Exploring Ancient Memphis: The Old Capital of Egypt

Memphis was one of the great cities of ancient Egypt and, for much of its history, its capital. Today it is a quiet site south of Cairo, near the village of Mit Rahina and close to Saqqara and Dahshur, but it once sat at the junction of Upper and Lower Egypt and shaped the country's early history. This page is about ancient Memphis in Egypt, and how you can visit what is left of it.

What was Memphis?

Memphis stood on the west bank of the Nile at the point where the river valley opens into the Delta. Egyptians first called it Ineb-hedj, "the White Walls". The name "Memphis" comes from Men-nefer, the name of the pyramid of King Pepi I at nearby Saqqara, which later came to mean the city itself. Ancient tradition credits King Menes with founding it when he united Upper and Lower Egypt.

A short history of Memphis

Memphis was the capital of Egypt from the Early Dynastic Period and throughout the Old Kingdom, the age of the great pyramids. The kings were buried in the desert on the western edge of the city, which is why Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur are known together as the necropolis of Memphis. Even when the royal court moved elsewhere in later periods, Memphis remained an important religious, administrative and craft centre.

The city's patron god was Ptah, the creator god and protector of craftsmen. His great temple was the heart of Memphis. The sacred Apis bull, linked with Ptah, was kept in the city, and the Apis bulls were buried at the Serapeum of Saqqara. Over the centuries, as other cities rose, Memphis declined, and much of its stone was reused in later buildings. This is why little is standing today.

What you can see today

The remains of Memphis are spread over an area that is now farmland and palm groves, with a small open-air museum at Mit Rahina where the main finds are displayed:

  • The colossus of Ramesses II: a large limestone statue of the king, shown lying down inside a purpose-built hall so that visitors can see it from above.
  • The alabaster sphinx: a great sphinx carved from a single block of alabaster.
  • Statues, stelae and fragments: pieces from the temple of Ptah and other buildings of the ancient city, displayed in the garden.

Memphis and its necropolis, the pyramid fields from Giza to Dahshur, are together a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1979.

How to visit Memphis

Memphis is usually visited together with Saqqara and Dahshur on a day trip from Cairo, since the three sites lie close to each other. Plan about one hour at the open-air museum. Opening hours and ticket prices can change, so it is best to confirm them before you go. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; in summer, go early in the morning.

To understand the monuments around Memphis, read our guides to the Saqqara Step Pyramid, the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx.

Tours that include Memphis

With Ibis Egypt Tours you can see Memphis with transport and a guide:

Want something different? Tell us what you would like to see and we will prepare a proposal for you.

Frequently asked questions about Memphis

Is this the same Memphis as the city in the United States?

No. The US city of Memphis, Tennessee, was named after ancient Memphis in Egypt, but they are completely different places. This page is about the ancient capital of Egypt.

Where is ancient Memphis?

It is south of Cairo, on the west bank of the Nile, near the village of Mit Rahina and close to Saqqara and Dahshur.

What is left of Memphis?

Not much of the city stands, but you can see the colossus of Ramesses II, the alabaster sphinx and other statues at the open-air museum.

How long does a visit take?

About one hour at the site. Most visitors combine it with Saqqara and Dahshur on a full-day tour from Cairo.