Summary
I’ll never forget seeing the glorious ancient temples of Egypt for the first time. And with each visit to Egypt, we are continuously impressed again and again. After all, Egypt houses the greatest temples on earth.
While many Egyptian temples are world-famous, there are other ancient temples that you may not have heard of. These are the most impressive temples from ancient Egypt that you’ll want to add to your bucket list.
Ancient Temples in Egypt
It is difficult to grasp just how ancient everything is in Egypt. Everywhere we went, we came across temples that were thousands of years old. The earliest Egyptian temples date back to the 4th millennium BC. Wow! That means there are ancient Egyptian temples dating back to the 4th century BC!
Types of Egyptian Temples
There are two types of temples in Egypt – Mortuary Temples and Cult Temples.
Funerary or Mortuary temples are shrines to kings, while cult temples are houses of worship. It helps to know which of the ancient temples you are visiting to better understand your tour.
1. Karnak Temple
The Karnak Temple took an astounding 2000 years to build from 2055 BC to 100 AD. Karnak was dedicated to three Ancient Egyptian Gods: Amun-Re, Mut, and Montu. Its main temple building is the largest religious site ever constructed.
The most impressive feature is the Hypostyle Hall, a room filled with enormous pillars topped with a roof. Karnak’s hypostyle hall boasts 134 columns arranged in 16 rows, covering a staggering 54,000 sq. ft (16,459 meters). We highly recommend hiring a guide to take you through Karnak Temple. It is one of the largest ancient ruins in the world.
2. Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is one of the most impressive ancient Egyptian temples. Originally built on lower ground by the Nile River, it now stands on Lake Nassar near the Sudanese border. In the 1960s, an enormous effort was undertaken to move the ruins to higher ground due to the creation of the Aswan Dam.
The four 20-meter statues representing Ramesses II guard the banks of the lake. Built around 1265 BC, three of the statues remain in relatively good condition. Tours to see these temples can be taken from Luxor or Aswan, making the 280 km journey from Luxor well worth it. Next to the pyramids, they are among the most recognizable ancient temples in Egypt.
- We recommend taking a Nile River Cruise to Aswan and spending a few days exploring Abu Simbel.
- Short on time? Consider a 2-day tour from Cairo to Luxor and Abu Simbel to see the most impressive ancient Egyptian temples in a brief period.
3. Medinet Habu
The Medinet Habu temple may not be the most recognizable temple from Ancient Egypt, but it is certainly impressive. Dedicated to Ramses III, it features painted columns that remain pristine. Nestled on the West Bank of Luxor, it is the second-largest ancient temple in Egypt, famous for its statues of Ramses III. These Pharaohs were undeniably proud!
4. Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
Located near the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of the Nile, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut stands out as the most impressive ancient temple we visited in Egypt. The Valley of the Kings is home to several mortuary temples of ancient Pharaohs, including the burial tomb of Queen Hatshepsut, who died in 1458 BC.
Egypt was ahead of its time with female rulers, and Hatshepsut was one of its most successful Pharaohs, ruling for 21 years. Known to be one of the most spectacularly situated temples in the world, it offers an awe-inspiring view.
Built into the side of a large cliff, the Mortuary Temple has three tiers leading out to the desert. While the once-lush land has become arid, the temple remains an imposing sight, framed by massive cliffs.
5. Ramesseum Temple
Ramses II, one of the most notable pharaohs, makes visiting this temple particularly exciting for history buffs. Originally designed as a mortuary temple for Ramses II, it bears similarities to Medinet Habu with its giant statues honoring Ramses. The Ramses family clearly cherished their legacies.
6. Luxor Temple
Visiting the Luxor Temple while in Luxor is incredibly convenient. Situated right in town by the Nile River, it presents an impressive view. We particularly enjoyed it at night when it is beautifully illuminated, offering stunning photo opportunities.
Travel Tip: The McDonald’s across the street provides an incredible view of the temple and offers free Wi-Fi. It’s the perfect spot to have lunch, update your blog, and soak in the sights.
7. Temple of Kom Ombo
Situated on the Nile River, the Temple of Kom Ombo is dedicated to two different Gods: Horus the Elder and Sobek, the God of the Nile Crocodile. This twin temple features two mirrored halves, showcasing the intricacies of ancient Egyptian worship.
8. Temple of Edfu
The Temple of Edfu, located on the West Bank of the Nile, is one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples. Construction began in 237 BC and concluded in 57 BC, initiated by Cleopatra’s father, Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos. Visitors will appreciate that it retains its roof, providing an immersive experience rather than just wandering through ruins.
9. Temple of Seti I
This beautiful Egyptian temple is located further up the Nile from the Luxor Temples in Abydos. Notably, the Abydos King List found on the wall of the temple chronicles the seventy-six kings of ancient Egypt.
10. Mortuary Temples Valley of the Kings
We didn’t visit King Tut’s Tomb, as our guide indicated it lacks the impressiveness of the other temples.
Instead, we explored Rameses VI, Merneptah, and Rameses IV temples. These chambers are unexpectedly large and airy, decorated with vibrant paintings depicting scenes from the Book of the Dead and the Book of Caverns, among others.
Surprisingly, we felt comfortable inside, as the spaces appeared almost cheerful. They are spacious and colorful, creating a peaceful atmosphere despite the absence of sarcophagi, and with all treasures having been either looted or relocated to the Antiquities Museum. Nevertheless, they remain a remarkable sight.
Egyptian Temples Facts
The ancient Egyptians believed these temples were homes to the Gods, serving as worship venues for the Pharaohs. Priests conducted the rituals, yet religion during that time differed significantly from today’s practices. The King held more significance than the religious institutions, with the priests acting under the King’s authority.
Ancient Egypt was divided into two primary periods: the New Kingdom (1570–1070 BC), its most prosperous era when many temples were constructed, and the Old Kingdom (2575–2150 BC), renowned for the construction of the Pyramids. The Valley of the Kings was established for the New Kingdom Pharaohs, highlighting Egypt’s architectural advancements.
Map of Famous Egypt Temples
Ancient Egyptian temples offer fascinating insights into history and culture. When visiting Egypt, embarking on a tour is essential to immerse yourself in the stories behind these impressive sites.
Coming from a relatively young country like Canada, I find myself captivated by the vibrant history that permeates every building, structure, and monument.
We had the privilege of cycling from Cairo to Luxor, following the Nile River to Aswan. Throughout this journey, we encountered numerous ancient temples that we initially overlooked in terms of their significance.
It wasn’t until our return home, when delving into further research, that we came to appreciate the incredible history surrounding these Ancient Egyptian temples.
