Quick answer
The Valley of the Queens is the burial ground of royal wives and children on Luxor's West Bank, best known for the tomb of Nefertari (QV66), whose paintings are often called the most beautiful in Egypt. The site is quieter than the Valley of the Kings and takes about 1–1.5 hours, including the time-limited visit to Nefertari's tomb.
What is the Valley of the Queens?
The Valley of the Queens, known in ancient Egypt as Ta-Set-Neferu, was the burial place of royal wives, princes and princesses, mainly during the 19th and 20th Dynasties. More than 90 tombs have been found here, numbered with the prefix QV, though only a few are decorated and open to visitors.
It lies at the southern end of the Theban necropolis, a short drive from the temple of Medinet Habu and the workers' village of Deir el-Medina, where the craftsmen who cut and painted these tombs lived. Compared with the Valley of the Kings, it is smaller, quieter and easier to see in a short visit.
For most travellers the reason to come is a single tomb: that of Nefertari, the Great Royal Wife of Ramesses II, for whom he also built the smaller temple at Abu Simbel.
Why is the tomb of Nefertari so famous?
Nefertari's tomb (QV66) contains some of the finest and best-preserved paintings in Egypt, with colours so vivid they look recently applied. It was discovered in 1904 by the Italian Egyptologist Ernesto Schiaparelli. The tomb had been robbed in antiquity, but its decoration survived.
Salt crystals forming beneath the plaster threatened the paintings, and the tomb was closed for decades. A major conservation project by the Getty Conservation Institute and Egypt's antiquities authority between 1986 and 1992 stabilised the walls, and access has been carefully limited ever since.
Inside, look for Nefertari playing the board game senet, the queen being led by Isis, the goddesses Isis and Nephthys protecting the mummified body of Osiris-Ra as a ram-headed figure, and a ceiling painted deep blue and scattered with yellow stars. The tomb follows Nefertari's journey through the underworld, using spells from the Book of the Dead.
Which other tombs should you see in the Valley of the Queens?
The standard ticket covers a selection of other open tombs, typically including those of Ramesses III's sons Amenherkhepshef (QV55) and Khaemwaset (QV44), and sometimes Queen Titi (QV52). The tombs open rotate, so check on the day.
- Amenherkhepshef (QV55): bright scenes of Ramesses III leading his young son, who wears the sidelock of youth, to meet the gods.
- Khaemwaset (QV44): another son of Ramesses III, with well-preserved paintings of the king presenting the prince to the gods of the underworld.
- Titi (QV52): a 20th Dynasty queen, with softer, faded colours but fine figures of goddesses.
These tombs are smaller than the royal tombs but their colours are often excellent and they are rarely crowded, which makes them a pleasant counterpoint to the busier valley.
How do tickets work for Nefertari's tomb?
Nefertari's tomb requires its own premium ticket in addition to the Valley of the Queens entry, and visits are limited to about 10 minutes. Tickets are bought at the site or online and prices change, so check the official Egypt ticketing site, egymonuments.gov.eg, before you go.
Because of conservation limits, the number of daily visitors to Nefertari has been capped at times, and the tomb has occasionally closed for maintenance. If seeing it is a priority, plan your visit for the morning and ask your travel specialist to confirm it is open. At the time of writing, photography rules inside QV66 are strict and may differ from other tombs, so check at the ticket office.
The ticket is expensive by Egyptian standards, but for many travellers ten minutes in this tomb is the most memorable moment of their trip.
When is the best time to visit the Valley of the Queens?
Early to mid-morning is best, ideally straight after the Valley of the Kings or Hatshepsut's temple, before the midday heat. The valley is usually much less crowded than the Valley of the Kings, as many cruise itineraries skip it.
Allow about 1–1.5 hours for Nefertari plus two or three other tombs. On our Luxury Egypt tour, the valley is combined with the Valley of the Kings, Seti I's tomb and Hatshepsut's temple in one West Bank day with a private Egyptologist.
If you have time, the nearby temple of Medinet Habu and the workers' tombs at Deir el-Medina make an excellent extension, as both are close by and seldom busy.
What are the best tips for visiting the Valley of the Queens?
- Listen before you enter: guides usually explain outside the tombs, and your 10 minutes in Nefertari's tomb go quickly, so know what to look for.
- Keep your voice down and do not touch: humidity and breath are the main threats to the paintings.
- Go early in hot months: from May to September the West Bank is extremely hot by late morning.
- Combine with Abu Simbel: seeing Nefertari's tomb and her temple at Abu Simbel on the same trip brings her story to life.
For help building this into your trip, use our plan my trip form.
Valley of the Queens and the Tomb of Nefertari: FAQs
Is Nefertari's tomb worth the price?
For most visitors, yes. Its paintings are widely considered the finest in Egypt, and the visit is short but unforgettable. Check the current ticket price on egymonuments.gov.eg before you go.
How long can you stay in Nefertari's tomb?
Visits are limited to about 10 minutes to protect the paintings from humidity and crowds.
Who was Nefertari?
Nefertari was the Great Royal Wife of Ramesses II in the 13th century BC. He honoured her with the smaller temple at Abu Simbel as well as this tomb.
Is the Valley of the Queens worth visiting without Nefertari's tomb?
It is pleasant and quiet, with colourful princes' tombs, but if you have limited time and are not entering Nefertari's tomb, the Valley of the Kings or Medinet Habu would usually be a better choice.
How far is the Valley of the Queens from the Valley of the Kings?
They are about 15–20 minutes apart by road, both on Luxor's West Bank, and are easily combined in one morning.
