If you're planning to visit the Pyramids of Giza during your trip to Egypt, let me help you make the most out of your experience. After welcoming many of guests to Cairo, I've found the perfect way to visit the pyramids stress-free and comfortably. Here's exactly how I recommend doing it.
To make the most of your visit, I always suggest starting from the Sphinx entrance. It's less chaotic than other entry points, and from here, you'll have a beautiful, gradual build-up toward the main pyramid complex.
Tell your uber or driver to navigate you to this ticket office . They might tell you to go to another one, but I highly recommend entering from this side. Once arriving at this point, you may find it a bit chaotic. Just put on a poker face and walk to the ticket office. There're different types of tickets. You will need one to enter the complex and one if you'd like to see a pyramid from the inside. I personally love the Great Pyramid experience, but keep in mind it's quite a climb and not ideal if you're claustrophobic. Also keep in mind that you may not find anything inside, but it's still a cool experience. If you would just like to have a peak, you can also buy the ticket for the second biggest Pyramid.
I've mapped out a smart walking route on Google Maps that shows you the best path through the Giza Plateau. You'll be able to see:
This route avoids unnecessary backtracking or long detours, so you'll stay cool and enjoy the sights at your own pace.
You totally can! Just let the ticket office know when you arrive. The inside of the Great Pyramid is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, but it's a bit of a workout - you'll be climbing through narrow corridors, so wear comfy shoes and bring water! Entering the pyramid will take you around 15/20 minutes.
If you want to enter a pyramid, make sure you are planning to do so before or after lunch time. Entering the Pyramids is closed during lunch time. Lunch time may vary but mostly between 11:30 and 13:30.
After exploring the ancient world, it's time to relax in style. Just a few minutes' walk from the exit, you'll find the Marriott Mena House - a historic hotel right next to the pyramids.
You can just walk in from the parking spot and tell the doorman you are going to the restaurant 139 Pavilion, one of the most scenic restaurants in Cairo. Imagine sitting in the garden, sipping a cold drink, while the pyramids rise in the background. For lunch, I recommend ordering a delicious Egyptian tapas-style meal. They have a great selection of hot and cold mezze. It's shown as a starter, but. Its more than enough.
After lunch, I recommend leaving no later than 14:00, just to be sure you'll make it to the museum on time. Most museums in Cairo close around 17:00, with the last entry usually at 16:00.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is a great museum to visit after the pyramids. You can easily order an Uber from the restaurant. Sometimes it may just take some time for the Uber to come to the hotel. The NMEC museum isn't a very big museum and a visit will take you around 1,5 hours. This is the museum where they show actual mummies.
