Great Sphinx of Giza Travel Guide: Top Sights in Egypt, Tours &

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Great Sphinx of Giza- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Egypt; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 3 hours

Carved directly from the natural limestone bedrock of the Giza Plateau during Egypt's Old Kingdom, the Great Sphinx presents a unique fusion of geology and artistry. This monumental sculpture, combining a human head with a recumbent lion's body, measures 73 meters long and 20 meters high. Its core form originates from the Eocene-aged Mokattam Formation, with later restoration phases adding limestone block layers. Positioned facing eastward on the Nile's west bank, it stands as the earliest known example of such large-scale sculpture in Egypt, predating most significant monumental art beyond the Nile Valley by millennia. Scholarly discussion continues regarding which Pharaoh the Sphinx's visage represents, with Khufu, his son Djedefre, or his successor Khafre being the primary candidates based on stylistic and contextual analysis. The statue's damaged nose has been a subject of speculation; physical examination indicates it was deliberately removed using tools, likely centuries before Napoleon's 1798 campaign – artwork and 15th-century historian al-Maqrīzī's accounts confirm its absence predates the French arrival. The Sphinx's current state vividly demonstrates the impact of environmental forces on the plateau's geology. Its nummulitic limestone consists of varying layers with differing resistance. The harder stone forming the head has endured significantly better than the softer layers composing the body and neck, leading to pronounced uneven erosion, primarily from persistent wind and sand. Exploration has revealed several shafts within and beneath the Sphinx, likely excavated by individuals searching for concealed chambers or valuables in antiquity or later periods, adding another tangible layer to its long history.

Operators offering tours in Egypt

Attractions in Giza

Giza pyramid complex

4.6

Grand Egyptian Museum

4.6

Pyramid of Khafre

Pyramid of Menkaure

Saqqara Necropolis

Pyramid of Djoser

4.8

Bent Pyramid

Red Pyramid

4.8

Reviews of Great Sphinx of Giza

Shrouk Mamdouh

5
Reviewed: 2024-08-15

Feeling small next to this ancient great sphinx You don’t need any extra tickets to get there just the entrance ticket to Giza plateau But you need to show your ticket to the sphinx guard Usually busy in weekend and public holidays
Ter Shen Ng

5
Reviewed: 2024-07-26

Visiting the Great Sphinx of Giza in January was an incredible experience. The site was less crowded, allowing for a more peaceful and intimate encounter with this iconic monument. The cooler, more chilling weather made exploring the area comfortable and enjoyable. The Sphinx itself is awe-inspiring, a testament to the ingenuity and artistry of ancient civilizations. The surrounding area offers stunning views and a deep sense of history. I highly recommend visiting in January for a more relaxed and comfortable visit.
nidhi kaintura

5
Reviewed: 2024-06-07

Guarding the pyramids, this majestic creature is not just huge but marvelously carved out of limestone. While it is located right at the start of the Giza complex, it is recommended to visit it later than at the start as the crowd starts to build as the day goes by. Look to do some memorable photography here as the pyramids and sphinx both get captured in one frame. Time of visit December 2022
Highway Video

5
Reviewed: 2024-06-03

The Great Sphinx of Giza is located within the same complex as the Great Pyramids of Giza. This limestone statue features a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature with a human head and a lion's body. As one of the world's oldest and largest monumental sculptures, it stands as a remarkable testament to ancient craftsmanship. We enjoyed a fun camel ride from the pyramids to the Sphinx, adding to the memorable experience.
Alan Egan

5
Reviewed: 2024-04-29

Go and see this ancient wonder while it still stands. Over 4,000 years old and one of the very few links left to the old world. It was a bit smaller than I anticipated and it's face has seen better days, but what an amazing structure for it's time (especially as it was completely cut and shaped from the bedrock), and with the awesome backdrop of the Great Pyramid in proximity, it is something you should see once in your life. Some free advice - just ignore the sellers and the camel guys. They would steal the eye out of your head if given the chance. They always start by asking "where are you from my friend?" A friendly old guy with a camel tried to remove the ring from my partners finger during a handshake he initiated. I confronted him and he walked off sneering in Arabic. The mask slipped there. Absolute scumbag. The radar was on for the rest of the day after that. This didn't take away from what a special site this is.