Great Pyramid of Giza (Khufu Pyramid)

When the Great Pyramid was built, it was surrounded by three smaller pyramids, built for Khufu’s wives and sisters, as well as pits where Khufu’s solar boat (now housed in a museum) was buried. Today the pyramid is weathered with age and missing its limestone casing, but it is still an awe-inspiring sight.

The Giza pyramid complex also includes the Great Sphinx of Giza and Khafre’s valley temple. Most travelers visit with a guide. Full-day tours often stop at other ancient sites, such as Saqqara and Memphis, and some include a camel ride or a visit to Cairo’s museums. For a unique view, see the pyramids at night, when they’re lit up in a sound and light show.

• Steep steps and low tunnels mean you’ll need to be somewhat physically fit to explore inside the Great Pyramid. The inside of the pyramid is not suitable for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia.

• Even if you take a guided tour, you’ll need a dedicated ticket to explore the inside of the pyramid.

• If you want to get all three of Giza’s pyramids into one photo, you’ll need to walk into the desert; guides can help you find the best viewpoints.

• Vendors at Giza can be aggressive, and prices are better in downtown Cairo.

• Wear a hat and sunscreen, no matter what time of year you visit, and carry plenty of water; there is relatively little shade in the area.

• As in any part of Cairo, women will feel much more comfortable dressed conservatively and may want to cover their upper arms, legs, and cleavage.

• You can get a good view of the exterior of the pyramids (and the Sphinx) from a wheelchair, but you’ll need a driver to get around the site.

The Giza Plateau is in a suburb of Cairo, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) southwest of Tahrir Square. The pyramids are surprisingly hard to reach by public transportation, as the nearest subway stop is miles from the site. The 355 and 357 buses run to the site from the airport, with a stop near the Egyptian Museum, but most travelers prefer the convenience of an organized tour.

The Giza pyramids open quite early in the morning and operate until afternoon, then reopen in the evening for a sound and light show. If you want to look inside the Great Pyramid, arrive early (especially during high season) as numbers are strictly limited. Try to avoid the Islamic weekend (Friday through Saturday) and important Muslim holidays such as Eid.

Although Khufu’s pyramid was robbed over the centuries, and his grave lacks the kinds of gorgeous paintings found in the later tombs in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, the inside of the Great Pyramid of Giza is extremely atmospheric. Low, cramped, sloping tunnels open up into vaulted spaces with beautifully-engineered granite blocks, and a rough, crudely finished sarcophagus still stands in the King’s Chamber.

Yes, you can tour the Great Pyramid of Giza (Khufu Pyramid). The only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to survive, it stands with the Khafre and Menkaure pyramids, some smaller pyramids, Valley Temple, and Sphinx in Giza, just outside Cairo. You’ll need an extra ticket to explore inside.

Plan to spend between one to four hours. Most tours of Giza visit the Great Pyramid, the other pyramids, Sphinx, and Valley Temple. A camel ride and/or a visit to a viewpoint for trick photos are also the norm on tours. Some stop at shops or the Papyrus Institute.

There’s little shade at the Pyramids of Giza, so sun protection is key most of the year: Wear a hat, sunscreen, and loose clothes. Women will find their visit more pleasant if they comply with local modesty standards, covering legs, arms, shoulders, cleavage, and belly. Everyone should wear comfortable shoes.

It depends on your risk tolerance. There is a risk of terrorism in parts of Egypt, but most visitors to the Pyramids of Giza experience nothing worse than scams, hustles, pickpocketing, or minor sexual harassment. Stay safe by reviewing your government’s travel advice before visiting Egypt.

Not much! If you’re expecting the Great Pyramid of Giza to reveal gorgeous paintings, like in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, think again. The steep, narrow pathways display the skill of the stonemasons who built the pyramids, while the empty granite sarcophagus in the King’s Chamber holds an eerie power.

The best time of day to visit the Pyramids of Giza is as soon as they open, which can be as early as 7am. The second best time is late afternoon, after the day-trippers have gone home. The nightly Sound and Light Egypt show is popular, too.