Tips for visiting the Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are one of the experiences not to be missed on a trip to Egypt.

The image of these colossal monuments accompanies us since we were children, when bent over the school books we tried to understand how it was possible in those times to realize those that today are counted among the seven wonders of the ancient world still existing.

The expectation doesn’t disappoint the reality: the vision of the Pyramids in the immense expanse of Giza is truly unique and exciting! There’s a negative aspect: the site is not valued, no signs for the visitors to understand in front of which pyramids are; there are only garbage, impromptu guides looking for information and then asking for tips and insidious bedins that sell a run on their horses or camels.

Everything seems organized in such a way as to allow the visit of the site only to the touristic tours and to make life difficult for the independent traveler!

Despite this negative aspect, the Pyramids of Giza can be safely visited independently; you’ll need just a minimum of organization and preparation.

Here you are some tips for visiting the Pyramids of Giza

• How to escape tourist crowds in the Pyramids of Giza?

Your dream is to enjoy the view of the Pyramids of Giza in peace without the noisy crowds of tourists.

There is a solution!

Go to the secondary entrance on the side of the Sphinx half an hour or a quarter of an hour before the opening time (the site opens at 8 am). The staff usually opens the gates before the scheduled time to allow access to bedouins waiting to start working.

Take advantage of this moment to enter the site with the bedouins and to enjoy the spectacle of the Pyramids in complete silence. The organized buses, infact, begin to arrive at the site (parking at the main entrance of the Pyramid of Cheops) around 9.30.

• Is it possible visiting the Pyramids of Giza on foot?

As soon as you arrive in Giza, you will be stopped by bedouins, guides and even by the hotel manager who will propose to organize a horse or camel race inside the Giza plateau.

Everyone will say the same thing: it’s impossible visiting on foot the Pyramids of Giza, because they are too far from each other.

It’s not like that at all. Beware of those who tell you that it is impossible to visit the Pyramids of Giza on foot! Infact, the Pyramids are a few kilometers away from each other and it is absolutely worthwhile to dedicate half a day to their visit on foot: you can decide the path to follow, where and how much to stop in complete autonomy.

Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and some snacks: you’re done.

• Which route to follow to visit the Pyramids of Giza?

Once you have entered the site … panic! You have not been issued any map of the site, there is no signal indicating which way to start the route, the Bedouins and guides assail you to accompany you during the visit but you know that if you follow them you will have to give them a tip. You are facing one of the seven wonders of the ancient world but you do not have the faintest idea of ​​where to start the visit.

Try to follow our itinerary!

1. The Sphinx

Once you enter the secondary entrance, start visiting the Sphinx. There are two ways to reach the monument. If you have entered during the official visiting time, on the left you will find a small road full of street vendors and stalls: take it and turn at the end of the road on the right where there is the access to the temple; if instead (like us) you have arrived at the opening time of the site, the road on the left is still closed; then take the main road on your right, continue until you turn left into the expanse as you exit the road and take the wooden quay leading to the Sphinx.

The view from the Sphinx Entrance

2. Queens’ Pyramids

Just before reaching the Great Pyramid of Cheops, on the east side there are three small pyramids dedicated to Khufu’s wife and sisters. Leave the marked path and walk among the pyramids: from here, you can admire a splendid view of the remaining pyramids! Also, you can get in some of them without having to pay an extra ticket: usually, there are some Bedouins or impromptu guides at the entrance that will make your way. Keep in mind that if you follow him or listen to his anecdotes, he will wait for a tip. The inside of the tomb is empty, but it is still worthwhile to face the experience of descending into the tunnel of the pyramid.

3. The Great Pyramid

Continue to the Great Pyramid, which at its feet will not seem so majestic! To enter the interior you need to pay a supplement.

4. – 5. Pyramid of Kafre and Pyramid of Menkaure

They are never open at the same time: when one is open, the other is normally closed. What really impressed us was the Pyramid of Menkaure due to the beautiful view of the expanse of Giza.

The view from the Menkaure Pyramid

• How to photograph the Pyramids of Giza?

If you have “bulky” cameras or tripods with you, the staff may ask you to pay an extra charge in addition to the entrance ticket or even ask you to leave the tripod in custody.

We have not yet understood the reason (there seems to be a sort of taboo on the use of tripods throughout Egypt), but the payment of the supplement can be simply circumvented by “hiding” the offending tool or simply leaving the “big professional”  cameras at home and opting for a comfortable smartphone. Remember that inside the Pyramids it is not possible to take any picture, except (obviously!) Behind the tip of the guardian.

• Is it worth the ride on camels to admire the Pyramids of Giza at a distance?

There are two options to admire the view of the Pyramids at a distance, both with pros and cons.

1. The first option is to organize a horse or camel ride with one of the many bedouins who will stop you on the site.

PRO – It’s possible to admire the Pyramids from all points of view, both from near and far. It could be a good solution for those who do not intend to follow a walking path in the expanse of Giza

AGAINST – It’s not possible to enjoy the Pyramids with the lights of dawn or sunset. The site, in fact, opens at 8 am and closes at 4 pm, then after sunrise and before it drops.

2. The second option is the camel ride outside the site (our choice).

PRO – It’s possible to organize the excursion at dawn or at sunset and therefore to personalize the trip according to the chosen timetable, independently from the opening or closing times of the site. It is a good solution for those who want to enjoy a fully-rounded experience of the Giza Pyramids.

We opted for this solution: devoting the morning to Giza and early afternoon at the Pyramids of North Saqqara, stopping at the chaotic and lively local village. Just before sunset (around 4 pm) we returned to the entrance of the Pyramids of Giza (on the side of the Sphinx) and from here we started the excursion on the camels that with their slow affect in an hour brought us to the point panoramic view on the Pyramids.

AGAINST – This is not an “official” excursion and therefore the outcome depends on the luck and the mood of the guards you meet along the way. They were going to stop us because of the notorious tripod, but luckily they let us pass. Keep in mind that often the figure agreed for the excursion is not inclusive of the additional tip to the guards and the camel driver. Accurately detail the precise sum before starting the excursion.

Excursion on the camels around Pyramids of Giza

• Is it better the sunrise or sunset on the Pyramids of Giza?

Remove from the head the image of the Pyramids illuminated by the first rays of the sun or framed by the red of the sun that falls at dusk: the organized excursions do not reach any vantage point where you can see the sun rise or set near the Pyramids. There is therefore no more preferable moment than the other. In any case, it is worth trying this experience: the sunset offers beautiful games of light!