Dahshūr, Cairo

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Gary Ku

The 12th dynasty (1938-c. 1756 BCE) constructed the remaining three pyramids at Dahshūr, which are not well preserved as their inner cores were mostly constructed with mud bricks. The tombs of the royal families situated near these pyramids included an impressive collection of jewelry and personal items. Some scholars consider these artifacts to represent the pinnacle of development in Egyptian metalworking and lapidary art. One notable discovery made at Dahshūr was the jewelry cache of Queen Weret, uncovered in 1994 during excavations by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Dahshūr is an ancient pyramid site located on the west bank of the Nile River, just south of Ṣaqqārah in northern Egypt. Together with other nearby ruins such as Abū Ṣīr, Ṣaqqārah, Abū Ruwaysh, and the Pyramids of Giza, it was collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Two of the five remaining pyramids at Dahshūr were constructed during the 4th dynasty (c. 2575-c. 2465 BCE) under the reign of King Snefru (reigned 2575-51).

Bent Pyramid

The first pyramid, known as the Blunted, Bent, False, or Rhomboidal Pyramid, features a unique double slope. This pyramid was an early attempt to construct a true pyramid, but the initial angle of slope (52°) was found to be too steep, and so the top portion was reduced to 43.5°. It is the best-preserved pyramid at Dahshūr and the only Old Kingdom (c. 2575-c. 2130 BCE) pyramid with two entrances.

Red Pyramid

The second pyramid, called the North Pyramid (Red Pyramid), was also built by Snefru and has a lower slope angle of 43°, making it shorter than the Blunted Pyramid. This pyramid is the first successfully completed true pyramid. This pyramid gets its name from the red limestone, the material that was used to construct this pyramid.

Going inside the Pyramids

Visitors now have the opportunity to venture inside both pyramids at Dahshūr, with the Bent Pyramid reopening to the public in 2019 after being closed since the 1960s.

To enter the pyramid, visitors must first ascend a series of steps since the entrance sits above ground level. They then descend a long, narrow tunnel, which is not tall enough to stand up in, requiring visitors to hunch over until they reach the bottom. Despite the winter season, the interior chambers can be uncomfortably hot and humid. Each pyramid contains multiple chambers to explore. Visitors to the Bent Pyramid may also encounter bats within its chambers.

Remaining three pyramids at Dahshūr

The 12th dynasty (1938-c. 1756 BCE) constructed the remaining three pyramids at Dahshūr, which are not well preserved as their inner cores were mostly constructed with mud bricks. The tombs of the royal families situated near these pyramids included an impressive collection of jewelry and personal items. Some scholars consider these artifacts to represent the pinnacle of development in Egyptian metalworking and lapidary art. One notable discovery made at Dahshūr was the jewelry cache of Queen Weret, uncovered in 1994 during excavations by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.8 (2,058)

Bent Pyramid, located in Badrshein, Giza Governorate, is an unusually shaped Old Kingdom pyramid noted for its change of angle and well-preserved outer limestone casing; visitors describe a peaceful, uncrowded site with wide desert views that include nearby pyramids and ruins. The interior is accessible but narrow and steep—expect long, physically demanding descents and ascents through corbelled chambers and interconnected passages, and take care if you have mobility or breathing issues. Because it’s quieter and harder to reach than the Giza Plateau, you’re likely to have more space for photos and contemplation, though some onsite staff may press for tips.

Ken’s Journey

2 weeks ago

"An awe-inspiring ancient marvel – with a challenging adventure inside! This site adds a whole new level of history and adventure to the region.Seeing the outer limestone casing so well-preserved makes it easy to imagine how majestic these structures looked in their prime. It is a truly massive sight that commands respect. Going inside is fascinating—especially seeing the unique "corbelled" chambers where the stones step inward to form a peak—but be prepared for a workout. The descent and ascent are very steep, long, and physically demanding. You have to walk in a bent position for a long time. I do not recommend the interior if you have issues with your knees, hips, back, shoulders, or breathing. Because there are fewer tourists than at Giza, you often have the place to yourself, which adds to the atmosphere. However, be aware that the local "guards" can be quite aggressive about asking for tips due to the lack of crowds. Still, a 5-star experience that rivals the Giza Plateau!..."

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stephen abell

2 weeks ago

"Giza is what everyone knows, but there is something truly mystical about the Pyramids at Dashur. The first thing I will note is the quite and Majestyof the flat open desert. There are no distractions and the ruins of this pyramid just add to its charm and imposing stature. It's surreal to look through the empty skyline and peer through the haze to see pyramids beyond counting and beyond comprehension. You have views of the red pyramid and the derelict black pyramid among many others whose names are not widely known. An old rock road ru ing along the edge of the bent pyramid adds to the layered appeal of the antiquity. Having gone to saqqara and Giza as Well, Dashur was my favorite by far. Free from the relentless howl of metropolitan entropy, Dashur offers a serene and undisturbed opportunity to really appreciate the culture of ancient and modern Egyptians. The staff were friendly and fu y, not as pushy at all, and cheerful. The journey into and out of the pyramids is tough but with way fewer people than Giza, much more manageable. Giza has no ventilation to cycle air, which is unacceptable and from a preservation argument of not having it is absurd considering the amount of humidity getting locked in and the lack of available fresh air for people to breathe. Not at Dashur. The Bent and Red pyramids actually have ventilation pipes to cycle air and humidity. While not powered with fans (likely because they don't want to pay for it) the attempt was there. With way fewer people, the air was not as foul and much easier to breathe which is critical when exploring a pyramid. Some people imagine it will be like cool fresh air of a cave, but it's like breathing in a wet paper bag. Final verdict, a must visit, better than Giza...."

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Antony Li

a month ago

"The Bent Pyramid is one of Egypt’s most unique and fascinating ancient structures. Its unusual shape makes it stand out immediately, and seeing thechange in angle up close is truly impressive. The site is peaceful and almost empty, giving you plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the atmosphere without crowds. Inside, the narrow passage and interco ected chambers make the visit even more memorable. If you’re interested in ancient engineering or want a pyramid experience off the typical tourist path, the Bent Pyramid is absolutely worth visiting...."

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The Dahshūr appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Cairo!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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