Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt and a must-visit attraction for anyone exploring Luxor and the Nile Valley. Located on the West Bank of the River Nile, the valley forms part of the ancient necropolis of Thebes, an area that served as an important royal burial ground during the New Kingdom of Egypt. Together with the temples and other archaeological sites of ancient Thebes, the Valley of the Kings forms part of the Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1979.

Unlike the enormous pyramids that dominate the landscape around Cairo and Giza, the pharaohs of the New Kingdom chose a very different approach to their burials. Instead of constructing highly visible monumental tombs, royal tombs were carved deep into the limestone mountains of the West Bank. The secluded landscape offered a more concealed setting for royal burials and helped create an extraordinary underground world of corridors, chambers, religious inscriptions and colourful wall paintings.

Today, the Valley of the Kings contains more than 60 known tombs and chambers, although the number of tombs accessible to visitors can change as authorities manage the site and conservation requirements. Each tomb has its own story, design and decoration, providing an insight into the beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife in ancient Egyptian civilisation.

Walking into the valley is an experience in itself. The landscape changes dramatically from the fertile Nile Valley into a dry, rugged desert surrounded by limestone cliffs. As you approach the tombs, you can see entrances cut into the rock, many leading down through sloping corridors towards burial chambers. Inside, visitors can admire hieroglyphic inscriptions, painted figures, religious symbols and scenes depicting the deceased ruler's journey through the afterlife.

A Royal Cemetery of Ancient Egypt

The Valley of the Kings was primarily used for royal burials during the New Kingdom, broadly between around 1500 and 1000 BCE. UNESCO identifies the royal tombs of the valley as an important part of the archaeological landscape of ancient Thebes. The tombs were not simply places where pharaohs were buried. They were carefully designed as spiritual journeys. Ancient Egyptian beliefs placed enormous importance on the afterlife, and the decorations inside the tombs reflected this. Walls could feature religious texts, depictions of gods, rituals and scenes intended to guide the deceased ruler safely through the underworld.

The artwork provides much more than decoration. It offers modern visitors a glimpse into the religious beliefs, artistic traditions and ideas about kingship that shaped ancient Egyptian society. Some tombs feature remarkably detailed scenes, with colours and symbols still visible thousands of years after they were created.

The Tomb of Tutankhamun

One of the biggest reasons people visit the Valley of the Kings is the Tomb of Tutankhamun, known as KV62. The tomb became world-famous after its discovery by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. Tutankhamun was a relatively young pharaoh whose reign was short, yet his name became one of the most recognisable in ancient Egyptian history because of the extraordinary treasures associated with his burial. The discovery of his tomb created worldwide interest in ancient Egypt.

Unlike many other royal tombs, Tutankhamun's burial chamber and associated rooms contained an extraordinary collection of objects when discovered. The famous treasures associated with the burial included elaborate coffins, jewellery and the iconic gold funerary mask. Many of the treasures are now displayed in museums, while the tomb itself remains an important attraction within the Valley of the Kings. Entering Tutankhamun's tomb offers a very different experience from simply seeing photographs of the famous archaeological discovery. Visitors can descend into the rock-cut chambers and see the burial environment within the valley itself.

Discover Ancient Egyptian Art

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Valley of the Kings is the artwork preserved inside its tombs. The walls were decorated with scenes connected to Egyptian religion and the journey of the deceased into the afterlife. Look closely and you can find images of pharaohs standing before ancient gods, symbolic representations of the underworld, hieroglyphic texts and intricate decorative patterns. The ceilings of some tombs are particularly impressive, with astronomical imagery representing the heavens and the eternal journey of the sun. The decoration differs considerably from one tomb to another, making it worthwhile to explore more than a single burial chamber if time allows. Some tombs are famous for their artwork, while others are significant because of the historical figures associated with them.

Exploring the West Bank of Luxor

The Valley of the Kings is only one part of the extraordinary West Bank of Luxor. A visit can easily be combined with other major attractions, including the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Queens, the Colossi of Memnon and the tombs of the nobles. The West Bank represents the ancient necropolis of Thebes, while the East Bank was home to major temples and the living city. Experience Egypt describes Luxor as an open-air museum, with the Nile dividing the historic East and West Banks and connecting some of Egypt's most important ancient monuments. This makes the Valley of the Kings particularly well suited to a Nile cruise holiday. Many itineraries include a visit to Luxor, allowing travellers to combine a relaxing journey along the Nile with excursions to some of the country's most important ancient sites.

A Journey Through Egypt's Ancient History

Visiting the Valley of the Kings is about more than seeing ancient tombs. It provides a direct connection with a civilisation that developed complex religious beliefs, sophisticated artistic traditions and monumental architecture thousands of years ago. From the barren mountain landscape outside the tombs to the colourful scenes hidden underground, the experience reveals another side of ancient Egypt. Instead of the towering pyramids of Giza, visitors discover a hidden world carved into the mountains. For travellers interested in Ancient Egypt, archaeology, history, photography and cultural holidays, the Valley of the Kings is an essential stop in Luxor. Its connection with Tutankhamun, its royal tombs and its remarkable location within the Theban necropolis make it one of the defining attractions of a Nile cruise and Egypt holiday.