The Pyramids of Giza are the main postcard of Egypt, located in the capital Cairo, and are usually present in the itinerary of most tourists who visit the country. In this article, I share everything you need to know to visit the pyramids without any problems and without getting scammed. For travelers interested in Ancient Egypt, it’s possible to make tours around the pyramids for 8 hours or 4-5 hours. Another attraction that must be on your itinerary is the Egyptian Museum, located in the center of Cairo, next to Tahrir Square.
📢 For students traveling to Egypt, it is worth carrying an internationally valid student card for discounts on most attractions.
I visited the pyramids at the end of 2012, a year when Egypt was still experiencing the political instability that began with the Arab Spring in 2011. Since then, the country has gone through changes of government and political instability continues, also affecting tourism in parallel with terrorist attacks in North Africa, including an attack on a Russian passenger plane in 2015 in Egypt itself.
It is estimated that the Pyramids of Giza were built approximately 4,500 years ago, following the ritual of the time to prepare the pharaohs for an afterlife, including within the constructions everything the pharaoh would need to maintain himself in his next life. The famous 3 pyramids were built for the pharaohs Khufu (2550 BC), Khafre (2520 BC), and Menkaure (2490 BC).
When visiting the pyramids, it’s important to hold on to expectations. It is normal for you to hear snub comments from Egyptians regarding the pyramids, as I also heard. Or that they only visited when they were children or in some school activity. Egypt today is very different from that of the pharaohs, whether in demography, language, or religion.
As in many countries with important historical heritage, the Pyramids of Giza and other treasures of ancient Egypt do not receive from a significant portion of the Egyptian population the same appreciation as from tourists who come from all over the world to see them. In Islamic countries, for example, an 18th-century mosque tends to be more valued than ancient buildings.
Where are the Pyramids of Giza?
The Pyramids of Giza are within the city of Cairo, the capital of Egypt, about 20 km away from the city center. In the aerial view, the location of the pyramids within the urban area is clear, however, when you walk around the pyramids, it gives the impression of being inside an immense desert (and this detail is used by local scammers to extort tourists).
You can get to the Giza Pyramids by taking a taxi directly there or getting off at the Giza metro station, from where you can take a taxi or minibus to the pyramids. In Cairo, white cabs are usually metered while black and yellow cabs are usually on a bargain basis (and tend to be more expensive). Going by taxi, Uber, rent a private car with a driver, or tour with an agency is the best option to get there without wasting time.
Watch out for scams at the Pyramids of Giza!
Firstly, there is only one official entrance to the Giza Pyramids, where tickets are sold. Prices and discounts for students who present an internationally valid student card are usually listed on the windows of the ticket windows.
Around the Pyramids of Giza, there are illegal entrances where scammers apply extortion on unaware tourists. As the middle of the dunes around the pyramids gives a feeling of immensity, the crooks usually threaten to leave them in the middle of the dunes while asking for money.
Arriving at the official entrance of the Pyramids of Giza, there is always a wave of opportunist guides with keen eyes to hunt any foreigner on the way. Stay away and don’t talk if you want a stress-free visit. Even arriving by car, it is necessary to accelerate so that these same guides do not cling to the vehicle.
How much time to book for the Pyramids of Giza?
I recommend setting aside a whole day to visit the Pyramids of Giza at a leisurely pace, or at least a half-day tour during the afternoon, especially if you plan on taking a camel or horseback ride around the pyramids. For those thinking about taking pictures of the Pyramids of Giza, it is worth taking this tour of the dunes, as you will be able to observe them from different angles and you will have more options to take incredible photos. The best views of the pyramids are usually in the late afternoon with the setting sun in contrast to the ancient buildings.
Best time to visit the Pyramids of Giza
I visited the Pyramids of Giza in December, when it is winter in Egypt, with temperatures similar to a cold day in southern Europe, an average of 10ºC (50ºF) and a maximum of 20ºC (68ºF). Winter there lasts from December to February. Autumn runs from September to November, with sunny days and cool nights. The period between September and January is a good time of year to explore Egypt’s outdoor activities other than the beaches.
Between February and April, temperatures in Egypt tend to gradually move above 20°C (68ºF). From May, it tends to go to 30ºC (86ºF). Between June and August, it is the hottest period of the year in Egypt, with high humidity and temperatures close to 40ºC (104ºF) during the day, which means less time to explore the pyramids and other outdoor activities – forcing travelers to organize themselves. for early mornings and late afternoons. To facilitate your planning, here is a summary of seasonality in Egypt throughout the year:
- December to February: winter, temperatures between 10ºC (50ºF) and 20ºC (68ºF);
- March to May: spring, temperatures between 24ºC (75ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF);
- June to August: summer, temperatures between 35ºC (95ºF) and 40ºC (104ºF);
- September to November: autumn, temperatures between 25ºC (77ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF).
I could visit the Pyramids of Giza without falling for scams and I hope you have the same experience in one of the historic sites that every traveler should explore. When traveling to Egypt, it is also worth including in your itinerary the city of Alexandria on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea and the Siwa oasis in the west of the country.
Originally posted 2023-03-05 22:53:22.
