If Giza is the headline, Saqqara is where the story begins. The Step Pyramid of Djoser, designed by the architect Imhotep around 4,700 years ago, is the earliest large stone building in Egypt, and its interior reopened after a long restoration in 2020. Around it spreads a necropolis used for some three thousand years, with beautifully carved and painted tombs of officials, the underground galleries of the Serapeum and the Imhotep Museum near the entrance. Nearby, at Mit Rahina, an open-air museum marks the site of Memphis, the first capital of united Egypt, with a colossal statue of Ramesses II lying in its own hall and an alabaster sphinx. Further south, Dahshur has the Bent and Red pyramids of Sneferu. All of this is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Memphis and its Necropolis, inscribed in 1979.
How it works: the sites are spread out about an hour south of central Cairo, so most visitors hire a driver for the day or join a guided tour combining Saqqara, Memphis and often Dahshur. Each site has its own ticket.
What to expect: far fewer crowds than Giza, desert heat and sand, and long distances between monuments. Some tombs open and close on rotation, so a good guide helps you find what is open.
Making the most of it: start early, do Memphis first, then the Step Pyramid and the tombs, and finish at Dahshur, where you can often climb down inside the Red Pyramid. Bring water, a hat and small cash.
What to expect
The experience
A driver-led or guided day trip to the necropolis of Saqqara, the open-air museum at Memphis and often Dahshur.
Best time
Early morning, especially in the warmer months.
How long
Five to eight hours including driving.
Tips
Hire a driver or join a tour, carry cash for separate tickets, and ask which tombs are open that day.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants pyramids without the crowds, and the origins of the pyramid age.
- Families
- Climbing into the Red Pyramid is an adventure for older children.
- Couples
- A quiet desert day with the Step Pyramid almost to yourselves.
- Pair with
- The Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
What is the Step Pyramid of Djoser?+
Egypt’s earliest large stone monument, designed by Imhotep around 4,700 years ago; its interior reopened after restoration in 2020.
How do I get to Saqqara from Cairo?+
By hired car with a driver or on a guided tour; it is about an hour south of central Cairo.
Is Saqqara worth it if I have seen Giza?+
Yes. It is older, quieter and has painted tombs that Giza lacks.
Can you combine Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur?+
Yes, the three fit comfortably into one full day by car.
Is Saqqara a UNESCO site?+
Yes, it is part of Memphis and its Necropolis, the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, listed in 1979.
