Hotels near Memphis (Mit Rahina)

Founded around 3100 BCE by the unifier-king Menes, Memphis served as Egypt's capital for the entire Old Kingdom and held political weight for almost 2,500 years. Most of the mud-brick city eroded into the Nile floodplain, but the open-air museum at modern Mit Rahina village preserves the highlights. The 10.3-metre fallen colossus of Ramses II lies inside its purpose-built shelter, while a 2.4-metre alabaster Sphinx (the largest after Giza) sits outside in the palm grove. Look for the 19th-dynasty embalming tables of the sacred Apis bulls. Tickets cost 200 EGP and cover the whole site. Combine with Saqqara - they are 5 km apart on the same day-trip route. Allow 60-75 minutes here.

Pro Tip: The site has almost no shade outside the colossus shelter - bring sun cream and visit before 11 AM or after 3 PM, especially May to September.