There are over 118 confirmed pyramids in Egypt — and the number continues to grow as satellite imaging and excavations reveal buried structures. The three pyramids of Giza are the most famous, but Egypt’s pyramid-building tradition extended across nearly 1,500 years and left structures scattered from Abu Rawash in the north to Meroë in Sudan in the south. This guide answers the question completely — with details on where the pyramids are, which ones you can visit, and what makes each site worth seeing.
How Many Pyramids Are in Egypt? The Complete Answer
The Quick Answer
As of 2026, archaeologists have confirmed over 118 pyramid structures in Egypt. This number represents only those that have been formally identified and studied. Satellite surveys have revealed dozens of buried anomalies that may represent previously unknown pyramids, suggesting the final count could be significantly higher. The most recent discovery, KV63 in the Valley of the Kings, was found in 2006 — proof that Egypt still holds secrets.
Where Are Egypt’s Pyramids?
| Site | Number of Pyramids | Most Famous | Visitable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giza | 9 | Great Pyramid of Khufu | Yes ✓ |
| Saqqara | 16+ | Step Pyramid of Djoser (Egypt’s oldest) | Yes ✓ |
| Dahshur | 4+ | Bent Pyramid · Red Pyramid | Yes ✓ |
| Abusir | 14 | Pyramid of Sahure | Partially ✓ |
| Meidum | 1 | Meidum Pyramid (collapsed smooth-sided) | Yes ✓ |
| Hawara | 1 | Pyramid of Amenemhat III | Limited |
| Lisht | 2 | Pyramid of Amenemhat I | Restricted |
| Other sites | 70+ | Various Middle & New Kingdom | Mostly not accessible |
Egypt’s Most Important Pyramid Sites
1. Giza — The Most Famous (9 pyramids)
The Giza plateau contains the three main pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure), three smaller queens’ pyramids beside Khufu’s, and additional subsidiary structures. The Great Pyramid of Khufu remains the largest pyramid ever built: 146.5m originally, containing 2.3 million stone blocks averaging 2.5 tons each. See our complete Giza Pyramids visitor guide.
2. Saqqara — Egypt’s Oldest Pyramid (16+ structures)
Saqqara is one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt and one of the most overlooked by first-time visitors. It contains the Step Pyramid of Djoser — Egypt’s oldest pyramid, built around 2650 BC by the legendary architect Imhotep as the first attempt at a pyramid form. Before Djoser’s pyramid, royal tombs were flat-topped mastabas. Imhotep stacked six mastabas of decreasing size to create the world’s first large-scale stone structure. Saqqara also contains the Pyramid of Unas (inscribed with the oldest religious texts in the world — the Pyramid Texts), ongoing excavations that continue to find new tombs and structures, and the Serapeum — the extraordinary underground catacomb where the sacred Apis bulls were buried in giant granite sarcophagi.
3. Dahshur — The Most Unusual Pyramids
Dahshur, 40km south of Cairo, contains two of the most architecturally fascinating pyramids in Egypt. The Bent Pyramid of Pharaoh Sneferu changes angle from 54° to 43° halfway up — because the engineers realised the original slope was too steep and the structure was beginning to crack. It is the only major pyramid to have its original polished limestone casing intact on most of its surface. The Red Pyramid — also Sneferu’s — is the world’s first true smooth-sided pyramid, built after the lessons of the Bent Pyramid. Sneferu built more pyramid volume than any other pharaoh in history, including his son Khufu. Dahshur is far less visited than Giza and gives a rare experience of exploring pyramids without crowds.
Which Pyramids Can You Visit on a Cairo Day Tour?
The most accessible pyramid sites from Cairo for a day tour are:
- Giza — 30 minutes from central Cairo. Essential. Full visitor guide here.
- Saqqara — 30 minutes from Giza. Saqqara + Giza in one day is the best value combination in Cairo.
- Dahshur — 15 minutes from Saqqara. Easy to add to a Saqqara visit for a full “pyramid evolution” day.
Egypt For Travel’s Cairo private day tours combine Giza + Saqqara + the Grand Egyptian Museum in a single day, with a private licensed Egyptologist guide throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Egypt’s Pyramids
How many pyramids are in Egypt exactly?
The most commonly cited figure is 118 confirmed pyramid structures in Egypt as of 2026. This figure comes from the formal cataloguing by Egyptologists of all structures that meet the architectural definition of a pyramid (four triangular faces meeting at a point above a square or rectangular base). The actual number continues to increase as satellite surveys reveal buried anomalies and excavations confirm new structures. Some researchers place the total as high as 130–138 when including heavily damaged structures and partial remains.
How many pyramids are at Giza specifically?
The Giza plateau contains 9 pyramid structures: the three main royal pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure), three smaller queens’ pyramids adjacent to the Great Pyramid (for Khufu’s wives Hetepheres, Meritites and Henutsen), and three further subsidiary pyramids near the Pyramid of Menkaure. The Great Sphinx and its associated temples are also on the Giza plateau but are not pyramids.
What is the oldest pyramid in Egypt?
The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara is Egypt’s oldest pyramid, built around 2650 BC by the architect Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty. It is approximately 60 metres tall and consists of six stacked mastaba stages of decreasing size. The Step Pyramid predates the Giza pyramids by approximately 100 years. It is the world’s oldest large-scale stone structure and is currently open to visitors at Saqqara, 30km south of Cairo.
Are there pyramids in Egypt outside of Giza?
Yes — the vast majority of Egypt’s pyramids are outside of Giza. Of the 118+ confirmed pyramid structures, approximately 9 are at Giza. The remainder are spread across sites including Saqqara (16+), Dahshur (4+), Abusir (14), Meidum (1), Hawara (1), Lisht (2), El-Lahun (1), Abydos (at least 1), and various lesser-known sites along the Nile Valley. The most accessible for visitors from Cairo are Saqqara (30 minutes) and Dahshur (45 minutes), both easily combined with a Giza visit on the same day.
Visit Egypt’s pyramids with Egypt For Travel — Giza, Saqqara, Dahshur and the Grand Egyptian Museum, all in one private guided day. Licensed Egyptologist, private vehicle, all fees included. Browse Cairo day tours or WhatsApp: +20 155 555 2466. ETA Licence No. 1947.
