No trip to Egypt is complete without visiting the Valley of the Kings. Hidden in the mountains, the ancient Egyptians buried their royalty, including the legendary King Tutankhamun, in this series of underground tombs. There are more than sixty tombs in the Valley of the Kings, but on any given day, only a handful are open to the public. Which tombs are open changes with some frequency. Here is a list of which tombs are open in the Valley of the Kings as of April 2023. Note that your entrance ticket will allow you to visit 3 of these tombs. Additional tombs that have a separate entrance ticket requirement are listed below.
KV1. Ramses VII
The tomb of KV1 was built for Ramses VII, the seventh pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty. It is one of the largest tombs in the valley.
The tomb was discovered in 1902 by Edward R. Ayrton, an English archaeologist, and was found to be in a relatively good state of preservation. The tomb features elaborately decorated walls and ceilings with scenes from the Book of the Dead.
The entrance to the tomb leads into a long corridor that descends gradually into the ground. Along the walls of the corridor are depictions of various gods and goddesses. At the end of the corridor is a large chamber known as the “Hall of Pillars”. It is supported by six pillars and features impressive reliefs of Ramses VII and various gods.
Beyond the Hall of Pillars are several smaller chambers, including an antechamber and a burial chamber. The burial chamber features a large sarcophagus made of quartzite, which would have contained the mummified remains of the pharaoh. The walls of the chamber are decorated with colorful scenes depicting various funerary rites and offerings.
KV2. Ramses IV
The tomb of KV2 is the final resting place of Ramses IV, the fourth pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty. The tomb was discovered in 1898 by Italian archaeologist Ernesto Schiaparelli. It is notable for its unique architectural features.
The entrance to the tomb is located on a steep slope, which required the construction of a series of steps and ramps to allow access. The tomb itself consists of a long corridor that descends gradually into the ground, with a series of chambers branching off from the main corridor.
One of the most impressive features of the tomb is the “Hall of Pillars,” a large chamber supported by eight pillars with elaborately decorated capitals. The walls of the hall are covered with reliefs depicting various scenes from the Book of the Dead, as well as images of the pharaoh and various gods and goddesses.
Beyond the Hall of Pillars are several smaller chambers, including an antechamber and a burial chamber. The burial chamber contains a large sarcophagus made of pink granite, which would have held the mummified remains of Ramses IV. The walls of the chamber are decorated with colorful scenes depicting funerary rites and offerings.
One of the unique features of KV2 is a small room located off the main corridor, known as the “Room of the Sarcophagus.” This room contains a large, empty sarcophagus, which is thought to have been intended for another member of the royal family, possibly the pharaoh’s mother.
KV6. Ramses IX
The tomb of KV6 was built for Ramses IX, the ninth pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty. The tomb was discovered in 1899 by French Egyptologist Victor Loret and is notable for its well-preserved decorations and its unusual layout.
The tomb’s entrance is located on the north side of the valley and leads to a long corridor that descends gradually into the ground. Along the walls of the corridor are reliefs depicting various gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Book of the Dead.
Beyond the entrance corridor is a vestibule with four side chambers, which were likely used for the storage of funerary equipment and offerings. From the vestibule, another corridor leads to a large chamber known as the “Hall of Ramses IX,” which is supported by four pillars and features impressive reliefs depicting the pharaoh and various gods and goddesses.
Beyond the Hall of Ramses IX is a series of smaller chambers, including an antechamber and a burial chamber. The burial chamber contains a large sarcophagus made of red quartzite, which would have held the mummified remains of the pharaoh. The walls of the chamber are decorated with scenes depicting funerary rites and offerings.
One of the unique features of KV6 is a side chamber known as the “Serapeum,” which contains a number of smaller niches, each containing a mummified bull. These bulls were believed to be incarnations of the god Ptah, and their presence in the tomb was intended to ensure the pharaoh’s continued protection by the gods.
KV8. Merenptah
The tomb of KV8 is the final resting place of Merenptah, the fourth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty. The tomb was discovered in 1903 by Edward Ayrton and features impressive decorations and architectural features.
The entrance to the tomb is located on the side of a hill and leads to a long corridor that descends gradually into the ground. Along the walls of the corridor are reliefs depicting various gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Book of the Dead.
Beyond the entrance corridor is a large chamber known as the “Hall of Beauty,” which is supported by eight pillars with elaborately decorated capitals. The walls of the hall are covered with reliefs depicting various scenes from the pharaoh’s life and from Egyptian mythology.
Beyond the Hall of Beauty is a series of smaller chambers, including an antechamber and a burial chamber. The burial chamber contains a large sarcophagus made of quartzite, which would have held the mummified remains of the pharaoh. The walls of the chamber are decorated with colorful scenes depicting various funerary rites and offerings.
One of the unique features of KV8 is a side chamber known as the “Treasury,” which contained a number of small niches that may have held precious objects and jewelry belonging to the pharaoh. Another side chamber, known as the “Hall of Festivals,” contained a large number of jars and vessels that were likely used for storing offerings.
KV11. Ramses III
The tomb of KV11 was built for Ramses III, the second pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty. The tomb was discovered in 1905 by American archaeologist Edward R. Ayrton and is notable for its well-preserved decorations and its unusual layout.
The tomb’s entrance is located on the south side of the valley and leads to a long corridor that descends gradually into the ground. Along the walls of the corridor are reliefs depicting various gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Book of the Dead.
Beyond the entrance corridor is a large chamber known as the “Hall of Justice,” which is supported by eight pillars with elaborately decorated capitals. The walls of the hall are covered with reliefs depicting various scenes from the pharaoh’s life and from Egyptian mythology.
Beyond the Hall of Justice is a series of smaller chambers, including an antechamber and a burial chamber. The burial chamber contains a large sarcophagus made of red granite, which would have held the mummified remains of the pharaoh. The walls of the chamber are decorated with colorful scenes depicting various funerary rites and offerings.
One of the unique features of KV11 is a side chamber known as the “Chapel of the Sons,” which contains a number of smaller chambers, each with a separate entrance. These chambers were used to hold the mummified remains of the pharaoh’s sons, who were buried with their father to ensure their protection in the afterlife.
KV14. Tausert/Setnakht
KV14 is the tomb of Tausert, the last queen of the Nineteenth Dynasty, and her successor, Setnakht, the first pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty. The tomb is located in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile near modern-day Luxor and was discovered in 1898 by archaeologist Victor Loret.
The entrance to the tomb is located on the side of a hill and leads to a long corridor that descends gradually into the ground. Along the walls of the corridor are reliefs depicting various gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Book of the Dead.
Beyond the entrance corridor is a large chamber known as the “Hall of Pillars,” which is supported by six pillars with elaborately decorated capitals. The walls of the hall are covered with reliefs depicting various scenes from the pharaoh’s life and from Egyptian mythology.
Beyond the Hall of Pillars is a series of smaller chambers, including an antechamber and a burial chamber. The burial chamber contains a large sarcophagus made of red quartzite, which would have held the mummified remains of the pharaohs. The walls of the chamber are decorated with colorful scenes depicting various funerary rites and offerings.
One of the unique features of KV14 is a side chamber known as the “Storage Chamber,” which contained a large number of funerary objects, including shabtis, amulets, and ushabtis. Another side chamber, known as the “Well Chamber,” was used for the burial of the pharaoh’s embalming equipment.
KV15. Seti II
KV15 is the tomb of Seti II, the fifth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty. The tomb was discovered in 1817 by Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni, but it was already looted in ancient times.
The entrance to the tomb is located on the side of a hill and leads to a long corridor that descends gradually into the ground. Along the walls of the corridor are reliefs depicting various gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Book of the Dead.
Beyond the entrance corridor is a large chamber known as the “Hall of Beauty,” which is supported by six pillars with elaborately decorated capitals. The walls of the hall are covered with reliefs depicting various scenes from the pharaoh’s life and from Egyptian mythology.
Beyond the Hall of Beauty is a series of smaller chambers, including an antechamber and a burial chamber. The burial chamber contains a large sarcophagus made of red granite, which would have held the mummified remains of the pharaoh. The walls of the chamber are decorated with colorful scenes depicting various funerary rites and offerings.
One of the unique features of KV15 is a side chamber known as the “Treasury,” which contained a large number of funerary objects, including shabtis, ushabtis, and canopic jars. Another side chamber, known as the “Well Chamber,” was used for the burial of the pharaoh’s embalming equipment.
Despite being looted in ancient times, KV15 is still considered one of the most impressive tombs in the Valley of the Kings due to the quality of its decorations and the complexity of its design.
KV16. Ramses I
KV16 is the tomb of Ramses I, the second pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty, located in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile near modern-day Luxor. The tomb was discovered in 1817 by Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni, but it was already looted in ancient times.
The entrance to the tomb is located on the side of a hill and leads to a long corridor that descends gradually into the ground. Along the walls of the corridor are reliefs depicting various gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Book of the Dead.
Beyond the entrance corridor is a large chamber known as the “Antechamber,” which is supported by four pillars with elaborately decorated capitals. The walls of the chamber are covered with reliefs depicting various scenes from the pharaoh’s life and from Egyptian mythology.
Beyond the Antechamber is a smaller chamber known as the “Burial Chamber,” which contains a large sarcophagus made of red granite, which would have held the mummified remains of the pharaoh. The walls of the chamber are decorated with colorful scenes depicting various funerary rites and offerings.
One of the unique features of KV16 is a side chamber known as the “Treasury,” which contained a large number of funerary objects, including shabtis, ushabtis, and canopic jars. Another side chamber, known as the “Well Chamber,” was used for the burial of the pharaoh’s embalming equipment.
Despite being looted in ancient times, KV16 is still considered one of the important tombs in the Valley of the Kings due to the quality of its decorations and the intricate design of its chambers.
KV43. Thutmose IV
KV43 is the tomb of Thutmose IV, the eighth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, located in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile near modern-day Luxor. The tomb was discovered in 1903 by Howard Carter, but it had been largely destroyed by flooding.
The entrance to the tomb is located on the side of a hill and leads to a short corridor that descends into the ground. The corridor leads to a small chamber known as the “Entrance Hall,” which is decorated with colorful scenes depicting the pharaoh before various deities.
Beyond the Entrance Hall is a larger chamber known as the “Corridor Chamber,” which is decorated with reliefs depicting various scenes from the Book of the Dead. The chamber leads to a smaller chamber known as the “Burial Chamber,” which contains a sarcophagus made of red quartzite, which would have held the mummified remains of the pharaoh.
Despite being heavily damaged, KV43 is still considered an important tomb due to the quality of its decorations and its association with Thutmose IV.
KV47. Siptah
KV47 is the tomb of Siptah, the second-to-last pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty, located in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile near modern-day Luxor. The tomb was discovered in 1905 by Edward R. Ayrton, but it had been heavily damaged by flooding.
The entrance to the tomb is located on the side of a hill and leads to a short corridor that descends into the ground. The corridor leads to a small chamber known as the “Entrance Hall,” which is decorated with colorful scenes depicting the pharaoh before various deities.
Beyond the Entrance Hall is a larger chamber known as the “Corridor Chamber,” which is decorated with reliefs depicting various scenes from the Book of the Dead. The chamber leads to a smaller chamber known as the “Burial Chamber,” which contains a sarcophagus made of red quartzite, which would have held the mummified remains of the pharaoh.
One of the unique features of KV47 is a side chamber known as the “Treasury,” which contained a large number of funerary objects, including shabtis, ushabtis, and canopic jars. Another side chamber, known as the “Well Chamber,” was used for the burial of the pharaoh’s embalming equipment.
Despite being heavily damaged and robbed in ancient times, KV47 is still considered an important tomb due to its association with Siptah and the quality of its decorations.
How much does it cost to visit the Valley of the Kings?
Entry to Valley of the Kings costs LE260 ($9 USD) per person, which allows you to see 3 of the tombs that are open. If you want to see more tombs, you can purchase additional admissions. There are also 3 ‘luxury’ tombs for which you can purchase individual admission. The tomb of King Tutankhamun costs LE300 ($10) per person, the tomb of Seti the First is LE1000 ($34) per person, and the tomb of Ramesses V & VI is LE100 ($4) per person. The first of these is not a particularly large or colourful tomb, but it is world-renowned. The latter two are notable for their colour and detail.
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In conclusion…
The tombs that are open to visitors in the Valley of the Kings change periodically. One tomb might close for restoration work which triggers the opening of a different tomb. As of April 2023, the list of tombs that are open to the public with access through a basic ticket are as follows:
KV1. Ramses VII
KV2. Ramses IV
KV6. Ramses IX
KV8. Merenptah
KV11. Ramses III
KV14. Tausert/Setnakht
KV15. Seti II
KV16. Ramses I
KV43. Thutmose IV
KV47. Siptah
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