Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The three pyramids on the Giza plateau were built over a period of about 85 years in the 26th century BC, during the reigns of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, at its original height of 146.5 metres, was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,800 years. The mathematics of how it was constructed, by whom, and under what social conditions continues to be debated; what is not debated is that the precision of the construction, working to tolerances of fractions of centimetres across enormous distances, is extraordinary by any standard.

The site is on the western edge of Greater Cairo. If you stand at the pyramids and look south and west, you see the desert. Look north and east and you see the city. The Giza plateau is not remote.

Getting In

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

If you want to enter the Great Pyramid, buy the interior ticket when you arrive at the site; they sell out, particularly in the morning. Arrive when the site opens (07:00).

The Sphinx

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 use, deliberate defacement, and weathering. The Sphinx is in the eastern part of the site and included in the general entry ticket.

What to Avoid

The camel and horse rides offered aggressively by vendors around the site perimeter are legal but often involve high-pressure tactics 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.

The “special photo spot” offers from guides and vendors usually involve being led to the back of the site (away from crowds) in exchange for a significant tip. The panoramic views from the south end of the plateau at the Queen’s Pyramids are actually good; getting there independently on foot takes 20 minutes and costs nothing.

Eating Near Giza

There are no dining options within the site itself beyond water and snacks. The 9 Pyramids Lounge restaurant on Alexandria Desert Road, at the entrance to the plateau, has an outdoor terrace and a direct pyramid view; it is moderately priced at around 150-250 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 40-60 EGP.

Where to Stay

Staying in Giza rather than central Cairo gives closer access and slightly lower prices but less character. The Marriott Mena House, a historic hotel at the base of the plateau with views directly at the pyramids from the garden, is the prestige choice at $250-400 per night. The Novotel Cairo Airport and various business hotels in Cairo’s Dokki and Zamalek districts are more practical for combining with other Cairo sights.

The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, 15 kilometres from Giza, holds the treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb including the gold mask, and is a serious half-day commitment on its own. The new Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza, partially open since 2021 and substantially expanded since, has been taking over as the main exhibit venue.

Practical Notes

October to April is comfortable; the summer months are very hot. Mornings are better than afternoons for the pyramids, both for heat and for light direction in photographs. Dress modestly on and approaching the site, particularly if visiting on Friday. A licensed guide adds significant value; hiring one through your hotel or a recognised tour company rather than accepting approaches at the gate is strongly recommended.