Sun setting behind the Theban hills on the West Bank of Luxor

Qena Governorate · north of Luxor

El-Ballas

El-Ballas is a village in Qena Governorate on the west side of the Nile, about 38 km north of Luxor Temple in a straight line. We list no places to stay here, so treat it as a trip out from Luxor rather than a base.

Find a stay here→ Should you stay here?

West of the Nile

Side of the river

38 km

From the centre

Worth knowing

What it is

Things to do here

Stay here if

You have a specific reason to be in El-Ballas, such as family, work or a particular site.
You have your own transport or a driver, because we list no places to stay or visitor services here.
You are happy to visit El-Ballas as a trip out and to sleep in Luxor.
You have confirmed locally what is open on the day you plan to go.

Stay elsewhere if

It is your first trip to Luxor: the East Bank centre puts Luxor Temple, Karnak, the station and most hotels close together.
You want the West Bank tombs and temples at opening time: stay on the West Bank.
You want restaurants and an evening walk by the river: stay near the Corniche al-Nil.
You need a place to stay that we list: we list none in El-Ballas.

What El-Ballas is like

El-Ballas is a village in Qena Governorate on the west side of the Nile, about 38 km north of Luxor Temple in a straight line. The archaeological site of Deir el-Ballas, where rulers of the Seventeenth Dynasty had a palace, lies just to the north.

We list no places to stay, restaurants or visitor services in El-Ballas, and we have not checked what is open there. Ask your hotel or driver before you go.

From Luxor it is a road journey north; the straight-line distance is about 38 km, so the drive is longer. El-Ballas is on the west side of the Nile, so the route crosses the river. Agree the route, the fare and the return with your driver before you set off.

Nearby things to do

All things to do →

Temple of Dendera

Karnak Temple Complex

Luxor Museum

A day based here

Basing yourself in El-Ballas is not practical, because we list no places to stay here. A visit is usually a trip out from Luxor:

05:40 Leave Luxor early: start in the cool of the morning, and agree the route and the return time with your driver.

07:00 On the road: the route north crosses the Nile; your driver will choose the crossing.

10:30 Arrive: confirm locally what you can visit; we do not list opening times here.

13:00 Midday: the hottest part of the day; plan a break, as we list no restaurants here.

16:30 Head back: leave enough time for the return journey to Luxor.

19:30 Evening in Luxor: dinner and your hotel are back in Luxor.

Where to sleep in El-Ballas

We list no places to stay in El-Ballas. The nearest stays we list are in Luxor, on the East Bank and the West Bank.

Getting here and around

Road Car or driver The practical way to reach El-Ballas. From Luxor it is a road journey north; the straight-line distance is about 38 km, so the drive is longer. El-Ballas is on the west side of the Nile, so the route crosses the river. Agree the route, the fare and the return with your driver before you set off.

Taxi Licensed taxi Use a licensed taxi or a car booked through your hotel; we could not confirm that ride-hailing apps cover Luxor.

River Ferry and boats The public ferry and private boats cross the Nile in Luxor itself. They do not serve El-Ballas; their times are not published in a form we could verify.

Bridge Road bridge A road bridge south of the city links the two banks for vehicles. Ask your driver which crossing they will use for the route north.