The Temple of Nefertari and Hathor
The Temple of Nefertari is the smaller of the two rock temples at Abu Simbel. It lies just north of the Great Temple of Ramses II and is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and to Nefertari, the Great Royal Wife of the king. Most visits include both temples. For ways to get here, see Abu Simbel tours from Aswan.
The unusual part is the facade. The queen appears at the same scale as the king.
The facade with six standing statues
The queen stands beside the king.
Six standing figures fill the rock face: four of Ramses II and two of Nefertari, each about 10 m tall. In contrast, the four colossi of the Great Temple sit and rise to about 21 to 22 m.
The queen is not a small figure at the king's side. She stands at the same height as Ramses.
Nefertari's tomb is not here. It lies in the Valley of the Queens near Luxor, and this temple is not a burial chamber. If you are going to Luxor, see the Valley of the Queens.
Our pick: both temples by air
A short trip by plane with a guide for the Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Abu Simbel tours that include the small temple
Day trips from Aswan, flights and longer tours with live prices and availability. Most programs visit both temples.
Inside the small temple
A hall, a vestibule and a sanctuary.
Inside, a hall with six pillars leads to a vestibule and then to the sanctuary. Hathor, the goddess of the temple, appears as a cow.
Reliefs decorate the hall and show the king and the queen. The battle scenes belong to the Great Temple, so this temple has a quieter feel.
Whether every side room is open depends on the day, so check on site. For the larger temple, see Inside Abu Simbel.
Great Temple and Nefertari temple compared
Two temples, two different ideas.
| Great Temple | Temple of Nefertari | |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated to | Ramses II and the gods Amun-Re, Re-Horakhty and Ptah | Hathor and Queen Nefertari |
| Facade | 4 seated colossi, about 21 to 22 m | 6 standing figures, about 10 m |
| Inside | Two pillared halls, vestibule, sanctuary | One hall with 6 pillars, vestibule, sanctuary |
| Location | The main rock face | North of the Great Temple |
If you have limited time, start with the Great Temple and then walk north to the small temple. See the Great Temple of Ramses II for the larger of the two.
A small temple with a big history
It moved with the Great Temple.
The Temple of Nefertari stands today in the same place as the Great Temple, on an artificial rock hill. Both were taken apart and rebuilt in the 1960s when the lake behind the Aswan High Dam threatened to flood them. The temple opened at its new site in 1968.
Abu Simbel is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, listed in 1979. The listing has 10 parts, and not all of them belong to the temple ticket. Philae is one of them, and you can read about it on the page on things to do in Aswan.
Visiting the Temple of Nefertari
Practical points for 2026.
The site is open daily from 06:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00. The ticket for foreign adults is EGP 750 on normal days in 2026, and EGP 1,200 on 22 February and 22 October. See tickets and hours.
Personal photos are allowed, but not with flash inside. Like the Great Temple, the small temple was moved in the 1960s, when the lake rose behind the High Dam. Read about the relocation.
Temple of Nefertari: frequently asked questions
Who was Nefertari?
Nefertari was the Great Royal Wife of Ramses II. This temple honors her together with the goddess Hathor.
Is Nefertari buried at Abu Simbel?
No. Her tomb lies in the Valley of the Queens. The temple at Abu Simbel is not a burial chamber.
How many statues are on the facade?
Six: four of Ramses II and two of Nefertari, each about 10 m high.
Is the small temple included in the main ticket?
Tour programs usually visit both temples in one visit. Check that your booking covers both.
Can I take photos inside?
Personal photos with a phone or camera are allowed, but not with flash. Professional lighting needs permission.
Is this the official Abu Simbel website?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the ministry, the antiquities authority or any operator.