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Overview
The Pyramid of Khafre
The Pyramid of Khafre is the second largest of the Giza pyramids and, due to its higher base elevation on the plateau, appears taller than the Great Pyramid of Khufu from many angles. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre (c. 2558–2532 BCE), it stands 136.4 meters tall and retains a distinctive cap of original white Tura limestone casing at its apex — the most visible surviving example of how all the Giza pyramids once looked.
Khafre’s complex is the most complete of the three at Giza. In addition to the pyramid itself, it includes a well-preserved valley temple built from red granite and alabaster, a long causeway connecting the valley temple to the mortuary temple on the pyramid’s eastern face, a satellite pyramid, and the Great Sphinx — which stands guard at the eastern approach to the complex. The valley temple is one of the finest surviving examples of Old Kingdom temple architecture.
The interior of Khafre’s pyramid is less elaborate than Khufu’s — it has a simpler burial chamber and no Grand Gallery — but it is open to visitors for an additional fee and involves a less crowded descent than the Great Pyramid. The burial chamber still contains the granite sarcophagus, though it was robbed in antiquity.
Photo Gallery
Interesting Facts
Khafre's pyramid originally stood 143.5 meters tall; erosion has reduced it to 136.4 meters today
It appears taller than Khufu's Great Pyramid from many viewpoints because its base is approximately 10 meters higher on the plateau
The cap of original white Tura limestone casing at the pyramid's apex is the most complete section of ancient pyramid casing surviving at Giza
Khafre's valley temple was the first to be excavated scientifically in Egypt; Mariette's 1853 dig recovered 23 statues of the pharaoh in a single pit
The pyramid's base measurement of 215.5 meters makes it slightly smaller than Khufu's 230.4-meter base
History & Significance
Khafre was the son of Khufu and the fourth pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty. His pyramid complex is the second built on the Giza plateau and was constructed following the same basic template as his father’s: a pyramid with a mortuary temple, a covered causeway, and a valley temple at the plateau’s edge.
The Italian explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni was the first modern person to enter the interior of Khafre’s pyramid, in 1818. He found the burial chamber largely empty, with only the damaged granite sarcophagus remaining in place. The pyramid had been entered and robbed in antiquity, as evidenced by the forced breach in the north face still visible today alongside the original descending entrance passage.
Khafre’s valley temple, excavated by Auguste Mariette in 1853, contained a pit with fragments of 23 diorite gneiss statues of Khafre, including the famous seated statue now in the Egyptian Museum. This sculptural ensemble is considered the finest example of Old Kingdom royal portraiture.
What to See
Surviving Limestone Casing Cap
The top 15 meters of Khafre's pyramid retain their original polished casing — the most visible reminder that all Giza pyramids were once sheathed in gleaming white limestone.
Valley Temple
Built from red Aswan granite over alabaster floors, this is one of the best-preserved Old Kingdom temples and the place where Khafre's famous diorite statues were found.
Pyramid Interior
A descending passage leads to the burial chamber containing Khafre's intact granite sarcophagus lid — robbed in antiquity but still in situ.
Causeway
The partially restored limestone-walled causeway runs 494 meters from the valley temple to the mortuary temple on the pyramid's east face.
Pyramid of Khafre Tickets and Prices (2026)
The outside of the pyramid, its Valley Temple and the causeway are all covered by the Giza plateau ticket. Going inside needs a second ticket. Prices are for foreign visitors, October 2026.
| Ticket | Adult | Student |
|---|---|---|
| Giza plateau (includes the Sphinx and the Valley Temple) | EGP 700 | EGP 350 |
| Inside the Pyramid of Khafre or Menkaure | a few hundred pounds | half price |
The interiors of Khafre and Menkaure are opened in rotation, so usually only one of them can be visited; the gate tells you which on the day.
Opening Hours and the Best Time to Visit
The plateau opens daily at 7:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM. Late afternoon is the best light for photographs of Khafre with its cap of original casing, and early morning is the quietest time to go inside.
A Route Around Khafre
- The Valley Temple, beside the Sphinx: massive red granite pillars and an alabaster floor, where the king's body was received.
- The causeway, walking up the slope as the funeral procession did.
- The pyramid itself: 136 metres high today, it looks taller than Khufu's because it stands on higher ground, and its top still wears the smooth limestone casing.
- The burial chamber, down a sloping passage: plain, with the granite sarcophagus and the name of Giovanni Belzoni, who entered it in 1818, painted on the wall.
How to Get There and How Long You Need
Khafre is the middle of the three pyramids on the Giza plateau, 13 km from central Cairo. Allow one to two hours for the pyramid, the causeway and the Valley Temple.
| How | Best for |
|---|---|
| Giza Pyramids day tour | The three pyramids and the Sphinx with your own Egyptologist. |
| Grand Egyptian Museum tour | Pair Giza with the museum on the edge of the plateau. |
Pyramid of Khafre Tours
Khafre and its Valley Temple are part of every Giza tour we run, and of all our Cairo packages.
Pyramid of Khafre: Common Questions
Why does Khafre's pyramid look taller than the Great Pyramid?
It stands on bedrock about 10 metres higher and still has its pointed top, while the Great Pyramid has lost its top courses. The Great Pyramid is actually a few metres taller.
Can you go inside the Pyramid of Khafre?
Yes, when it is the pyramid open in the rotation with Menkaure, on a separate ticket of a few hundred pounds.
What is the casing on top of Khafre's pyramid?
It is the original fine limestone that once covered all the Giza pyramids; most of it was stripped in the Middle Ages to build Cairo.
Tours Including The Pyramid of Khafre
These packages visit this site as part of the itinerary.
Cairo & Alexandria Mediterranean Escape
Join us on 6 Days Cairo and Alexandria Tour exploring the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which houses an amazing collection...
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$825 per person
2 nights Cairo & 7 nights Nile Cruise
Dive into 10 days of pure Egyptian magic with 2 days exploring Cairo's iconic pyramids and bustling streets followed by...
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Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise
Embark on a 11-day journey through Egypt's greatest treasures, from a scenic Nile cruise past ancient temples to the iconic...
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$1920 per person
Egypt Round Tour: Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise
Immerse yourself in 12 days of Egypt's rich history and culture, from the Great Pyramids of Giza and Alexandria's coastal...
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$1690 per person
Day tours & Nile cruises visiting The Pyramid of Khafre
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