The Valley of the Kings is among the world’s most renowned archaeological sites, serving as a royal burial ground for the pharaohs of Egypt who ruled from 1539 to 1075 BC. This small area boasts over 60 exquisitely decorated tombs, although only a few are accessible to the public. If you’re planning a visit to Egypt, here are the must-see tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Best Tombs to Visit in the Valley of the Kings
Ramesses V and VI
KV 17 – Seti I
KV2 – Ramesses IV
KV11 – Ramesses III
KV 62 – Tutankhamun
KV 14 – Tausert and Setnakht
KV6 – Ramesses IX
KV15 – Seti II
KV8 – Merenptah
Tombs of Ramesses I, Thutmose, and Siptah
Two Additional Recommendations
Our Recommended Tombs
About the Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings served as the burial ground for pharaohs of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties during the New Kingdom of Egypt. Notable kings from this period include Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Tuthmosis III, and Seti I, as well as Queen Nefertari, powerful nobles, and the families of the pharaohs. Tombs are labeled with the abbreviation “KV,” which stands for Kings Valley. The numbering starts at KV1 (Ramses VII) and goes up to KV65, but this may change with new discoveries.
Tombs Open to the Public
Currently, ten tombs are included on the main ticket to the Valley of the Kings. Your entrance ticket allows access to three of these tombs. For additional tombs, an extra ticket is required.
Here are the ten tombs included with the main entrance ticket:
KV1 – Ramesses VII
KV2 – Ramesses IV
KV6 – Ramesses IX
KV8 – Merenptah
KV11 – Ramesses III
KV14 – Tausert-Setnakht
KV15 – Seti II
KV16 – Ramesses I
KV43 – Thutmose
KV47 – Siptah
Additional tombs requiring an extra ticket:
KV9 – Ramesses V & VI: 180 EGP per person
KV17 – Seti I: 1,800 EGP per person
KV62 – Tutankhamun: 500 EGP per person
Pro Travel Tip: Tomb availability may change due to renovations. This list is accurate as of January 2024. If you find any discrepancies during your visit, please share in the comments below to help future readers.
Note on Spelling: Names of kings and queens may vary in spelling based on sources. For example, Tausert can be spelled Twosret, Tawosret, or Tausret. Ramesses can also appear as Rameses or Ramses. We use the spellings found on the tomb signs in this article.
Best Tombs to Visit in the Valley of the Kings
Below is our ranking of the best tombs to visit, from our favorite to least favorite. At the end, we provide additional recommendations for tombs that were not open during our visit.
Ramesses V and VI
Requires an extra ticket: 180 EGP
This is our top recommendation. It is one of the largest tombs, with a long hallway, several staircases, and a breathtaking pillared hallway at the midpoint. The enormous burial chamber features an astronomical ceiling adorned with the Book of the Heavens.
KV 17 – Seti I
Requires an extra ticket: 1,800 EGP
Known for its depth and vibrant colors, this tomb, discovered by Giovanni Belzoni in 1817, is considered by many as the best in the Valley of the Kings. It features long, decorated passageways and a massive burial chamber with colorful scenes and an astronomical ceiling.
KV2 – Ramesses IV
Included on the entrance ticket.
This tomb has a long, beautifully detailed hallway with colorful images on the walls and ceiling, decorated with scenes from the Book of Caverns and the Book of the Dead. It was briefly used as a church, evidenced by Coptic graffiti.
KV11 – Ramesses III
This large tomb features long passageways with detailed artwork protected behind glass, leading to the burial chamber. It was uncrowded during our visit, making it a pleasant experience.
KV 62 – Tutankhamun
Requires an extra ticket: 500 EGP
King Tutankhamun’s tomb, although small, contained the most elaborate collection of artifacts. Here, you can see his mummified body and the burial chamber with gilded shrines. Many artifacts are displayed in the Egyptian Museum.
KV 14 – Tausert and Setnakht
Included on the main entrance ticket.
This is the largest tomb in the Valley, initially built for Queen Tausert and later usurped by King Setnakht, who enlarged it. It features several lower passageways and a pillared hall for the burial chamber.
KV6 – Ramesses IX
Included on the entrance ticket.
Similar to Ramesses IV’s tomb, this one features a long, elaborately decorated passageway with the Book of the Dead. The burial chamber has detailed images protected behind glass.
KV 15 – Seti II
Included on the main entrance ticket.
This tomb has a passageway with low reliefs featuring the Litany of Ra. The final descent takes you to the burial chamber, which houses Seti II’s sarcophagus.
KV8 – Merenptah
Included on the entrance ticket.
This tomb features a downhill walk through a long passageway with some walls barren and others decorated with images of King Merenptah and the god Ra-Horakhty, ending in a large burial chamber. His mummy is in the Egyptian Museum.
Tombs of Ramesses I, Thutmose, and Siptah
We did not visit these tombs, but if you have, please share your experience in the comments.
Two Additional Recommendations
These tombs were closed during our visit but come highly recommended:
KV 57 – Horemheb
One of the deepest tombs with undecorated corridors leading to a vibrantly decorated burial chamber. Horemheb was the last pharaoh of the 18th dynasty.
KV 34 – Tuthmosis III
Known for its cartouche-shaped burial chamber with a star-decorated ceiling and walls covered with scenes from the Amduat. It hasn’t been open in years.
Which Tombs Do We Recommend?
From the included tombs, our favorites are KV2 (Ramesses IV), KV14 (Tausert and Setnakht), KV11 (Ramesses III), and KV6 (Ramesses IX). The extra expense for KV9 (Ramesses V and VI) is worth it. Visit KV62 (Tutankhamun) if you want to see his mummy. KV17 (Seti I) is a splurge but spectacular. Between Seti I and Queen Nefertari’s tomb, we recommend Queen Nefertari’s if it’s open.
For the latest information on pricing and tickets, visit the egymonuments website.
For more tips on visiting the Valley of the Kings, check out our comprehensive guide.
About Our Visit to Luxor
We visited Luxor in December 2019 with Egypt Tailor Made, a company we highly recommend for personalized service and knowledgeable guides. If you have questions or want to share your favorite tombs, please comment below.
For more information about Egypt, including guides to Luxor, Abu Simbel, and the Pyramids of Giza, visit our Egypt Travel Guide.
