Pyramids of Giza
Egypt, Africa
The only ancient wonder still standing, hard against the edge of a modern megacity.
The last surviving wonder of the ancient world, three monumental pyramids and the Great Sphinx on the Giza plateau, built over 4,500 years ago on the edge of Cairo and the Western Desert.
Our honest take
The pyramids are staggering, but the experience is chaotic, touts, camel-ride scams, and litter are real. Go right at opening, hire a licensed Egyptologist guide in advance, and you'll have a far better time. The plateau backs onto Cairo suburbs, not empty desert, so frame your photos toward the Western Desert.
Why go
- Standing at the base of the Great Pyramid genuinely recalibrates your sense of scale
- You can go inside Khufu's pyramid (claustrophobic but unforgettable)
- Combines with the Grand Egyptian Museum nearby for the full picture
Skip if you can
- Camel touts at the entrance, agree a price in writing or skip entirely
- Midday visits, heat and tour-bus crowds peak together
Things to do
Where locals eat
Egypt's national street dish: rice, lentils, macaroni, and chickpeas topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. Cheap, filling, vegetarian, and added to UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2025.
Abou Tarek in downtown Cairo, the most famous koshari house in Egypt (a day trip from the pyramids)
The Egyptian breakfast: ful (stewed fava beans) with oil and cumin, and taameya, Egypt's fava-bean falafel, greener and different from the chickpea version.
A street ful cart in the morning
A green soup of finely chopped jute-mallow leaves cooked with garlic and coriander, served over rice with chicken or rabbit, an ancient Egyptian home dish.
A traditional Egyptian restaurant
Sweet mint tea and karkade, a tart hibiscus drink served hot or cold, the customary Egyptian refreshment, and a break from the heat at the pyramids.
A café (ahwa) in Cairo
Costs
Per person, per day on the ground, lodging, food, local transport and activities. Excludes international flights (see Getting there).
Plateau entry: ~$10. Inside Great Pyramid: extra ~$22. Licensed guide: $40-80/day.
Getting there
Where to stay
Wake up to the pyramids; some rooftops frame all three
Leafy island district, good restaurants, calmer base
Budget hostels, close to the Egyptian Museum
Good to know
- Persistent touts and 'free' gifts that become demands, a firm no works
- Agree all camel/horse prices before mounting
- Dress modestly and carry cash in small notes for tips (baksheesh)
- Summer heat is extreme, carry water and sun protection
Prices, visa rules, and transport details may change. Always verify with official sources before booking. Last updated: July 2026.
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