Medinet Habu

Last updated on November 11th, 2026 at 08:21 pm

Medinet Habu is the great memorial temple of Ramesses III on Luxor’s West Bank, and many guides call it the best-kept secret of Luxor: deep carvings, real colour on the ceilings and far fewer people than the Valley of the Kings. Allow about an hour and a half.

It is a walled complex built around the mortuary temple of Ramesses III, with a fortified gate, the remains of a royal palace and an older, smaller temple of Amun begun by Hatshepsut and Thutmose III.

The temple kept the cult of the dead king alive, with offerings and rituals every day. It was also the administrative centre of the West Bank, and in times of trouble people sheltered inside its high walls. During the first recorded strike, around 1157 BC, the tomb builders from Deir el-Medina protested at this temple when their rations were late.

Ramesses III ruled around 1186 to 1155 BC and modelled his temple on the Ramesseum of Ramesses II. After the pharaohs, a Coptic town called Djeme grew up inside the walls, which helped protect the carvings, and a church was built in the second court.

The main temple is about 3,150 years old. The small temple of Amun is older, from around 1470 BC.

If you can only see one West Bank temple besides the tombs, many guides would pick Medinet Habu for its carvings and colour, and Hatshepsut’s temple for its setting. With a morning free, see both.

The outer north wall shows one of the earliest known pictures of a sea battle, Ramesses III’s victory over the Sea Peoples, raiders who attacked the eastern Mediterranean around 1175 BC.

The carvings here are cut deep into the stone, so they stay sharp in any light. Inside the second court, the ceilings and column tops still keep bright blues, reds and yellows.

On the West Bank, south of the Valley of the Kings, close to the Colossi of Memnon.

Yes. It is one of the best value tickets in Luxor and usually quiet, even in high season.

• The Migdol gate: built like a Syrian fortress, with rooms above where the king relaxed.
• The Sea Peoples battle: on the outer north wall.
• The counting of the enemy dead: scribes recording piles of hands cut from fallen enemies, a grim record of victory.
• The second court: the best surviving colour in the temple.
• The palace: the foundations of the king’s residence next to the temple.

Early morning for soft light on the gate, or late afternoon, when the walls turn golden and the site empties.

It is on the West Bank, about 10 minutes by car from the Colossi of Memnon. Most West Bank tours can add it, and a taxi from the ferry landing is easy to arrange.

1 to 1.5 hours.

A hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.

Yes. It is a quiet, guarded site.

• Walk around the outside walls to find the battle scenes.
• Look up in the second court for the colour.
• Combine it with the Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Queens, which are close by.

Helpful for reading the battle scenes, but the site is easy to explore alone.

From the ministry’s list, checked October 2026. See all monument hours and ticket prices.

From 6:00 AM, last entry listed at 4:00 PM, or 5:00 PM in summer (checked October 2026).

Frequently asked questions

Who built Medinet Habu?

Ramesses III, around 1186 to 1155 BC, around an older temple of Amun.

Is Medinet Habu better than the Ramesseum?

It is better preserved and has more colour, so most guides prefer it.

How long do you need?

About an hour to an hour and a half.

What is the Sea Peoples relief?

One of the earliest known pictures of a naval battle, on the outer north wall.

Medinet Habu is one of the best-preserved temples on the West Bank and often almost empty. Visit it after the Valley of the Kings or on the way to the Colossi of Memnon.

Medinet Habu – A Complete Guide For New Visitors

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Tomb of Tutankhamun | Memorial temple of Hatshepsut | Medinat Habu | Luxor temple | Luxor museum | Karnak temple | Colossi of Memnon | Valley of Queens | Valley of Kings