Colossi Of Memnon – Giant Statues In Luxor, Egypt

by David & Intan

The Colossi of Memnon are two giant statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that sit near Luxor, Egypt.

There’s some cool history behind these impressive monuments, and they’re super easy to combine with nearby tourist sites like Valley of the Queens or Hatshepsut Temple.

This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!


Where To Stay

 

Facts & History – The Colossi Of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon were two giant statues that used to guard the tomb of King Amenhotep III, near the Valley of the Queens. This former temple was once the biggest in the world, even bigger than Karnak.

The statues were built in 1350 BC, and stand about 20 meters (60 feet) tall. The main tomb was destroyed in an earthquake in 1200 BC, but the statues still remain!

The statues weigh about 650 metric tons each, and you can get some great pics of them with the mountains and desert in the background.

There may not be a whole lot else to see here, but it’s still a very worthwhile stop!


 
 

Entrance Fee

FREE as of 2024.

No ticket or entrance fee is needed.


 
 

How To Get There

The Colossi of Memnon statues are located on the west bank of the Nile River, on the outskirts of Luxor, Egypt.

The Cairo International Airport (CAI) has 1 hour direct flights to the Luxor airport (LXR) for around $90 USD or less, or you can take a 9 hour day train for around $10 or so. You can shop for flights to Luxor at Skyscanner.

Once you’re in Luxor, it’s easy to find a driver to take you to the Colossi and other sites on the west bank, or your hotel can usually arrange this as well.


 

Best Colossi Of Memnon Tours

If you would rather go with a vetted tour company and skip the hassle of arranging everything yourself, there are several companies that offer tours to the Colossi and other Luxor sights.

Here is a Luxor day tour package of either the West Bank or East Bank, including popular sights like the Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings/Queens, Karnak Temple, and more.

We’ve used this company for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great. Highly recommended!

 

More Egypt Travel Tips

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed these travel tips for visiting the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, Egypt.

Don’t forget to check out my Egypt Travel Guide and complete list of the best things to do in Egypt!

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2 comments

Doreen May 31, 2024 - 12:44 am

Do you know who are the other two statues on this site

Reply
David & Intan May 31, 2024 - 1:25 am

I think the smaller statues are the wife and daughter of Amenhotep III.

Reply

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