How many of you have the Great Pyramids of Giza, or Egypt in general, on their travel bucket list? Visiting the only standing ancient wonder of the world has been a dream to many thanks to history classes. And even though, as a native Egyptian, I always like letting people know that Egypt has much more to offer, the Giza Pyramids tour is a must-visit. You just can’t go to Egypt without visiting its main monument and greatest attraction, and despite how touristy this might be, it’s TOTALLY WORTH IT.

You might be thinking to yourself, “what makes this blog post any different than any other relevant article on the world wide web?” Well, to answer your question, simply, because I’m a local and because I’m a traveler like you are. I know what a traveler needs and I know the ins and outs of this country and its culture. And because this is Egypt’s biggest attraction and most touristic site, trust me when I tell you that you need a local with you on this so to avoid scams or disappointment.

But first, let’s see how much you’ve been paying attention in your history class..

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A History Lesson: Facts About the Great Pyramids of Giza

History buff or not, this is one of the most iconic monuments in the whole wide world, so you need to get your facts straight. Ready for a quick history lesson? Here are some frequently asked questions about the pyramids and their answers.

Why were the Great Pyramids of Giza built?

The pyramids were built as royal tombs or burial sites for ancient Egyptian kings. The most famous of all are the Great Pyramids of Giza, which were built a little over 4,500 years ago for the kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.

Who built the Great Pyramids of Giza?

Were slaves used to build the pyramids? Was it aliens who built it? The mystery behind the construction of the gigantic, royal tombs have led many to come up with all sorts of theories. However, the truth is that the pyramids were built by skilled, paid Egyptian workers. Skeletons found in the area prove that native Egyptian workers were around and had probably died during the flooding of the Nile.

How were the pyramids really built?

How the Great Pyramids of Giza were built still remains one of the world’s greatest mysteries. There are several theories on how the pyramids might have been built; however, none of them was proven.

What does the Sphinx represent?

What was once considered the biggest statue in the ancient world, the Great Sphinx, which had the body of a lion and the head of a human, was considered a guardian for the pyramids.

Everything You Need to Know for the Giza Pyramids Tour:

How to go to the Giza Plateau?

To visit the pyramids, you can either choose to join an organized tour or go alone. Your hotel can easily put together a guided tour for you. However, if you choose to go alone, make sure to enter from the gate in front of the Mena House hotel.

When to go on the Giza Pyramids Tour?

The best time to visit the pyramids is early in the morning before it gets crowded. It’s also better to avoid national holidays and weekends. Note that weekends in Egypt are Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets and activities

Aside from marveling at the ancient wonder and immersing yourself in the mysterious monuments, there are several activities you can enjoy at the complex.

• Go inside one of the pyramids (extra fee applies)
• Ride a camel or a horse
• Take a photo with the Sphinx
• Attend the Light and Sound Show in the evening

For tickets, we paid EGP 60 for an Egyptian’s ticket and EGP 240 for a foreigner’s ticket. Please note that prices are subject to change.

Photography spots for the gram

Want to know the best Instagrammable spots at the Giza Necropolis? Here you go:

• The Sphinx backdrop
• In front of the Pyramid of Khafre
• At the foot of the Great Pyramid
• The Panoramic view
• Posing next to a camel/horse

Tips for a better Giza Pyramids Tour

• Don’t seem like you’re having a professional photo shoot. If you have a DSLR camera, it’s completely fine. Most Egyptian sites would make you pay for a photography/videography ticket though. However, if it seems commercial, you might get yourself in trouble if you don’t have a permit. The reason why I’m saying this is because a lot of travel bloggers and content creators go big when shooting their content, but this might look commercial in the eyes of Egyptian authorities. So, better take care. Also, filming with a drone without a permit is illegal here!
• HAGGLE, HAGGLE, and HAGGLE your way through. Whether you’re buying a souvenir or hiring a horse/camel, don’t get yourself ripped off.
• Speaking of horses and camels, only go with it if you see the animals being well-treated. Also, don’t ride before you agree on a price.

• Also, if you’re a professional horse rider, don’t expect well-trained horses at the complex. Horse there are only trained to pull carriages or carry an average tourist who does not necessarily know how to ride. So, if you’re looking for a horse that would rear or gallop, then you’d better seek one of the private stables in Saqqara instead.
• Almost everyone inside the complex will be trying to sell you something or do you some favor in order for you to tip them. Tipping in Egypt is a thing, but unless someone offers you an actual service, you’re definitely not obligated to do it. So, brace yourself because the minute you step foot in there, someone will come up to you every now and then to offer your a horse/camel ride, sell you something, or simply photograph you. They might offer help and tell you they’re not looking for money, but eventually ask for a tip. So, just save yourself the pain and long conversations and say NO.

The Giza Necropolis is the most touristic site in Egypt and as much as the experience could be magical, it could still be the worst due to all the haggling and annoying so-called “service providers”. To avoid losing your temper and to be able to enjoy your time, it’s better to know these things in advance.

I highly recommend you go with an Egyptian friend (if you have any) or with an organized private trip to make this easier on you. However, you can definitely survive alone as well.

Most people there can speak English, if not other languages as well; however, here are a few Arabic words that could be useful to you:

• La: No
• Aiwa/ah: Yes
• Shokran: Thank you
• Khalas: That’s it/enough
• Bekam: How much?

Can you climb the pyramids?

No; climbing the pyramids is strictly forbidden. Climbing up may seem easy; however, making your way down can be deathly. It’s much steeper than you think. Also, I personally believe it’s kind of disrespectful to the history and heritage. Something as legendary as that had endured centuries, so it must be preserved rather than disrespected.

Need help planning your trip to Egypt? Click here to learn more about my travel planning services.

9 Pyramids Lounge

The newest facility inside the Giza Plateau is the 9 Pyramids Lounge, the Orascom-owned restaurant that offers an exclusive, fancy experience. Before this place opened its doors, the only option to dine with the majestic view of the pyramids was the Mena House hotel, but now, you can enjoy a delicious meal with an even closer, and more exclusive, view.

Overlooking the panoramic view of the pyramids, the restaurant is only 5 minutes away from the pyramids by car. It’s open daily from 9 am till 5 pm, with breakfast being served till 11 am, and the last entry allowed at 3:30 pm. However, reservation is a must; the restaurant is usually booked weeks in advance.

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A post shared by Nadine Arab | Solo Traveler ✈️ (@curlsenroute)

9 Pyramids Lounge’s menu boasts a wide selection of both Egyptian and western dishes and drinks. As for prices, well, I personally believe the menu is reasonably priced. It’s more or less the same you’d pay at any outing in Cairo, but given this is more of an upscale experience, it’s cheaper than I’d expected. Food-wise, I wouldn’t say it’s the best, but it’s really good. The presentation was great, it was absolutely hygienic, and the service was top-notch.

Speaking of customer service, the waiter asked us for detailed feedback before we left. They wanted to know if we had any comments so they’d work on improving the guests’ experience, which is something I really respected. I told them that their call center doesn’t pick up most of the time and that this had become their reputation, but he told me that they already took action and will be changing their call center company very soon.

In a nutshell, 9 Pyramids Lounge is a must-visit, whether you’re a foreigner visiting Cairo and have enough time in the city or you’re an Egyptian interested in a special outing. To make a reservation, you can call +201212299999 between 9 am and 5 pm.

Is the Giza Pyramids tour on your list? Drop a comment and let me know if you’ve visited or not yet. And if not, you’d better save this for your big Egypt trip.

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