If you are planning a trip to Egypt and want to know where to get the best views of the Pyramids of Giza, we have some great spots for you to try.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last intact ancient Wonder of the World. This pyramid, along with the others that sit on the Giza Plateau, form one of the most recognizable sights in the world.
There is nothing like seeing the Pyramids of Giza up close. During our visit to Egypt, we were on a mission to see these amazing wonders from every angle possible. We toured the Giza Plateau to find the “perfect view” and we had a blast doing it.
If you want to get the best views of the Pyramids of Giza, here are eight great spots to try, with our favorites listed at the end of the article.
Table of Contents
Best Views of the Pyramids of Giza
1. In Front of the Great Sphinx
At this photo spot, you get to snap a photo with two of Egypt’s most famous icons: the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza.
In front of the Great Sphinx there is a large, open, sandy area that is the perfect place for a photo session. This is also a great spot for sunset photography.
Just before sunset.
2. Next to the Great Sphinx
For a close-up view of the Sphinx with the Pyramids in the background, make sure you visit the viewing platform that sits next to the Sphinx. If you want a photo of you “kissing the Sphinx,” this is the place to do it.
3. Panorama Point
This is another great place to get a view of the pyramids. You can either take your photos from the viewpoint next to the parking lot, or walk out into the dunes for a different perspective.
It takes just two minutes to walk to this hill (see the photo below). Most people seem to stay near the parking lot, so if you walk out this way, you get to leave the crowds behind with very little effort.
This photo is taken from parking lot at the Panoramic Point. It’s worth it to walk out to this hill for a slightly different view of the pyramids.
Getting Here: This photo spot is a bit out of the way, and for some people, it is too far to walk from the Great Pyramid, so you will need some form of transportation to get here. If you are visiting the Giza Plateau with a tour, your transportation to this point should be included with your visit. You can also get here by camel and by horse and carriage.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Just be aware that if you plan to use your tripod, like I did for our family photo, it’s an additional fee of 20 EGP (you pay this when you enter the Giza Plateau).
PRO TRAVEL TIP #2: To rent a camel, a horse, or a horse and carriage, you will have to do some negotiating. On average, expect to pay between 200 to 350 EGP (about $7 to $12 USD) for a 30-minute camel, horse, or horse and carriage ride. However, this price can vary a lot, based on your negotiating skills and where you go.
4. From the Helicopter Pad
Not far from Panoramic Point is a helicopter pad where you can get a slightly different view of all three pyramids. We had this all to ourselves and we had a blast taking photos here.
Plus, Kara got a great panoramic view of the area, and our van, with my iPhone.
Getting Here: As you drive, ride a camel, or walk to Panoramic Point, you will pass the helicopter landing pad on the way.
5. On a Camel Ride
To get a view of all nine pyramids of Giza you need to position yourself in the dunes that are located south of the Pyramid of Menkaure (see the map below). Even though the city of Giza sits right next to the Giza Plateau, when you are out this way, you get the feeling that you are out in the desert and not on the edge of a massive, sprawling city.
According to one of our guides in Egypt, you can only get to this viewpoint on a camel (you are not permitted to walk here).
There have been reports about animal abuse, not just to camels, but horses too, at the pyramids. In some cases, the animals are sometimes beaten and overworked during the day, and offered little chance to take a break.
We didn’t witness any of this ourselves. The camels we saw looked in good health and seemed to be getting plenty of rest. But you never know what goes on behind the scenes and the circ*mstances may be different when you visit (a busier time of day, a different person attending the animals, etc.). Therefore, if you are considering this experience, it is important to educate yourself on this subject first.
For more information about how to have an ethical camel riding experience, read this article on Matador Network. To read more about the treatment of horses and camels in Egypt, read this article on the New York Times.
Our favorite view of the Pyramids of Giza is from the dunes that are located south of the Pyramid of Menkaure (see the map below). This is the best place to get a view of all nine pyramids. And even though the city of Giza sits right next to the Giza Plateau, when you are out this way, you get the feeling that you are out in the desert and not on the edge of a massive, sprawling city.
6. Inside the Pyramid
It is possible to go inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Pyramid of Khafre. There is an additional fee to go inside of these three pyramids. The Great Pyramid is the most expensive, costing 900 EGP.
Is it worth it? We think so. We came all of this way to see the pyramids, why not go inside of one, right? Even though it has a big ticket price, we chose to go inside the Great Pyramid of Giza.
We really enjoyed this but it’s not for everyone. It is dark, claustrophobic, hot, and it can be very crowded. Essentially, you walk up a long, dark tunnel to get to the tomb. The only thing in the room is an empty sarcophagus.
We only went inside of the Great Pyramid of Giza, but from what I have heard, all three of the pyramids look the same on the inside. So, if you have seen one, you have seen them all.
If 900 EGP is too much to spend, the ticket price is much cheaper for the Pyramid of Menkaure (220 EGP each). I imagine that crowds are a lot smaller, too.
But how often do you get the chance to go inside an ancient Wonder of the World?
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Photos with cellphones are permitted inside of the pyramids, for free, no photography pass necessary. However, I could not use my DSLR camera. I kept it inside of my camera bag and did not have to leave it with a guard, as I have read that others have had to do in the past. The rules for this are constantly changing, and in 2023, we heard that DSLR cameras were allowed without an additional fee, so if you learn something new and would like to share it with us, let us know in the comment section below.
7. From Your Hotel
Wouldn’t it be nice to start and end your day with a view of the pyramids, right from your hotel room?
There are several hotels located around the Giza Plateau where you can get amazing views of the pyramids.
We stayed at the Marriott Mena House, which sits at the base of the Giza Plateau. On our first morning in Giza, this was our view from our balcony. Pretty sweet, right?
The grounds of the hotel are beautiful, breakfast is amazing, and you can sit outside and stare up at the pyramids over a cup of coffee.
We were also here on New Year’s Eve. Starting off 2020 with a view of the pyramids was a very memorable experience. Unfortunately, there were no fireworks, which was a bummer, but it was still great to be here.
For views of the Sphinx and the pyramids, there are two highly rated hotels to consider, the Pyramids View Inn and the Great Pyramid Inn. Both of these hotels have an upper terrace with awesome views of the Sphinx and the pyramids. You can also watch the Sound and Light Show from here, for free, without buying a ticket.
Below is photo that was taken in front of these two hotels, so it gives you an idea of what to expect.
8. At the Sound and Light Show
Each night, the Sphinx and the pyramids are illuminated in a rainbow of colors. For one hour, the Sphinx narrates the history of the pyramids.
The Sound and Light Show gets mixed reviews. Some people love it, some say it’s boring, almost everyone says that it is outdated (it started in the 1960’s and hasn’t changed much since then).
Tickets start at $20 USD and can be reserved in advance. Click here to learn more. If you need transportation from your hotel, this tour includes tickets for the Sound and Light Show and transportation to and from your hotel.
Chairs set up for the Sound and Light Show.
Best Views of the Pyramids: On a Map
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Best Views of the Pyramids of Giza
Here are our five favorite views of the Pyramids of Giza.
Panoramic Point: Great place to take photos of the pyramids. Walk into the dunes for a slightly different perspective.
In Front of the Sphinx: Great spot to get a panoramic view of the Sphinx and the pyramids. This is also a wonderful place for sunset photography.
From Your Hotel: It is wonderful to start and end your day with a view of the pyramids. The Marriott Mena House, the Pyramids View Inn, and theGreat Pyramid Innare our top picks.
Inside of a Pyramid: For the full experience, visit the inside of one of the pyramids on the Giza Plateau.
On a Camel Ride: To get to the dunes that offer a panoramic view of the pyramids, you can only get here on a camel ride (according to one of our guides in Egypt).
Planning Your Visit
2024 Price List for the Giza Plateau
Giza Plateau Entrance Ticket: 540 EGP per adult, 270 EGP per student (with valid ID)
Entrance Ticket to the Great Pyramid: 900 EGP
Entrance Ticket to the Pyramid of Menkaure: 220 EGP
About Our Visit
We visited Egypt in December 2019. To visit Cairo, Giza, and the Pyramids of Giza, we hired the tour company Egypt Tailor Made. We had a driver and a guide who helped arrange our experience, tickets, and provided our transportation.
What do you think is the best view of the Pyramids of Giza? Let us know in the comment section below.
More Information about Egypt
PYRAMIDS OF GIZA: Plan your visit with our article How to Visit the Pyramids of Giza.
CAIRO: Start with our article Best Things to do in Cairo. We also have a 2 day Cairo Itinerary, information on how to visit the Pyramids of Giza, and how to day trip to Dahshur, Memphis, and Saqqara.
LUXOR: In our guide Best Things to Do in Luxor, get an overview of places to go on the East Bank and West Bank. We also have a photo tour of the Tomb of Queen Neferatari, a guide to the Valley of the Kings, and how to day trip to Dendera and Abydos.
TRAVEL ADVICE: Here is list of important things to know before visit Egypt. The Luxor Pass and Cairo Pass can save you a lot of money…learn more in our guide. And we also have information on how much it costs to visit Egypt.
Read all of our articles about Egypt in our Egypt Travel Guide.
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