Pyramids Beyond Giza: Saqqara and Dahshur

Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur lie south of the Giza Plateau and are the easiest way to see pyramids away from the crowds at Giza. Saqqara has the Step Pyramid of Djoser, described on our tour page as the world's first pyramid; Memphis was the ancient capital; and Dahshur, about 40 kilometers south of Cairo, has the Bent and Red Pyramids. All three open at 08:00, with last entry at 16:00 in summer and winter.

Key Takeaways

• Our Pyramids, Memphis and Saqqara tour covers Giza in the morning, then Saqqara, then Memphis, which is 20 minutes from Saqqara.
• The Step Pyramid was built by the architect Imhotep for King Djoser, and the same tour adds the Pyramid of Teti and the tombs of nobles.
• Dahshur is not part of any set itinerary on our site, but it has its own page.
• In Ramadan, Memphis and Dahshur open at 09:00 with last entry at 15:00, while Saqqara keeps its 08:00 opening and stops at 15:30.
• Two multi-day packages spend their second day on Giza and Saqqara.

The three sites at a glance

Saqqara

Saqqara is the burial ground of Memphis. Its centerpiece is the Pyramid of Djoser, the Step Pyramid, built in the Third Dynasty, which our Saqqara page calls the oldest complete stone building complex in recorded history. It paved the way for the pyramids of Giza. The tour page adds the Pyramid of Teti and the richly decorated tombs of Saqqara's nobles, which give rare insights into ancient Egyptian life and beliefs. Mastabas, the flat mud-brick tombs that high officials and courtiers built for themselves, are part of the same burial ground. Read the full background in why the Egyptians built pyramids.

Memphis

Memphis was founded around 3100 BCE by Pharaoh Menes and served for centuries as the political, cultural and economic center of ancient Egypt. Little of the city remains, so today it works as an open-air museum: you see the colossal statue of Ramses II, the Alabaster Sphinx, one of the largest of its kind, and the remains of the Temple of Ptah. It is a short stop, 20 minutes from Saqqara.

Dahshur

Dahshur is often overlooked, which makes it the quietest of the three. The Bent Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Sneferu around 2600 BC, takes its shape from a change of angle halfway up, from 54 degrees to 43 degrees, which our page ties to structural problems met during construction. The Red Pyramid, also attributed to Sneferu, takes its color from red limestone and is described as Egypt's first successful smooth-sided pyramid. It has a base of 220 meters and a height of 105 meters, and its interior is open to visitors.

Opening hours

Each cell shows when the site opens and its last entry.

These are the official ticketing-portal hours at the time of writing. Ramadan opening hours for 32 sites lists the other changes, and the Giza pyramids page covers the starting point of the day.

How to see them

The Pyramids, Memphis and Saqqara tour begins with Giza: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple. After lunch at a local restaurant it continues south to Saqqara and then to Memphis, and returns to your hotel. The page lists an optional 30-minute camel ride on the plateau for a small additional fee. For a longer stay, day 2 of the five-day Cairo package and of the ten-day luxury package both pair Giza with Saqqara. To compare this with the other Cairo options, read Cairo day trips: which one to book or browse Cairo day tours. If you are deciding how much time to give Cairo overall, see how many days you need in Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Saqqara? South of the Giza Plateau, near Memphis, about 20 minutes from it by road on our tour.

Which pyramid is the oldest? The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, described on our tour page as the world's first pyramid.

When do Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur open? At 08:00 in summer and winter, with last entry at 16:00.

Can I go inside the Red Pyramid? Our Dahshur page says its interior is accessible, with passages and chambers.

Is Dahshur on a tour? Not on a set itinerary of ours at present.