7 Most Unexpected Pyramids of Giza Views from the City + Beyond

I might go as far as to say that the WORST views of the pyramids of Giza are from right in front of them. These opulent gentle giants are better viewed from a bit farther away – I mean, they will grace any skyline in Cairo with their massive triangular figures.

Some like to believe that the Pyramids of Giza are in the middle of nowhere, but unfortunately, that is far from true. The city of Cairo has quickly encroached on these ancient monuments to the point that the Sphynx is a few hundred meters away from supermarkets and fast food joints.

Don’t let this ruin the experience, though – they are still surrounded by a vast desert on MOST sides – some of which have amazing views of the pyramids. Here are some of the most UNEXPECTED views of the pyramids of Giza – both from the city and from the desert!

Don’t forget to check out more of what Cairo has to offer. After weeks of exploring, I summed up Cairo as best I could in my travel guide below:

Giza KFC + Pizza Hut Rooftop

I know you HATE me for this one, but hear me out. In fact, you might be here because of my viral KFC pyramids view TikTok video – which I will embed below.

@kimmconn

✨You’re Welcome✨ #tiktoktravel #traveltips #travel #egypt #foryoupage #fyp

♬ original sound – Kimmie Conner

Yes, it’s true… the CLOSEST restaurant to the exit of the Giza Pyramids complex is a joint KFC and Pizza Hut restaurant building. The KFC is on the first floor, the Pizza Hut is on the second floor, and the dining area is on the third and fourth rooftop floor.

When I went, there were NO other souls up on the roof and we had the whole thing to ourselves for a quick meal in the middle of exploring all the pyramids and a super cool art exhibition that was going on at the time. Unfortunately, I think my viral video might have changed that, however!

The rooftop here gives you an UNOBSTRUCTED view right over the exit towards the sphynx and all three pyramids. Yes, you can go to a local restaurant nearby… but fast food might be the best option if you need a bite to eat before the complex closes at 4pm.

The Hill BEFORE Entering the Sphynx Complex

One of the best views of the Giza Pyramids from INSIDE the necropolis is from the hill just outside the sphynx. Most people just go straight into the chamber in from of the sphynx, but it would be a shame to miss the little hill about 20m in front of it from which you can see all the pyramids and the sphynx clearly too.

This is also one of the best Giza photo spots as if you have your photographer bend down a little, you can use the top of the hill to remove any people that may be walking around below you in front of the spynx – like I had Eliot do in the photo above.

This Giza pyramids view is one of the best perspectives to truly see every part of this once-in-a-lifetime destination – from the 3 main pyramids, to the causeway from the first temple to the second pyramid, tp the sphynx, boat area, and more.

If you want to find out how to obtain a visa to Egypt from your country (and many other worldwide destinations) entirely online, visit Evisa Express. You will also find information there on current Egyptian entry rules that will help you prepare best for your trip.

Giza Hotel Rooftops

Surprisingly enough, there’s a whole row of mini-hotels right along the exit by the sphynx – down the road from the KFC/Pizza Hut. Most of these hotels have recently adapted to their incredible location by adding rooftops and even restaurants with terraces looking out towards the mighty pyramids. I am surprised it took them this long to figure out!

We really liked the look of the Great Pyramid Inn and the Pyramids Valley Boutique Hotel, both of which are about $50 USD per night with a pyramid view terrace or balconies. We also got sushi and tea on the rooftop at Akemi Sushi and LOVED it! Here are some other hotels near the pyramids to check out.

It’s a great idea to spend at least a night in one of these hotels so you can see the sunset behind the pyramids after the complex closes at 4pm. This way you’ll also see the sound and light show that happens each night around 6-7 depending on the time of year.

IF you need something even MORE budget, the H10 Pyramids View is right behind the Marriott and goes for less than $25-$30/night.

Jacuzzi By The Historic Giza Pyramids – Apartments 2 and 4

After I visited this place I had MANY of you asking for the link to this place… so here it is! It’s probably the most mind-blowing view I have ever had from a room. I mean, what could be better than having the 3 pyramids of Giza filling up your window vision while sitting in a JACUZZI?!

This is a bucket-list place to visit, and it is SO worth the hype. I could hardly sleep because I couldn’t stop gazing out the window reminding myself that it was, indeed, real. You can catch a perfect sunset, beautiful sunrise, and a bit of the nighttime light show of the pyramids (but you won’t be able to hear it). And you’ll be within walking distance from the entrance.

There are actually two identical jacuzzi apartments by the pyramids, which I have linked below! They’re only $80, but will reach around $100 with taxes and fees.

Marriott Mena House

If you have a bit more to splurge than $50/night or require. a bit more luxury, the Marriott Mena House is the definite top choice for where to stay with a view of the pyramids of Giza. This place is famous in its own right, not only for its incredible pyramid views but also for its beautiful design and architecture.

This hotel perfectly compliments its ideal distance from the pyramids with lush green grassy parks and even a lake, which compliment the pyramid view sickeningly well. Whether eating breakfast on a balcony overlooking the grass or watching the light and sound show from an Arabian blanket with tea – if you can afford it for just over $300 USD, this is an experience not to miss.

If you can’t afford a night but still want to see this hotel, you can try getting food and drinks at the hotel on-site, the 139 Pavillion.

From a Sunset Camel Ride

Many tour guides will tell you that the Giza complex is something crazy like 15km around – which is NOT true! If you have a few hours you can walk around all the pyramids and even to the panoramic viewpoint yourself.

Renting a camel is surely one of the best ways to see the pyramids, but the salesmen at the pyramids are absolutely brutal and aggressive. To be completely honest, I recommend walking the pyramids during the day (including the panoramic viewpoint and around – it might be far but worthwhile if it isn’t the height of summer) and pre-booking a camel tour for sunset.

If you pre-book online, you will save all the trouble of haggling and potentially getting ripped off, AND you will be able to extend your pyramids experience PAST the time the complex closes at 4pm. A sunset camel ride will take you just outside the necropolis with amazing sunset views from a classic Egyptian mode of transport – a colorful happy camel.

Walk DUE WEST from the Pyramids Out into the Desert

Naturally, being massive ancient monuments in a desert and all, some of the most AMAZING views of the pyramids are from the middle of nowhere where you can see them on the horizon hovering over a distant Cairo. But how can you get to these views?

If you don’t bring a car inside the Giza Pyramids complex or spend your energy haggling for a camel ride, the only obvious option would be to WALK! Now, don’t be silly and do this in the middle of summer when it’s blisteringly hot, but if you are fit enough and don’t mind an adventure, take a bit of a walk WEST from the pyramids towards the open desert.

From the Western direction, the three pyramids stack up beautifully in order – not quite overlapping each other but looking very symmetrical. You can get incredible views the farther you walk; just decide what is right for you! For goodness sake don’t forget to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

9 Pyramids Lounge on the Giza Plateau

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTUD6-rsint/

The 9 Pyramids Lounge is a newer restaurant/open-air lounge which is the ONLY venue on the actual Giza Plateu itself. To be totally honest, the reviews of the food and drinks are quite poor, so I recommend visiting this for a quick coffee before you enter the complex itself.

You can drive to this lounge from the road that circumnavigates the entire complex, so this will also give you a chance to drive mostly around the pyramids to understand how the different views look from different directions. You’ll really kill two birds with one stone if you can swing this before you go in – ask your guide if he/she doesn’t mind doing this before starting the day!

It’s also super cute with pillows to sit on, so it can be a great photo spot. But it does close at 6 with a last entry at 4, so it’s really a morning thing.

“the panorama of the pyramids” On Google Maps

Most people go to the viewpoint which is titled “Panoramic View of the Pyramids” on Google Maps, but I truly believe that the better view is from the other direction, where you will find the spot called “the panorama of the pyramids.” I know they are similar and this might be confusing, but just type both names into Google Maps as I have written them and you’ll understand.

The FIRST view I mentioned (“the panorama of the pyramids”) shows the pyramids much closer together (similar to the view from walking due west from the pyramids). This view presents them pretty much equidistant and symmetrical from each other, with a great view of the Queen’s pyramids too.

The SECOND view I mentioned (“Panoramic View of the Pyramids”) is the more famous viewpoint that most tours and camel rides go to. This one however shows the Pyramid of Khafre partially covering up the Great Pyramid of Giza with the Pyramid of Menkaure far enough away to be missed in a photo. Just trust me, I’m a connoisseur of views! 😛

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I hope you have enjoyed these unexpected (and some expected) views of the pyramids of Giza from the city and beyond! Let me know if I am missing any views – I will surely add some next time I go back.