Valley of the Queens 🇪🇬

When you step into the Valley of the Queens, anciently named Ta-Set-Neferu ("The Place of Beauty" or "Place of the Royal Children"), you explore a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site used as a burial ground from roughly 1560 BC to 1130 BC. Located near the workers' village of Deir el-Medina, this valley contains a main wadi with 91 tombs alongside four subsidiary valleys hosting 19 more.

While pharaohs rested in the neighboring Valley of the Kings, here you will discover the resting places of royal wives, princes, princesses, and high-ranking officials. As you wander the area, you can admire remarkable tombs spanning the 18th to 20th Dynasties, including the famous rock-cut tomb of Queen Nefertari featuring intact polychrome reliefs.

You will also see simpler early shaft-and-chamber tombs, sites reused in Roman and Coptic times with plastered Christian symbols, and a small rock-cut temple dedicated to Ptah and Meretseger along the old workmen's trail in the Valley of the Dolmen. Visiting offers an honest look at ancient craftsmanship set in tilted limestone stratigraphy, protected today by wooden floors, plexiglass shields, and walled traffic paths.

What to see at Valley of the Queens

• Queen Nefertari's rock-cut tomb featuring intact polychrome reliefs
• Main wadi and four subsidiary valleys containing 110 total tombs
• Small rock-cut temple dedicated to Ptah and Meretseger along the Valley of the Dolmen trail
• Coptic-era modifications with Christian symbols preserved in tombs like QV60 and QV73

Visiting tips

If you plan to visit Queen Nefertari's tomb, be prepared for a separate ticket purchase and a viewing time limited to 15 minutes.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Valley of the Queens is easy to reach on Luxor’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Thebes and Karnak Temple Complex. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Luxor travel guide.