. it's on the site of ancient thebes, the pharaohs’ capital at the height of their power, during the 16th–11th centuries b.c. today's city surrounds 2 huge, surviving ancient monuments: graceful luxor temple and karnak temple, a mile north. luxor is the most well-known recognized city in upper (southern) egypt and the capital of luxor governorate, known famously for its oldest and most ancient egyptian sites. originally called ‘thebes’ in ancient egypt, luxor is often known also as the ‘world's greatest open-air museum’.