The city of Luxor and its surrounding area is a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian temples and tombs. You can find many of these across the water from the city on the river Nile’s west bank. And while the Valley of the Kings may take much of the attention here, no trip is complete without a visit to the Valley of the Queens.
Such is its historical importance and interest, the Valley of the Queens is a key location on many of our multi-day tours in Egypt.
If you would rather have the day arranged for you, our Essential Egypt itinerary includes private Luxor touring, with the West Bank valleys, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Medinet Habu on one day.
For more information about any of our trips, or to ask us questions prior to booking, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
For now, though, we focus on the Valley of the Queens. Read on to find our complete guide to visiting this fascinating place.
Where is the Valley of the Queens?
Before your visit, let us help you find your bearings. The modern city of Luxor is located in Upper (southern) Egypt some 313 miles (504 kilometres) south of Cairo. It incorporates the site of the ancient city of Thebes, the pharaohs’ capital city between the 16th and 11th centuries BC.
The Luxor we know today surrounds some of the largest ancient monuments that have survived from this time.
In the north of the city, on the east bank of the Nile, you have the Luxor and Karnak temples. The Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens are in the desert outside the city, across the river on the west bank.
The Valley of the Queens is to the south of the Valley of the Kings. Visitors can travel between the two in a little over ten minutes by car.
You can learn more about this compelling part of Egypt with our complete guide to visiting Luxor.
Valley of the Queens or Valley of the Kings?
The Valley of the Kings holds the tombs of the pharaohs, including Tutankhamun and Seti I, and draws most of the crowds. The Valley of the Queens was used for royal wives, princes and princesses. It is smaller and usually quieter, with Nefertari’s tomb as its highlight. Most travellers see both, and we pair it with the Valley of the Kings on the same West Bank day.
What is the Valley of the Queens?
Put simply, the Valley of the Queens is an ancient burial site for the wives of pharaohs, as well as princesses, princes, and other members of the nobility. The main wadi (valley) is home to 91 tombs.
During its period of use, it was referred to as Ta-Set-Neferu, which translates into English as “the place of beauty.”
In addition to the main wadi, the Valley of the Queens also contains:
- The Valley of Prince Ahmose
- The Valley of the Dolmen
- The Valley of the Rope
- The Valley of the Three Pits
These subsidiary valleys contribute another 19 tombs. The burials in them date back to the 18th Dynasty.
A sacred grotto, dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor, stands at the entrance to the Valley of Queens. This is assumed to have an association with rejuvenating the dead.
Private visit
The Valley of the Queens is usually paired with the Valley of the Kings on a private West Bank morning. Your guide chooses the open tombs that are worth the ticket that week, and you are not moving with a coach group.
- Private licensed guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entries arranged so you are not waiting on a coach group
Who is Buried in the Valley of the Queens?
Given the number of (mostly) women buried in the Valley of the Queens, we can’t cover them all here. However, some of the most famous names include:
- Queen Nefertari
- Queen Sitre
- Queen Iset Ta-Hemdjert
- Princess Ahmose
- Princess-Queen Tyti
- Princess Merytre
- Hebiri (head of the stables)
- Henut and Ti (King Amenhotep’s wife and daughter, respectively)
- Nebettawy and Meritamun (two of Ramses II’s daughters)
- Amen-her-Khepshef and Khaemwaset (Sons of Ramses III)
The ancient Egyptians built tombs at the Valley of the Queens during the New Kingdom era (1570 BC to 1070 BC). It served as an active burial site during the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties. The first tomb thought to have been built here is that of Princess Ahmose who died in approximately 1550 BC.
The tomb of Nefertari, Ramses II’s beloved and favourite wife, is the most famous attraction in the Valley of the Queens. It is said to be one of the most beautiful tombs in all of Egypt.
“Access to the exclusive Tomb of Nefertari is limited. We recommend visiting as part of one of our private luxury Egypt tours to ensure you secure tickets and skip the lines.”
When created, the tomb had 5,200 square feet of paintings covering the walls and columns. Two-thirds of this artwork still remains.
The paintings have particular detail in the depictions of Nefertari’s face, emphasising her beauty. Some of the scenes have lines of blue, red, green, and yellow, portraying directions for navigating to paradise through the afterlife.
The tomb of Amun-her-khepeshef is also highly popular. Unlike Nefertari’s tomb, which requires an additional cost to view, Amun-her-khepeshef’s burial site is included in the entry ticket.
This tomb was built for the first-born son of Ramses III and Queen Nefertari in the 20th Dynasty. Wall paintings with lively, bright colours decorate the prince’s tomb. These depictions show the young prince alone, with his father, and in the presence of numerous gods.
The uninscribed, anthropomorphic sarcophagus still lies in an undecorated burial chamber.
How to Visit the Valley of the Queens?
As a major tourist attraction, the Valley of the Queens is easily accessible for everyone from solo adventurers to large family groups.
How you visit will depend on what you want to take away from your trip.
If you’re not so interested in the history and cultural importance, but simply want to soak in the ambience and take some photos, you can hop on a ferry across the Nile and take a taxi to the entrance.
However, our various tour packages in Egypt offer a complete experience. Everyone at Mr & Mrs Egypt has a genuine passion for our country’s history, beauty, and culture.
Touring the Valley of the Queens with us not only lets you travel back to ancient times, but also simplifies your visit. There is a flat entry fee to the Valley of the Queens, but extra fees apply to visit certain tombs, including Nefertari.
If you don’t buy the right tickets at the entrance, you can find yourself wasting time travelling back and forth on the tram!
Tickets and which tombs are open
Your entry ticket covers the tombs that are open to visitors that season. Tombs open and close on rotation to protect the paintings, so the list changes. The tomb of Amun-her-khepeshef, described above, has been part of the standard ticket.
The tomb of Nefertari is not covered by the standard ticket. It has its own ticket, visitor numbers are limited, and time inside is kept short to protect the paintings.
We do not publish ticket prices here because they change, and so does the list of open tombs. Your guide confirms both the week you travel, so you buy the right tickets once and spend the morning in the tombs rather than at the ticket office.
Private visit
The Valley of the Queens is usually paired with the Valley of the Kings on a private West Bank morning. Your guide chooses the open tombs that are worth the ticket that week, and you are not moving with a coach group.
- Private licensed guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entries arranged so you are not waiting on a coach group
Discover the Valley of the Queens and Much More with Our Tour Packages
Are you ready to discover the magic and majesty of the Valley of the Queens? Dive beneath the surface-level experience with one of our guided tours.
At Mr & Mrs Egypt, all our multi-day tours that stop in Luxor include a trip to the Valley of the Queens, the Valley of the Kings, and the most popular sights in the city itself.
And if these carefully curated excursions aren’t quite what you’re looking for, we also offer luxury custom Egypt tours. With this option, we get to know you better and listen to all your wants and needs.
With over 30 years of experience in planning luxury tours in Egypt, we can find the perfect fit for you!
To take the first step toward your dream adventure through Egypt, please get in touch.
Private tours that include the Valley of the Queens
9 days
Essential Egypt
From $4,673
Day 8 is a West Bank day: the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Medinet Habu.
11 days
Red Sea & Ancient Egypt
From $5,085
Day 8 starts on the West Bank with both Valleys and the Temple of Hatshepsut, then drives to El Quseir on the Red Sea.
18 days
18-Day Private Luxury Egypt Tour
From $9,927
Day 14 is given to the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Medinet Habu.
Tell us the month. We will outline the days.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Valley of the Queens worth visiting?
Yes, if you have time on the West Bank. The valley holds more than 90 tombs of royal wives, princes and princesses, and the tomb of Nefertari is often called one of the most beautiful in Egypt. It is smaller and usually quieter than the Valley of the Kings, and only about ten minutes away by car, so it fits easily into the same morning.
Which tombs are open in the Valley of the Queens?
Tombs open on rotation to protect the paintings, so the list changes from season to season. The tomb of Amun-her-khepeshef has been included in the standard entry ticket, and the tomb of Nefertari opens to visitors on a separate ticket. Your guide confirms which tombs are open the week you travel and suggests which are worth your time.
How do tickets for the Valley of the Queens work?
There is a standard entry ticket for the valley, which covers the tombs open that season. Some tombs, including Nefertari’s, need an extra ticket, bought at the entrance. We do not quote prices here because they change, along with the list of open tombs. Your guide confirms current tickets the week you travel, so you buy the right ones once.
How does the Valley of the Queens compare to the Valley of the Kings?
The Valley of the Kings holds the tombs of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I and is the busier of the two. The Valley of the Queens was used for royal wives, princes and princesses, is smaller, and is usually quieter. Its highlight is the tomb of Nefertari. The two are about ten minutes apart by car, and most visitors see both.
Can you visit the Valleys of the Queens and Kings in one morning?
Yes. The two valleys are a little over ten minutes apart by car, and on a private West Bank morning we usually see both, often with the Temple of Hatshepsut. Starting early helps with the heat. Allow extra time if you add Nefertari’s tomb, or one of the separately ticketed tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
