Valley of the Kings: Tombs Guide & Which to See (2026)

Cut into a barren desert valley behind Luxor's West Bank, the Valley of the Kings hid the tombs of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs for three thousand years, and their painted walls remain so vivid they look freshly finished. But the visit confuses first-timers: there are 63 known tombs, only a rotating handful are open at once, and several charge extra. Here is how to do it well and get the most out of a hot, busy, unforgettable morning. See it on the interactive map.

Why the pharaohs chose this valley

After centuries of building pyramids that practically advertised "rob me," the New Kingdom kings tried a new strategy around 1500 BC: hidden rock-cut tombs in a remote valley on the west bank, watched over by a pyramid-shaped natural peak, al-Qurn. It did not entirely work (almost every tomb was looted in antiquity), but it did preserve some of the finest painting in the ancient world, sealed in the dry desert dark.

How the ticket works

A standard ticket admits you to three open tombs, and which three are open changes periodically so the authorities can rest the most fragile painted ones. A few celebrated tombs carry separate, additional fees at their own turnstiles, most notably Seti I (KV17), Tutankhamun (KV62) and Ramesses VI (KV9). Buy tickets at the visitor centre, where a small electric train (the taftaf) shuttles you up to the tomb clusters.

Which tombs to prioritise

• Seti I (KV17), extra fee, and worth every pound: the longest tomb in the valley at 137 metres and the most exquisitely decorated, its ceilings and reliefs barely faded. If it is open and within budget, make this the one.
• Ramesses VI (KV9), extra fee, famous for its astronomical ceiling showing the goddess Nut swallowing and giving birth to the sun.
• Tutankhamun (KV62), extra fee: small and modest after the grander tombs, since his treasure now lives at the Grand Egyptian Museum, but it is the Tutankhamun, and his mummy is still here in the tomb.
• Among the standard rotation, Ramesses III (KV11) and Ramesses IX (KV6) are reliably colourful and well worth your three included tombs.
• Just over the ridge, the Valley of the Queens holds the tomb of Nefertari (QV66), a separate premium ticket with timed, limited entry, and often called the most beautiful painted tomb in all of Egypt.

Practical tips

• Go at opening. The valley is a sun-trap that bakes by mid-morning, so early means cooler air, softer light and emptier tombs.
• Photography requires a separate photo ticket, and rules tighten in the premium tombs, so check on arrival.
• A guide adds enormously, but cannot enter the tombs with you. Guides are not allowed to lecture inside, so a good private Egyptologist briefs you thoroughly outside each tomb, then you go in alone; this is the single best upgrade.
• Wear closed shoes, bring water, and pace yourself; the tombs involve steep descending ramps and a lot of walking on hot ground.

Combine it with the rest of the West Bank

The Valley of the Kings is the headline, but the West Bank holds much more: the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, the artisans' village of Deir el-Medina, the colour-rich mortuary temple of Medinet Habu, and the lone Colossi of Memnon, plus that unbeatable sunrise hot-air balloon. A half-day covers the tombs; a full day does the bank justice. For the full Luxor picture, see the Luxor travel guide and the Egypt Travel Guide 2026.