The Avenue of Sphinxes at a glance
The Avenue of Sphinxes is a ceremonial road of about 2,700 m (2.7 km) that connects Karnak in the north with Luxor Temple in the south. It was laid out over several building phases and lined with stone sphinxes. Excavations along the road began in 1949, a ministry restoration project started in 2017, and an official ceremony marked the reopening on 25 November 2021.
For visitors the avenue is best approached from the Luxor Temple end, where the road meets the first pylon. If you are planning a visit there, start with our guide to Luxor Temple tickets. The northern end belongs to Karnak, which has its own ticket and its own guide: read about the history of Luxor Temple and Thebes here and the Karnak side in the Karnak guide to the avenue.
History: a road built for a procession
Why the temples were joined, and what stood along the way.
The avenue was a processional way. During the Opet festival, the cult images of Amun, Mut and Khonsu travelled from Karnak to Luxor Temple, a yearly ceremony meant to renew royal power. That is an ancient belief, not a historical event you can measure, but it explains why two temples about 3 km apart were tied together by one road. Luxor Temple itself was called Ipet-resyt, the southern sanctuary, and its axis points towards Karnak.
The Luxor Temple end
The road reaches the temple at the first pylon, where the colossal statues of Ramses II stand. Our page on Ramses II at Luxor Temple explains what he added here.
The long middle
The route runs for about 2.7 km. It was rebuilt in several phases, so the statues you see along it do not all date from the same period.
The Karnak end
The avenue leads to the northern temple complex, which has its own entrance, ticket and opening hours.
How many sphinxes?
Roughly 600 to 1,050 sphinxes and related statues line the avenue, both human-headed and ram-headed. Treat any total as approximate, and do not expect to count a fixed number on the day.
Our pick: East Bank half-day with the Sphinx avenue
This private half-day names the Avenue of Sphinxes at the Karnak entrance along with Karnak and Luxor Temple, with entry tickets included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
East Bank tours with Luxor Temple
Guided visits that include Luxor Temple and often Karnak, with live prices and availability. Ask whether entry tickets are included before you book.
Avenue of Sphinxes tickets and access
What you pay and where, with prices for foreign visitors in 2026.
Plan on the Karnak and Luxor Temple tickets for the avenue and both temples. Do not count on free entry, and do not assume that a single temple ticket covers the whole route. The simplest plan is to treat the two temples as two visits, each with its own ticket.
| Site | Foreign adult | Foreign student | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxor Temple | EGP 500 | EGP 250 | Daily from 06:00 to 20:00, last entry 19:00 |
| Karnak Temple | EGP 600 | EGP 300 | Daily from 06:00, last entry 16:00 |
The student price needs a valid student card and applies up to age 24. Children under 6 enter free. You can buy at the entrance or online. For most visitors, a sensible split is Karnak in the morning and Luxor Temple later in the day, when it stays open until the evening. See Luxor Temple at night for how the evening visit works.
Can you walk the Avenue of Sphinxes?
You can visit the reopened avenue, but access can differ by section and by day, and a walk from one gate to the other is not something to count on. Rules and works can change, so confirm at the gate which stretch you can enter before you plan around a full walk.
If part of the road is closed, nothing is lost. A taxi or a guided tour covers the 3 km between the temples, and the view of the avenue from the Luxor Temple entrance is worth the visit on its own. Early morning and late afternoon are the cooler hours.
Planning the visit
Most travellers combine the avenue with the two temples on the East Bank. A half-day guided tour often covers the avenue entrance, Karnak and Luxor Temple together, with the transfer between them handled for you. Check what is included before you book, in particular whether entry tickets are part of the price.
The obelisk at the entrance of Luxor Temple has a twin in Paris, which you can read about on our Luxor obelisk page. If you are staying in town, the East Bank with its souk and Corniche is covered in Luxor's East Bank.
Avenue of Sphinxes: frequently asked questions
How long is the Avenue of Sphinxes?
About 2.7 km (2,700 m) between Karnak and Luxor Temple. Luxor Temple lies about 3 km south of Karnak, so the two numbers describe different things.
Do I need a separate ticket for the avenue?
Plan on the Karnak and Luxor Temple tickets. Do not count on free entry, and check at the gate which tickets your route needs.
Can I walk from Luxor Temple to Karnak?
The reopened avenue is open to visitors, but which sections are open on your day can change, and a full walk is not guaranteed. Confirm at the gate, and keep a taxi or tour as a back-up for the 3 km.
Can I visit the avenue at night?
Luxor Temple is open daily until 20:00, with last entry at 19:00. A night walk along the whole avenue is not something to plan on. See our page on the evening visit for what is possible.
How many sphinxes are there?
Roughly 600 to 1,050 sphinxes and related statues line the avenue, both human-headed and ram-headed. Treat any total as approximate.
When did the Avenue of Sphinxes reopen?
An official ceremony marked the reopening on 25 November 2021. Excavations along the road began in 1949, and a ministry restoration project started in 2017.