KV3About KV3
KV3 is an ancient Egyptian tomb cut into the rock of the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor. It dates to the New Kingdom and was intended as a royal or princely burial but was left unfinished and undecorated.
The tomb consists of rock-cut corridors and chambers typical of royal tomb architecture of the period, but lacks the carved and painted wall decoration found in many nearby tombs. Its unfinished state means it is of interest for studies of tomb construction and planning rather than funerary decoration.
Excavation and clearance work in the Valley of the Kings over the 19th and 20th centuries documented KV3 among other tombs, and it remains part of the larger archaeological landscape of Thebes. The tomb is one of many alongside the west-bank necropolis used by New Kingdom elites.
KV3 sits on the west bank of the Nile opposite modern Luxor (ancient Thebes), within the cluster of royal tombs that make up the Valley of the Kings.
- Setting: Located in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor, it is an unfinished rock-cut tomb from the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt.
Best Time to Visit KV3
Go in the cooler months (roughly October-April) when Luxor's heat is milder and outdoor archaeological sites are far more comfortable to explore.
Weather & Climate near KV3
KV3's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 41°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 6° - 22° | 14° | 0 mm | clear | 45% | 3.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 10.6h |
| February | Ideal | 8° - 25° | 16° | 0 mm | clear | 36% | 3.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.2h |
| March | Ideal | 11° - 29° | 20° | 0 mm | clear | 26% | 3.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 17° - 35° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 20% | 3.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Ideal | 21° - 39° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 3.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.3h |
| June | Ideal | 24° - 41° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 3.3 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.6h |
| July | Ideal | 25° - 41° | 33° | 0 mm | clear | 20% | 2.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.4h |
| August | Ideal | 24° - 40° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 21% | 3.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.9h |
| September | Ideal | 22° - 38° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 25% | 3.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 18° - 35° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 30% | 2.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.4h |
| November | Ideal | 12° - 29° | 20° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 2.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.8h |
| December | Ideal | 8° - 24° | 16° | 0 mm | clear | 47% | 2.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.4h |
How to Get to KV3
KV3 is a tomb in the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. From Luxor city centre take a taxi or arranged tour across the Nile to the West Bank (ferries and crossings operate in the city) and follow the road to the Valley of the Kings; the valley lies roughly 4-6 km west of Luxor centre (about a 10-20 minute drive by car/taxi). There is a visitor parking area and the tombs are a short walk (several minutes) from the Valley of the Kings ticket/visitor area.
Tips for Visiting KV3
- Visit the Valley of the Kings early in the morning and in the cooler season (October-April) to beat heat and the biggest crowds around the main tombs.
- Check the current opening status before you go-KV3 is not always open to the public and access can change; buy Valley of the Kings tickets at the West Bank ticket office and confirm which tombs are accessible that day.
- Combine any visit with a licensed Egyptologist guide at the site so you get context and are informed immediately if access to small or intermittently open tombs (like KV3) becomes available.