6 Must-Visit Egyptian Tomb Sites

Located opposite the city of Luxor stands the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, named and built during the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut in the 15th century B.C.E. The temple was built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari and houses the tomb of Hatshepsut. The site also features an Anubis shrine, Amun shrine and solar cult court. Visitors can explore the festival courtyard, upper terrace, coronation portico, solar cult court and sanctuary of Aman. © Marabelo | Dreamstime.com

You don’t necessarily need to venture out of the city to see some spectacular tomb artifacts. At the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, a vast collection of sarcophagi, coffins, statues and even entire preserved floor fragments await. © Chandu09 | Dreamstime.com

In Deir el-Medina, an ancient Egyptian workmen’s village and home to the artisans who worked on the tombs in the Valley of the Kings between the 18th and 20th Dynasties of the New Kingdom of Egypt, there’s many tombs with intricate and detailed paintings adorning its walls. The village was inhabited between 1500 and 1080 B.C.E., and some tombs are accessible to the public. © Evren Kalinbacak | Dreamstime.com

Situated near the necropolis of Saqqara, Tomb of Irukaptah dates back to the fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (circa 2494–2345 B.C.E.) and houses the remains of Irukaptah, also known as the Butcher of the King. This figure likely played a big role in providing food and other offerings to the royal household. Within the tomb, you’ll see well-preserved reliefs and depictions of daily life. © Sailingstone Travel | Dreamstime.com

In the main valley of Valley of the Kings lies the tomb of Pharaoh Ramesses III, who ruled in the 12th century B.C.E. This tomb is 617 feet long and decorated from wall to wall with scenes from Book of Gates, Litany of Re, Book of the Dead and Book of Amduat. The burial chamber alone is a hall held up by eight pillars. The actual sarcophagus was relocated to the Louvre in Paris. © Alfredo Garcia Saz | Dreamstime.com

Egypt is home to more pyramids than just the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza. The Pyramid of Djoser, for instance, lies in the Saqqara necropolis, the first Egyptian pyramid to be built. Dating back to the 27th century B.C.E., the pyramid was constructed for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser. The pyramid reopened in 2020 after a 14-year restoration. © Witold Ryka | Dreamstime.com