Firmly at the top of many people’s bucket lists, the Pyramids of Giza aren’t a Wonder of the Ancient World for nothing.
Dating back a whopping 4,500 years (and still in remarkably good condition!) the largest Pyramid of Giza (which is often known simply as “The Pyramid of Giza”) was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu.
Investigation into the pyramids has detailed a lot of what we know about ancient societies, which has shaped our understanding of the present and future. They’re undoubtedly one of the most important historical sights in the world, and they’re a spectacle to behold as well.
But recent reports of the pyramids of Giza have been less savoury, with people reporting scams and feeling underwhelmed. If you’re wondering “are the pyramids of Giza worth visiting”, let’s get into it!
I’ve been to Cairo and Giza twice, and here’s what I think about the pyramids!
World wonder
In case I didn’t make this clear in the introduction: the Pyramids of Giza are incredible. They’re a world wonder, and very much deserve this status (in my opinion).
The iconic stone structures would be remarkable even before you consider that they are four and a half thousand years old. Consider the effort that would have been needed to construct them… OVER FOUR MILLENNIA AGO.
For me, that alone makes them worth a visit!
Egyptian history
The pyramids are evidence that a sophisticated society lived in Egypt 4.5 millennia ago. If you go with a good guide (here’s the one we used and I recommend), you’ll learn all about how Egyptian society operated.
Some things we learnt were:
- Ancient Egyptians were polytheistic, and they believed in hundreds of gods and goddesses
- while it was a patriarchal society, women could own property, inherit land and even become pharaohs
- the ancient Egyptians had trade networks from Nubia (modern-day Sudan) to the Levant (modern-day Syria)
- Egyptians had an advanced understanding of anatomy and medicine, with specialist doctors and medicine
What better way to learn about one of the world’s most interesting societies than against the backdrop of the pyramids?
Beautiful scenery
Now, the photos you’ve seen of the Pyramids of Giza can make it seem like they’re in the middle of nowhere.
In actual fact, they’re literally on the edge of Cairo. Not in the middle of the desert.
The good news? This makes them accessible. The bad news? Not as isolated as you think!
Still, the scenery is beautiful. You’re on the edge of a desert like area, and there are plenty of vantage points to see the pyramids (and the sphinx).
Just don’t take a camel ride. More on that below!
Chance to go inside
If you fancy it, you can go inside the Pyramids of Giza! It requires a separate ticket and queues may be long. We didn’t do this when we visited most recently, but I did when I went to Egypt the first time.
Expect long, narrow, dark tunnels and little ventilation. There isn’t really that much there (the King’s Chamber was stripped long ago!) but lots of tourists like to have the experience of going inside the pyramid! If you do the tour we did with a private guide, he’ll ask if you want to go inside the pyramid ahead of time.
Accessibility
The pyramids really are on the edge of Cairo, so if you’re travelling around Egypt, they’re an easy spot to visit. You can visit independently (although, for reasons detailed below, I’m not sure if I’d recommend this!) or see them from a range of hotel rooftops around Giza. There’s even the world’s best Pizza Hut view – a balcony overlooking the pyramids!
That said, one of the reasons I really recommend a tour is many include transport to other pyramids and ancient sites in the area, like Saqqara and Memphis.
Egyptian travel considerations
There are a few things to consider when visiting Egypt.
- First, you’ll need an Egyptian travel visa. Double-check the requirements of your country before heading to the country. You can apply for an Egypt visa here.
- Egypt isn’t unsafe, but the culture can be quite “macho”. I had a stressful situation with our guesthouse owner who wouldn’t listen to me without my partner present. Most Egyptian men aren’t like this, but if you’re a woman traveller it’s likely you’ll come across one or two on your stay.
- Keep an eye on government advisories and Middle Eastern news – some parts of Egypt are flagged on the UK’s FCDO travel advice website, but Cairo is firmly in the “green” area.
Scams
One of the big reasons people say they don’t recommend the Pyramids of Giza is due to scams at the site.
These definitely do happen, but as we were with a guide, none happened to us.
The most frequent tip I’ve heard is to not take a camel ride, as stories go that tourists mount the camel, ride to a viewpoint, and are then asked for lots of money!
In that vein, don’t accept anything or take photos of anyone. If anyone helps you in a small way (cutting the queue etc), you’ll be expected to give them a small amount of money as a tip (called baksheesh in Egypt).
But honestly, my top top recommendation is to get a guide. Ours made sure we didn’t face any hassle or difficulty inside the pyramids. He also arranged transport to Memphis and Saqqara, which are quieter spots where we learned more about the glorious ancient Egyptians.
Heat
One of the other considerations about visiting the Pyramids of Giza is the heat. Summer temperatures can be above 40 degrees, but if you visit between October and April, you’ll find much more comfortable weather. We were there in April and it was around 25 degrees.
Crowds
Another complaint I hear is about the crowds. The Pyramids of Giza can be busy, there’s no denying that – you’re at a world wonder, after all!
In the morning, you might find the crowds are smaller (i.e. as soon as they open). But it’s a big space, and if you’re not going inside the pyramid, there’s room to expand – you won’t miss the pyramids after all!
Plus, Saqqara and Memphis (both a short drive from Giza) are much quieter, so it’s worth doing both!
So, are the Pyramids of Giza worth visiting?
In my opinion, yes!
Sure, it can be busy and hot, and there are a few scams (like in many tourist destinations), but don’t listen to the naysayers who say they’re overrated – they’re 4,500 year old structures that reveal enthralling secrets about one of the most enchanting ancient civilizations. Of course they’re worth visiting!
