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Overview
The Step Pyramid
Saqqara is Egypt’s largest ancient necropolis, stretching over 7 km along the desert escarpment above the ancient capital Memphis. It served as the primary burial ground for the Memphis royal court and its officials from the 1st Dynasty through the Ptolemaic period — a span of nearly 3,500 years. The site contains pyramids from multiple dynasties, hundreds of mastaba tombs, the underground galleries of the Serapeum, and some of the richest painted tomb chapels in Egypt.
The centerpiece of Saqqara is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2630 BCE as the world’s first large-scale stone monument. Surrounding it is an enormous funerary complex enclosed by a 10-meter boundary wall with 14 false doorways — a symbolic architecture that replicated the royal palace in stone for eternity. Nearby, the pyramid of Unas contains the earliest version of the Pyramid Texts, a collection of spells and rituals carved directly onto the chamber walls.
Saqqara also contains several New Kingdom tombs belonging to senior officials of the Ramesside period, many of which were only rediscovered in the 1970s and 1980s. The site is actively excavated, and new discoveries — painted sarcophagi, mummies, and intact burial shafts — are announced regularly, making Saqqara one of the most productive archaeological zones in the world today.
Photo Gallery
Interesting Facts
Saqqara contains pyramids from at least 14 different pharaohs across multiple dynasties, spanning over 3,000 years of use
The Pyramid Texts found in Unas's pyramid (c. 2350 BCE) are the oldest known religious corpus in the world
In November 2020, Egyptian archaeologists announced the discovery of 59 sealed wooden coffins at Saqqara dating to the 26th Dynasty, intact after 2,500 years
The Serapeum's granite burial sarcophagi for the Apis bulls each weigh approximately 70 tonnes and were cut from single blocks of stone
The Step Pyramid complex covers 15 hectares — roughly the size of a large modern city block — and was the first building complex of its scale ever constructed in stone
History & Significance
Saqqara has been in continuous use as a burial site since at least the 1st Dynasty (c. 3100 BCE), when the earliest mastaba tombs were constructed for high officials and members of the royal family. The site reached its first architectural peak under Pharaoh Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty, whose architect Imhotep designed the Step Pyramid complex around 2630 BCE — the first time large-scale dressed limestone was used in construction anywhere on earth.
During the 5th and 6th Dynasties, Saqqara became the preferred royal burial ground again after Abu Sir’s use in the 5th Dynasty, with the pyramids of Unas, Teti, Pepi I, Merenre, and Pepi II all built here. These later pyramids introduced the Pyramid Texts — the world’s oldest known religious corpus — onto the interior walls of their burial chambers.
In the 19th century BCE, the site was used for the Serapeum, the underground burial vaults of the Apis bulls, sacred animals associated with the god Ptah and later Osiris. Auguste Mariette rediscovered the Serapeum in 1851, finding granite sarcophagi weighing up to 70 tonnes still sealed inside the subterranean galleries.
What to See
Step Pyramid of Djoser
The world's oldest large-scale stone structure, built in six steps to a height of 62 meters, with its surrounding ceremonial court now open after decades of restoration.
Pyramid of Unas
Exterior appears unimpressive, but the interior walls bear the Pyramid Texts — the oldest surviving religious writing in the world — carved in blue-green faience.
Serapeum
Underground vaulted galleries housing the massive granite sarcophagi of the Apis bulls, descending over 200 meters into the desert bedrock.
Mastaba of Ti
A 5th Dynasty official's tomb with extraordinarily detailed painted reliefs showing everyday Old Kingdom life — agriculture, butchery, shipbuilding, and musicians.
Imhotep Museum
On-site museum dedicated to the architect of the Step Pyramid, displaying recent excavation finds including painted coffins and artifacts from the 2020 discovery.
Saqqara Tickets and Prices (2026)
Saqqara is the vast burial ground of ancient Memphis, about 30 km south of central Cairo, and home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest of all the pyramids. The main ticket covers the Step Pyramid complex and many of the tombs; a few special sites need their own ticket.
| Ticket | Price (foreign visitors) |
|---|---|
| Saqqara general ticket | about EGP 600 (students half price) |
| Serapeum, and some decorated tombs | separate tickets, sold at the main gate |
Prices are the figures given by 2026 guides; check them at the ticket office. Children under six enter free. Phone photography is free; no flash inside the tombs. The ticket office is at the entrance, next to the Imhotep Museum.
Opening Hours and the Best Time to Visit
Saqqara is open daily from about 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is open desert with almost no shade, so go in the morning, especially from May to September. It is far quieter than Giza: on many mornings you will have the tombs almost to yourself.
What to See
- The Step Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2670 BC by the architect Imhotep: the first large building in the world made entirely of cut stone, and the model for every pyramid after it.
- The Heb-Sed court and enclosure wall, with the colonnaded entrance hall, the oldest stone columns in Egypt.
- The Pyramid of Unas, where the Pyramid Texts, the oldest religious writings in the world, cover the walls of the burial chamber.
- The Serapeum: long underground galleries holding huge granite coffins for the sacred Apis bulls, each weighing up to 70 tonnes.
- The mastabas of Ti, Mereruka and Kagemni: the tombs of high officials, carved with lively scenes of daily life: farming, fishing, boat-building and animals.
- The Imhotep Museum at the entrance, with finds from the site.
How to Get There and How Long You Need
There is no public transport to the site, so visit with a car and driver or on a tour from Cairo or Giza (about 45 to 60 minutes). Allow three to four hours for Saqqara itself. Most visitors combine it with the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, 10 km further south, and the open-air museum at Memphis, in one full day. See our Cairo and Giza tours and the complete list of Egyptian pyramids.
Saqqara: Common Questions
How much is the Saqqara ticket in 2026?
About EGP 600 for foreign adults according to 2026 guides, with the Serapeum and some tombs extra. Check the current price at the gate.
Is Saqqara worth visiting if I have seen Giza?
Yes. Saqqara has the oldest pyramid in Egypt, painted and carved tombs that Giza lacks, and far fewer visitors.
How far is Saqqara from the Giza pyramids?
About 20 km, or 30 to 45 minutes by car.
Can you go inside the Step Pyramid?
Yes. After a long restoration, the corridors and burial chamber reopened to visitors in 2020. Access can depend on the ticket and the day, so ask at the gate.
Saqqara Tours
Our Saqqara tours visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the decorated Old Kingdom tombs, and most continue to Memphis or Dahshur. See the Saqqara & Memphis day tour from Cairo.
These packages visit this site as part of the itinerary.
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Day tours & Nile cruises visiting Saqqara & The Step Pyramid
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