Hotels for Total Solar Eclipse — Luxor

The total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027 is being called the eclipse of the century — its path of totality runs almost directly over Luxor, and at more than six minutes it is the longest land eclipse for decades. Standing among the temples of ancient Thebes as the sun vanishes over Karnak and the Valley of the Kings is about as extraordinary as travel gets, and eclipse-chasers are already booking years ahead.

Luxor's hotels and Nile cruise boats will sell out completely for the event. Plan early and stay close to the east bank and the temples, and you can pair the greatest eclipse in living memory with the wonders of pharaonic Egypt.

The total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027 is among the most anticipated astronomical events of the century, its narrow path of totality sweeping from the Atlantic across southern Spain, northern Morocco and North Africa before crossing Egypt almost directly over Luxor. Near the point of greatest eclipse, a little to the south-east of the city, the Moon will blot out the Sun for more than six minutes, making this the second-longest total solar eclipse of the twenty-first century and the longest visible over land for many decades.

What sets Luxor apart is the setting: the ancient city of Thebes, capital of Egypt in the age of the pharaohs, is ringed by the temples of Karnak and Luxor and faces the Valley of the Kings across the Nile. To watch day turn to night above such monuments is a rare alignment of astronomy and history, and eclipse-chasers have been planning trips here for years, with hotels and Nile cruise boats booking up far ahead.