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Valley of the Queens

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Historical site
—°7
Valley of the Queens (Egypt)

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The Valley of the Queens, known in ancient times as Ta-Set-Neferu, served as the primary burial site for the wives and children of pharaohs during the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. Located on the west bank of the Nile across from ancient Thebes, the necropolis contains over 90 documented tombs carved into the limestone cliffs. The most prominent feature of the valley is the magnificent tomb of Queen Nefertari, the chief consort of Ramses II, which is widely considered one of the finest artistic achievements in Egyptian history due to its vivid and meticulously preserved wall paintings. While the layout of these tombs is generally simpler than those in the Valley of the Kings, the internal decorations are equally complex, depicting scenes from the Book of the Dead and journeys through the underworld. Systematic excavations led by Ernesto Schiaparelli in the early 1900s revealed the immense historical value of the site, providing insights into royal funerary practices. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the valley continues to captivate scholars and visitors with its silent testimony to the prestige of the royal women of the New Kingdom.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C131620252932333330262015
Rain mm100000000000

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Valley of the Queens is open to visitors, with some tombs accessible and others under restoration. Entry is usually through a combined ticket with the Valley of the Kings.
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Typical hours
Opening hours are similar to the Valley of the Kings: typically 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM during peak season. In winter it closes earlier, so check beforehand.
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Photography
Photography is allowed in the surrounding area but prohibited inside the tombs for conservation reasons. Exterior shots can be taken without flash or tripod.
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Time needed
Visiting the open tombs takes about one to two hours. Combined with the Valley of the Kings, allocate half a day.
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Combine with
Combine the Valley of the Queens with the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. Nearby Deir el-Medina is also worth visiting.
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Getting there
The valley is located on the West Bank of Luxor, easily reached by taxi or as part of a West Bank tour. Minibuses run from the ferry dock to the site.
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Insider tip
Combine your visit with the nearby Tombs of the Nobles for a quieter experience. A guide can help discover the less-known tombs.

Geography

Coordinates
25.72850, 32.59320

Facts

  • The site contains more than 90 rock-cut tombs from the 18th to 20th Dynasties.
  • The tomb of Queen Nefertari (QV66) was discovered by Ernesto Schiaparelli in 1904.
  • The paintings in Nefertari's tomb cover an area of approximately 520 square meters.
  • The ancient name Ta-Set-Neferu translates to The Place of Beauty.
  • It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of Ancient Thebes in 1979.
  • The valley was initially used for princes and princesses before queens were buried there.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Valley of the KingsValley of the Kings1 km · NEExplore →
RamesseumRamesseum2 km · NExplore →
Luxor TempleLuxor Temple6 km · NWExplore →
Karnak Temple ComplexKarnak Temple Complex7 km · NExplore →
QusQus26 km · NEExplore →
Qena Fruit and Vegetable FieldsQena Fruit and Vegetable Fields37 km · EExplore →
Dendera Temple ComplexDendera Temple Complex40 km · EExplore →
QenaQena43 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Valley of the Queens (7)

Palace of Amenhotep 3🏺 historical

The West Bank ruins of the Palace of Amenhotep 3 once encompassed sprawling royal residences constructed from mudbrick.

TT3 - Tomb of Pashedu🏺 historical

Tomb TT3 of Pashedu, an ancient royal artisan, is renowned for its vividly colored depictions of ancient Egyptian deities.

Valley of the Three Pits📍 landmark

The Valley of the Three Pits is a secluded section of the Theban necropolis characterized by deep, shaft-like rock formations.

Dayr al-Rumi🏺 historical

The archaeological site of Dayr al-Rumi holds the fascinating ruins of an ancient monastic complex located near the Valley of the Queens.

Valley of Prince Ahmose📍 landmark

The Valley of Prince Ahmose is an intriguing archaeological area named after a royal figure from the early New Kingdom.

Valley of the Rope📍 landmark

This desert wadi attraction is known for its rugged, rocky terrain leading towards secluded ancient Egyptian burial sites.

Deir Tadrus el-Muharib⛪ religious

This historic Coptic place of worship, dedicated to St. Theodore the Warrior, features traditional domes and stands amid the ruins of the West Bank.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Are there tombs of queens there?
Yes, it is the burial site for queens and princes of the New Kingdom.
Is Nefertari's tomb open?
Yes, but it requires a separate, relatively expensive ticket.
When do the tombs close?
Usually around 5 PM, similar to the Valley of the Kings.
Can you buy water there?
Yes, there is a small kiosk near the entrance.
Is it cooler than in the Valley of the Kings?
Not significantly; the heat is similar throughout the West Bank area.
Valley of the Queens: where is it located?
Valley of the Queens is located in Egypt.
Valley of the Queens: what is there to see?
Highlights include Palace of Amenhotep 3, TT3 - Tomb of Pashedu, Valley of the Three Pits.
Valley of the Queens: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Nov.
Valley of the Queens: why is it worth visiting?
The Valley of the Queens, known in ancient times as Ta-Set-Neferu, served as the primary burial site for the wives and children of pharaohs during the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties.
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Nearby cities

Luxor — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Luxor
Often described as the world's greatest open-air museum, built on ancient Thebes.
Qus — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Qus
Once an important trading city in Egypt's Islamic history.
Qena — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Qena
A historic city, located close to the ancient temples of Dendera.

More places

Valley of the Kings — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Valley of the Kings
A valley where rock-cut tombs were excavated for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom.
Hatshepsut Temple — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Hatshepsut Temple
An architectural masterpiece at Deir el-Bahari, built in terraces against the cliff faces.
Ramesseum — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Ramesseum
The memorial temple of Pharaoh Ramesses II, situated on the West Bank at Luxor.
Colossi of Memnon — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Colossi of Memnon
Two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which originally stood in front of his ruined mortuary temple.
Luxor Temple — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Luxor Temple
A large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River in the city today known as Luxor.
Luxor Botanical Garden — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Luxor Botanical Garden
Green oasis in the center of Luxor.
Karnak Temple Complex — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Karnak Temple Complex
The largest ancient religious complex in the world, dedicated to the god Amun, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu.
Qena Fruit and Vegetable Fields — Valley of the Queens (Egypt)
Qena Fruit and Vegetable Fields
Production site for regional agricultural products.