KurnaKurna at a Glance
About Kurna
Kurna is a group of villages and archaeological localities on the west bank of the Nile at Thebes, opposite the modern city of Luxor in Upper Egypt. It lies adjacent to the New Kingdom funerary landscape that includes the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.
The area functions as a gateway for tourists and researchers visiting the royal tombs and mortuary temples; many private tombs and village structures are set directly into the hillside above the Nile. The site includes the planned settlement of New Qurna, designed by Hassan Fathy in the mid 20th century to relocate residents away from fragile ancient monuments.
Kurna has a long history as a local settlement, with older sections where building material from ancient sites was reused and newer parts developed in the 20th century to manage conservation and housing. It sits on the west bank of the Nile a short drive from Luxor city across the river.
- Base for necropolis visits: The cluster of villages serves as the practical base for visiting the West Bank necropolis at Thebes, including the Valley of the Kings and surrounding mortuary temples.
What to See#
- New Qurna: New Qurna is a planned village designed by architect Hassan Fathy in the 1940s and 1950s to resettle inhabitants away from vulnerable archaeological slopes; it features adobe-style houses and a distinctive layout.
- Old Qurna: Old Qurna is the traditional settlement area built into the hillside above the modern road where many private and family tombs are found in the slopes above the Nile.
- Necropolis area: The surrounding necropolis includes immediate access to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, both within a few kilometres of the villages and used by tourists as starting points for tomb visits.
Nearby Attractions to Kurna
Best Time to Visit Kurna
November-February offers the most comfortable climate for exploring Nubian and Theban sites.
Weather & Climate near Kurna
Kurna's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 7°C to 41°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 7° - 24° | 16° | 0 mm | clear | 43% | 2.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.7h |
| February | Ideal | 9° - 26° | 17° | 0 mm | clear | 34% | 2.6 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.2h |
| March | Ideal | 12° - 30° | 21° | 0 mm | clear | 24% | 3.0 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 17° - 35° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 2.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Ideal | 22° - 39° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 16% | 3.1 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.2h |
| June | Ideal | 24° - 41° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 16% | 3.2 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.5h |
| July | Ideal | 25° - 41° | 33° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 3.0 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.4h |
| August | Ideal | 24° - 41° | 33° | 0 mm | clear | 19% | 3.1 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.9h |
| September | Ideal | 22° - 39° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 22% | 3.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 19° - 36° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 27% | 2.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Ideal | 13° - 30° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 38% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.8h |
| December | Ideal | 9° - 25° | 17° | 0 mm | clear | 44% | 2.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 10.5h |
How to Get to Kurna
Kurna is accessed from Luxor city-cross the Nile by bridge or ferry to the west bank. Local minibuses and taxis run from Luxor’s central areas; many visitors hire a private guide or driver for a day to visit the tombs and necropoleis.
Tips for Visiting Kurna
- Hire a local guide before exploring the tombs and necropoleis to get historical context and safe routing.
- Visit at dawn or late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun and to see the desert light bring out carved details.
- Combine with visits to nearby West Bank sites for a fuller Luxor-era itinerary.