Visit the Pyramids of Giza
One of the most recognisable landmarks in the world is made up of a collection of structures that includes the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and a number of other, smaller monuments. If you are planning a trip to Egypt, then it is more than likely that seeing these pyramids is at the very top of your itinerary.
No need to panic; this guide offers all the information you need to know about the pyramids. We made a full-day trip to the Giza Plateau to save you the trouble. Please consider us to be your own Egyptologists for hire.
Facts about the Pyramids of Egypt
Nearly five thousand years ago, at the dawn of written history, the Pyramids of Giza were constructed.
The oldest of the three principal pyramids on the Giza plateau is the Great Pyramid of Giza, commonly known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops. The Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed in 2570 BC, making it the earliest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It’s the only Ancient Wonder that has survived largely unaltered.
The Great Pyramid stood as the highest structure for about 3,800 years, until Lincoln Cathedral in England was constructed in 1311 AD.
When people say “Pyramids of Giza,” they usually mean the three major pyramids in the Giza complex. The Great Pyramid with its two neighbouring pyramids, Khafre and Menkaure, make up these three pyramids.
Pyramids were constructed as burial sites for Egyptian pharaohs. The sarcophagus is housed in the “King’s Chamber,” located inside the pyramid.
The area where the Pyramids of Giza stand is known as the Giza Plateau, although it is also known as the Giza Necropolis and the Giza pyramid complex. This plateau is home to nine pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and several more monuments.
There is a close physical proximity between the Giza Plateau and the enormous metropolis of Giza. There are several hotels in the area where guests can request a room with a view of the Sphinx and/or the Great Pyramid, making for an interesting and memorable stay.
We stayed at the Atlantis Pyramids Inn for $25 a night! Check out the view below!
Best time to visit
We visited the pyramids in the late afternoon, just before sundown.
When you visit Egypt you will determine the optimal time of day to see the Giza Plateau, but this is all down to you.
It is normal for the pyramids to be obscured by morning fog due to the colds nights creating a lot of moisture in December and January, so plan accordingly if you plan to visit Egypt then. We didn’t experience any hazing and to be honest we didn’t see a cloud in the sky the whole time we were there.
You should avoid the mornings during the winter months if you want to see the pyramids clearly because of the haze. Keep your fingers crossed for clear sky if you want to visit the pyramids in the morning, when they are less crowded.
You probably won’t see any morning haze in Egypt if you go there between the months of February and November.
High temperatures are typical from March through October. To beat the heat and congestion, it’s best to visit the Giza Plateau first thing in the morning.
The weekend (especially Fridays and Saturdays) is always busier than the weekdays. Due to the closure of schools and the resulting increase in tourism, the Giza Pyramids tend to be busier than usual on this day.
Getting around the Pyramids
On either side of the Pyramids of Giza are two entrances.
One entrance is close to the Marriott Mena House and the Great Pyramid of Giza. The second entrance, which lies close to the Great Sphinx, can be found down the hill from the pyramids.
It makes little difference which entrance you choose to use. In contrast, if you choose to access the pyramids and Panoramic Point via the Sphinx entrance, you will have a steep climb ahead of you, but you will be closer to those attractions.
If you want to explore the Giza Plateau on foot, you will have to do a lot of walking. A trip from the Sphinx to Panoramic Point involves an almost three-kilometer uphill slog in one direction. In addition, if you decide to stroll around the Great Pyramid, check out the tombs and little pyramids, or take any other side trips, you will increase your step count considerably. Think of the health benefits 🙂
If you come with a guide and a private driver, you won’t have to do much walking and will save a lot of time because your driver will take you everywhere on the plateau. Visitors who arrived via taxi or Uber can bargain for a tour of the Giza Plateau. It’s also possible to take a horse or a carriage, although we don’t advocate this because the animals are often mistreated and overworked.
Best things to do at the Pyramids of Giza
Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
There is no doubt that visiting the three enormous pyramids that dominate the Giza Plateau is the highlight of any trip to Egypt.
Get up close and personal with the Great Pyramid to really grasp its colossal scale. These pieces of limestone are quite big. Think of all the people who had to work on this for it to be completed. The fact that these pyramids were constructed approximately five thousand years ago is mind-boggling in and of itself.
Don’t forget to take a selfie with the Sphinx! Make sure to visit the observation platform next to the Sphinx for a close-up look of the Sphinx with the Pyramids in the background. A “kissing the Sphinx” photo op may be had just here.
Book a half-day tour with our partner here
Go inside the Great Pyramid
While many may not want to go inside the Pyramids we think, why not? You’ve come all this way, get yourself inside!
There is an extra cost to enter one of the three main pyramids at the Giza pyramid complex (the Great Pyramid, Khafre, or Menkaure). Be sure to purchase the ticket at the main entrance as they won’t let you buy them at the Pyramid opening.
It will take you an extra 30 minutes to go inside the Great Pyramid in the Giza necropolis.
If you suffer from claustrophobia or heat intolerance, you may want to avoid venturing into the Great Pyramid, as a trip up the Grand Gallery can be a hot and crowded experience.
We thought it was worth it.
However, the interior of the pyramid is cramped and well, quite boring. Unlike exploring the brightly painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings or descending into the bowels of the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, this is an entirely other kind of journey (this feels like an adventure). However, experiencing this Ancient Wonder of the World up up and personal is still thrilling.
Don’t feel guilty about passing on going inside the Great Pyramid if you’re not sure it’s worth the time and money. They don’t miss it, and that’s fine with many people.
Go on a Camel Ride
We did a camel ride without knowing the below information, but taking a camel ride is totally up to you.
Not only camels but also horses have allegedly been abused at the pyramids, according to reports. Animals are sometimes abused by being overworked and beaten throughout the day with little opportunity for rest.
None of this happened in front of our eyes. The camels we saw appeared to be in fantastic condition and were sleeping a lot. But things could be different when you there, and you have no idea what goes on behind the scenes (a busier time of day, a different person attending the animals, etc.). That’s why, if you’re thinking about trying it out, you should read up on the topic beforehand.
Watch the Sound and Light Show
Both the Sphinx and the pyramids are bathed in a kaleidoscope of coloured lighting every night. For 60 minutes, the Sphinx provides a detailed account of the pyramids’ background.
Reviewers are divided on the Sound and Light Show. It’s loved by some and loathed by others, and almost everyone agrees that it’s dated because it was first introduced in the 1960s and hasn’t altered much since.
Advance purchase of tickets begins at $20 USD. Tickets to the Sound and Light Show and round-trip transportation from your accommodation are included in this excursion.
If you stay the apartment we did then you get the sound and light show for free! We stayed at the Atlantis Pyramids Inn for $25 a night!
Check out the view below!
Can you climb the Pyramids?
NO!
Where are the best Photo Spots?
Take stunning pictures of the pyramids from any of the many vantage points around the Giza Plateau. For the most breathtaking panoramas of the pyramids on the Giza plateau, head to these spots:
- Near the Sphinx’s vantage point
- From a helicopter
- While riding a camel
- Panoramic view point
What to wear
When touring the Giza Pyramids, visitors are not limited in their wardrobe choices. Simply put, you should dress comfortably and put on a good pair of walking shoes. Due to the country’s conservative culture, visitors to Egypt are advised to wear clothes that cover their shoulders and avoid wearing short skirts or short shorts.
Women have to cover there legs and shoulders.
Getting to the Pyramids of Giza
The most convenient ways to reach the Pyramids of Giza are by taxi, Uber, organised tour, or private guide and driver. Staying at a hotel that has a glimpse of the Pyramids puts you within easy walking distance of the Giza Plateau.
You can take one of Cairo’s three distinct taxi options. The ancient black and white cabs don’t have metres or AC. Make sure your driver activates the air conditioning and the metre in the newer, white taxis. The most expensive taxis are the yellow ones. Schedule them in advance over the phone if you like.
As a result of using Uber: You won’t have to bargain with the driver or worry about the metre being properly set. It’s easy to navigate around Cairo and Giza if you have the Uber app and cellular connectivity on your phone.
Visit the Pyramids of Giza on a guided tour with one of the many tour operators; some trips also include stops at the Egyptian Museum and the sites of Saqqara and Dahshur.
If you don’t feel like figuring out the logistics of travelling around the Giza Plateau on your own—buying tickets, finding your way around—then a private guided tour with a driver is for you. Although we rarely use tour services, we found having a guide and driver to be invaluable during this trip.
Other modes of transportation, like as buses, microbuses, and the metro, do exist, but the aforementioned are the most straightforward and user-friendly for first-time visitors to Cairo and Giza.
Price list and Opening Times
Giza Plateau Entrance Ticket: 240 EGP per adult, 120 EGP per student (with valid ID)
Entrance Ticket to the Great Pyramid: 440 EGP
Entrance Ticket to the Pyramid of Khafre: 100 EGP
Entrance Ticket to the Pyramid of Menkaure: 100 EGP
Combination Ticket (Giza Plateau, & Great Pyramid): 600 EGP
Hours of Operation: 8 am to 4 pm all year
Book tours and Purchase Tickets
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Other Egypt Related Guides
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