Valley of the Kings or Valley of the Queens — which option to choose for an excursion to Luxor? Behind the similar names are two different ancient necropolises. In one you get to know mainly the tombs of the pharaohs, in the other the burials of queens and other members of the royal family.
Both valleys are on the west bank of the Nile and are part of the necropolis of ancient Thebes. But visiting one does not replace the other: the history, the accessible tombs and the impressions of the walk differ.
Short answer: for a first acquaintance with the royal tombs of Luxor we recommend the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Queens is interesting to those who want to add the history of the royal family and the paintings of other burial chambers. Choosing it only for Nefertari is not advisable now: we found no confirmed reopening of her tomb for ordinary visits.
Valley of the Kings: the tombs of famous pharaohs
The Valley of the Kings is one of the main royal necropolises of the New Kingdom. There are more than sixty tombs here. The names of Tutankhamun, Seti I, Thutmose III and several rulers named Ramesses are connected with this place. However, a large number of burials does not mean that all of them are accessible to tourists at the same time.
The main impressions come from the design of the burial chambers themselves: corridors cut into the rock, burial rooms and images on the walls. The paintings tell about the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and the ruler's journey in the afterlife. With a guide's explanations, individual figures and symbols form an understandable story.
The tombs differ in size and decoration. Not each of them is a long underground route: for example, the tomb of Tutankhamun is relatively small. Its world fame is connected primarily with the discovery in 1922 by Howard Carter's team and the preserved burial goods.
Before the trip, check which visits are included in the program. A famous name in the description of the valley does not in itself mean that entry to that particular tomb is included in the price of the excursion.
Valley of the Queens: the history of the royal family
The name of the Valley of the Queens may create the impression that only the wives of pharaohs were buried here. In fact the necropolis is also connected with princes, princesses and other members of the elite. So its history is broader than a story only about Egyptian queens.
A visit can feel more intimate, especially if you compare several accessible tombs with the large-scale program of the Valley of the Kings. Here it is interesting to look at color, details of clothing, images of deities and scenes involving members of the royal family. At the same time, bright paintings are found in both valleys: it is wrong to divide them into "history" and "art".
Nor should you consider silence a guaranteed feature of the place. The impression depends on the time of the visit and the number of tour groups. If a calm pace matters to you, check the group size and the time for viewing, and do not go only by the name of the route.
The tomb of Nefertari: what to consider before the trip
The most famous burial chamber in the Valley of the Queens is QV66, the tomb of Nefertari, wife of Ramesses II. It is known for the richness of its paintings and the fine work of ancient artists. Photos of it are often the reason for interest in this valley.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported closing the tomb to control humidity and assess conservation conditions. We found no confirmed official announcement of the resumption of ordinary visits. A trip cannot be planned with a promise of guaranteed entry to QV66.
Before booking, ask the organizer about current access. Separate two questions: whether the Valley of the Queens itself is open and whether the tomb of Nefertari specifically is open. Visiting the necropolis does not mean automatic access to all of its monuments.
Valley of the Kings or Valley of the Queens: comparison
| What we compare | The Valley of the Kings | The Valley of the Queens |
|---|---|---|
| Main theme | Royal burials of the New Kingdom | Burials of queens, princes and other members of the royal family |
| Famous names | Tutankhamun, Seti I, Thutmose III, the Ramesses | Nefertari and members of the royal family |
| What to look at | Design of the burial chambers, paintings and religious scenes | Paintings and funerary beliefs of the royal family |
| For a first visit | Our main choice when time is limited | Suitable if you are interested in a specific program and accessible tombs |
| What to check | Which tombs are included and whether separate tickets are needed | Which tombs are open; Nefertari's status is checked separately |
Compare not only the names of the valleys but the actual content of the trip. An excursion with enough time for viewing may turn out more interesting than a longer list of stops you have to rush through.
What to visit first
If the question "Valley of the Kings or Valley of the Queens?" came up before your first trip to Luxor and you only have time for one, we would choose the Valley of the Kings (the excursion "Luxor and the Valley of the Kings" from Hurghada). It is a clear starting point for getting to know the royal burials and the history of the rulers of the New Kingdom.
The Valley of the Queens is especially interesting if you have already visited the Valley of the Kings or want to look at another aspect of ancient Egyptian history. But you may also like it on a first visit — provided you understand the content of the program in advance and do not expect guaranteed entry to Nefertari. We have such a program: "Luxor and the Valley of the Queens".
Painting lovers do not have to give up the Valley of the Kings: both necropolises have monuments of artistic value. It is better to check which paintings exactly you will see than to choose only by the general definition of a "more colorful valley".
How to prepare for visiting the tombs
Check how many tombs the route includes, which tickets are already included and which visits are paid separately. If you are going for a particular monument, name it when booking. The wording "excursion to Luxor" is not detailed enough for such a choice.
Bring comfortable shoes, water and sun protection for open areas. Inside the tombs there may be steps and sloping passages. If stairs or enclosed spaces cause difficulty, discuss the features of the chosen visits with the organizer in advance.
With kids, assess the whole excursion day, including the road from Hurghada, and not only the time at the necropolis. If you do not want to ride in a big bus, take a look at Luxor from Hurghada in a Mini-Group excursion. A few calmly viewed sites are usually more useful than trying to fit in as many as possible. For a family trip it is important to understand in advance where breaks are planned.
On site, follow the filming rules and the staff's instructions. Do not touch the paintings or lean on ancient surfaces. Even well-preserved images remain vulnerable, so visiting restrictions are connected with the preservation of the monuments.
Choose an excursion to Luxor from Hurghada
GoTravel24 has programs with both valleys. Open the description of a suitable route, compare the stops and included services, then check the available visits for your date.
For a consultation and booking, write on WhatsApp: +20 128 817 9540. Give the date, hotel and number of participants — this will make it easier to choose a trip.
Other routes to Luxor: Luxor from Hurghada in a Mini-Group excursion, New Luxor (Luxor Temple), Super Luxor and Dendera.
Other memos before your holiday are collected in the section "Guide to Egypt".
Going to Hurghada for the first time? What to arrange in advance
If the trip is not yet bought or you are putting it together yourself, settle these questions in advance.
Travel insurance
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Tour with flight
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Hotel only in Hurghada
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Questions and answers
Are the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens the same place?
No, they are different necropolises on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor. Visiting one valley does not automatically include the other.
Valley of the Kings or Valley of the Queens — which to choose first?
If you only have time for one, we recommend the Valley of the Kings as a first acquaintance with the royal tombs of Luxor. The choice also depends on the visits available in the specific program.
Where is the tomb of Tutankhamun?
In the Valley of the Kings, under the designation KV62. Before booking, check whether its visit is included in the chosen excursion and whether a separate ticket is needed.
Can the tomb of Nefertari be visited now?
We found no official confirmation of the resumption of ordinary visits after the announced closure. Check the current status of QV66 before booking.
Can you see both valleys in one trip?
Such a route must be agreed separately, taking into account travel time and other stops. Do not consider a visit to both valleys included in a standard excursion without the organizer's confirmation.
Sources: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — The Valley of the Kings, the tomb of Tutankhamun, announcement about the tomb of Nefertari; Getty Conservation Institute study of the Valley of the Queens. Check the availability of individual tombs before the trip.
