The second pyramid of Giza belongs to Khafre (Chephren), Khufu’s son, who reigned around 2520 BC. At 143.5 metres when complete — about 136 metres now — it was only slightly smaller than his father’s, and because it stands on a higher shelf of rock and has a steeper slope it looks the taller of the two. Many first-time visitors assume it is the Great Pyramid.
It is the easiest pyramid to recognise because the top quarter still wears its smooth casing of Tura limestone, giving the best idea of how all three once looked. Khafre’s complex is also the most complete at Giza: mortuary temple, a causeway nearly half a kilometre long, the Valley Temple and, beside it, the Sphinx.
What to see and do at Pyramid of Khafre
Look up at the casing
Stand close to the north or west side and look to the summit, where the outer stones survive. Lower down, around the base, lie blocks of the red granite that clad the bottom course.
Go inside (when it is open)
Two entrances on the north face lead by descending passages to a single burial chamber cut in the bedrock and roofed with gabled limestone slabs. A black granite sarcophagus is sunk in the floor; on the wall the explorer Giovanni Belzoni painted his name and the date he broke in, 1818. It is a shorter, easier visit than the Great Pyramid.
Explore the mortuary temple
On the east side are the massive core blocks of Khafre’s mortuary temple, some weighing well over a hundred tonnes. From here the causeway ran down to the Valley Temple beside the Sphinx.
How to get to Pyramid of Khafre
- By electric bus: Khafre’s pyramid has its own stop in the middle of the loop.
- On foot: about 10 minutes from the Great Pyramid and 10 minutes from Menkaure. The walk down the line of the causeway to the Sphinx takes around 15 minutes.
Insider tips
- Either Khafre or Menkaure is usually open for interior visits while the other is closed for conservation. Ask at the ticket office which one is open on the day.
- The interior ticket is a fraction of the Great Pyramid price — a good compromise for families.
- The west side is quiet and makes a good spot for photographs without crowds.
- There is no shade at all; mid-morning onwards, carry water and wear a hat.
Best tours & tickets for Pyramid of Khafre
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Pyramid of Khafre:
Private tour from €48 Cairo: Pyramids & Great Sphinx Private Tour with Camel Ride
The most-reviewed Giza tour on GetYourGuide, and deservedly. A private guide collects you from your hotel, walks you through the plateau at your own pace, sorts out the camel ride and keeps the vendors at bay. Longer options add extra sights.
- Your own Egyptologist guide and air-conditioned car
- The three pyramids, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx
- Short camel ride arranged for you
Guided tour from €37 From Cairo: Half-Day Tour to Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
A straightforward, inexpensive morning at the pyramids with a qualified guide and transport, reviewed by nearly four thousand travellers. Check which option you select: entry tickets are extra on the basic one.
- Great Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure
- The Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Walking tour from €37 Giza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip-the-Line, Sphinx & Views
A compact guided walk that starts at the plateau itself, so you are not paying for a car across Cairo. Good value if you are staying in a nearby guesthouse and simply want an expert to explain what you are looking at.
- Meet your guide at the site
- Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure plus the panoramic views
- Finish at the Great Sphinx
