Saqqara: the Step Pyramid
Saqqara is dominated by the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the earliest large stone pyramid and the ancestor of all the others. The site also has beautifully decorated tombs and mastabas.
Dahshur: the first true pyramids
Nearby Dahshur has the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, the first smooth sided true pyramids. You can often go inside the Red Pyramid with far fewer people than at Giza.
How to visit
Both sit about an hour south of Cairo and are best seen together on a guided day, often with the old capital of Memphis. A combined option is the private day tour of Giza, Memphis and Sakkara.
Tips
- Combine with Memphis, the old capital is close by
- Bring cash for the extra tomb and pyramid tickets
- Go for the quiet, it is far calmer than Giza
See where pyramids began
Book a Saqqara and Dahshur day tour with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Questions fréquentes
Saqqara is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the earliest large stone pyramid, while Dahshur has the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, the first smooth sided true pyramids. Together they tell the story of how pyramid building developed before Giza.
They are about an hour south of Cairo and usually visited together on a guided full day tour, often combined with the ancient capital of Memphis. A tour handles the driving between the sites, which are spread out.
Yes, especially if you enjoy history and want a quieter alternative to the Giza crowds. You can often enter pyramids here with fewer people, and seeing the Step, Bent and Red Pyramids shows the evolution that led to Giza.
