Valley of the Queens
Archaeological Site Ancient Egyptian necropolis for royal wives and princes
On the Theban Necropolis near Luxor, the Valley of the Queens contains New Kingdom tombs for queens and royal children; tourists study decorated burial chambers, hieroglyphs and archaeology.
The Valley of the Queens is an ancient Egyptian burial ground on the west bank of the Nile opposite Luxor, used chiefly for the wives and children of pharaohs. The area contains a dense group of rock-cut tombs decorated with funerary paintings and texts.
Among the valley’s tombs the most famous is the richly painted tomb of Queen Nefertari (QV66), celebrated for its vivid wall decoration and fine state of preservation. Many other tombs hold painted scenes and inscriptions recording funerary beliefs and royal status.
The site was used mainly during the New Kingdom period, especially the 18th to 20th dynasties, and it complements the nearby royal cemeteries such as the Valley of the Kings. Excavations and conservation work have been ongoing since the 19th and 20th centuries.
The valley lies on the west bank of the Nile near ancient Thebes and modern Luxor, within the Theban Necropolis; the archaeological area is accessed from roads and tour routes that serve the wider Luxor region.
- Number of tombs: Contains around ninety tombs carved into the valley's hillsides, primarily dating to the New Kingdom (18th to 20th dynasties).
- Restricted access: Access to certain high-profile tombs such as the tomb of Nefertari is restricted and often requires a separate or special ticket for conservation reasons.
What to See #
- Tomb of Nefertari (QV66): QV66, the tomb of Queen Nefertari, noted for its exceptionally well-preserved wall paintings and polychrome decoration.
- Tomb clusters: The cluster of roughly ninety tombs cut into the limestone hills, which include burials of royal wives, princes and officials from the New Kingdom period.
How to Get to Valley of the Queens #
From Luxor city center (east bank), the Valley of the Queens is reached by crossing to the West Bank and then driving along the main West Bank road that serves the Theban necropolis. Most visitors take a taxi, private car or an organized tour from Luxor - the drive typically takes around 20-30 minutes from central Luxor; there is a car park and the tomb area is a short walk (a few minutes) from the site entrance.
Tips for Visiting Valley of the Queens #
- Visit right at opening (early morning) to avoid the midday heat and the large West Bank tour groups that arrive later in the day.
- Ask at the ticket office about special-access or extra-fee tombs (notably Queen Nefertari's QV66) and confirm whether they are open on the day of your visit - these have separate, limited-entry arrangements.
- Combine the Valley of the Queens visit with an early stop at nearby Deir el-Medina or smaller tombs in the side valleys; many visitors stick to the few well-known tombs and miss beautifully painted, less-frequented chambers - request a map and target two or three lesser tombs rather than trying to see everything.
Best Time to Visit Valley of the Queens #
The best time to visit the Valley of the Queens is in the cooler months (late autumn through early spring) when temperatures are moderate and it's comfortable to explore the open-air tombs.
Weather & Climate near Valley of the Queens #
Valley of the Queens'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 35°C and lows of 19°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.
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