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Diego Delso CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Valley of the Queens

Archaeological Site

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.

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In this guide

Valley of the Queens essentials

Address: Valley of the Queens (West Bank), Luxor, Egypt
Hours: Daily (daylight hours); hours may vary seasonally
Admission: Entrance by ticket; prices vary and some individual tombs have additional/special fees
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About Valley of the Queens

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.
Things to Do
When to Go

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.

Winter (best)
December-February · ~10-25°C
Cooler, pleasant days for exploring the open-air necropolis with lower heat stress and fewer mid-day closures; mornings can be cooler in the shade.
Shoulder seasons
October-November, March-April · ~20-35°C
Mild to warm weather with comfortable touring conditions and moderate visitor numbers - a good balance between heat and crowds.
Summer (avoid)
May-September · often 35°C and above
Extremely hot conditions typical of the Luxor area, making outdoor archaeology sites uncomfortable during peak daytime heat.

Weather & Climate near Valley of the Queens

Climate

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.

Air Quality: AQI 98 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AprilMayOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
47°
Warmest Month
0°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
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% 2.6 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% 3.0 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% 2.8 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 23° - 38° 30° 0 mm clear 25% 3.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.2h
October Ideal 19° - 35° 27° 0 mm clear 30% 2.6 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
Getting There & Around

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.