The Great Sphinx crouches in a hollow at the eastern foot of the plateau, facing the rising sun. It was carved directly from a knoll of limestone left behind by the quarrymen: a lion’s body 73 metres long and about 20 metres high, with the head of a king wearing the royal nemes headcloth. Most Egyptologists attribute it to Khafre, whose causeway and Valley Temple lie beside it, which would date it to around 2500 BC.
For much of its history only the head showed above the drifting sand. Between its paws stands the Dream Stele, set up around 1400 BC by Thutmose IV, who claimed the Sphinx had promised him the throne if he cleared the sand away. The nose was already missing long before Napoleon’s army arrived; the fragment of its ceremonial beard is in the British Museum.
What to see and do at Great Sphinx & Valley Temple
Walk through Khafre’s Valley Temple
The way to the Sphinx leads through one of the best-preserved buildings of the Old Kingdom: a hall of sixteen monolithic pillars of red granite on a floor of white alabaster, built without a single inscription or carving. The famous diorite statue of Khafre protected by the falcon Horus was found in a pit here.
See the Sphinx from the viewing terrace
A walkway along the southern side of the enclosure brings you level with the Sphinx’s shoulder, the closest ordinary visitors can get. From here you can make out the weathered layers of bedrock in the body, the masonry repairs of many periods and the stele between the paws.
Frame the Sphinx with the pyramids
From the eastern end of the terrace the Sphinx lines up with the pyramid of Khafre behind it. In the morning the face is fully lit; by mid-afternoon it falls into shadow.
Come back after dark
The seating for the evening Sound and Light show faces the Sphinx, which “narrates” the story. See the travel guide for details.
How to get to Great Sphinx & Valley Temple
- By electric bus: the Sphinx is the lowest stop on the loop. Many visitors make it their last, walking down from the pyramid of Khafre or the Great Pyramid.
- On foot: about 10–15 minutes downhill from the Great Pyramid.
- From Nazlet el-Samman: the village and its guesthouses lie directly in front of the Sphinx, but whether the gate here admits arriving visitors has varied — ask locally.
Insider tips
- The Sphinx enclosure and the Valley Temple are included in the general plateau ticket.
- The terrace is narrow and becomes very congested between 10:00 and 13:00. Early or late is far more pleasant.
- You cannot walk between the paws; that needs a special private-access permit arranged well in advance.
- This is where vendors are most persistent. Keep moving and keep your phone in your own hands.
- The classic “kissing the Sphinx” photo is taken from the terrace — your guide will know the spot.
Best tours & tickets for Great Sphinx & Valley Temple
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Great Sphinx & Valley Temple:
Guided tour from €37 From Cairo: Half-Day Tour to Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
A straightforward, inexpensive morning at the pyramids with a qualified guide and transport, reviewed by nearly four thousand travellers. Check which option you select: entry tickets are extra on the basic one.
- Great Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure
- The Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Private tour from €48 Cairo: Pyramids & Great Sphinx Private Tour with Camel Ride
The most-reviewed Giza tour on GetYourGuide, and deservedly. A private guide collects you from your hotel, walks you through the plateau at your own pace, sorts out the camel ride and keeps the vendors at bay. Longer options add extra sights.
- Your own Egyptologist guide and air-conditioned car
- The three pyramids, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx
- Short camel ride arranged for you
Walking tour from €37 Giza Pyramids Walking Tour: Skip-the-Line, Sphinx & Views
A compact guided walk that starts at the plateau itself, so you are not paying for a car across Cairo. Good value if you are staying in a nearby guesthouse and simply want an expert to explain what you are looking at.
- Meet your guide at the site
- Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure plus the panoramic views
- Finish at the Great Sphinx
