Beyond the city
Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, the first pyramids
Day trip
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, the first pyramids
South of Giza, the pyramid fields of the UNESCO World Heritage Site continue along the desert edge. At Saqqara, Djoser’s Step Pyramid, designed by Imhotep, is the first great stone building of ancient Egypt, with the Imhotep Museum at its entrance and painted tombs around it. In the palm groves at Memphis, the first capital of Egypt, lies a colossal statue of Ramesses II; and at Dahshur stand the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid, built for Sneferu, father of Khufu.
Saqqara
The Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Imhotep Museum and the tombs; the ministry lists the site from 8am to 4pm.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsMemphis
The open-air museum in the palm groves, with the colossus of Ramesses II.
Go with a driver: the three sites are close together but far from public transport.
Dahshur
The Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid, built for Sneferu.
Our advice: start at Dahshur, the quietest, and finish at Saqqara.
Why it's on our list
- Saqqara
- Memphis
- Dahshur
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, the first pyramids before you go.