Valley of the Queens

The basics

Like its more famous namesake, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens lies hidden in the desert of Luxor’s West Bank. Many of the tombs are in poor condition and all are empty, but the Tomb of Nefertari is decorated as gorgeously as you’d expect of Ramses II’s adored wife and many consider it the most beautiful of all the Luxor tombs. Some tours combine the Valley of the Queens with the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Nobles, and Deir el-Medina (also known as the Valley of the Artisans) where the artists who decorated the tombs are buried.

Things to know before you go

*The Valley of the Queens will be of interest to history buffs and fans of ancient Egyptian art. *There is not much shade within the gorge, so wear a hat and sunscreen and carry plenty of water. *Check before booking a tour whether it includes the Tomb of Nefertari. Tickets are expensive, so many don’t. *The site has gravel paths with quite steep angles and there is no wheelchair access to the Tomb of Nefertari. The Tomb of Khaemwaset can be reached with a wheelchair.

How to get there

The Valley of the Queens carves its way through the hills of Luxor’s West Bank, about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) from the Valley of the Kings. Travelers will need to speak Arabic and be comfortable walking in the heat to negotiate local microbuses, so most visit on a tour or with a private driver/guide.

When to get there

The Valley of the Queens is open from early morning until late afternoon throughout the year. As it’s not one of the West Bank’s biggest attractions, it’s best to plan to visit at a time when the big-ticket sights are at their most crowded, such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

The Tomb of Nefertari

Nefertari (not Nefertiti!) was likely the favorite wife of the powerful and long-lived pharaoh Ramses II, who built a temple in her honor at Abu Simbel around 3,300 years ago. Her three-room tomb was thoroughly looted but the artwork is well worth the cost of the ticket, from the star-covered ceiling to Nefertari herself, resplendent in white.