Visit Gizeh Pyramids: tickets, prices, schedules

Would you like to visit the Gizeh pyramids in Cairo? Discover in this article all that you need to know about this mythical site of Ancient Egypt, still bathed in mysteries.

Who has never dreamed of visiting the Gizeh pyramids? The silhouette of these three colosses haunt the imagination of Man since Antiquity... From Alexander the Great to Napoleon, through Caesar, all admired these eloquent witnesses of the ingenuity and power of Egyptian civilization.

What is the history of the site? How to visit the Gizeh pyramids? To be sure not to miss this tour full of history and emotions, prepare your stay!

History of Gizeh pyramids

The Gizeh pyramids dominate the desert plateau of Gizeh, on the west bank of the Nile. They are part of the necropolis of Gizeh, which welcomes the tombs of the pharaohs of the IV dynasty. They reign over the Ancient Egyptian Empire from 2550 to 2450 before our era.

During the first two dynasties, the burials of the kings take the form of rectangular constructions made of carved stone, sometimes slightly inclined towards the inside: they are mastabas. Later, the Egyptians built mastabas on floors, which are gradually replaced by degree pyramids. Finally, the pyramids of Gizeh take the form of smooth-faced pyramids: these are the most successful funeral buildings of Ancient Egypt.

These three extraordinary pyramids certainly house the tombs of Kheops , Khephren son of Kheops and Mykérinos son of Khephren, who have all three pharaoh summers. However, if these powers are most likely accurate, there is no indisputable evidence! Gizeh’s pyramids are still veiled with mysteries. And for cause: since ancient times and until the 19th century, they have been the victims of many lootings. The archaeologists could not find any body or other funeral vestige...

It is certainly partly for this reason that the next dynasties will see their kings buried in long galleries dug on mountain sides: these underground tombs are called hypogees. Even today, new tombs are discovered in the famous Valley of the Kings.

But let’s go back to Gizeh’s pyramids: how not to evoke their construction, which made so much ink flow? If some assign it to extraterrestrials, the pyramids are actually the work of remarkable engineering, as evidenced by the parchment of Merer . This millennium document shows the construction of artificial canals that have been used to carry no less than 4.7 million tons of stones for the Kheops pyramid! Despite beliefs, the great pyramid of Gizeh was built by free workers (the remnants of the village of workers on the necropolis testify)... And that in only 20 years!

What to see and what to do at the Gizeh pyramids?

The necropolis of Gizeh consists of three tombs, attributed to Khéops, Khéphren and Mykérinos. Looking at the site from the sky, you will only see the three pyramids , but in reality things are a little more complex. Each tomb consists of:

• A pyramid (the tomb of the Pharaoh);
• A wall of enclosure around the pyramid;
• A high temple, attached to the pyramid;
• A pavement;
• A low temple at the end of the roadway;
• Small side pyramids;
• Cemeteries and/or pits.

You decided to visit the Gizeh pyramids? Here's what you'll find on this amazing site:

The pyramid of Kheops

Kheops pyramid , or large pyramid of Gizeh, is the largest of the three pyramids: 138 meters high, 146 at the time. It is the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that can still be admired today! It is believed to have sheltered the sarcophagus of Kheops. Today we do not know much about this pharaoh. Herodote made it a megalomaniac and cruel character, but the Greek historian visited the places... 2000 years after the construction of the pyramid! All we have left of Khéops is a small statue with its effigy that we can admire at the Cairo Museum.

It is possible to visit the inside of the pyramid, but if the symbol is strong (you walk on the steps of 4500 years of history...), you will see nothing worth. If you are a claustrophobic strand, abstain!

At the foot of the pyramid is a large, fairly disgraceful concrete shed. It houses a 46-metre long sacred solar boat, a real masterpiece made from cedar wood from Lebanon, which would have allowed Khéops to reach the Beyond.

The Khephren pyramid

Khephren pyramid is quite similar to the first: it is now 136 metres high, compared to 143 during its erection. You will be surprised by the fact that it seems bigger than the first. In fact, it is built on a rocky base, which gives this impression. You can visit the inside, as for the pyramid of Khéops.

The pyramid of Mykérinos

Finally, the latter is the smallest of the three. It would seem that Mykérinos was less ambitious, since His pyramid only measures 66 meters high. It marks the end of the era of giant pyramids to announce the coming of a new series of pyramids. First feature, its facades are decorated with decors, which is unpublished. Finally, the architecture of the funeral room and the pavement differ from the other two pyramids.

The Sphinx

Visiting the Gizeh pyramids is also an opportunity to admire the famous Sphinx , which measures more than 70 meters in length, 14 meters in width and 20 meters in height. This is the world’s largest monolithic sculpture, still today! It represents a colossal sphinx lying, chimera of Egyptian mythology symbolizing the union between the god Râ and the pharaoh – here, Khéops.

How do I go to the Gizeh pyramids?

Gizeh's necropolis is 8 kilometres from the city of Gizeh and 25 kilometres from Cairo.

From the centre of the capital you will need 30 minutes to an hour to reach the site. There exists. two inputs to access it: one near the Sphinx and another near the pyramid of Khéops.

To visit the Gizeh pyramids, you can choose to book a excursion by bus at the beginning of Cairo, but the most practical and economical solution remains to appeal to taxi .

Schedules & Gizeh pyramid rates

HORARI

The site of the Pyramids of Gizeh is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. .

RATES

To visit the Gizeh pyramid site, count 160 Egyptian pounds, or 8,30 € . Prices have been increasing lately.

In addition:

• Visit of the inside of the pyramid of Kheops : 19,50 €;
• Visit of the interior of the second and third pyramid : 5,40 €;
• To admire the solar boat : 5,40 €.