The Giza Plateau is one of the most iconic sites in Egypt, being home to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and many more historical wonders.
These pyramids are over 4,500 old, making them some of the oldest man-made monuments in the world. There are many experiences to be had in this vast area, ranging from adventurous activities to cultural events. Also on the Giza Plateau is the Great Sphinx and more.
The Giza Plateau | A Glimpse into Ancient Egyptian History and Architecture
The Giza Plateau is a site on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital city of Cairo. It is the site of an ancient Egyptian cemetery, which includes the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, several lesser pyramids, a workers' village, and more. Before you visit, find out more about what you will find on the Giza Plateau.
What is the Giza Plateau?
The Giza Plateau is a large area near Giza, a suburb of Cairo. The area was once located on the outskirts of the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, making it the perfect site for a vast funerary complex.
It is where you will find the Giza Necropolis, which is where many rulers of ancient Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty were buried, along with their families, nobles, and courtiers. Among these are the famous Pyramids of Giza, which were the tombs of the pharaohs, Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Each of these pyramids has a small complex with various temples and subsidiary pyramids.
Why visit the Giza Plateau?
Giza Plateau opening hours
- April to September: 7 AM to 6 PM
- October to March: 8 AM to 4 PM
Duration of visit: 4 to 5 hours
Best time to visit: October to March, for the weather is comparatively cooler and more suitable for outdoor exploration
Giza Plateau location
Address: Giza Necropolis, Al Haram, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Find on Maps
The Giza Plateau is situated along Al-Haram Street in Giza, to the west of the Egyptian capital of Cairo. The Pyramids of Giza are situated within the Giza Plateau, around 15 km away from the Cairo city center.
Getting to the Giza Plateau
By Taxi
You can take a taxi to the Pyramids from any part of Cairo at a reasonable cost. you can flag down a taxi, or pre-book a taxi and ask them to wait for you until you’ve finished your visit.
By Uber
You can book an Uber to take you to the Pyramids, it is both convenient and also will not involve haggling for the price.
By Bus
From central Cairo, public bus routes 355, 357, 900, or 997 will take you out to Giza and the Pyramids. You can also take a microbus to the pyramids from any normal bus stop.
By Metro
Metro line 1 runs to Giza, and the nearest station is Giza on Al-Haram Road. From here you can take either a bus or a taxi to the Pyramids.
What to do at the Giza Plateau?
There are a number of activities that you can do on the Giza Plateau when you make a visit to the Pyramids of Giza.
Guided tours
You can go on guided tours where you can also learn about Egypt’s rich history with the help of an expert Egyptologist tour guide.
Explore the interiors of the Pyramids
It is possible to go inside the three largest Pyramids of Giza, as well as a number of smaller pyramids at the site. You can explore the chambers and passageways built to house the dead pharaohs.
Quad biking tours
Experience the Pyramids of Giza in a unique way - on a quad bike! You will get to drive around the three magnificent Pyramids, and the spectacular Sphinx up close with the help of a friendly guide
Camel Safari
You can also explore the area at a slower pace by going on a camel ride in the Sahara Desert around the Pyramids. Experience the pyramids away from the crowds from the quiet of the desert.
Events at the Giza Plateau
There are regular events held on the Giza Plateau.
- Pyramids Sound and Light Show: Three daily shows in different languages at 7 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM during the winter, and 2 hours later during the summer.
- Al-Ahram Squash Festival: Takes place towards the end of September
- Pharaohs' Rally: Motorcycle, 4x4 car, and truck race taking place in October
- Cairo International Film Festival: During the last week in November and the first week of December
Know before you visit the Giza Plateau
The Pyramids of Giza are one of the primary highlights of the Giza Plateau, along with the Great Sphinx and the Queen's Pyramids. There are 2 entrances to enter the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau.
- Great Pyramid of Khufu entrance: This entrance is situated on the north side near the Great Pyramid, near the Marriot Mena House Hotel.
- The Great Sphinx entrance: This entrance is located on the east side of the Pyramids of Giza, in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza.
.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&w=1222.3999999999999&h=687.6&q=90&ar=16%3A9&crop=faces&fit=crop)
- Accessibility: While there are no provisions for visitors in wheelchairs to explore the interiors of the Pyramids of Giza, there are ramps leading up to the entrance of the Great Sphinx. You can observe the architecture and structural details of the Pyramids from these ramps.
- Restrooms: There are 2 restrooms that you can use at the Pyramids of Giza, one being located near the tick booth right before the Great Pyramid entrance, and another situated near the gift shop in the Solar Barque Museum.
- Shop: You can shop for souvenirs and goods outside the Pyramids of Giza at the Giza Plateau. Make sure to carry cash, for most of these vendors do not accept cash payments.
- Bring cash: Make sure to bring cash when shopping from vendors outside the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau. These small vendors often do not accept card payments.
- Do not climb the Pyramids: Please do not climb the Pyramids as they will cause harm to the structure.
- Take note: There are several narrow pathways and passages inside the Pyramids of Giza. If you suffer from claustrophobia or feel uneasy at any point during your exploration, make sure to retreat.
- Stay for the Light and Sound show: There is a Light and Sound show hosted every evening at the Pyramids of Giza. If you want to acquaint yourself with the history of the Pyramids, make sure to stay until the evening.
- Arrive early: To enjoy comparatively lesser crowds at the Pyramids of Giza, make sure to arrive early in the day, around 9 AM to 10 AM.
- Egyptian Museum: The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is home to iconic artifacts like Tutankhamun's mask and mummies, offering a captivating journey through the country's rich history and culture. The Museum boasts over 120,000 items from ancient Egypt.
- Cairo Citadel: The Cairo Citadel is a historic fortress that has watched over the city for centuries. Constructed by Saladin in the 12th century, it offers panoramic views of the city.
- Khan el-Khalili: Khan el-Khalili is a vibrant hub of commerce, culture, and a must-visit for travelers. The narrow winding streets are lined with shops and stalls, that sell everything from jewelry, and spices, to traditional crafts.
- Coptic Museum: The Coptic Museum houses manuscripts, textiles, and art spanning centuries, preserving the history of Coptic Christians in Egypt, making it a significant cultural institution in the heart of Old Cairo.
Frequently asked questions about the Giza Plateau
The Giza Plateau is an elevated site on the outskirts of Cairo. It is historically important, for it houses the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pyramids of Giza- the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, the Great Sphinx, and other ancient structures. The Giza Plateau is a symbol of the engineering achievements of ancient Egypt.
The Giza Plateau is situated in the Sahara Desert, on the outskirts of the Giza Governorate, to the west of the Egyptian capital of Cairo. You can explore the inside of the Pyramids of Giza, go on a camel safari, or indulge in a quad biking tour when visiting the Giza Plateau.
The Giza Plateau has some of the most recognizable and enduring monuments of ancient Egypt, including the famous Pyramids of Giza. They were built over 4500 years ago, and are still standing tall after all these years.
The oldest building on the Giza Plateau is the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which dates back to c. 2600 BC. This makes it over 4,500 years old. These ancient structures reflect the spiritual beliefs and engineering skills of ancient Egyptians.
There are 3 big pyramids of the pharaohs at the Giza Necropolis- the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, as well as 6 smaller subsidiary pyramids of queens and other royal women.
The Pyramids of Giza were built to function as elaborate tombs for the Pharaohs. Inside the Pyramids, there are several passageways and chambers, filled with treasures and items that ancient Egyptians believed would help their kings live on in the afterlife. The central chamber contains the sarcophagus of the Pharaoh.
Yes, depending on the kind of Pyramids of Giza ticket you purchase, you can explore the interiors of the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau. Make sure to check your ticket details before confirming your payment.
The Pyramids of Giza Complex are open throughout the year, from 7 AM to 6 PM between April to September, and from 8 AM to 4 PM between October to March.
The most convenient and budget-friendly way to reach the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau is to get a metro from line 1 of the Cairo metro station. After reaching Giza, you can get a taxi, Uber, or a tour bus to reach the Pyramids of Giza entrances.
Yes, you can book tickets to visit the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau online. Booking tickets online ensures that you can avoid standing in long lines on the day of your visit. You can also save time and money when booking tickets online.
More reads
About the Pyramids of Giza
About the Pyramids of Giza
Inside the Pyramids of Giza
Inside the Pyramids of Giza
