Giza walking tour & town guide

The pyramids

The Great Pyramid, built for the pharaoh Khufu around 2560 BC, was the tallest structure in the world for almost 4,000 years. Next to it stands the pyramid of his son Khafre, which still keeps part of its smooth limestone casing at the top, and the smaller pyramid of Menkaure, surrounded by the little pyramids of queens.

A separate ticket allows visitors inside the Great Pyramid, up a steep, narrow passage to the granite King's Chamber. It is hot and cramped, and not for anyone uncomfortable in tight spaces.

The Sphinx and the panorama

Below the pyramids, the Great Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a king, was carved directly from the bedrock of the plateau, next to the stone Valley Temple of Khafre. To the south-west of the plateau, a panoramic viewpoint lines up all three pyramids against the desert, the classic photograph of Giza.

The new Grand Egyptian Museum, a short distance from the plateau, holds the treasures of Tutankhamun and many other finds, and is best combined with the pyramids on the same day.

Practical tips

The plateau opens early in the morning, and the first hours are the coolest and calmest. Distances between the monuments are large and there is little shade, so bring water, a hat and good shoes. Expect persistent offers of camel and horse rides and guiding; agree on any price clearly before accepting, or politely decline.

A classic walk: around the plateau

Enter at the main gate and walk around the base of the Great Pyramid, then past Khafre's pyramid toward Menkaure's. Continue out to the panoramic viewpoint for the view of all three, then walk downhill to the Sphinx and the Valley Temple to finish. The full loop is around five kilometers on sand and stone.