The Giza pyramids and the Sphinx
Pyramids of Giza · Giza Governorate, Egypt
The three Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Sphinx — humanity's first great state project, 4,500 years ago.
Know before you go
- Don't climb the pyramids (it's illegal and dangerous)
- ask before photographing local people, especially women
- during Ramadan avoid eating and drinking in public by day.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The pharaoh who built the largest pyramid left behind only a tiny ivory statue
Khufu was the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty and is generally thought to have ordered the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Yet astonishingly few records of his reign survive: his only fully preserved portrait is a small ivory statuette found in 1903 in the ruins of a later temple at Abydos; his other statues and reliefs survive only in fragments.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The three pyramids belong to three Fourth Dynasty pharaohs: Khufu (the largest, originally about 146 m high), Khafre and Menkaure, built around 2580–2510 BC. The Sphinx is generally thought to represent Khafre, guarding his pyramid. The pyramids are the ultimate expression of the pharaohs' divine kingship and belief in the afterlife, and the organisation behind their construction still astonishes. They became a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Local customs
- Many people around Giza make their living from tourism
- camel drivers and vendors are friendly but persistent. Egyptians are generally hospitable and often greet you with 'Welcome to Egypt'.
Religion & beliefs
- Ancient Egyptian religion died out long ago
- modern Egypt is mainly Sunni Muslim, with Coptic Christians the largest religious minority. There are no active religious services at the site, and ordinary respect is all that's needed.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Egypt: drink only at licensed venues
- Drink in licensed restaurants, bars or within resorts
- Drinking in the street or other public places
Drinking outside licensed premises is illegal and can lead to arrest.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Egypt: no drones without a permit
- Leave your drone at home
- Bringing in or using a drone without Ministry of Defence permission
Up to 7 years in prison, or a fine of EGP 5,000 to 50,000.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Egypt: ask before photographing people, and don't photograph children
- Ask local people before photographing them
- If in doubt, ask before taking a photo
- Photographing children
- Photographing military installations (including the Suez Canal)
- Taking or sharing photos that could harm the country's image
Tourism ministry rules require written permission to photograph Egyptian citizens, and photographing children is banned; photographing military installations is illegal.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Egypt: dress modestly and avoid public displays of affection
- Dress conservatively in villages, mosques and markets
- Kissing or hugging in public (holding hands is usually fine)
Behaviour accepted in resorts may be seen as offensive elsewhere.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't climb the pyramids (it's illegal and dangerous)
- ask before photographing local people, especially women
- during Ramadan avoid eating and drinking in public by day.
Locals appreciate DO
- Egyptians love chatting and joking and are extremely proud of their ancient civilisation
- tipping (baksheesh) is widespread and seen as polite.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Vendors at the site can be persistent, so go with an official guide or agree a car hire in advance
- agree camel-ride prices first and confirm what's included. Entering a pyramid needs a separate ticket, and the passages are narrow, hot and stuffy — not for the claustrophobic. The evening sound-and-light show is worth seeing
- check prices on the official website.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Koshari
- Stuffed pigeon
- Egyptian kebab
Kushari (rice, pasta and lentils with spicy tomato sauce — the national staple), hamam mahshi (pigeon stuffed with rice and roasted), Egyptian kebab / kofta, ful medames (mashed fava beans), sugar-cane juice
| Where to eat | The restaurant area outside the gates of the Giza pyramids (with a view premium), old restaurants in central Cairo |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Egypt is mainly Muslim — avoid drinking or being rowdy in public, and eat discreetly by day during Ramadan |
| Typical price per person | EGP 200–400 ≈ CNY 30–60 |
| Tips | Around the sights, agree prices first (camels, carriages, meals); bring your own bottled water. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Dina Said · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
kallerna · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0
KennyOMG · CC BY-SA 4.0
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