KV56About KV56
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.
Nearby Attractions to KV56
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 6° - 22° | 14° | 0 mm | clear | 45% | 2.3 m/s | 1.0 high | 10.6h |
| February | Ideal | 8° - 24° | 16° | 0 mm | clear | 36% | 2.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.2h |
| March | Ideal | 12° - 28° | 20° | 0 mm | clear | 26% | 2.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 18° - 34° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 20% | 2.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Ideal | 22° - 38° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 3.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.3h |
| June | Ideal | 24° - 40° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 3.3 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.6h |
| July | Ideal | 25° - 40° | 33° | 0 mm | clear | 20% | 2.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.4h |
| August | Ideal | 25° - 40° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 21% | 2.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.9h |
| September | Ideal | 22° - 38° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 25% | 3.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 19° - 35° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 30% | 2.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.4h |
| November | Ideal | 12° - 28° | 20° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.8h |
| December | Ideal | 8° - 24° | 16° | 0 mm | clear | 47% | 2.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.4h |
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.