About
The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, with the head of a human and the body of a lion. It is carved from a single piece of limestone and stands in the Giza Desert, on the western edge of Cairo in Giza Governorate, Egypt. It is known locally as Abu al-Hawl, and in English simply as The Sphinx.
Why it is worth seeing
The Sphinx is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt, and its scale is apparent as soon as you approach it. Because it is carved from one piece of stone, it has a presence that is hard to convey in photographs. Many visitors find that the statue looks different depending on the light, so a morning or late-afternoon visit can offer a changing view of the same figure.
What to expect
- A large open-air site in the desert, with little shade, so comfortable footwear, water and sun protection are sensible.
- Views of the statue from the surrounding walkways, which give a sense of its size and setting.
- The wider Giza plateau, where the pyramids stand nearby and can be seen from the same area.
Planning your visit
The site is at Al Haram, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Giza Desert. Those wishing to check details before travelling can call +20 2 33831304. Giza is part of the Greater Cairo area, so visitors staying in the city can reach it by road, and the surrounding plateau makes it easy to combine the Sphinx with other sights in the same day.
