Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The three pyramids on the Giza plateau were built over a period of about 85 years in the 26th century BCE, during the reigns of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, at its original height of 146.5 metres, was the tallest structure built by humans for 3,800 years – a record not broken until medieval European cathedral spires in the 14th century. The precision of the construction, working to tolerances of fractions of centimetres across structures covering 13 acres, using a labour force of tens of thousands over decades, remains genuinely extraordinary. The how of it is still not definitively settled.

The site is on the western edge of Greater Cairo. Look south and west: desert. Look north and east: the city. The Giza plateau is not remote – it is in the suburbs.

Getting In

Entry fees have been restructured several times in recent years. The general site ticket runs around 360 EGP (about USD 12 at recent rates). Entry to the interior of the Great Pyramid costs an additional 400 EGP, with limited tickets sold per day. Khafre’s pyramid interior is 100 EGP extra. The Solar Boat Museum adjacent to the Great Pyramid houses a 43-metre cedar boat buried beside the pyramid 4,500 years ago; an additional 100 EGP.

Buy the interior ticket when you arrive at the site, as they sell out before midday. Arrive at site opening (7am).

The Site

The Great Sphinx, carved from the natural limestone bedrock, guards the processional causeway to Khafre’s pyramid. Its original face is thought to have been polished limestone; the damage came over centuries of weathering, deliberate defacement, and use of the nose as target practice.

The panoramic views from the south end of the plateau at the Queen’s Pyramids are the best photo position on the site. Getting there independently on foot takes 20 minutes and costs nothing; a vendor-organised “special photo spot” trip involves a significant tip for access to the same location.

What to Avoid

The camel and horse rides offered aggressively around the site perimeter are legal but often involve high-pressure demands for additional payment once you are mid-ride and difficult to exit gracefully. If you want a camel ride, negotiate the full price including return to your starting point before you mount, and expect the agreed price to be challenged at some point.

Where to Eat

There are no dining options within the site beyond water and snacks. The 9 Pyramids Lounge on Alexandria Desert Road has an outdoor terrace with a direct pyramid view at around 150 to 250 EGP per main course. For cheaper and more authentic food, Koshary Abu Tarek in central Cairo serves the city’s most famous plate of koshary (rice, lentils, pasta, tomato sauce, fried onions) for about 40 to 60 EGP.

Where to Stay

The Marriott Mena House at the base of the plateau with views directly at the pyramids from the garden is the prestige choice at USD 250 to 400 per night. Practical alternatives in Cairo’s Dokki and Zamalek districts are more useful for combining with other Cairo sights.

The new Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza, substantially expanded since its partial 2021 opening, has been taking over from the old Tahrir Square museum as the main venue for the Tutankhamun treasures. Worth building a half-day around.

Practical Notes

October to April is comfortable; summer months are very hot. Mornings are better than afternoons for both heat and light direction. A licensed guide hired through your hotel or a recognised tour company adds significant context; accepting approaches at the gate is rarely the best introduction.