Memphis Travel Guide: Top Sights in Egypt, Tours & Travel Advice -

⁰

Memphis- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Egypt; 5 Reviews

+3 Photos

Suggested Duration: 3 hours

Memphis, Egypt, one of the ancient world’s most influential cities, served as the political and cultural heart of early dynastic Egypt. Founded around 3100 BCE by King Menes, it became the capital during the Old Kingdom, overseeing the construction of iconic monuments like the Pyramids of Giza. Strategically positioned at the Nile Delta, Memphis thrived as a hub of trade, religion, and craftsmanship, home to the grand Temple of Ptah—whose Greek name, Aἴγυπτoς, likely gave rise to the word Egypt. The city's vast necropolis, stretching over 30 kilometers, includes the UNESCO-listed pyramid fields, showcasing the architectural prowess of ancient Egypt. Memphis remained a key administrative center for centuries, though its decline began with the rise of Alexandria and the shift to Christianity. Today, the open-air museum at Mit Rahina reveals scattered relics—colossal statues, alabaster sphinxes, and temple ruins—offering glimpses into its storied past. Unlike the grandeur of nearby Giza, Memphis invites exploration of its quieter but equally significant ruins, where visitors can walk among remnants of workshops, harbors, and sacred sites. The city's legacy endures not just in its stones but in its enduring influence on Egyptian identity, religion, and global heritage.

Operators offering tours in Egypt

Attractions in Giza

Giza pyramid complex

4.6

Great Sphinx of Giza

Grand Egyptian Museum

4.6

Pyramid of Khafre

Pyramid of Menkaure

Saqqara Necropolis

Pyramid of Djoser

4.8

Bent Pyramid

Reviews of Memphis

Katarina Petrinec

4
Reviewed: 2025-05-03

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has some absolutely beautiful pieces. This place has bathrooms located on site and is an inexpensive visit. I quite enjoyed visiting the outside however it is missing information what each statue and monument was about. It would have been very beneficial to learn and understand what we are looking at to preserve our history in the world. We really enjoyed our visit overall I still highly recommend history lovers to go visit as prices are great!
Oliver K

3
Reviewed: 2025-04-03

Little open-air museum with some archeological statues and ruins of Memphis, ancient capital of Egypt. One or two nice pieces like the statue of Ramses ll and the human face with a lion body of the first Queen of Egypt Hatshepsut.
Alzbeta Simonova

5
Reviewed: 2025-03-04

Memphis and its necropolis, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, is open to the public as an open-air museum. It was remarkable to see this archeological site full of fascinating statues and ruins, and of course the impressive history of Ramesses the Great.
5H1 N0

4
Reviewed: 2025-02-25

Small open air museum. Has a large statue of Rameses, the second largest Sphinx, and lots of smaller ruins.
Traveling Foodie

5
Reviewed: 2023-08-27

Great museum with large statue of Ramses the Great. The open air museum is a great experience and contains the largest alabaster sphinx. There are stalls with people asking you purchase small items as souvenirs. Great to go early in the morning to avoid crowds. It is quite small so you can probably see it within an hour.