KV56
Monument Small burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings
KV56 sits within the Valley of the Kings necropolis near Luxor and dates to the New Kingdom period; visitors with archaeological interests follow official tours and museum exhibits detailing funerary finds and conservation work.
KV56 is a small tomb in the Valley of the Kings at Thebes (modern Luxor), part of the New Kingdom-era necropolis on the west bank of the Nile (c. 1550-1070 BCE).
The site is modest in scale compared with large royal tombs, consisting of a shaft and limited chamber space carved into limestone; many such small KVs yielded portable funerary goods when excavated. Access to individual tombs in the valley is controlled for conservation, and not all KVs are open to visitors.
Like other KV tombs, KV56 was created during the New Kingdom for the burial of a royal family member or court official; over centuries tombs here were frequently looted and later investigated by archaeologists. The tomb has undergone clearance and conservation typical for sites within the Valley of the Kings.
KV56 is set in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor, within the Theban necropolis area of limestone ridges about 4-6 kilometers from modern Luxor.
How to Get to KV56 #
KV56 is located within the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. From Luxor centre, cross the Nile by local ferry or taxi and drive about 5-8 km (roughly 10-20 minutes) to the Valley of the Kings; visitors usually arrive by taxi, private car or guided tour rather than by a regular numbered city bus.
From the official visitor entrance allow a walk of several minutes up to around 15-20 minutes to reach individual tombs; paths are uneven and can be hot and exposed.
Tips for Visiting KV56 #
- Schedule your visit for early morning and check the Valley of the Kings ticket office on arrival to learn which specific KV tombs are open that day.
- Be prepared for conservation rules: photography restrictions and no touching of surfaces; keeping visits short helps preserve the fragile painted interiors and keeps queues moving.
- If you want quieter visits, avoid peak cruise-ship season and large coach arrival times; guided walks that include lesser-known tombs often provide a more relaxed experience than standard group tours.
Best Time to Visit KV56 #
Best visited in the cooler months (Oct-Apr); early starts reduce crowds and avoid the worst heat.
Weather & Climate near KV56 #
KV56'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 40°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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May
May is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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June
June is hot with highs of 40°C and lows of 24°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month with highs of 40°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is hot with highs of 40°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
