Inside The Pyramids of Giza – The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Pyramids in Egypt
Are visitors allowed inside the Pyramids of Giza or can you only observe them from the outside? Find the answer right here along with everything else you would like to know about the Giza pyramids.
The Pyramids of Giza – The Face of Ancient
Located on the Giza Plateau on the outskirts of Cairo, the Giza Pyramids have, to a great extent, become the face of Ancient Egypt. There are several other pyramids in Egypt, some of which are even older, but it is those on the Giza Plateau that have stood out and captivated the imagination of the world.
Khufu’s Pyramid and Khafre’s Pyramid are also the largest pyramids ever built by the Ancient Egyptians. The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built using more than 2.3 million huge blocks of stone. This was then encased with polished slabs of stone, giving it a height of nearly 147 meters and a combined weight of around 6 million tons.
Everyone wants to visit the pyramids and the sphinx when they visit Egypt for the first time. Not surprisingly, the Giza Plateau is the most visited tourist attraction in Egypt.
Visiting the Pyramids of Giza
Getting to the site from Cairo is easy and affordable, but many people tend to book professional Giza Pyramid Tours, which include a professional English-speaking guide and clean and modern air-conditioned transport to and from the site. Visiting through a private tour is only marginally more expensive than visiting the site on your own and is much more convenient.
Another benefit of booking a tour is that many tours will include additional attractions, such as the Egyptian Museum and the Djoser Step Pyramid at Saqqara. This was the first Egyptian pyramid ever built
If you are planning on visiting the Giza pyramids during your trip to Egypt, bear in mind that the site can become very crowded, and especially during the peak holiday season. If you want to avoid the heat and the crowds, we recommend getting to the site at around 08h30 in the morning.
The entrance fee for the site costs around US$10 for adults and around US$5 for students. While your entrance fee includes access to the Sphinx and the various temples at the site, you must pay extra if you want to go inside the pyramids of Giza.
The Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx receive approximately 14.7 million visitors a year making the Giza Plateau the most visited tourist attraction in Egypt.
Are Tourists Allowed Inside the Pyramids of Giza?
Yes, it is usually possible to go inside the Giza Pyramids when you visit the site. However, it is possible that not all three will be open to the public on the day you visit. For example, one or more may be closed for restoration work or for general maintenance. It is actually very rare for all three, or even two to be closed at the same time.
Entry to the pyramids is not included in the standard admission ticket for the site. A standard ticket only entitles you to observe the pyramids from the outside, and they allow you to see the iconic Sphinx and the Valley Temple. If you want to see inside the Pyramids of Giza you will need to purchase the appropriate ticket/s at the site.
If you purchase a ticket for the Solar Boat Museum at the site, this will typically allow you to also enter one of the pyramids, but you don’t get to choose which pyramid. Ticket prices differ, depending on which pyramid you want to go inside.
At the time of writing, it cost about US$11 to go inside the most famous Egyptian pyramid, the Great Pyramid which belonged to Khufu, a 4th dynasty pharaoh. Entry tickets for the pyramid of pharaoh Khafre and pharaoh Menkaura cost around UD$3 each. Student tickets are typically half the price.
From the original entrance, a passage descends through the masonry of the Great Pyramid of Giza and then into the bedrock beneath it, ultimately leading to the Subterranean Chamber.
Going Inside the Pyramids of Giza
Many travelers who have been inside the Great pyramid have reported on how warm it was inside. Admittedly, there is no modern air conditioning system inside any of the pyramids and it can get very warm, but this is usually only the case when there are crowds of people inside.
Under normal circumstances, the temperature inside the Great pyramid remains at a steady 20 degrees Celsius regardless of how hot it is outside. There are also a number of air shafts leading from various rooms inside the pyramid to the outside walls. Archaeologists believe that these narrow shafts were built into the design in order to provide ventilation for workers working inside the pyramid during its construction.
All in all, there is not really much to see inside the pyramids of Giza other than dark narrow passages and some chambers, including the pharaoh’s burial chamber which is topped with granite blocks weighing as much as 80 tons. More than 8,000 tons of granite was imported from Aswan in Upper Egypt to be used in the Great Pyramid.
There are also lots of stairs in all three pyramids. Sadly, all three pyramids were looted in antiquity. No artifacts or mummies were ever discovered inside the pyramids of Giza, and neither were any hieroglyphs.
In recent times, scientists scanned the Great Pyramid of Giza using a technique known as cosmic muography. This led to the discovery of two previously unknown smallish cavities. The same scan also revealed a huge hidden chamber which has been named the Big Void.
While archaeologists are certain that this chamber/void was intentionally built into the design, its actually purpose remains a mystery. There are several theories, one of which suggests that this might be King Khufu’s real burial chamber. Khufu’s Pyramid is also the only one which has a chamber and passageway below ground level. However, the chamber was never completed.
So, is it worth going inside the Pyramids of Giza?
Many people believe that it is worth it even if there is not much to see inside any of the three pyramids at Giza. We tend to agree with this line of thought. After all, the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It is also the last one still standing and mostly still intact, and for a few dollars you can actually go inside this 139-meter-tall ancient marvel.
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Visiting the Giza Pyramids WIKI
Can I visit the pyramids in Egypt?
Yes, visiting the Pyramids of Giza is at the top of everyone’s bucket list when visiting Egypt for the first. The Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx receive approximately 14.7 million visitors per year.
Where to visit pyramids in Egypt?
While the Giza pyramids are the most popular pyramids to visit, there are others as well, including the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, and the Red, Black, and Bent Pyramids at Dashur.
Why should you visit the pyramids of Giza?
The legendary Giza Pyramids are quite literally the face of Ancient Egypt, with the Great Pyramid being one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and the only one still standing.
How to visit the Giza pyramids?
There are various ways one can visit the pyramids from Cairo, including buses, taxis and by way of private or group tours which are affordable, reliable and hassle-free.
Best day to visit pyramids?
Any day of the week is a good day for visiting the Pyramids of Giza since the site open to visitors every day of the week. Most people choose to visit on their first or second day in the country.
How much time to visit Giza pyramids?
Most visitors spend about one hour at the site. If you intend going inside the pyramids of Giza, add approximately 30 minutes per pyramid, and a further 30 minutes if you visit the Solar Boat Museum.
Best time to visit pyramids in Egypt?
If you want to avoid crowds, we recommend visiting no later than about 08h30 before the tour buses start arriving. Alternatively, you can also avoid the crowds by visiting in the late afternoon.
Giza pyramids visiting hours?
The site where the pyramids are located opens at 08h00 every day and closes at 17h00 during summer (April – September) and closes at 16h00 during winter (October – March).
How much does it cost to visit the pyramids?
At the time of writing, the entrance fee for the site cost roughly US$10. To go inside the pyramids of Giza costs extra: about US$11 for the Great Pyramid, and about US$3 each for the other two.
What to wear to visit the pyramids in Egypt?
We recommend wearing lightweight cotton garments, preferably a pair of thin cotton slacks and a thin cotton long sleeve top, bearing in mind that there is very little shade at the site.
Can you climb the pyramids of Giza?
While tourists were free to climb the pyramids in the past, this is no longer allowed. If you get caught climbing a pyramid, you run the risk of being sent to prison for three years.
Can you go inside the pyramids of Giza?
Yes, visitors are allowed inside the pyramids. Tickets for going inside are available at the site and at the time of writing cost US$11 for the Great Pyramid and US$3 each for the other two pyramids.
What is inside the pyramids of Giza?
Unfortunately, there is not a lot to see inside the pyramids of Giza other than passageways, lots of steps, shafts, such as the Osiris Shaft, and chambers, all of which were looted in antiquity.
Where to stay in Egypt to visit pyramids?
Getting to the pyramids from downtown Cairo is affordable and relatively easy, but if you are looking for the most convenient option, then it would be best book accommodation at Giza.
Can you visit the pyramids from Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes, many tour operators offer day tours from Sharm to the Giza Pyramids. You can also use public transport, or you can fly to Cairo and take a taxi or buses to the pyramids from the airport.
Visiting the pyramids without a guide?
While it’s best to visit with a guide, you can still have a great time visiting on your own. Just remember to negotiate prices before accepting any services, including horse rides and camel rides.
Warning: Expect to be approached by very pesky sellers when visiting the Giza Plateau without a guide!
Pyramids FAQ and Interesting Facts
Construction
How many Pyramids of Giza are there?
There are three main pyramids at the Giza necropolis: the Khufu Pyramid; the Khafre Pyramid, and the Menkaura Pyramid. There are also several small queens’ pyramids.
Why were the Pyramids of Giza built?
The Giza Pyramids were built to serve as tombs for the pharaohs who had them built, and for storing stuff which they believed they would need in the afterlife.
When were the Pyramids of Giza built?
The Giza Pyramids are believed to have been built between 2550 and 2490 BC. The largest of the three was the first one built and is believed to be about 4,500 years old.
How many workers built the Pyramids of Giza?
While the Greek historian Herodotus claimed that as many as 100,000 workers were used to build the great Pyramid, experts nowadays believe 20,000 to be a far more realistic number.
Who built the Pyramids of Giza?
The Egyptians themselves built the Giza Pyramids, and contrary to what people believe, slave labor was not used. They were built by thousands of paid workers living in their own nearby village.
What were the Pyramids of Giza made out of?
The exterior walls of the pyramids where made mostly from huge limestone blocks, while massive blocks of granite were transported from Aswan and were put to good use inside the pyramids.
How long did it take to build Pyramids of Giza?
Nobody knows for certain how long it took to build the pyramids, but it’s believed that it would have taken upwards of 20 years to build the two large pyramids and about 15 for Menkaura’s Pyramid.
Size
How tall are the Pyramids of Giza?
The Khufu’s Pyramid was originally 146.6 meters tall but today it stands at 138.8 meters. Pharaoh Khafre’s Pyramid is 136 meters tall, while Menkaura’s Pyramid is 61 meters tall.
How big were the Pyramids of Giza?
Khufu’s and Khafre’s pyramids were colossal. Khufu’s pyramid, for example, was originally 146.6 meters tall, and the base of each side measuring 230.3 meters in length.
Are the Pyramids of Giza visible from space?
Yes, but within reason. They can however be seen from the International Space Station. They can be photographed with regular digital cameras equipped relatively good quality lenses.
Location
Where are the Pyramids of Giza located?
The iconic Pyramids of Giza are located at an ancient necropolis on the Giza Plateau, roughly 9 kilometers from the city of Giza and roughly 13 kilometer Cairo’s city center.
What are the exact coordinates of the Pyramids of Giza?
The exact coordinates are as follows: Giza Necropolis 29.9773°N 31.1325°E; Khufu’s Pyramid 29.9792°N 31.1342°E; Khafre’s Pyramid 31. 9760°N 31.1308°E and Menkaura’s Pyramid 29.9726°N 31.1284°E
How to get to the Pyramids of Giza?
You can get to the Giza Pyramids by bus, by taxi, or by way of an organized tour. The easiest, most convenient and most comfortable way to visit the site is by way of a tour.
Age
How old are the Pyramids of Giza?
The Great Pyramid is the oldest of the three at around 4,500 years old. Khafre’s pyramid was built during his reign from 2558−2532 BC, while Menkaura’s was built in 2510 BC.
When were the Pyramids of Giza first discovered?
The Giza Pyramids never been buried under the sand or hidden in some other way. They have been visible to anyone in the area ever since they were first constructed.
What did the Pyramids of Giza look like?
Initially the 3 pyramids at Giza were all encased in highly polishes slabs of white limestone. They have a dazzling and shimmering appearance, especially in the sunlight.
Myths
Did aliens build the Pyramids of Giza?
No, the pyramids where not built by aliens. They were built by thousands of Egyptian workers who lived in a nearby village. The ruins of the village and many artifacts from the site verify this.
Did Jesus visit the pyramids?
No, as far as religious writings are concerned, there is no mention of Jesus visiting the Pyramids of Giza although the Holy Family is believed to have visited as many as 70 other locations in Egypt.
Miscellaneous
What is the Pyramids of Giza?
The term “Pyramids of Giza” refers to three famous pyramids at the Giza Necropolis on the outskirts of Cairo in Egypt. There are several smaller pyramids at the site, along with some temples.
Why should you visit the Pyramids of Giza?
One good reason is because it is one of the 7 Wonders of the World and the only one still standing and mostly still intact. No amount of photos can do the pyramids the justice they deserve.
What is special about the Pyramids of Giza?
The Giza Pyramids are special in so many ways. They were built using millions of stone blocks weighing about 2.5 tons each, and this without any mechanical assistance.
Can you enter the Pyramids of Giza?
Yes, you are allowed inside the Pyramids of Giza but you need to purchase a ticket for each pyramid you want to enter: about $11 for the Great Pyramid, and about $3 each for the other two pyramids.
What are the names of the Pyramids of Giza?
The three pyramids at Giza are all named after the pharaohs who built them: Pharaoh Khufu, Pharaoh Khafre, and Pharaoh Menkaure. Khufu’s pyramid is also called the Great Pyramid.
What was the purpose of the Pyramids of Giza?
Like all pyramids in Egypt, the Giza Pyramids were built to serve as elaborate tombs. Those in Giza are the tombs of Pharaoh Khufu, Pharaoh Khafre, and Pharaoh Menkaure.
Why did Pharaoh Khufu build the Pyramids of Giza?
Pharaoh Khufu built his pyramid to serve as his tomb and to store anything he deemed to be necessary for his journey in the afterlife. His burial chamber is located in the center of the structure.
Who is buried in the Pyramids of Giza?
The Giza Pyramids were built to serve as burial tombs for Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaura. However no mummies have been found in any of the three pyramids.
