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From per person£3
AttractionLuxor

Sheikh Abd el-Qurna Tombs – Luxor West Bank

Admission to New Kingdom tombs on Luxor’s West Bank, with painted chambers and carved chapels. Opening hours vary seasonally; check before visiting.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Sheikh Abd el-Qurna Tombs Entry Ticket is an entry ticket granting admission to open New Kingdom tombs at Luxor’s West Bank necropolis, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Time to allow
Open during seasonally varying hours
Travel style
Self-Guided Entry
Arranged by
Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Sheikh Abd el-Qurna tombs, Luxor West Bank
Includes
Entry to the ticketed Sheikh Abd el-Qurna tombs · PDF ticket sent by email after booking
Best for
New Kingdom history enthusiasts · Ancient art and inscription enthusiasts · Independent visitors to Luxor's West Bank

Best time to go

October to April is generally more comfortable, with milder daytime temperatures for walking around Luxor's West Bank. In summer, arrive early to limit exposure to intense late-morning heat; check official opening information, as hours vary seasonally and Ramadan or public holidays may affect timings and visitor flow.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The ticket is emailed as a PDF after booking confirmation.
  • The ticket is for admission to tombs open to visitors at the time of entry.
  • The listed ticket does not include transport or professional guiding.
  • The listed ticket excludes premium tombs or special-access areas requiring separate admission.

02Overview

A first look

Sheikh Abd el-Qurna is one of the principal hills of the Theban Necropolis on Luxor's West Bank. The site contains private tombs with painted scenes dating mainly to the 18th and 19th Dynasties.

Background

The facts

Sheikh Abd el-Qurna is a hillside necropolis on the West Bank of the Nile at Luxor. Its private tombs form part of the Theban Necropolis, a major burial landscape of ancient Thebes.

The area contains New Kingdom tombs dating broadly to about 1550–1070 BCE. Their decorated chambers preserve painted reliefs and inscriptions relating to funerary beliefs, administrative titles and daily life. Sheikh Abd el-Qurna lies near the Valley of the Kings sector; individual tombs are reached within the hillside necropolis.

The Theban Necropolis is included in the UNESCO World Heritage property Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis. Tombs at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna provide evidence of private burial practices during the New Kingdom, rather than royal burial alone.

This ticket admits visitors to tombs open at the time of entry. Which tombs are accessible can change with season, conservation work or site management. Opening hours and last admission vary seasonally, so check official information before travelling. Chambers can be narrow, with low ceilings and uneven ancient surfaces; photography rules vary and should be confirmed at the entrance.

Named in this entry

Sheikh Abd el-Qurna area·Luxor·Theban Necropolis·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·The Valley of the Kings·Nile·West Bank of Luxor·Upper Egypt

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This entry ticket suits adults and older children interested in New Kingdom tomb art, inscriptions and funerary archaeology. It is best for independent visitors comfortable with short walks, uneven paths and compact interiors.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose another West Bank site if you need step-free access or space for a pushchair inside the tombs. Summer visits also require planning around intense heat, especially by late morning.

What lingers

  • 01Visit Sheikh Abd el-Qurna Tombs on Luxor West Bank – painted New Kingdom private tombs including Menna (TT69) and Nakht (TT52).
  • 02Entrance ticket included; premium tombs elsewhere (Tutankhamun, Seti I) and pyramid interior entries are excluded.
  • 03We schedule early-morning visits to avoid heat and coach arrivals; shaded seating and facilities are limited on-site.
  • 04Expect uneven stone, short steep ramps and narrow corridors; mobility-impaired visitors may need assistance on-site.
  • 05Unlike the Valley of the Kings, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna often has fewer visitors and a quieter, local atmosphere.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Luxor ticket options combine admission with transport or an escorted visit. This is an admission ticket only: transport and professional guiding are not included.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Sheikh Abd el-Qurna Tombs entry ticket, sent by email as a PDF after booking

Not included

  • Professional-led visit, which can be booked separately if required
  • Travel to and from the site
  • Food and drinks
  • Photography permit, if required by the site authority
  • Entry to premium tombs or restricted areas requiring a separate ticket

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Check which individual tombs are open on the day, as conservation work can change access.

  2. 02

    Arrive early to allow time for the entrance process and to visit before the hottest part of the day.

  3. 03

    Wear shoes with a firm grip for uneven ground and hillside paths.

  4. 04

    Print the emailed PDF if unsure whether the entrance accepts a mobile ticket.

  5. 05

    Confirm photography rules at the entrance, as policies differ between tombs.

Tailor it

Make it yours

  • This is an entry ticket, not a guided visit
  • professional guiding is not included and must be arranged separately if wanted. Transport, meals, photography permits where required, and premium tombs or special-access areas are also excluded, so check ticket requirements before visiting.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

– Sheikh Abd el-Qurna fits into a Luxor West Bank visit alongside the Valley of the Kings and Deir el-Bahari. Pair it with time on Luxor’s East Bank to compare New Kingdom private tombs with the monumental temples of Karnak and Luxor.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Deir el-Bahari3 km
  • Ramesseum3 km
  • The Valley of the Kings4 km
  • Medinet Habu6 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    PDF ticket sent by email after booking confirmation

  2. 02

    Access arranged for a cluster of West Bank tombs

  3. 03

    Practical advice on printing and checking site rules

·In summary

Sheikh Abd el-Qurna is part of the Theban Necropolis, with private tombs dating broadly from 1550 to 1070 BCE. The ticket covers tombs open to visitors on the date of entry; access can change with conservation work and site management.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What is Sheikh Abd el-Qurna?
    Sheikh Abd el-Qurna is a hill on the Luxor West Bank containing a cluster of private New Kingdom tombs. It forms part of the Theban Necropolis within the UNESCO World Heritage listing 'Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis' (inscribed 1979). The tombs belonged to officials rather than pharaohs and are generally smaller than Valley of the Kings tombs. Visits involve low ceilings, painted reliefs and narrow passages; our Egyptologists explain the iconography and conservation status.
  2. 02How much time should I allow to visit Sheikh Abd el-Qurna tombs?
    Allow 45–90 minutes to see several open tombs at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna. Time depends on mobility, interest in detailed reliefs and how many tombs are open for conservation. Some tombs close unpredictably; our guide selects the best available options. Early morning visits reduce heat and usually mean fewer other visitors.
  3. 03Can I take photos inside the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna tombs?
    Photography policies vary; many tombs permit photos but flash and tripods are commonly prohibited. Flash damages pigments, so site authorities often ban it – your guide will confirm current rules at the ticket desk. Small camera fees may apply at some tombs; bring small change in Egyptian pounds. Expect low light; a wide-aperture lens or a phone with good low-light performance helps.
  4. 04Are the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna tombs wheelchair accessible?
    No – most tombs at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna have steep, narrow stairs and uneven paths, so wheelchair access is not available. The hillside has loose stone and sandy tracks; visits require steady footing and some stooping in tomb interiors. We can arrange nearby viewpoints and advise which West Bank sites offer easier access. Please tell us about mobility needs when you enquire so we can plan accordingly.
  5. 05How do I get to Sheikh Abd el-Qurna from central Luxor?
    Sheikh Abd el-Qurna sits on the Luxor West Bank, typically a 10–20 minute drive from Nile-side hotels on the East Bank. Reaching the West Bank requires a short road transfer or a local boat crossing; total time depends on crossing method and local traffic. We pick you up by private car and park within a short walk of the main tomb cluster. Bring sun protection – the approach has limited shade.
  6. 06Do I need a guide to visit the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna tombs?
    A licensed Egyptologist guide is strongly recommended because signage is limited and tomb openings change frequently. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we provide Egyptologists who choose the accessible, open tombs and explain iconography, dating and conservation matters. We do not run coach-load group tours here; we arrange private guided visits so timing and pace suit you. Guides also advise on exact ticketing and photography rules at each tomb.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, Senior Egyptologist·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: TKT-LUX-880447

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