1 / 10

Pyramid of Unas Cairo

4.8

·82 reviews·, Egypt

Discover the Pyramid of Unas in Saqqara, home to the world's first hieroglyphic Pyramid Texts, offering a unique historical and spiritual journey.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Morning (before 12 PM)

Less crowded, cooler inside

CrowdLow

Loading map...

Pyramid of Unas Cairo

Best Time

Morning (before 12 PM)

Less crowded, cooler inside

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover the Pyramid of Unas in Saqqara, home to the world's first hieroglyphic Pyramid Texts, offering a unique historical and spiritual journey.

4.8

(82 reviews)

"The Pyramid of Unas is a must-visit for its exquisite hieroglyphs and historical significance, offering a comfortable interior experience."

TIP

🎯 Entry Included with Site Ticket

No extra ticket needed for the Pyramid of Unas; it's included with your Saqqara Necropolis admission. 🎟️

🚶‍♂️ Squat Walk Required

Be prepared for narrow passages requiring squatting or crawling. Not ideal for those with severe mobility issues. :athletic_shoe:

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 · 89 reviews

Type

Historical Landmark

Address

V697+7XR, Badrshein, Giza Governorate 3352001, Egypt

Website

egymonuments.gov.eg/en/monuments/pyramid-of-unas

👶 Good for kids

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Pyramid Texts Inscriptions

Burial Chamber

Witness the world's first hieroglyphic funerary texts, inscribed on walls and ceilings, guiding the pharaoh to the afterlife.

Saqqara Necropolis

Saqqara, Egypt

Explore the broader historical site, home to the first pyramid and offering a rich, less crowded ancient Egyptian experience.

Comfortable Interior Exploration

Inside the Pyramid

Experience a less humid and more manageable interior than larger pyramids, with a shorter, though still narrow, passageway.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Navigating Saqqara's Gems

The Pyramid of Unas is part of the Saqqara Necropolis. While the Great Pyramid can be overwhelming, Saqqara offers a more intimate historical experience. Plan your visit to Saqqara to include the Pyramid of Unas, as it's often less crowded and provides a unique glimpse into ancient Egyptian funerary texts.

Inside the Pyramid: What to Expect

Going inside the Pyramid of Unas is a unique experience, but be prepared for narrow passages and squatting. Unlike some larger pyramids, it's generally less humid and crowded, making it more comfortable. The real draw is the ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions on the walls.

Best Times

When

Morning (before 12 PM)

Why

Less crowded, cooler inside

Crowd

Low

When

Weekdays

Why

Fewer local visitors

Crowd

Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

They’ll literally jump on ypur taxi to stop it and rhen get in demanding a ticket.. lock your doors before approaching the pyramids #giza #egypt #egypttravel #safetytips #cairo #pyramidsofgiza

@lizatravels

1.2M likes • 23.1M views

🎯 Entry Included with Site Ticket

No extra ticket needed for the Pyramid of Unas; it's included with your Saqqara Necropolis admission. 🎟️

🚶‍♂️ Squat Walk Required

Be prepared for narrow passages requiring squatting or crawling. Not ideal for those with severe mobility issues. :athletic_shoe:

Rejecting Fake Gifts at the Egyptian Pyramids 🇪🇬 Tourists who visit the Pyramids of Giza are constantly approached by men acting friendly and then offering a gift. If you accept the gift then they will ask for money, and if you refuse they stop asking and start demanding. It's best just to refuse the gift politely and move on. #Egypt #Cairo #Travel #TravelVlog #TravelAdvice #SoloTravel #TravelSafe...

@dalephilipvlogs

404.4K likes • 10.2M views

क्या आप जानते हैं? जोसेर का पिरामिड दुनिया का सबसे पुराना पत्थर से बना ढांचा है, लेकिन इससे भी रोचक बात यह है कि इसके नीचे 5.5 किलोमीटर से ज्यादा लंबी भूमिगत सुरंगों और कमरों का एक रहस्यमय जाल है—जिनमें से कुछ हिस्से आज भी अनदेखे हैं। The Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest known stone structure in the world, but what’s fascinating is that beneath the pyramid lies a vast underground maze of tunnels a...

aesthetic_oxygen

294 likes • 5.2K views

✨ Admire the Hieroglyphs

The exquisite, ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions are the main highlight. Take your time to appreciate them. ⭐

💰 Tip the Guide

A guide inside may demonstrate materials. A small tip is appreciated for their effort. :moneybag:

🏛️ Mısır’ın ilk büyük anıtsal yapısı… Djoser Piramidi sadece bir mezar değil, ölüler diyarına uzanan sembolik bir geçidin başlangıcı mı? Kumların altında hâlâ cevaplanmamış sorular yatıyor… 🔍 . . . . . . . . . Video by 📹 @sciencechannel #DjoserPiramidi #AntikMısır #Sakkara #Tarih #Arkeoloji #GizemliYapılar #AntikKeşifler #Piramitler #mısır #DjoserPyramid #AncientEgypt #Saqqara #Archaeology #Egypt...

lost_civilizationss

211 likes • 17.7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Entry Included with Site Ticket

No extra ticket needed for the Pyramid of Unas; it's included with your Saqqara Necropolis admission. 🎟️

🚶‍♂️ Squat Walk Required

Be prepared for narrow passages requiring squatting or crawling. Not ideal for those with severe mobility issues. :athletic_shoe:

✨ Admire the Hieroglyphs

The exquisite, ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions are the main highlight. Take your time to appreciate them. ⭐

💰 Tip the Guide

A guide inside may demonstrate materials. A small tip is appreciated for their effort. :moneybag:

🗺️ Explore Saqqara

Combine your visit with other Saqqara sites for a richer historical experience. :world_map:

What Travellers Say

4.8

(82 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the Pyramid of Unas for its historical significance, particularly the groundbreaking Pyramid Texts, and a more comfortable interior experience compared to larger pyramids. While the narrow passages require some physical effort, the exquisite hieroglyphs are a major draw. It's considered a must-visit within the Saqqara Necropolis for its unique historical value.

"The most beautiful pyramid to visit from inside, it's located in Sakkara, Egypt. It was built to be a royal tomb for the pharaoh Unas , the last king of the fifth dynasty about 24th century BC . It's particularly famous for being the first pyramid to have pyramid texts , it's a collection of religious spells inscribed on the walls of the burial chamber to help the soul of the dead to travel and to find its way in the afterlife
To visit this pyramid, it's with the same ticket of the site, no extra ticket, it's open till midday 12:00"

Mohamed Omar

"This is part of the Saqqara Necropolis

The pyramid of Unas was built in the 5th Dynasty. Despite its size, this pyramid is very significant for having the first example of funerary texts known as Pyramid Texts. These texts were inscribed on the walls of the burial chamber and assisted the deceased pharaoh in his journey to the afterlife through instructive spells.

As with most pyramids, two temples linked by a long causeway compose part of the pyramid complex. The remains of the valley temple can be seen at the modern entrance to the site of Saqqara. Much of the causeway, which was elaborately decorated, has been removed and reused by later kings, but a part of it still remains offering visitors a glimpse of what it once looked like."

Santosh Pingalay

"Must visit! Much easier to enter this tomb, shorter passageway than the Great Pyramid of Giza and not humid at all, it is a way more comfortable experience - only caveat is that the passage is narrow so need to squat walk for a bit.

Reason its a must visit is because it has first ever hyroglyphic inscriptions in a tomb ever made and the inscriptions are exquisite and perfectly made - 4300 years ago. Absolutely incredible. Dont miss this opportunity once you are in Saqqara, also you have to visit the Saqqara necropolis, not as immense as Giza but a lot more historical value here."

Abhilash Paul

What People Like

First Pyramid Texts

Exquisite hieroglyphs

Less crowded interior

What People Dislike

Narrow, squatting passages

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Pyramid of Unas is located in Saqqara, south of Cairo. The most common way to get there is by hiring a taxi or arranging a private tour from Cairo. Many tours combine Saqqara with Dahshur and Giza. Expect a journey of about 45-60 minutes from central Cairo, depending on traffic. 🚗 🚌

Public transport to Saqqara can be challenging and time-consuming. It's generally recommended to use a taxi, ride-sharing app, or join a guided tour for a more convenient experience. 🚕

The Saqqara Necropolis is quite spread out. Hiring a local guide at the site or having a pre-arranged tour can enhance your understanding and navigation. Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking. :athletic_shoe:

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, entry into the Pyramid of Unas is typically included with your general admission ticket to the Saqqara Necropolis site. There is no additional fee for entering this pyramid. 🎟️

The Pyramid of Unas, like other sites within Saqqara, is generally open from morning until around 12:00 PM (midday) for interior access. It's always best to check the latest official hours upon arrival. 🕐

While online ticket purchasing options for Egyptian sites are becoming more common, it's advisable to check the official Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities website or reliable tour operators for the most up-to-date information on purchasing tickets in advance. 💻

The interior passageway is narrow and requires squatting or crawling. While it's less claustrophobic than some other pyramids, it may not be suitable for individuals with severe mobility issues or extreme claustrophobia. ⚠️

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The Pyramid of Unas is most famous for its 'Pyramid Texts,' the earliest known hieroglyphic inscriptions found in any Egyptian tomb. These texts are inscribed on the walls and ceiling of the burial chamber and are believed to be spells to aid the pharaoh's journey to the afterlife. 📜

Compared to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Unas is generally much less crowded. This makes for a more comfortable and less overwhelming experience, allowing you to better appreciate the inscriptions. :peopleholdinghands:

Wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll be exploring the Saqqara site. Inside the pyramid, the passageway is narrow, so clothing that allows for easy movement is recommended. Light, breathable fabrics are best for the Egyptian climate. :athletic_shoe: :tshirt:

Official guides can be hired at the Saqqara site. There may also be individuals inside the pyramid who offer explanations of the inscriptions for a small tip. :man_detective:

The Pyramid of Unas is part of the Saqqara Necropolis, which includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Tomb of Ty, and various other mastabas and structures. Nearby Dahshur is home to the Bent and Red Pyramids. 🧭

📸 📸 Photography

Photography rules can vary, but generally, taking photos inside ancient Egyptian tombs and pyramids is often restricted or requires a separate photography permit. It's best to check on-site regulations or ask your guide. :camerawithflash:

The exterior of the Step Pyramid of Djoser offers iconic shots. The vastness of the necropolis itself provides many opportunities for landscape photography. Inside the Pyramid of Unas, focus on capturing the intricate details of the hieroglyphs if photography is permitted. 📷