How Do You Choose Which Tombs to Visit?

There is no permanent "best three" in the Valley of the Kings because tomb openings rotate. Choose a mix of strong decoration, manageable access and, if it truly interests you, one special-ticket tomb, and check which tombs are open and which need an extra ticket at the time of your visit.

The Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank holds more than 60 known tombs, but only a selection is open on any given day. The authorities rotate openings to protect the paintings from humidity and wear, so a list you read online may not match what you find at the gate. Your entry ticket has typically covered a set number of standard tombs, while a few famous ones have required separate tickets. These rules change, so confirm the current arrangement before you go.

That is why a sensible approach is to arrive with priorities rather than a fixed list. Below you will find what the best-known tombs are known for, a simple way to choose among whatever is open, and how to avoid the tomb fatigue that catches many visitors by the fourth corridor.

Start with what you care about most

Before you look at tomb numbers, decide what matters to you. Most visitors fall into one or more of these groups:

• Color and painting: you want walls and ceilings that still look vivid.
• Royal fame: you want to stand in the tomb of a name you know, such as Tutankhamun or Ramesses.
• Architecture and depth: you are interested in long descending corridors, pillared halls, and the layout of the underworld journey.
• Easy walking: you want short, gently sloping tombs because of heat, mobility, or young children.

Tell your guide which of these matter most. They can match your priorities to the tombs open that day, which is far more useful than chasing a famous name that might be closed or underwhelming.

Well-known tombs and what they are known for

Treat this as a reference, not a guaranteed menu. Each entry gives the tomb's number, what makes it notable and what the visit feels like.

Tutankhamun (KV62)

Tutankhamun's tomb is famous because it was found largely intact in 1922, not because it is large or elaborately decorated. It is small, and only the burial chamber is painted. Its treasures are now displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum, while the king's mummy has remained in the tomb. It has usually required a separate ticket. Go if the history moves you; skip it if you want the most decoration for your time.

Seti I (KV17)

Seti I's tomb is one of the longest and most completely decorated in the valley, with painted reliefs running deep into the hillside. When open, it has required a higher-priced special ticket. For travelers who care about tomb art, it is often a rewarding extra ticket, but it is a long walk down and back.

Ramesses V and VI (KV9)

This tomb is known for its ceiling, where the sky goddess Nut stretches across the burial chamber in scenes from the Book of the Day and the Book of the Night. The corridors are wide and the decoration is extensive. It has often been offered with an extra ticket, and many visitors rank it among their favorites.

Ramesses III (KV11)

Ramesses III's tomb is sometimes nicknamed "the tomb of the harpers" because of side chambers showing harp players. It is long and well decorated, with a variety of scenes beyond the standard funerary texts.

Ramesses IV (KV2)

Close to the entrance, Ramesses IV's tomb is fairly easy to reach and has a gentle slope. It has bright decoration and some graffiti left by visitors in Greek and Roman times and by later Coptic occupants, which shows how long people have been coming here.

Ramesses IX (KV6)

Another tomb near the entrance with a wide, gently sloping corridor and good decoration. It is often a sensible choice for anyone who wants an easier walk.

Merenptah (KV8)

Merenptah was a son and successor of Ramesses II. His tomb descends steeply into the rock and contains a massive granite sarcophagus lid. It suits travelers who want a sense of scale and depth.

Tausert and Setnakht (KV14)

This tomb was begun for Queen Tausert, one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, and later taken over by Setnakht. Its long, decorated corridors and its unusual history make it a good pick for travelers who like a story.

Thutmose III (KV34)

Thutmose III's tomb is reached by a steep metal staircase up a cleft in the cliff and then a descent inside. The burial chamber shows the Amduat painted in a simple, almost sketch-like style. It is fascinating, but the climb is demanding in the heat.

A simple formula for choosing

If you want a rule of thumb, aim for this mix among the tombs open on your day:

1. One long, richly painted Ramesside tomb, such as Ramesses III, Ramesses IV, or Ramesses IX, for color.
2. One tomb with depth or a dramatic feature, such as Merenptah's sarcophagus lid or Tausert and Setnakht's long corridors.
3. One easy tomb near the entrance if anyone in your group is tired, or a contrasting style if you have energy left.
4. At most one special-ticket tomb, chosen deliberately: Seti I for decoration, Ramesses V and VI for the ceiling, or Tutankhamun for history.

This gives you variety without four versions of the same corridor.

How many tombs should you visit?

Three to four tombs are plenty for most people. After the fourth or fifth interior, the scenes blur together, the heat builds and the experience becomes less rewarding. Buying every special ticket available rarely improves the visit. One carefully chosen extra, added to the standard tombs included on your entry ticket, usually gives the best balance.

Budget about two to three hours for the valley itself, including the visitor center and the short electric shuttle that has typically run from the entrance to the tomb area. Your guide normally explains each tomb outside before you enter, because guiding inside is often restricted, so plan to spend a few minutes at each entrance listening first.

Mobility, heat, and other practical points

The valley is a sun trap with little shade. Arrive early, ideally soon after opening, to avoid the hottest hours and the largest tour groups. Carry water, wear a hat and use comfortable closed shoes.

Mobility should be part of your choice. Some tombs have steep ramps, long stairways, or low ceilings, while others are near the entrance and relatively easy. If anyone in your group has limited mobility, ask your guide to prioritize the gentler tombs and avoid climbs such as the one to Thutmose III's tomb.

Photography rules have changed over the years, including whether you need a separate photo ticket. Check at the entrance, and never use flash, which damages the paint. Ticket prices, opening hours, and the list of open tombs also change, so check current details close to your visit or ask us to confirm them.

Fitting the valley into your Luxor plan

Most West Bank days pair the Valley of the Kings with Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahari and a stop at the Colossi of Memnon. If you have more time, the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu, and Deir el-Medina make an excellent second West Bank day. Cruise programs typically include one West Bank morning, so if tomb decoration is your passion, consider an extra night in Luxor before or after your Nile cruise.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tutankhamun's tomb the most beautiful in the valley?

No, it is famous for its history rather than its decoration. The tomb is small and only the burial chamber is painted, while tombs such as Seti I or Ramesses V and VI have far more extensive decoration. Visit it if the discovery story matters to you.

Should I buy every special ticket?

Usually not. One carefully chosen extra tomb, added to the standard tombs on your entry ticket, is enough for most visitors. Buying several often leads to tomb fatigue rather than a better visit.

Which tombs are open right now?

Openings rotate, so the list changes over time and can even change at short notice. Check the current list and ticket rules close to your visit, or ask your guide or our team to confirm them for your dates.

Can my guide come into the tombs with me?

Guiding rules inside tombs can differ and have been restricted at times. Most guides explain each tomb outside the entrance before you go in, so you know what to look for inside.

How long should I spend at the Valley of the Kings?

Plan for about two to three hours, including the shuttle, three, or four tombs and time to rest between them. Add more time if you buy a special ticket for a long tomb such as Seti I.

If you would like help choosing tombs and building a West Bank day around your interests, our specialists can suggest a route and check what is open on your dates. Start with our Luxor guide or plan your trip with us.