Monument Giza, Egypt

Great Sphinx of Giza

The world's largest single-block statue, carved from Giza bedrock nearly 4,500 years ago — see it up close with a trusted local guide.

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64 tours from 17 operatorsfrom $35 per person83% free cancellationrated 5.0/5 from 1,754 reviews

In shortThe Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt and the largest statue ever carved from a single piece of stone.

Updated November 14, 2026

Built
c. 2558–2532 BCE, 4th Dynasty, reign of Khafre
Height
20 m (66 ft), base to crown
Length
73.5 m (241 ft), paws to tail
Material
Single limestone bedrock outcrop
Entry
Included on 30 tours
Typical tour
12 hours; 47 day trips

Tours that visit Great Sphinx of Giza

Beyond the entry ticket, these guided experiences add context you won't get standing in the general viewing crowd — including early-access and evening options for a Sphinx most day-trippers never see.

About Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt and the largest statue ever carved from a single piece of stone. Rather than being assembled from blocks, its 73.5-meter-long, 20-meter-high body was cut straight down out of a limestone ridge left behind when quarry workers removed stone for the causeway and valley temple of Pharaoh Khafre's pyramid complex. That physical link to Khafre's temple is the main reason most Egyptologists date the Sphinx to his reign, roughly 2558–2532 BCE, though a minority of scholars still argue it was commissioned by his father Khufu or his brother Djedefre.

Up close, 4,500 years of history show. The nose has been missing since at least the medieval period; tool marks on the face indicate deliberate removal, not cannon fire from Napoleon's troops, a myth historians have long dismissed. Faint traces of the original red pigment remain on the face, and hints of blue and yellow survive on the royal headdress. Between the paws sits a 3.6-meter granite stela erected by Thutmose IV around 1401 BCE, describing a dream in which the buried Sphinx promised him the throne if he dug it free of sand — sand that swallowed it again more than once before French archaeologist Émile Baraize completed the modern, full excavation in 1925.

Plan your visit

  • The general Giza Plateau ticket (around 700 EGP / roughly $15 for foreign adults) covers the Sphinx along with exterior access to all three pyramids — there's no separate ticket just to see the Sphinx.
  • Arrive at opening, ideally Tuesday through Thursday morning; tour buses fill the plateau by mid-morning, and desert heat builds fast after 10am, especially from May to September.
  • You'll view the Sphinx from a roped platform near Khafre's Valley Temple rather than at ground level beside the statue — pack a zoom lens or binoculars if close-up shots matter to you.
  • The classic front-on photo lines up the Sphinx with the Pyramid of Khafre rising behind it; the eastern viewing area gives the profile shot that shows the paws and the Dream Stela of Thutmose IV.
  • Camera and phone use is included in plateau admission; tripods and professional video rigs require a separate permit arranged in advance.
  • Camel and horse touts work the Sphinx viewing area persistently — agree on any price in writing before accepting an offer, or skip the hassle entirely by booking a guided tour that handles it for you.
  • The Grand Egyptian Museum, fully opened in November 2025, sits about 2 km from the Sphinx and pairs naturally with a Giza Plateau visit — many guided itineraries now combine both in a single day.
  • An optional evening Sound and Light Show illuminates the Sphinx and pyramids with a narrated history; it's a separate ticket (roughly 400–500 EGP at the gate) and appeals mainly to photographers, since the narration itself is dated.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Sphinx's nose missing?

Tool marks on the face show the nose was deliberately chiseled off, not destroyed by Napoleon's cannons — a popular myth historians have debunked. Who did it and when remains unconfirmed, with theories ranging from religious iconoclasm to later vandalism.

Do I need a separate ticket to see the Sphinx?

No. The general Giza Plateau admission covers the Sphinx and exterior access to all three pyramids. You only pay extra to enter a pyramid chamber, visit the Solar Boat exhibits, or attend the evening Sound and Light Show.

Can you get close to or touch the Sphinx?

No. Visitors view it from a roped platform near Khafre's Valley Temple, roughly 20–30 meters away. Walking up to the statue itself isn't permitted, both for preservation and site security.

How old is the Great Sphinx?

Most Egyptologists date it to the reign of Pharaoh Khafre, roughly 2558–2532 BCE, making it about 4,500 years old — though a minority of scholars attribute it to his father Khufu or his brother Djedefre instead.

How much time should I plan for a visit?

On TripWays, tours that visit Great Sphinx of Giza range from $35 to $5,698 per person, and half of them cost $148 or less (prices as of November 14, 2026). Tours of a day or less start at $35; multi-day tours start at $340.

Is the evening Sound and Light Show worth it?

It's optional and separate from daytime admission. It's a good pick for night photography of the illuminated Sphinx and pyramids, though the narration is dated and some travelers find it more nostalgic than informative.

How long are tours that visit Great Sphinx of Giza?

Half of the tours that visit Great Sphinx of Giza last 12 hours or less. By length: Up to 4 hours: 3; 4 hours to 1 day: 44; 2–3 days: 4; 4–7 days: 2; 8 days or more: 10.

Can I cancel a tour of Great Sphinx of Giza for free?

53 of 64 tours that visit Great Sphinx of Giza (83%) offer free cancellation. The exact deadline is shown on each tour page before you pay.

Can a solo traveler book a tour of Great Sphinx of Giza?

Yes: 60 of 64 tours that visit Great Sphinx of Giza can be booked for one person. The others need a minimum group of two or more travelers, shown on the tour page.

64 tours from $35
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