Memphis and Abu Sir: Completing the Saqqara Day

Memphis is a 30- to 45-minute stop that many Saqqara tours include: an open-air museum with a fallen limestone colossus of Ramesses II, around 10 meters long, and a large alabaster sphinx, on the site of Egypt's ancient capital. Abu Sir, a few kilometers north of Saqqara, has the pyramids of the Fifth Dynasty kings and very few visitors; add it only if you have a strong interest in the Old Kingdom.

Together with Saqqara and Dahshur, these sites make a full day along the desert edge south of Giza. Most travelers think of the pyramids of Giza first, but the desert edge south of Cairo holds a long chain of royal cemeteries that tell the story of the Old Kingdom in sequence. Memphis was the capital they served, and Saqqara, Abu Sir, and Dahshur were its burial grounds. Visiting them together turns a day of sightseeing into a clear picture of how Egypt's first great state lived, ruled, and buried its kings.

This guide explains what you see at Memphis and Abu Sir, how they fit with Saqqara and Dahshur, how to plan the day, and which combination suits which kind of traveler.

Memphis at Mit Rahina

A capital that has almost vanished

According to Egyptian tradition, Memphis was founded around 3100 BC by the first king of a united Egypt, and it served as the capital for most of the Old Kingdom. It remained one of the country's greatest cities for thousands of years, home to the temple of the god Ptah and an important religious and administrative center.

Little of the ancient city stands above ground today. Its mud-brick buildings decayed, its stone was reused, and the site now lies beneath palm groves, fields, and the village of Mit Rahina, about 20 kilometers south of Giza. What you visit is an open-air museum that gathers the most impressive surviving pieces.

What to see in the open-air museum

• The colossus of Ramesses II. A huge limestone statue of the king, around 10 meters long, lies on its back inside a purpose-built hall. A viewing gallery lets you look down on the face and the fine carving of the royal regalia. The statue's feet and lower legs are lost, but the detail of the face is superb.
• The alabaster sphinx. A large sphinx carved from Egyptian alabaster, or calcite, stands in the garden. It is often attributed to the New Kingdom, possibly the reign of Amenhotep II, although its exact date is debated.
• Embalming beds of the Apis bulls. Large stone tables used for embalming the sacred Apis bulls, which were later buried in the Serapeum at Saqqara.
• Statues and architectural fragments. Scattered statuary, columns, and stelae from different periods give a sense of the city's long history.

How long to allow

Between 30 and 45 minutes is enough for most people. Memphis works best as an introduction before Saqqara, because it gives you the city before you see its cemetery.

A link to the Grand Egyptian Museum

Another colossal standing statue of Ramesses II, found at Memphis, now stands in the entrance hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. If you visit both, you can compare the two statues and their very different settings.

Abu Sir: the quiet pyramids

What you find there

Between Giza and Saqqara, Abu Sir is the cemetery of several kings of the Fifth Dynasty. Its main pyramids belong to Sahure, Neferirkare, and Niuserre, with the smaller unfinished pyramid of Neferefre nearby. They are smaller and more ruined than the great pyramids of the Fourth Dynasty at Giza, because builders used smaller blocks and rubble cores.

Highlights include:

• The pyramid complex of Sahure. Its mortuary temple is well preserved by Old Kingdom standards, with remains of granite columns and fine relief fragments.
• The mastaba of Ptahshepses. A large tomb of a high official with pillared halls and decorated walls.
• The sun temples. Nearby at Abu Ghurab, the sun temple of Niuserre shows a distinctive Fifth Dynasty religious building with a large alabaster altar.
• A place of discovery. Abu Sir is also where important papyrus archives from a royal temple were found, giving scholars rare insight into how temples were run.

What to expect

The site is sandy, open, and often empty, with very limited facilities. Visits are usually made by arrangement with a guide, and access to individual monuments can vary. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you want to walk between the pyramids and the mastaba.

Who should add Abu Sir?

Abu Sir is for travelers who enjoy archaeology, quiet sites, and the details of how the Old Kingdom developed. If this is your first trip and you want the biggest visual impact, spend the extra time at Saqqara or Dahshur instead.

How the day fits together

The four sites line up along the western desert edge south of Giza.

A sample full day

1. Early departure from a Giza-side or Cairo hotel, ideally around 8 a.m. to beat heat and traffic.
2. Memphis for the colossus and sphinx.
3. Saqqara, including the Step Pyramid, the Pyramid of Unas, the Pyramid of Teti, and decorated mastabas. Ask which tombs are open on the day.
4. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
5. Dahshur, with time to enter the Red Pyramid if you wish and view the Bent Pyramid.
6. Optional Abu Sir, for enthusiasts with energy left.
7. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon, usually around 4 or 5 p.m. depending on traffic and stops.

A note on shopping stops

Some tours include visits to carpet schools, papyrus shops, or perfume shops on this route. They are optional. If you would rather skip them and keep more time for the sites, tell your guide when you book.

Planning tips

• Start early. The sites are exposed and the light is best in the morning.
• Wear sturdy shoes. Saqqara, Dahshur, and Abu Sir all involve walking on sand and uneven ground.
• Bring water and sun protection. Shade is limited, especially at Abu Sir and Dahshur.
• Think about pyramid interiors. Entering the Red Pyramid or tombs at Saqqara involves steep, low passages. Skip them if you dislike confined spaces.
• Check tickets and openings. Each site has its own ticket, and individual tombs open and close on rotation. Confirm current arrangements through official sources or your operator.
• Pace the day. If you are traveling with children or older relatives, Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur are plenty. Leave Abu Sir for another time.

Which combination should you choose?

• First-time visitors: Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur. This covers the story from the capital to the step pyramid to the first true pyramid.
• History enthusiasts: Add Abu Sir to see the Fifth Dynasty and the evolution after Giza.
• Short on time: Saqqara alone, or Memphis plus Saqqara as a half day.
• Combining with Giza: Some travelers do Giza in the morning and Saqqara with Memphis in the afternoon. It is possible, but it makes for a long day with limited time at each site.

Explore our day tours and Giza guide for more ways to plan your Cairo days, or see Egypt tours that include this route.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur in one day?

Yes. It is the standard full-day excursion from Cairo or Giza, usually lasting around eight hours including lunch. Start early to have enough time at each site.

Is Abu Sir open to visitors?

Yes, but visits are usually made by arrangement with a guide, and the site has very limited facilities. Access to individual monuments can vary, so confirm before you go.

Where was ancient Memphis?

Ancient Memphis lay around the modern village of Mit Rahina, about 20 kilometers south of Giza. Little of the city survives above ground, and the open-air museum displays its most important remains.

Is Memphis worth visiting?

Yes, as a short stop. The colossus of Ramesses II and the alabaster sphinx are impressive, and the visit gives context to Saqqara, the city's great cemetery.

What is the difference between Abu Sir and Saqqara?

Saqqara is a vast cemetery spanning many periods, with the Step Pyramid and richly decorated tombs. Abu Sir is smaller and quieter, focused on the pyramids and temples of Fifth Dynasty kings.

Plan it with Nourbelle

Tell us how much archaeology you want in your day through plan your trip, and we will shape a Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur day that fits your pace.