Dahshur

Dahshur (Arabic &#1583;&#1607;&#1588;&#1608;&#1585; Dah&scaron;&#363;r, often incorrectly rendered in English as Dashur) is an Egyptian archaeological locality some 10 km to the south of Saqqara and therefore 35 km south of the Egyptian capital Cairo.

Understand
Dahshur is best known as a more tranquil, if also more isolated, site in which to visit several large pyramids - at least, when compared to Giza and Saqqara. Visitor numbers are much smaller, queues are way shorter and there is far less hassle.

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Dahshur formed part of the extensive necropolis of ancient Memphis during the Old Kingdom - the so-called "Pyramid Age". The pharaoh Sneferu (sometimes spelt Snofru), founder of the 4th Dynasty and the father to Khufu - builder of the Great Pyramid at Giza) - managed to erect two complete pyramids at the location, in addition to completing another pyramid (for his predecessor Huni) at Meidum. In sheer volume alone, the father definitely out-did his son!

Somewhat later, Pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom's 12th Dynasty erected their own pyramids at the locality - though on a greatly reduced scale.

Dahshur is very much off the traditional tourist trail around Cairo, having been a restricted military zone until 1996. The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities is encouraging travellers to visit Dahshur, in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure on the Giza pyramids.

By tour
A number of hotels and travel agencies, in Cairo and Giza, offer guided coach tours to Dahshur.

By taxi
Dahshur is probably best accessed by hired taxi from Cairo, usually as an extension to a day trip to Saqqara and/or Memphis.

By train
There is at least one local train from Ramses Station in Cairo, no. 142 to Al Fayoum aka Fayum, which starts at 8:45AM and also stops in Al Mazghona (LE3). From Mazghona take a tuk-tuk (LE15 as of Jan 2018) to the entrance of the Dashure area.



By metro
Likewise, you can take a metro to Helwan Station (LE2) and a tuk-tuk from there (LE30-40 as of Jan 2018, not more!). Tuk-tuks aren't allowed into the site, which is a 30-min walk from the gate to the Red Pyramid, and another 20 minutes walk to the Bent Pyramid, with no shade.

Fees and hours
The is about 1 km northwest of Dahshur village, right behind the police checkpoint.

The Dahshur Necropolis site is open daily 8AM-5PM. Tickets are LE100 (as of May 2023).

Get around
The Red Pyramid is 2.5 km straight west from the ticket office along the road. The pyramid field extends over 3.5 km north to south, which can be walked or done with the vehicle you arrived with.

Do

 * Hike around the area from the Red Pyramid, to the Bent Pyramid, to the forgotten Temple, to the Black Pyramid and finally back into Dahshur village.
 * Climb down into the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid.

Cope

 * When hiking in summer, take enough water and sun protection with you.
 * If you think of hiking directly from Dahshur village to the pyramids, it is possible but guards at the Bent Pyramid and the entrance of the Red Pyramid will unfortunately request your ticket.

Go next

 * Saqqara – An extensive number of pyramids and tombs on a plateau above the Nile Valley, just north of Dahshur.
 * Meidum Pyramid – A forgotten step pyramid in the countryside more than 30 km northeast of Fayum.
 * Fayum – A town neglected by most tourists but worth a visit considering the many interesting sites there.