The Giza Pyramid Complex, on the western edge of greater Cairo, is one of those places whose scale resists photographs. The Great Pyramid of Khufu rises above the plateau alongside the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, while the Great Sphinx keeps watch below. Around them are smaller pyramids, mastaba tombs, causeways and mortuary temples: the remains of a vast royal necropolis, not just a collection of monuments.
Built during Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty, around 4,500 years ago, the pyramids were royal tombs and expressions of a belief system that linked kingship with the afterlife. Khufu’s pyramid is the last surviving wonder of the ancient world and was the tallest human-made structure for nearly 3,800 years. Walking close to its enormous limestone blocks gives that record a physical weight that is hard to grasp from a distance.
Arrive early for cooler temperatures and softer light, and bring water, sun protection and sturdy shoes for the exposed, uneven ground. Entry inside a pyramid generally requires a separate ticket; passages can be steep, narrow and hot, so consider whether the experience suits you. Allow time to explore beyond the main viewpoints, where the smaller tombs and temples reveal more of how the complex once functioned.