The Pyramids of Giza
The last wonder of the ancient world still standing - the colossal pyramids and the Great Sphinx on the edge of Cairo, tombs of the pharaohs raised 4,500 years ago, a UNESCO site.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
The Pyramids of Giza are the last of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing, three colossal pyramids raised as tombs for the pharaohs some 4,500 years ago on the desert edge of Cairo. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built of over two million stone blocks, was the tallest structure on earth for millennia, and beside them crouches the enigmatic Great Sphinx, a UNESCO wonder of staggering age and ambition.
What you actually see
- The Great Pyramid - the colossal tomb of Khufu, the largest of the three.
- The Great Sphinx - the enigmatic lion-bodied guardian of the plateau.
- Inside a pyramid - the climb into the tomb chambers (extra ticket).
- The panorama - the classic view of all three pyramids from the desert.
When to go
October to April for cooler weather, as summer on the shadeless desert plateau is fiercely hot. Go early to beat the heat, crowds and tour buses, and consider the evening sound-and-light show. The new Grand Egyptian Museum is nearby.
Honest expectations
The site sits right on the edge of the city, not in remote desert as photos suggest. The touts, camel handlers and vendors are persistent and can be aggressive, so agree prices firmly in advance. It is hot and shadeless. Entering a pyramid is a cramped, steep climb, not for the claustrophobic.
Nearby
The Grand Egyptian Museum is close; the ancient sites of Saqqara and Memphis are a short drive.
What to pack for The Pyramids of Giza
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
