National park · Egypt
Abusirأبو صير
Treat Abusir as a viewpoint stop, not a visit: the necropolis was closed to tourism as of late 2024 and you may only photograph the pyramid field from a distance; if it reopens, entry is a short 1–2 h walk between the 5th Dynasty pyramids, best paired with Dahshur or Saqqara on the same desert road.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km²1 sq mi
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
- Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
- Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
- Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
At a glance
- Country
- Egypt
- Area
- 2 km²1 sq mi
- The protected pyramid field is small — a compact necropolis on the desert edge, not a large nature reserve (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cairo
Abusir is a compact 5th Dynasty pyramid field on the desert plateau 10 km south of Giza and 8 km north of Saqqara, built when the 4th Dynasty necropolis at Giza had filled up. Sahure, Nyuserre, Neferirkare and Raneferef raised their pyramids here, with queens' pyramids and the mastaba of the vizier Ptahshepses around them; the sun temples of Userkaf and Niuserre lie a little north at Abu Ghurab. The site was closed to tourism as of late 2024, with distant photography from the road the only permitted activity, so treat Abusir as a viewpoint stop on the Saqqara road rather than a visit — and if it reopens, it is a short flat walk with no shade, best done in the cool months and paired with Dahshur or Saqqara in one vehicle.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1994.
Size and age
2 km²1 sq mi · national park since 1994
The protected pyramid field is small — a compact necropolis on the desert edge, not a large nature reserve (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cairo.
Why go
- A compact 5th Dynasty pyramid field on the desert plateau, 10 km south of Giza and 8 km north of Saqqara.A compact 5th Dynasty pyramid field on the desert plateau, 6.2 mi south of Giza and 5 mi north of Saqqara.
- Far fewer people and far less hassle than Giza or Saqqara when the site is open.
- The Pyramid of Sahure keeps part of its mortuary temple, with granite pillars and carved blocks still in place.
- The sun temples of Userkaf and Niuserre sit just north, at Abu Ghurab — a separate, unguarded pair of ruins.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool and clear; best walking weather
- FebMild; occasional dust
- MarWarm by midday; khamsin dust possible
- AprHot after 11:00; start earlyHot after 11:00 AM; start early
- MayHeat builds; little shade
- JunVery hot; midday sun on open stone
- JulPeak heat; go only at opening if at all
- AugPeak heat; no shade on the plateau
- SepStill hot; mornings only
- OctHeat drops; clear light
- NovDry and mild; good all day
- DecCool; short daylight
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert birds and lizards on the plateauMar–Apr, Oct–Nov · Nothing special to plan around; the site is archaeological, not a nature reserve. | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Khamsin dust stormsMar–May · Visibility drops and photography is poor on dust days. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Cairo
Car or hired taxi south on the Saqqara road, then the side road to the Abu Sir pyramids; no useful public transport to the site.
45–75 min
Open the page →
From Giza
Taxi or private car south past the Giza plateau, about 10 km.Taxi or private car south past the Giza plateau, about 6.2 mi.
30–45 min
Open the page →
From Saqqara
Same road north; combine both sites in one half day.
15–20 min
From El Hawamdeyya railway station
Local train from central Cairo, then a taxi east to the plateau; the station is a few km from the site.
1–1.5 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main pyramid field | Pyramids of Sahure, Nyuserre, Neferirkare and Raneferef, plus the queen's pyramids and the mastaba of Ptahshepses. | Closed to tourism as of late 2024; view from a distance only (check). |
| Abu Ghurab sun temples | The sun temples of Userkaf and Niuserre, north of the pyramid field. | Unfenced ruins in the desert; no facilities and no ticket office (check). |
| Abu Sir village | The valley village on the edge of the fields, with a small guesthouse. | Open; the side road to the pyramids starts here. |
Sketch map
- 1Abusir pyramid field · Headquarters≈29.896, 31.203Approximate centre of the necropolis.Map ↗
- 2Pyramid of Sahure · Summit≈29.898, 31.203Map ↗
- 3Pyramid of Nyuserre · Summit≈29.896, 31.204Map ↗
- 4Pyramid of Neferirkare Kakai · Summit≈29.895, 31.202Map ↗
- 5Mastaba of Ptahshepses · Cave≈29.897, 31.205Map ↗
- 6Sun Temple of Niuserre (Abu Ghurab) · Viewpoint≈29.904, 31.194Map ↗
- 7El Hawamdeyya railway station · Ranger station≈29.894, 31.270Map ↗
- 8Sakkara Inn · Sleep≈29.891, 31.214Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Necropolis entry (when open) | EGP 80–200 | person | 80 EGP was the quoted rate in 2018; expect a higher 2026 figure and confirm at the gate (check). |
| Pyramid of Sahure interior | Free | person | Included with site entry when the interior is open; the corridor is low and unlit (check). |
| Private car and driver from Cairo, half day | US$40–100 | car | 2026 estimate; agree waiting time and tolls first. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry ticket permit or guide
Photography from the road no permit
Park rules
- Closure
- The necropolis was closed to tourism as of late 2024; photography from a distance is the only permitted activity (check).
- No climbing
- Do not climb pyramids, mastabas or fences, and do not walk into the open desert alone.
- Guides and touts
- Ignore anyone at the road claiming a special entry or a 'guard fee'; there is no official access while closed.
- Litter and antiquities
- Take all rubbish out; removing any stone or fragment is illegal.
Where to stay
Near the park
Sakkara Inn
Basic guesthouse on the western edge of Abu Sir village, about 1 km from the pyramids and 5 km from Saqqara.Basic guesthouse on the western edge of Abu Sir village, about 0.6 mi from the pyramids and 3.1 mi from Saqqara.
Near the park
Cairo or Giza
The practical base: hotels of every level, 45–75 min by road.
Safety
Heat and no shade medium
Unstable interiors high
Road and desert walking medium
Accessibility
- The side road reaches the village edge; the plateau itself is sand and rough stone with no paved path.
- Pyramid interiors involve low corridors and crawling; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Do not pay unofficial 'guides' at the fence; money for illegal access funds site damage.
- Carry out all rubbish — there are no bins on the plateau.
- Combine Abusir with Dahshur or Saqqara in one vehicle rather than making separate trips.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Abusir?
The last published rate was 80 EGP per person, quoted in 2018. The necropolis was closed to tourism as of late 2024, so there is currently no ticket to buy; if it reopens, expect a higher 2026 price and confirm at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Abusir?
There are no real hikes — the site is a compact pyramid field on flat desert, walked in 1–2 hours between the pyramids of Sahure, Nyuserre, Neferirkare and Raneferef. The longer walk is north to the Abu Ghurab sun temples, which needs a driver who knows the track (check).
When is the best time to visit Abusir?
November to March, when days are cool and clear. From April the plateau is hot by midday with no shade, and June to August is best avoided. Whatever the month, go at opening if the site is open.
Is Abusir open to visitors?
As of late 2024 it was closed to tourism and only distant photography was permitted. Check locally before travelling; the situation can change (check).
How do I get to Abusir without a car?
There is no useful public transport to the site. Options are a hired taxi or private car from Cairo or Giza, a tour that includes Saqqara, or a local train to El Hawamdeyya plus a taxi for the last few kilometres.
Should I choose Abusir or Saqqara?
Saqqara, if you only have one stop: it is larger, better preserved and reliably open. Abusir works as a short add-on on the same road, and Dahshur is the other easy pairing.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go