Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis)
#9of 10 places to visit in LuxorLuxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Also known as Sheikh Abd el-Qurna Tombs · Theban Private Tombs · Tombs of Sennefer and Rekhmire
Quick answer
Opening hours: 06:00–17:00. Entry: EGP 200. Allow 2.5 hrs. Best time: 06:00 - 09:00.
Updated · Compiled by Traveliac, AI-assisted · 4 min read
- Opening hours
- 06:00–17:00
- Daily 06:00-17:00 per the Ministry price list.
- Entry fee
- EGP 200
- Ticket from
- Time needed
- 2.5 hrs
- Best time of day
- 06:00 - 09:00
- Best months
- Oct – Mar
- Address
- Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Al-Qurna, West Bank, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt (hillside above the Ramesseum road)
About Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis)
The Tombs of the Nobles at Luxor charge foreign adults between EGP 100 and 200 per tomb group as of 2026, sold as separate tickets by group. These New Kingdom private tombs, cut for viziers, mayors, scribes and priests, sit in the hillsides of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Al-Asasif and Al-Khokha on the west bank. Their painted scenes show daily life, farming, feasts and workshops, which the royal tombs do not. The Tombs of the Nobles are small, cool and quiet, and suit visitors who want colour and human detail rather than scale. Several groups are open at once, and each is ticketed separately, so budget per group rather than per site.
Best time of day: 06:00 - 09:00. When the tombs are cool and empty and the small chambers can be viewed without waiting.
Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis) timings
Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis) opens at 06:00 and closes at 17:00. The weekend is no different: Saturday and Sunday follow the same times.
- Opening hours
- 06:00–17:00
Mon–Sun 06:00–17:00 - Daily 06:00-17:00 per the Ministry price list.
- Closed on
- Open every day
Good to know: Tombs may be closed for conservation with no notice.
Opening hours compiled from egymonuments.com and public records, last updated . They change without notice — confirm before you travel. How we write these guides
Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis) ticket price
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard ticket | EGP 200 |
| Concession (student / senior) | EGP 100 |
| Children | Free |
Foreign tickets are sold per tomb group, not as one site pass, and prices differ by group. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities price list gives foreign adult prices as of 2026 of EGP 200 (student EGP 100) for the Ramose group and the Menna and Nakht group, EGP 120 (student EGP 60) for Rekhmire and Sennefer, and EGP 120 for Userhat and Khonsu; Egyptian adults pay EGP 10-20 per group. Other sources quote EGP 150 for the Menna, Nakht and Ramose groups and EGP 100 for Rekhmire and Sennefer, which conflicts with the ministry list, so verify at the official site or the ticket office. Children under 6 are generally free; verify. Which tombs are open changes, so confirm on the day. Card payment is standard.
Prices compiled from egymonuments.com and public records, last updated . They change without notice — confirm before you travel. How we write these guides
Best time to visit Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis)
- Quiet
- Moderate
06:00 - 09:00
Early MorningBest time to go
Cool tombs and almost no one else; the smaller chambers can be entered without waiting.
Quiet09:00 - 12:00
Small Tour Groups
Guided groups take turns in the small chambers; expect short waits outside the popular tombs.
Moderate12:00 - 15:00
Midday Heat
Few visitors, and the tombs are cooler than outside though the stairs are stuffy.
Quiet15:00 - 17:00
Late Afternoon
Quiet again; check that your chosen tomb is still open as guards begin to close up.
Quiet
History of Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis)
The Tombs of the Nobles of Thebes are private tombs of officials of the Eighteenth Dynasty and later, cut into the limestone hills of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Al-Asasif and Al-Khokha. Their chapels are decorated with scenes of everyday and ritual life. They are numbered as Theban Tombs, abbreviated TT.
Ramose (TT55) was a vizier under Amenhotep III and Akhenaten, and his unfinished tomb is notable for fine relief in a transitional style. Sennefer (TT96), a mayor of Thebes, is known as the Tomb of the Vineyards for its grape-covered ceiling. Rekhmire (TT100), a vizier of the Thutmose III era, shows foreign tribute-bearers and craft workshops. Menna (TT69) and Nakht (TT52) hold agricultural, hunting and banquet scenes. Attributions of dates and reigns for some owners are debated, so verify against a current guide. The tombs lie within Ancient Thebes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Rules & etiquette at Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis)
Tombs of the Nobles visitors may not touch the painted walls, and each tomb has a guard who enforces this. Photography rules vary by tomb, and flash is prohibited everywhere; ask the guard before using a phone. Drones and tripods are banned.
Tombs of the Nobles guards commonly unlock the door, switch on the lights and expect a tip of EGP 20-50 per tomb. Tickets are sold per group, at the main west-bank ticket office or at the group entrance, and the ticket is checked at each tomb; confirm where to buy on the day. Tomb chambers are low and hot, with steep stairs, so wear closed shoes and skip them if you dislike confined spaces. Many tombs are small and hold only a few people at once, so wait outside for your turn.
Tips for visiting Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis)
- 1
Tombs of the Nobles visitors should pick one or two groups rather than trying to cover everything. Sennefer (TT96) and Rekhmire (TT100), sold as a pair, are the best-known combination, and Menna (TT69) and Nakht (TT52) give the more intimate domestic scenes.
- 2
Tombs of the Nobles are a good pairing with the Ramesseum, which is close by, and with Deir el-Medina, where the tomb-builders lived. Ask the ticket office which tombs are open before paying, since closures for conservation are common and are not always posted. The paintings are fragile, so hold a phone light away from the wall. Because the tombs are small, morning is best. Water and shade are limited on the hillside, and the climb between groups is short but steep.
How to reach Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis)
We haven't pinned Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis)'s exact position yet; the map shows the other places in our Luxor guide. Use the address below or the directions link.
Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Al-Qurna, West Bank, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt (hillside above the Ramesseum road)Directions in Google Maps
From Ramesseum
1 km · 5 min by car; 15 min on foot
Roughly EGP 30-80 (estimate; verify)
From Luxor city (east bank)
9 km · 30-40 min
Ferry about EGP 10-20 for foreigners plus roughly EGP 100-250 by taxi (estimate; verify)
From Temple of Hatshepsut
3 km · 8 min by car
Roughly EGP 50-120 (estimate; verify)
Nearest airport
From Luxor International Airport (LXR)
about 20 km by road, 30-40 minutes.
Nearest station
From Luxor railway station on the east bank
about 9 km plus a Nile crossing, 30-40 minutes.
Tombs of the Nobles (Theban Necropolis) FAQs
How much do the Tombs of the Nobles cost?
About EGP 100-200 per tomb group for foreign adults as of 2026. The Ministry lists EGP 200 for Ramose and for Menna and Nakht, and EGP 120 for Rekhmire and Sennefer, while other sources quote lower figures, so verify at the ticket office.
Which Tombs of the Nobles are worth seeing?
Sennefer (TT96) for its vine-covered ceiling and Rekhmire (TT100) for its workshop and tribute scenes are the most-cited. Menna (TT69) and Nakht (TT52) show farming and banquets.
Are all the Tombs of the Nobles open?
No. Only certain groups are open at any time, and closures for conservation are common, so ask at the ticket office before paying.
How long do the Tombs of the Nobles take?
About 2.5 hours for two or three groups. Each tomb takes 10-20 minutes, plus the walk between groups.
Compiled with AI assistance from official sources and public records, and published only after the checks in How we write these guides. Nobody from Traveliac has visited this place. Last updated . How we rank and check places
