Pyramids of Dahshour
Pyramids of Dahshour
4.5
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This complex contains pyramids from the Fourth and Twelfth Dynasties including the Southern Pyramid, or Bent Pyramid due to its unorthodox outline, and the Red Pyramid.
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4.5
1,545 reviews
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324
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55
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3
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2
tumbuna
Sydney, Australia337 contributions
Feb 2020
Dahshur is the least visited area of the plain of pyramids which makes it the most enjoyable. The Bent pyramid is mostly intact and the change in angle can be clearly seen. You are able to enter both the Red and the Bent pyramids for no extra charge and the tunnels are much less humid due to the lower number of tourists than the Gisa ones. Apart from the pyramids there is nothing else around and you can wander into the desert and feel completely alone. Just don't too far as the military still have a very large fence around their area which may be dangerous to cross into.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DEK_29
Brisbane, Australia1,066 contributions
Jan 2020
Peaceful and eerie on a cold and foggy winter's day, the royal necropolis of Dahshur, is located about 40 kilometres south of Cairo, built during the reign of the Forth Dynasty Pharaoh Sneferu (c. 2600 BC, Old Kingdom).
The Bent Pyramid was a evolutionary step from the Step Pyramid of Djoser to the true pyramid form of the Red Pyramid. Known to the ancients as Sneferu Gleams in the South, the Bent pyramid gets its name from the change of angle from 54 to 43 degrees.
The oldest true pyramid the Red Pyramid was known as Sneferu Gleams and gets its current name from the red tinge of its limestone.
Opened recently after decades of being closed due to the military base close-by, Dahshur sees only a few tourists. However, with only a few tourists there are no touts in and around the site. An easy walk from the Bent Pyramid parking area leads you to the imposing structure and its entry wooden staircase that take you to the entrance to the pyramid. The climb itself is worthwhile as it gives to a wonderful view of the area. Unfortunately, winter fog obscured most of Dahshur. An equally short walk from the Red Pyramid parking area bring you to the Red Pyramid and its staircase (built into the pyramid)to the entrance to this pyramid.
The 12th dynasty pyramid of Middle Kingdom Pharaoh Amenemhet II, also known as the Black Pyramid can be seen at Dahshur from both the Bent and Red pyramids. Even on a foggy winters day. The towerlike structure gets its name because of the mud bricks used as core structural material.
Well worth the effort getting there as you get a peaceful experience and see some of the lovely farming areas on the journey there. On the day of my visit, both pyramids were open for exploring.
The Bent Pyramid was a evolutionary step from the Step Pyramid of Djoser to the true pyramid form of the Red Pyramid. Known to the ancients as Sneferu Gleams in the South, the Bent pyramid gets its name from the change of angle from 54 to 43 degrees.
The oldest true pyramid the Red Pyramid was known as Sneferu Gleams and gets its current name from the red tinge of its limestone.
Opened recently after decades of being closed due to the military base close-by, Dahshur sees only a few tourists. However, with only a few tourists there are no touts in and around the site. An easy walk from the Bent Pyramid parking area leads you to the imposing structure and its entry wooden staircase that take you to the entrance to the pyramid. The climb itself is worthwhile as it gives to a wonderful view of the area. Unfortunately, winter fog obscured most of Dahshur. An equally short walk from the Red Pyramid parking area bring you to the Red Pyramid and its staircase (built into the pyramid)to the entrance to this pyramid.
The 12th dynasty pyramid of Middle Kingdom Pharaoh Amenemhet II, also known as the Black Pyramid can be seen at Dahshur from both the Bent and Red pyramids. Even on a foggy winters day. The towerlike structure gets its name because of the mud bricks used as core structural material.
Well worth the effort getting there as you get a peaceful experience and see some of the lovely farming areas on the journey there. On the day of my visit, both pyramids were open for exploring.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenAzinger
Portland142 contributions
Feb 2020
If you are in Giza to see the great pyramids, plan an extra day to visit the Bent and Red pyramids at Dahshur. The setting is stunning, a classic desert that seems remote from the bustle of Cairo. Both pyramids are huge. The Bent, or White pyramid has a unique shape when the builders abruptly changed the angle. You can go inside both pyramids, but the passageways are very challenging. Combine this trip with a day trip to Sakkara to complete your pyramid experience.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah L
London, UK3,569 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Came here as part of a pyramids day trip. Much quieter and more peaceful than Giza as there were much fewer people. There was only one other family in the entire complex. There's about 50 steps up to enter the Red Pyramid but to get inside is slightly complicated. It's about 150+ steps down and a very narrow opening to climb down. It is more hot inside too and quite dark. Don't recommend for anyone with claustrophobia or mobility issues. The Bent Pyramid is also very cool to look at though our guide doesn't recommend going inside as it's quite difficult to navigate into. Definitely recommend if you're looking for people free photos!
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DEK_29
Brisbane, Australia1,066 contributions
Jan 2020
Dahshur is made up of numerous pyramids and tombs. Peaceful and eerie on a cold and foggy winter's day, the royal necropolis of Dahshur, is located about 40 kilometres south of Cairo, built during the reign of the Forth Dynasty Pharaoh Sneferu (c. 2600 BC, Old Kingdom).
The Bent Pyramid was a evolutionary step from the Step Pyramid of Djoser to the true pyramid form of the Red Pyramid. Known to the ancients as Sneferu Gleams in the South, the Bent pyramid gets its name from the change of angle from 54 to 43 degrees.
The oldest true pyramid the Red Pyramid was known as Sneferu Gleams and gets its current name from the red tinge of its limestone. Additionally, the 12th dynasty pyramid of Middle Kingdom Pharaoh Amenemhet II, also known as the Black Pyramid can be seen at Dahshur from both the Bent and Red pyramids. Even on a foggy winters day. The tower like structure gets its name because of the mud bricks used as core structural material.
Well worth the effort getting there as you get a peaceful experience. On the day of my visit, both Red and Bent pyramids were open for exploring.
The Bent Pyramid was a evolutionary step from the Step Pyramid of Djoser to the true pyramid form of the Red Pyramid. Known to the ancients as Sneferu Gleams in the South, the Bent pyramid gets its name from the change of angle from 54 to 43 degrees.
The oldest true pyramid the Red Pyramid was known as Sneferu Gleams and gets its current name from the red tinge of its limestone. Additionally, the 12th dynasty pyramid of Middle Kingdom Pharaoh Amenemhet II, also known as the Black Pyramid can be seen at Dahshur from both the Bent and Red pyramids. Even on a foggy winters day. The tower like structure gets its name because of the mud bricks used as core structural material.
Well worth the effort getting there as you get a peaceful experience. On the day of my visit, both Red and Bent pyramids were open for exploring.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph C
Stamford, CT802 contributions
Oct 2019
The 15 square kilometers of the Dahshur necropolis is vital to our view of Ancient Egypt as the site of the first smooth sided pyramid built by Egyptian Pharaoh Sneferu, builder oft three pyramids, symbol of Egypt for thousands of years since.
Egyptian pyramids, date to about 2630 and Pharaoh Djoser's simple step pyramid at his Saqqara Necropolis. But Dahshur saw pyramid construction perfected under Pharaoh Sneferu, the 4th dynasty founder.
Sneferu in 2613 BCE had to deal with errors in design and construction & first built what is known as the Bent Pyramid.
Sneferu learned and built the Red Pyramid for his tomb, the first of the great pyramids, named for the color of the stone exposed many years lafter it was stripped of its white limestone cover. It is the third tallest oancient Egyptian pyramids, after the Great Pyramid of Khufu and another at Giza.
Sneferu knowledge allowed his son Khufu to commission the Great Pyramid of Giza. His Son Khafra built his own pyramid at Giza. His son Menkaure built the third and smallest pyramid at Giza.
Giza and the other necropolises are not far from the ancient capital of Memphis.
Dahshur measures 6 x 2.5 km and is located in the desert south of Cairo, west bank of the Nile to the south of Giza, Saqqara to the East and Abusir to the North.
Egypt is moving a great many of its famous antiquities to a spectacular new museum at Giza for its large and growing horde of antiquities.
Egyptian pyramids, date to about 2630 and Pharaoh Djoser's simple step pyramid at his Saqqara Necropolis. But Dahshur saw pyramid construction perfected under Pharaoh Sneferu, the 4th dynasty founder.
Sneferu in 2613 BCE had to deal with errors in design and construction & first built what is known as the Bent Pyramid.
Sneferu learned and built the Red Pyramid for his tomb, the first of the great pyramids, named for the color of the stone exposed many years lafter it was stripped of its white limestone cover. It is the third tallest oancient Egyptian pyramids, after the Great Pyramid of Khufu and another at Giza.
Sneferu knowledge allowed his son Khufu to commission the Great Pyramid of Giza. His Son Khafra built his own pyramid at Giza. His son Menkaure built the third and smallest pyramid at Giza.
Giza and the other necropolises are not far from the ancient capital of Memphis.
Dahshur measures 6 x 2.5 km and is located in the desert south of Cairo, west bank of the Nile to the south of Giza, Saqqara to the East and Abusir to the North.
Egypt is moving a great many of its famous antiquities to a spectacular new museum at Giza for its large and growing horde of antiquities.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan C
Melbourne, Australia1,539 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Two pyramids from the time of Pharaoh Sneferu are the attraction here, predating the more famous ones closer to Cairo. I visited in 2018 and was very happy to come back. We took the Memphis Tours Day Tour to Sakkara and Dahshur and added on the Memphis (Mit Rahina) outdoor museum as they are all close together. This area lacks the vendors prevalent at many tourist sites and has few facilities.
The earliest pyramid is the Bent Pyramid which was the first attempt at a smooth-sided pyramid but wasn't successful. It has an odd shape because the angle was changed midway but the outer casing still remains on same faces. Last time in 2018 I wasn't able to enter the Bent Pyramid but this time I could. We went up six flights of stairs on the outside and then a very steep descent inside on a ramp with boards across them to give your feet purchase. Thank goodness for the handrails. I found going down harder than going up. There are some areas with low headroom, more wooden stairs and generally it is more difficult to manoeuvre here than in the Red Pyramid. There are some large chambers but the ceilings are mostly unfinished and rough though one has a corbelled structure. Photos are allowed. It is customary to give a small tip to the person minding the entrance.
The Red Pyramid is the first true pyramid. Much of the outer casing has been removed, giving it a reddish colour, but the shape is a true pyramid. I really liked the inside of the Red Pyramid as the three corbelled ceiling chambers are impressive. Like the Bent Pyramid you ascend the outside steps then descend the long steep tunnel but it is more spacious and easier to visit. Inside are two tall chambers separated by a very low tunnel. This area smells of ammonia and it is quite overpowering. From here you can ascend a timber staircase to another passageway and the final chamber. Photos are allowed. It is customary to give a small tip to the person minding the entrance.
The earliest pyramid is the Bent Pyramid which was the first attempt at a smooth-sided pyramid but wasn't successful. It has an odd shape because the angle was changed midway but the outer casing still remains on same faces. Last time in 2018 I wasn't able to enter the Bent Pyramid but this time I could. We went up six flights of stairs on the outside and then a very steep descent inside on a ramp with boards across them to give your feet purchase. Thank goodness for the handrails. I found going down harder than going up. There are some areas with low headroom, more wooden stairs and generally it is more difficult to manoeuvre here than in the Red Pyramid. There are some large chambers but the ceilings are mostly unfinished and rough though one has a corbelled structure. Photos are allowed. It is customary to give a small tip to the person minding the entrance.
The Red Pyramid is the first true pyramid. Much of the outer casing has been removed, giving it a reddish colour, but the shape is a true pyramid. I really liked the inside of the Red Pyramid as the three corbelled ceiling chambers are impressive. Like the Bent Pyramid you ascend the outside steps then descend the long steep tunnel but it is more spacious and easier to visit. Inside are two tall chambers separated by a very low tunnel. This area smells of ammonia and it is quite overpowering. From here you can ascend a timber staircase to another passageway and the final chamber. Photos are allowed. It is customary to give a small tip to the person minding the entrance.
Written 31 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hyoga83
Bordeaux, France702 contributions
Mar 2022
Yet another amazing monument to visit in awesome Saqqara. From the outside it is an extremely beautiful and well conserved pyramid, although NOT red haha.
You can visit the interior, although I would probably recommend just choosing 3 or 4 so maximum so you don't overdue it -and I don't mean only from a physical point of view...
Beside one of the bases, east side I think, you have a replica of the pyramidion that would have once been at the tip, covered with electrum (mix of gold and silver)
You can visit the interior, although I would probably recommend just choosing 3 or 4 so maximum so you don't overdue it -and I don't mean only from a physical point of view...
Beside one of the bases, east side I think, you have a replica of the pyramidion that would have once been at the tip, covered with electrum (mix of gold and silver)
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey16,825 contributions
Dec 2021
Some really interesting pyramids are here! The Red Pyramid has a 43-degree angle and is one of the earlier experiments in pyramid construction. The Bent Pyramid has a 54-degree slope but changed to 43 halfway up. The photogenic Black Pyramid was simply stripped from its limestone covering. It can be seen from the distance.
Written 8 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alexandresfcpg
Praia Grande, SP874 contributions
Oct 2019
Ficam bastante afastadas do Cairo, é preciso ir de transporte particular (por agência ou motorista contratado). Tem algumas pirâmides, a mais famosa é a Pirâmide Curvada, que foi construída assim para que não ruísse, foi uma das primeiras do Egito e está bem conservada. O interior é bastante apertado, é preciso engatinhar, mas não há muito o que ver dentro.
They are quite far from Cairo, you need to take private transportation (by agency or hired driver). It has some pyramids, the most famous of which is the Curved Pyramid, which was built so that it would not collapse, it was one of the first in Egypt and is well preserved. The interior is very tight, you have to crawl, but there is not much to see inside.
They are quite far from Cairo, you need to take private transportation (by agency or hired driver). It has some pyramids, the most famous of which is the Curved Pyramid, which was built so that it would not collapse, it was one of the first in Egypt and is well preserved. The interior is very tight, you have to crawl, but there is not much to see inside.
Written 1 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long should one expect to spend in Dashour?
Written 19 September 2015
To be honest we went to Sakkara then Dashour from our hotel near to Giza Pyramids, and the whole trip took from 9am until around 3pm
Written 21 September 2015
If you want a guide with you, any of the main tour operators will take you. Often you have to specifically ask for Dahshur though and they'll add it on to a tour of Memphis, Saqqara, etc. It's no problem doing them all in one day. Otherwise, have a quick read online about the background of the place and just get a taxi driver to take you. The guides don't tend to go into huge detail anyway, so you'll probably get more info by getting on google.
Hope you enjoy your trip! I'm touring around Texas at the moment myself :)
Written 20 September 2015
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