Giza

Understand

Everything west of the Nile's eastern bank is actually in the City of Giza (الجيزة el-Gīza) rather than the City of Cairo. It's a huge conurbation that includes the Nile islands of Gezira and Roda, the riverside neighbourhoods of Dokki and Mohandeseen, and mile after mile of tatty low-rise and 'burbs. Giza plus Cairo and three other townships make up the Greater Cairo Metropolis. But of course the top sight is the UNESCO World Heritage site Pyramids of Giza, at the western edge of the city, in the "Haram" district. The nearby Grand Egyptian Museum contains artifacts from the tomb of Tutenkhamun as well as exhibits from all ancient Egyptian history. This means that Giza is developing into a tourist base in its own right, especially along the main axis of the Haram or Pyramids Road. It's difficult now to imagine this place 100 years ago, with early tourists arriving by carriage along unpaved roads through the fields. The vast, grubby metropolis now sprawls right to the foot of the pyramids complex. Fortunately, development has been prevented (or removed) on the plateau, so the pyramids still stand proud in an arid expanse. A low ridge cuts the view to the south & west so it feels like the threshold of the Sahara, not just a sandy park or anti-oasis in the midst of burbs and more burbs. To the southeast, the pyramids of Abusir and Saqqara shimmer in the distance. Lots of countries have ancient pyramids: Mexico, Indonesia, Greece, Sudan, Iran. Egypt has at least 135, with perhaps more undiscovered, but Sudan has about 240. The three main Pyramids in Giza are the focal point of the Giza necropolis, or cemetery, that served the elite of the Old Kingdom capital at nearby Memphis in the 2500s BCE. Three pharaohs of the 4th Dynasty were buried here, Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, along with members of their royal household. They chose it, west of Memphis, because west was the direction of the afterlife. The new pyramids were magnificent, but they were something of a giveaway to tomb-robbers. Later pharaohs preferred hidden tombs, such as those in the Valley of the Kings outside Luxor. (So it's from these hidden tombs that most Egyptian mummies and artifacts have been recovered.) All the pyramids fell into disrepair, were repeatedly breached by robbers, and their stone cladding was pilfered for building. Wind and rain have whittled them down. However, they're still magnificent. Another magnificent thing about the pyramids is their age: when the Great Pyramids were being constructed, mammoths still lived on Wrangel island in the Arctic Ocean. Forty-two centuries (420

Getting there

When seeking transport, ask for "Haram" and shape your hands like a pyramid by making an upside down Victory sign with your index and middle finger: people, especially minibus drivers will know where you want to go. Also, see Egypt#By metro or Egypt#By train for more details. In Summer 2025 the gates to the park were reconfigured. The Mena Gate that you could enter from the east was closed. A new main gate was established to the south of the park that has a higher capacity but requires you to take a shuttle bus or a long walk through the park get to what you want to see. There is a sneaky subgate, at the southeast of the park, near the sphinx, which is normally used as an exit but where you can also buy tickets (the ticket office is in an alleyway on the right of the gate), and here you'll enter almost right under the sphinx.

By plane Sphinx International Airport (SPX IATA) near Giza opened in 2020 and as of 2025 has flights with Wizzair from the UK, UAE and various other points in Europe.

By train The main railway line between Cairo and Luxor/Aswan runs through Giza, where most services halt, so you can travel along the Nile valley without backtracking via downtown Cairo. Indeed some seasonal sleeper trains start from Giza rather than Cairo Ramses station.

1 El Giza railway station, Al Omraneyah Ash Sharqeyah, Al Omraneyah. (updated Dec 2018)

By taxi Get an Uber or InDrive to the pyramids. From anywhere in Cairo it won't cost you more than LE150. All the standard warnings about Cairo taxis (see Cairo#By taxi) apply with even greater force around this prime tourist spot. So many tourists, so many of them unwary or jet-lagged, let's fleece these lambs! And it's remarkable how swiftly a "broken" taxi meter is restored to life once the driver sees you're serious about bailing out. Taxi drivers may pressure you to see the pyramid complex on horseback, and take you to their friend's stable, but the site is walkable (only a few kilometers across in any direction, maybe 10 km² in area total). The taxi should be able to take you right to the pyramids entrance gate at the very end of the avenue, whereas buses and other vehicles must stop about 500 m short of there. Coming back, taxis will be waiting around the exit gate near the Sphinx.

By metro/bus Take the metro to the Giza metro station. From near there, frequent buses and microbuses run west towards the pyramids, for a fare of LE7. Listen out for conductors shouting "Haram!" or look for route numbers 355 or 357. Many of these buses, along with routes 900 and 997, start from central Cairo: look

See

Pyramids The pyramids and associated sites are on the plateau 8 km west of Giza downtown. You'll see them looming up as you approach along Al-Haram Road. You can enter the complex by the main gate at the western terminus of that road. You'll then progress anti-clockwise through the site, eventually to exit near the Sphinx. Alternativelly, you can buy a ticket and enter near the Sphinx; however, in that case, you'll walk up the hill. Both entrances can also be used as exits. Ignore the nay-sayers who say this place is not worth the bother: it definitely is. It's spacious and absorbs the crowds (which are greater on Friday when Egyptians come to visit on droves.) The standard advice is to come very early to beat the crowds, who will arrive fairly soon after you. If you come in the cool months the midday sun is not hot, albeit still strong on UV. What's less obvious is whether the pyramid interiors are worth it, and you do need to come early for those. The extra admission is not too cheap and the interiors are hot, humid, cramped, claustrophobic and lacking "atmosphere" in any sense. The passages are steep, dusty and hard to move through, and those with any heart or lung or musculo-skeletal limitations will be miserable at best. In good weather, the site is walkable if you're moderately fit -- there is no need for a camel or horse ride, and some people express concern about the way the animals are treated. You can also walk out to the west of the pyramids for a great panorama. In the heat of the summer, you may feel differently. Most hustlers give up if you just shake your head and say nothing. If they ask you where you're from, just ignore it. Avoid any conversation or help or photos! The complex is open daily 07:00-17:00 (and winter until 16:00). Individual sites within the complex may close earlier. Entry fees for foreigners (as of April 2026), students get 50% discount:

General admission to the complex: LE700 Entrance to the Great (Khufu/Cheops) Pyramid : LE1500 Entrance to the Pyramid of Khafre or Menkaure: LE280 Entrance to the Tomb of Mars Ankh: LE200 Entrance to the Tombs of the Laborers: LE700 All these tickets can be bought at 1 the main entrance, at the 2 Eastern entrance as well as at the entrances to the sites (but it is recommended to use the first two mentioned). Never surrender your ticket: the entrance guards will tear it and give it back to you. Anything else is a scam or a hustle. The Great Pyramid interior is always open, while access to Khafre and Menkaure pyramid interiors alternates each year. Limited numbers of these extra tickets

Do

At the pyramids Before you get on the back of a camel or horse, have a look at how they treat their animals. You might change your mind. If you anyway decide to take the offer of one of the horsemen or camel guys, make sure you discuss the price and where you go first. Ask to confirm it covers two people/two horses. Negotiate the price you want. At the end of the trip, when you get back to where you had agreed, get off the horse/camel, hand the man the agreed money and walk away. They will try to come up with all sorts of scams to get more money out of you. If you are happy and wish to give a tip, do it because you choose. Don't feel pressured into giving extra. Just walk away. They won't follow you.

Camel rides. Avoid succumbing to the temptation of taking a camel ride around the Pyramids, if you can, the practice is noisy, smelly and overrated. Basically, there are many better places in Egypt to take a camel ride, if you must. Things are a little better run than they used to be, and the practice of taking tourists out into the desert and refusing to return unless "tipped" is rather rare now. Go horse riding in the desert to experience the spirit of the Egyptian horses and the true majesty of the Pyramids seen from outside the 'circus ring' wall. Be careful of touts, however; it's best to ride from one of the better quality stables, like FB Stables or Cairo Horse Riding School. Ride in the shadow of the Great Pyramids or further afield on a half day trip to Saqqara or Abu Sir or camp out overnight with a barbecue and fire. You can also watch the Sound and Light show from FB's rooftop terrace. If you do ride with a tout (they will encourage you to do this if the area is closed for entry for example) they will make out that you will have a great view of the pyramids (which you won't), they will then charge you a fortune, ride at high speed through the streets without a helmet or any regard for safety, they will then demand a tip as you ride back and try to take you to a 'museum' which is a just shop where you will be pressured to buy. See the sunrise, the first sun beams colouring the Pyramids from the terrace on the third floor of a cafe or from the roof terrace of the hostel situated near the second western entrance and ticket-office. Cairo Horse Riding School, Mansouriya Road (Ext 31 Maadi Ring Road), ☏ +20 1207362425. This expat-run stable is situated inside a pristine Arabian horse ranch about ten minutes away from the Pyramids. The emphasis is on compassionate horsemanship and most of their school horses are rescues from the pyramid area which

Buy

Al Amir Perfume Palace, 9 Abu el Houl St., ☏ +20 2 385 4963. An overwhelming smell will hit you as soon as you walk inside, if you can stand the smell for more than a few minutes you can find some good deals on perfume. Legends and Legacies, 20 Abuu Hazim St. (Off of Pyramid Road). A relaxed indoor bazaar. Beymen, FourSeasons Nile Plaza. Chic designer shopping including brands such Chanel, Prada, Gucci, and Christian Dior.

Eat

Western fast food options are located opposite the main ticket gates to the Pyramid enclosure, Pizza Hut and KFC included, so you can munch on a Tower burger and sip on a Coke in air-conditioned comfort whilst gazing on the more than 4,000-year-old Sphinx across the road. Many may prefer a more authentic experience, although the novelty of the situation could be interesting.

Budget 1 El Gizawy restaurant, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram. At the pyramids entrance where the homestays are. Local specialties. The staff speaks sufficiently good English. Popular with the locals. Falafel for LE7, Egyptian pasta for LE25. (updated Dec 2022)

Mid-range

Splurge 2 Nile Pharaoh Cruising restaurant, 138 El Nile St. The boat features Pharonic decor, and offers a buffet with international and Egyptian cuisine, and belly dancing. (updated Dec 2022) 3 Khufu’s Restaurant (inside the Giza pyramids area), ☏ +20 10 80058888. Restaurant with traditional Egyptian dishes and a view of the Pyramids. (updated Jun 2025)

Hotel restaurants 4 Khan El Khalili, Mena House Oberoi hotel. Has been open for over a century and is far and away the most stylish place for lunch or just a cold beer. Expect to pay Western prices. (updated Dec 2022)

Drink & nightlife

Since Egypt is a Muslim country, alcohol is not generally permitted. It will generally only be served in hotels. You might find more options in Gezira neighborhood.

1 El Mandara Coffee Shop, Abou Al Mohsen (close to Pyramids). Local cafe with Hookahs and non-alcoholic drinks, black tea and Egyptian coffee, frequented by locals, inside and streetside sitting. LE3-10. (updated Mar 2018)

Sleep

There are a number of 1 accommodations near the entrance to the pyramids. You will find hotels, homestays and hostels at all price ranges, many of them with a pyramid view. A good area to stay is around the street Abou Al Hool Al Seiahi. There you find touristy and non-touristy restaurants and grocery stores.

Splurge 2 Marriott Mena House, 6 Pyramids Road, ☏ +20 2 3833222. Built in 1869 as a royal lodge for King Ismail the Magnificent, this magnificent palace has housed guests including Empress Eugenie and Prince Albert. Tastefully restored and located very close to the Pyramids. Rooms in the newer Garden wing from US$460. The Palace wing is closed for refurbishment as of 2026; be sure to ask for a room with a view of the Pyramids when it reopens. The main Pyramids gate is a 5-minute walk away. (updated Apr 2026)

Go next

Cairo/Downtown – where you can see the Egyptian Museum, Cairo Tower, El-Cornish, sail in Nile Cruise, hotels, restaurants, etc. Then you can go to El-Moez St., El-Hussain area, Khan El-Khalili, and Old Cairo Churches. From near the entrance of the pyramids area, take the 2 city bus line 2001 to the Giza metro station or any microbus going the same way. In Google Maps, the bus stop at the pyramids is called "bus terminal". From the Giza station the metro brings you to Downtown cairo. Neither that city bus nor the metro have A/C, so it's just a good option in winter time. In other seasons it's better to take an Uber/Careem.