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Giza
City in Greater Cairo, Egypt

Giza

Giza is the third-largest city in Egypt by area and population, and is also the eighteenth-largest city in Africa by population.

Plan a trip to Giza→From Port Said

It is the capital of Giza Governorate with a total population of 4,458,135 as of 2023. It is located on the west bank of the Nile opposite central Cairo, and is a part of the Greater Cairo metropolis. Giza lies less than 30 kilometres north of Memphis, which was the capital city of the unified Egyptian state during the reign of pharaoh Narmer, roughly 3100 BC.

Get in

Getting to Giza

When seeking transport, ask for "Haram" and shape your hands like a pyramid by making an upside down Victory sign with your index and middle finger: people, especially minibus drivers will know where you want to go. Also, see Egypt#By metro or Egypt#By train for more details. In summer 2025, the gates to the park were reconfigured. The Mena Gate that you could enter from the east was closed.

  1. 01
    El Giza

    Al Omraneyah Ash Sharqeyah, Al Omraneyah.

See

Worth seeing

The pyramids and associated sites are on the plateau 8 km west of Giza downtown. You'll see them looming up as you approach along Al-Haram Road. You can enter the complex by the main gate at the western terminus of that road. You'll then progress anti-clockwise through the site, eventually to exit near the Sphinx.

Do

Things to do

Before you get on the back of a camel or horse, have a look at how they treat their animals. You might change your mind. If you anyway decide to take the offer of one of the horsemen or camel guys, make sure you discuss the price and where you go first. Ask to confirm it covers two people/two horses. Negotiate the price you want.

Eat

Where to eat

Western fast food options are located opposite the main ticket gates to the Pyramid enclosure, Pizza Hut and KFC included, so you can munch on a Tower burger and sip on a Coke in air-conditioned comfort whilst gazing on the more than 4,000-year-old Sphinx across the road. Many may prefer a more authentic experience, although the novelty of the situation could be interesting.

  1. 01
    El Gizawy

    At the pyramids entrance where the homestays are.

  2. 02
    Nile Pharaoh Cruising

    The boat features Pharonic decor, and offers a buffet with international and Egyptian cuisine, and belly dancing.

  3. 03
    Khufu’s Restaurant

    Restaurant with traditional Egyptian dishes and a view of the Pyramids.

  4. 04
    Khan El Khalili

    Has been open for over a century and is far and away the most stylish place for lunch or just a cold beer.

How locals move

Getting around Giza the local way

  • Get inWhen seeking transport, ask for "Haram" and shape your hands like a pyramid by making an upside down Victory sign with your index and middle finger: people, especially minibus drivers will know where you want to go.
  • Get inAs of 2025, the metro is being extended towards the pyramids and the entire road is a construction project, so it can be somewhat of a maze to find the buses and minibuses that can take you toward the pyramids.
  • Get inInstead just point yourself in the direction of the main east-west road and once you find the road walk west until you see minibuses or people waiting impatiently for one.

From Wikivoyage: Cairo/Giza, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.