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How to Visit Saqqara, Egypt: The Complete Guide

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Drive approximately 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of downtown Cairo and you’ll find yourself in Saqqara, the vast necropolis of the Ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. Named for the Memphite god of the dead, Sokar, this is Egypt ’s largest archaeological site. Its pyramids may not be as famous as the ones located in nearby Giza, but some of them (specifically the iconic Pyramid of Djoser) are considerably older. For those with an interest in archaeology, these trend-setting structures are amongst the country’s must-see ancient sights . 

History of the Site

The custom of burying pharaohs at Saqqara dates back thousands of years to the time of the First Dynasty, when kings ruled over a united Egypt for the first time. No fewer than 17 pharaohs are known to have chosen Saqqara as their final resting place and royals, their family members, sacred animals and important officials continued to be buried there for more than 3,000 years. Today, the Saqqara necropolis covers an area of 4 square miles (10 square kilometers).

When the burial site fell out of use during the time of the Romans, it was gradually reclaimed by the desert. With the exception of the Pyramid of Djoser, the entire site was buried in sand by the time French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette uncovered the Serapeum in the mid-19th century. Since then, a constant process of excavation, recovery and restoration has been taking place at Saqqara. In 1979, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the pyramid fields that run from Giza to Dhashur. 

The most recent discovery took place in July 2018, when archaeologists unearthed a mummification workshop complete with five mummies and their jeweled sarcophagi. 

The Pyramid of Djoser

The Pyramid of Djoser is without doubt the most famous landmark at Saqqara. Comprising six mastabas (flat-roofed tombs synonymous with the First and Second Dynasties) of decreasing size stacked one on top of the other, the pyramid has a unique stepped appearance. It dates back to the 27th century B.C. when it was built to serve as the burial complex of Third Dynasty pharaoh Djoser by his architect, Imhotep. The pyramid is the oldest known stone-cut monumental structure in the world, and Imhotep is credited with creating the blueprint upon which the later, smooth-sided pyramids were built. 

In its heyday, the pyramid would have stood 203 feet (62 meters) tall and its sandstone slopes would have been clad in polished white limestone. Today, entry into the pyramid is forbidden but the view from outside remains breathtakingly impressive.

Key Attractions

Pyramid of Teti

Many of Saqqara’s later pyramids were built during a time of economic hardship, and the inferior materials used have not withstood the test of time. Ten pyramids remain in addition to Djoser’s masterpiece, some of which are open for exploration. Of these, the most interesting is the Pyramid of Teti, a pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty whose inscribed basalt sarcophagus still lies inside the burial chamber. Hieroglyphic spells from the Pyramid Texts adorn the interior walls. 

Mastabas of Kagemni and Ti

Saqqara is also home to an impressive array of tombs and mastabas in varying states of repair. The best include the Mastaba of Kagemni, Teti’s chief justice; and the Mastaba of Ti, the overseer of the pyramids at Abusir. The reliefs and friezes of the latter tomb have been painstakingly restored and are considered one of the finest existing examples of Old Kingdom art. They depict scenes of daily life in Ancient Egypt accompanied by hieroglyphic dialogue. 

The Serapeum

The Serapeum, or underground burial chamber of the Apis bulls, is another highlight of the site. Kept and worshipped at the Temple of Ptah in Memphis during their lifetime, the sacred bulls were mummified after death and carried to the Serapeum to be buried in stone sarcophagi. This practice lasted for over 1,300 years, only ceasing in 30 B.C. 

Imhotep Museum

To learn more about this and other rituals of the Old Kingdom, make sure to visit the Imhotep Museum, located at the entrance to Saqqara. Its five halls showcase some of the site’s most interesting finds, including the wooden coffin of Imhotep himself; the oldest complete royal mummy ever found and a recreation of the library of French architect Jean-Philippe Lauer. Lauer is famous for making excavating and restoring Saqqara’s treasures his life’s work. 

How to Get There

There are no public transport routes from Cairo to Saqqara, so unless you plan on hiring a car, a private taxi is your only option for exploring independently. If you don’t feel like haggling over prices with a driver on the street, ask your hotel to organize a taxi for you. Because the site is so vast, it’s worth hiring a driver for the whole day so that they can ferry you in between Saqqara’s most important sites. 

Many travel agencies, hotels and tour companies offer half or full-day tours to Saqqara . Although visiting with a group means that you have less freedom to explore at will, it can be a relief to have all costs included while the insight of a professional Egyptologist is invaluable. Many tours include visits to the nearby sites of Memphis and the Dahshur necropolis as well. 

Things to Remember

Timing your trip carefully can make all the difference to your experience at Saqqara. The Egyptian workweek runs from Sunday to Thursday, and traffic getting in and out of Cairo can be stressful on these days. To avoid wasting time sitting in gridlock, try to plan your outing for Friday or Saturday instead. Similarly, the time of day is important, especially in summer. Plan to visit as early as possible so that you can avoid the midday heat. 

There is little shade and no refreshment available at the necropolis, so plan accordingly by bringing sunscreen, a hat, water and a picnic. Comfortable walking shoes and a flashlight for illuminating the tombs’ dim interiors are a good idea as well. Lastly, don’t forget that Saqqara is huge. Instead of trying to see everything in a single morning or afternoon, pick your must-see sights and focus on those. 

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How to Visit and What to See in Saqqara, Egypt (Guide to Visiting Saqqara)

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Nestled in the arid landscapes of Egypt, Saqqara stands as a timeless testament to the ingenuity and architectural prowess of ancient civilizations. This archaeological gem, often overshadowed by its famous neighbor, the Giza Plateau, holds its own mystique and historical significance.

Saqqara, home to the iconic Step Pyramid of Djoser , is a captivating journey through the annals of Egyptian history, offering a glimpse into a world that thrived thousands of years ago.

In this guide, we invite you to embark on a virtual journey with us as we explore how to visit and what to see in Saqqara , Egypt. Whether you’re an avid history buff, an intrepid traveler, or simply curious about the wonders of antiquity, Saqqara promises an unforgettable adventure.

From the towering pyramid that has weathered the sands of time to the intricate details of ancient tombs , our guide will unveil the secrets and treasures that await you in this awe-inspiring archaeological wonderland.

So, pack your virtual bags, and let’s uncover the mysteries of Saqqara together.

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• 1. Discovering Saqqara: Location and Travel Tips
• 2. What to See When Visiting Saqqara
• 2.1. The Imhotep Museum
• 2.2. The Step Pyramid of Djoser
• 2.3. The Step Pyramid Funerary Complex
• 2.4. The Tomb of Ka-gmni
• 3. How to Visit Saqqara - Things to Know Before You Go

Discovering Saqqara: Location and Travel Tips

Saqqara, spanning an expansive area of approximately 7 by 1.5 kilometers (4.35 by 0.93 miles), holds a prestigious place in history as the birthplace of pyramid construction in Egypt .

Located on the western bank of the majestic River Nile, Saqqara rests about 30 kilometers (19 miles) to the south of Cairo. The journey from the bustling Egyptian capital to Saqqara is relatively swift, typically taking around one hour by car.

What makes this excursion all the more enticing is the opportunity to combine a visit to Saqqara with a trip to the ancient city of Memphis.

Memphis, once the illustrious capital of Egypt, boasts its own trove of historical treasures. To delve deeper into this historical journey, be sure to explore our guide on How to Visit and What to See in Memphis, Egypt . With these two remarkable destinations in close proximity, your Egyptian adventure promises to be a truly enriching experience.

I think that having a private driver and a guide is the best way to reach and tour Saqqara. This option gives you total flexibility. Also, having a knowledgeable guide by your side is simply invaluable.

Now, if you are staying in one of the hotels in Cairo, your hotel will probably be more than happy to arrange for you a driver and a guide. Needless to say, this is an expensive option, but it is all worth it.

You can ask your hotel for a bus tour that stops at all major attractions in and around Cairo or for a day trip tour from Cairo that covers several stops. It is probably one of the least expensive options. But, it does not give you much flexibility.

Another option is to just book a taxi and head to Saqqara. You will always be able to hire a guide right at the entrance to the Saqqara Archaeological Site.

What to See When Visiting Saqqara

Saqqara is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, featuring an array of pyramids that have fascinated historians and explorers for centuries. Among these, the iconic Step Pyramid of Djoser reigns supreme, its ancient grandeur making it one of the most renowned structures in the world.

But Saqqara offers more than just pyramids; it boasts a collection of mastabas , the distinctive flat-roofed tombs that reveal the burial practices of the ancient Egyptians. These mastabas provide an intriguing glimpse into the customs and beliefs of this ancient civilization.

For those eager to delve deeper into Saqqara’s rich history, the Imhotep Museum awaits. The entrance ticket to Saqqara Archaeological Site not only grants access to this museum but also makes it an ideal starting point for your Saqqara exploration.

Inside the Imhotep Museum, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Saqqara’s excavations and discoveries. It’s an opportunity to journey through time, as you uncover the secrets and stories hidden within the ancient sands.

So, begin your Saqqara Archaeological Site tour at the Museum of Imhotep, where history comes to life, and let the wonders of this ancient site unfold before your eyes.

The Imhotep Museum

The Imhotep Museum pays homage to the legendary Egyptian architect Imhotep , whose brilliance is credited with the design of the world-famous Step Pyramid of Djoser and the entire complex surrounding it.

This institution serves as a captivating portal into the architectural genius of Imhotep and the remarkable archaeological heritage of Saqqara.

Comprising several halls adorned with meticulously curated and informative exhibits, the museum offers a captivating journey through the annals of history.

Within its walls, you can marvel at a wealth of archaeological discoveries stemming from various excavations conducted in Saqqara. Among the most intriguing artifacts are the ancient tools once wielded by skilled craftsmen in the construction of monumental structures.

Additionally, the museum houses a remarkable collection of green and blue faience wall tiles , which once adorned the chambers beneath the pyramid complex, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Egypt.

For those planning their visit, the Imhotep Museum operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer months (May through August) and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the winter months (September through April).

What is even more enticing is that the cost of admission to this museum is seamlessly included in the entrance ticket to the Saqqara Archaeological Site, making it a must-see destination for anyone eager to unravel the mysteries of this historical treasure trove.

The Step Pyramid of Djoser

The crowning jewel of Saqqara, the Step Pyramid of Djoser , stands as a testament to the remarkable architectural genius of Imhotep , who is celebrated as its visionary creator.

This awe-inspiring pyramid not only holds the distinction of being Egypt’s inaugural pyramid but also boasts the remarkable distinction of being the oldest surviving stone building globally , a historical marvel that continues to captivate visitors to this day.

This monumental feat of construction unfolded over a span of time from 2630 to 2611 BC, a period that saw the birth of one of the world’s most iconic architectural achievements.

Saqqara Necropolis / How to Visit and What to See in Saqqara

The Step Pyramid soars to an impressive height of 60 meters (204 feet), dominating the Saqqara landscape with its six distinct steps.

Each step, a testament to the ancient Egyptians’ architectural prowess, represents a remarkable chapter in the history of human engineering and ambition.

The Pyramid of Djoser / How to Visit and What to See in Saqqara

Standing in the shadow of the Step Pyramid, one can’t help but marvel at the enduring legacy of Imhotep and the generations of craftsmen and laborers who transformed his visionary design into a tangible reality.

This ancient wonder serves as a bridge to the distant past, inviting all who visit to witness the genius of Imhotep and the grandeur of Egypt’s historical heritage.

The Step Pyramid Funerary Complex

The Step Pyramid of Djoser, nestled in the heart of Saqqara, was not merely a standalone structure but a central element of a grand funerary complex that once thrived in this historic site.

This complex was a sprawling architectural marvel that encompassed temples, courtyards, shrines, and living quarters designed to serve the needs of the priests responsible for the pyramid’s upkeep and religious rituals.

Hypostyle Hall at the Temple of Djoser / How to Visit and What to See in Saqqara

Adding to its enigmatic allure, the entire complex was meticulously enclosed by a protective wall . This defensive perimeter was adorned with a remarkable feature: 13 false doors, cunningly cut into the wall.

These false doors, as my guide shared, served a dual purpose, both mystical and practical. They were believed to facilitate the passage of the deceased into the afterlife while also serving as a deterrent to would-be intruders.

Further fortifying the complex’s defenses, a trench surrounded the imposing wall , offering an additional layer of security. These measures combined to safeguard the sacred sanctum and discourage any potential threats.

Today, fortunate visitors to Saqqara can still witness the remarkable preservation of elements of the Step Pyramid Funerary Complex.

A highlight not to be missed is the exquisite Hypostyle Hall at the Temple of Djoser .

The Hypostyle Hall at the Temple of Djoser is a mesmerizing testament to ancient Egyptian architecture and craftsmanship.

Don’t forget to capture the beauty and mystique of this historical treasure with your camera, as each image you capture becomes a window into the distant past.

The Tomb of Ka-gmni

The tomb of Ka-gmni is a complex comprised of eight meticulously adorned chambers along with five functional storage rooms.

Tomb of Ka-gmni / How to Visit and What to See in Saqqara

In the first chamber, a captivating narrative unfolds through intricate decorations .

These scenes offer a window into the daily lives of the time , showcasing activities such as fishing and fowling.

Moreover, the chamber is adorned with splendid depictions of various birds and animals, meticulously rendered with artistic finesse. It also boasts beautiful reliefs portraying offerings bearers, shedding light on the religious and ceremonial practices of ancient Egypt.

Ka-gmni, a prominent figure from the early reign of King Teti during the Sixth Dynasty of Egypt, held a multitude of esteemed titles and roles .

Notably, he served as an overseer of the two houses of gold and the two treasuries. His religious duties were equally significant, including the prestigious roles of High Priest of Re and Stolist of Min.

Within the royal palace, Ka-gmni’s influence extended to roles such as overseer of the two chambers of the king’s adornment, director of the Mansions of the White and Red Crowns, and keeper of the head ornaments.

As vizier, his responsibilities encompassed overseeing the scribes of the king’s documents, supervising all the works of the king, and presiding as overseer of the six great courts.

Furthermore, an intriguing familial connection adds to the historical tapestry, as Ka-gmni’s wife, Nebtynubkhet Sesheshet, is believed to have been a King’s Daughter, potentially the daughter of Teti himself.

This tomb not only serves as a testament to Ka-gmni’s multifaceted role in ancient Egyptian society but also offers a glimpse into the intricate web of relationships and responsibilities within the royal court.

How to Visit Saqqara - Things to Know Before You Go

• How much time should you allocate for your visit to Saqqara?

To fully savor the wonders of the Saqqara Archaeological Site, it’s recommended to set aside a minimum of 1 to 2 hours for your exploration.

This timeframe allows for a comprehensive tour that encompasses visiting one of the remarkable tombs, exploring the intriguing funerary complex, and capturing memorable snapshots of the iconic Step Pyramid.

Keep in mind that if you plan to explore additional tombs, you should factor in additional time accordingly.

• What’s the cost of admission to Saqqara?

Upon your arrival at the entrance to the Saqqara Archaeological Site, you can purchase your admission ticket, which is priced at 180 Egyptian Pounds (EGP).

This single ticket provides access not only to the Saqqara Archaeological Site itself but also grants entry to the enlightening Imhotep Museum, ensuring you receive the full breadth of this historical experience.

• What are the operating hours of the Saqqara Archaeological Site?

The Saqqara site welcomes visitors throughout the week. During the summer months, from May through August, the site opens its gates at 8 a.m. and extends its visiting hours until 5 p.m., affording ample time for exploration. As the seasons transition into the cooler winter months, spanning from September through April, the site’s operating hours remain accommodating, commencing at 8 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m.

• When is the ideal time to embark on your Saqqara adventure?

For an optimal experience at Saqqara, it’s highly advisable to plan your visit as early as possible. Arriving by 8 a.m. or earlier holds the key to unlocking the tranquil charm of this historical haven.

At this early hour, you will find yourself in the privileged position of having the site virtually to yourself, providing the perfect opportunity to capture stunning photographs free from the hustle and bustle of fellow tourists.

As the morning progresses and the clock nears 10 am, the site begins to welcome more visitors, marking the start of increased foot traffic.

Additionally, if your Saqqara adventure falls during the sweltering summer months, it is crucial to consider the sun’s relentless intensity. Beginning your journey in the cool of the morning not only ensures more comfortable conditions but also allows you to maximize your time before the heat peaks.

Remember to don a hat for added protection from the sun and stay well-hydrated to make the most of your Saqqara visit.

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1-Day Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids Tour

Our 8-hour Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids Tour allow you to visit some of Egypt’s most famous pyramids: the Saqqara necropolis, and the Dashur necropolis. Be met at your hotel in the morning, and enjoy a full day out in the company of one of our friendly and incredibly experienced Expert tour guides who will escort you from one site to the next in modern air-conditioned comfort.

Notes: Tours Run: Everyday / Type of Tour: Private / Duration: +/- 8 Hours / Departure Time: 07h30

Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids Tour

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Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids Tour Itinerary

Since our Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids Tour last for about 8 hours and cover quite an extensive area, we like to set out from your hotel at around 07h00 but if this is too early, we can always pick you up slightly later.

Once one of our tour representative has met you at your hotel, you will then be driven to the ancient royal necropolis of Dahshur to see the Red Pyramid; the Bent Pyramid and several small pyramids, all of which date back to the reign of Pharaoh Snefru.

After Dashur, you will be driven to another ancient necropolis to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser which was the very first pyramid ever built. It was constructed during the 3rd Dynasty for Pharaoh Djoser. This is also the oldest major stone structure in the world and was completed in about 2630 BC.

Once your tour of this site ends, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids Day Tour Image Gallery

The unique Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, a marvel of early Egyptian architecture.

Stairway to the entrance of the Red Pyramid in Dahshur.

Djoser’s Step Pyramid stands tall in Saqqara’s ancient landscape.

The iconic Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara.

The descending passage within Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex.

Inclusions – What is included in your Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids Tour:

• Transport to the Birqash Camel Market and back to your hotel
• Transfers done in a private clean and modern air-conditioned vehicle
• English speaking tour representative to accompany you on your tour
• Entrance fee for the Birqash Camel Market and camera fee
• Free bottled water
• All taxes and service charges

Exclusions – What is not included in your Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids Tour:

• Personal spending money
• Optional extras that are not mentioned in the itinerary

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• What to see
• Monuments and attractions

Located south of Cairo, Saqqara was the vast necropolis of the Ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis , and is home to the nation's oldest pyramid: the Step Pyramid of Djoser .

Aside from being home to Egypt's oldest pyramid, Saqqara is the largest archaeological site in the country . Nobles were laid to rest here over a period of around 3500 years, particularly when nearby Memphis was the capital city, and the enormous ancient burial ground is littered with other smaller pyramids, tombs, and funerary complexes.

Step Pyramid of Djoser

Built by Imhotep  - one of the first recognized architects in history - during the reign of Pharaoh Djoser around 2630 BCE, the Step Pyramid was the central feature of the Third Dynasty ruler's funerary complex, which also includes an impressive hypostyle entry hall.

Over 200 feet (60 m) tall, with a base of 358 feet by 397 feet (109 m by 121 m), the step pyramid was the Egyptian's first successful attempt to build a pyramid  and is one of the world's oldest monumental cut stone structures.

Djoser's Pyramid is essential both as a feat of engineering in itself and for having paved the way for the construction of the "true pyramids" of Giza and the rest of Egypt.

Recommended

If you're short on time or don't want to have to worry about organizing your own transport, an easy option is to reserve a guided tour that includes transfers and entrance fees to the main monuments of Saqqara, Memphis, and Giza:

• Pyramids of Giza, Memphis, and Saqqara

About 20 miles (32 km) south of Cairo

Adults: 180 LE ( US$ 3.70) Students (with valid ID): 75 LE ( US$ 1.50)

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Saqqara: The Ultimate Guide

Last Updated on: 5th August 2024, 11:23 am

Saqqara is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating and important archaeological sites on the entire planet. But being just a short drive away from the Giza Plateau – arguably the world’s most famous attraction – means that it doesn’t quite get the attention it deserves. Though many visit Saqqara as part of a half-day tour (like this one ), it’s absolutely worth dedicating at least one full day here. In this in-depth Saqqara guide, we’ll cover all of the sites which are open to the public and how to reach them.

Saqqara functioned as the main necropolis for the ancient capital of Memphis . Burial sites here date back to the Early Dynastic times, and the site was in regular use up until the Roman takeover. That means that Saqqara was in continuous usage for around 3,000 years!

The main focus here, however, is undoubtedly the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt (c. 2686–2181 BC). The most notable landmark from that time is Djoser’s Step Pyramid – Egypt’s very first. And while many of the 4th Dynasty burials took place in Giza, later 5th and 6th Dynasty kings would return their attention to Saqqara.

In addition to the several ancient pyramids still standing, this is by far the best place in Egypt to admire tombs and artwork from the Old Kingdom.

Saqqara Visiting Tips and Recommended Route

The overall area of Saqqara is both huge and very dense. Confusingly, it’s not always clear what tombs are currently open, nor are there any maps on-site at all. Furthermore, before my visit, I couldn’t come across any online articles with detailed advice on logistics and itinerary planning. This Saqqara guide, then, is meant to help those who want to see it all independently but aren’t sure how.

ORIENTATION:  It’s best to think of the Saqqara area as three distinct zones: Central, Northwest and Northeast. The Central Zone is by far the largest, comprising of the Step Pyramid Complex, the Unas Pyramid, its causeway, its surrounding tombs, and also the New Kingdom Tombs to the south. You can get around to all these areas of the Central Zone on foot.

But to get to the Northwest and Northeast Zones, you will want a driver. There are parking lots in each of the three zones.

There are also a few additional sites that don’t fit into any zone, such as the Imhotep Museum, the Bubasteion Tombs and the Userkaf Pyramid (currently closed).

RECOMMENDED ROUTE: Saqqara is open from 8:00 – 17:00 in warmer months and from 9:00 – 16:00 in winter. Even in winter, if you start early and skip lunch, you can see most of the highlights covered below in a full but exhausting day. 

If you get an early start, begin at the Imhotep Museum . But if you’ve been delayed by traffic, skip it and head straight for the Step Pyramid . Spend awhile exploring the pyramid complex (including the interior, which may close at noon). Then come back out the same way you came and walk left around the enclosure wall.

A pathway will take you past the tombs of Mehu , Idut and Unas Ankh and Inefert. (Some other notable tombs around here seem to be closed for 2020.) Then enter the Unas Pyramid , which also normally closes at noon.

Next, walk east along the Unas Causeway . South of the causeway, near the eastern end, you can find the excellent tombs of Irukapta and  Khnumhotep / Niankhkhnum (these may be locked and you may have to backtrack just to find a guard with the key).

You can then head back west and take the trail leading south which takes you to the group of New Kingdom tombs . If you are short on time, however, consider skipping these to make room for the other sections of Saqqara. If you could choose just one tomb from here, see Horemheb’s.

Return to the parking lot and have your driver take you to the Northwest Zone . Visit the Serapeum , the  Mastaba of Ti and the Tomb of Ptahhotep in any order you like.

Get back in the car and head to the Northeast Zon e . Check out the Pyramid of Teti , the tombs of Mereruka , Kagemni and Ankhmahor .

If you somehow still have some time left over, you can stop at the two open  Bubasteion Tombs (New Kingdom era) on your way out.

TICKETS : Basic entry costs 180 EGP, but many of the attractions in Saqqara require their own separate tickets. Certain tombs may be grouped together under a single ticket even if they’re at different parts of the necropolis. To save yourself time and confusion, I recommend you buy the all-inclusive ticket for 440 EGP. Even better, though, is getting ahold of the Cairo Pass ( more below ).

Understand that if you want to take photos inside the tombs with anything other than a cellphone, you’ll need to purchase a photography pass for 300 EGP, valid for all tombs at Saqqara.

Visiting the Tombs

As you explore the tombs of Saqqara, there’s one crucial thing you need to keep in mind: the artwork in the tombs was never intended for the eyes of the public, or even for the living. The reliefs were only meant to be observed by the spirit of the deceased .

These tomb reliefs have provided us with a lot of crucial information regarding daily life activities in ancient Egypt. But were they merely pleasant scenes from the life of the deceased, or did they contain a deeper symbolic meaning?

Though the precise meaning is up for debate, it’s highly likely that  every  scene in the tombs was symbolic to some degree – even if they also did accurately portray daily life.

We know this because at much later temples, like at Edfu , the classic scene of bird netting, for example, reappears. Only this time it’s the gods and not people doing the netting. It’s clear then that this was not merely a ‘charming’ portrayal of daily life, but a scene with a deeper religious significance.

Before my trip, I was able to get ahold of the fantastic guidebook  The Traveler’s Key to Ancient Egypt  by the late John Anthony West, author of  Serpent in the Sky . In his book, sadly out of print, West describes each tomb from the symbolist perspective. I’ll be sharing some of West’s fascinating insights in the Saqqara guide below. You can also learn more about Egyptian tomb symbolism in this article .

The Imhotep Museum & The Step Pyramid

The first place you’ll pass by upon entry to the site is the Imhotep Museum, named after the architect of King Djoser’s iconic Step Pyramid . This is a great place to learn more about the Step Pyramid’s construction. And the signage and lighting here is a whole lot better than at the dim, disorganized Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Additionally, the museum contains artifacts found throughout Saqqara, most of which date back to the Old Kingdom period. This is a good place to learn more about the Old Kingdom without feeling overwhelmed, as you can see everything here in around 30 minutes.

The Step Pyramid of Djoser is undoubtedly the main highlight of Saqqara and it’s where you’ll want to start your day. Now that the pyramid burial chamber has opened to the public after 14 years of restoration, you’ll want to dedicate a good chunk of your day to exploring the complex.

We’ve already covered the Step Pyramid in-depth in a separate guide , so be sure to have a look. With so much else to cover, let’s now skip ahead to the Unas Causeway Area.

The Unas Causeway Area

The Unas Causeway Area includes the Unas Pyramid and the long causeway that extends east of it. There are numerous open tombs both north and south of the causeway. But there’s also a whole lot more that’s currently closed to the public, meaning it can be rather tricky to find what you’re looking for.

Many people exit the Step Pyramid Complex via the southwest section of the Great Court, heading straight for the Pyramid of Unas. But let’s try a different route.

To find the tombs of Mehu and Idut, you should exit the Step Pyramid Complex the same way you entered – via the colonnade. Once outside the enclosure wall, walk around the left side of the wall.

There’s a diagonal path which is not yet the causeway, though it ultimately leads to the Pyramid of Unas. It’s on this path that you’ll find numerous notable tombs, the first one of which should be the Tomb of Mehu.

You can later walk back east along the causeway after visiting the Unas Pyramid.

Tomb of Mehu

Though first discovered in 1940, the tomb of Mehu was just opened to the public in 2018. Mehu was a vizier of King Pepi I of the 6th dynasty and his tomb is arguably the most colorful in all of Saqqara. It should definitely not be missed.

The tomb consists of four rooms and is aligned east-west. The reliefs depict various scenes from daily life – many of which you’ll encounter again and again over the course of the day.

As mentioned above, many, if not all of these scenes hold a deeper symbolic message. The bird trapping scene, for instance, is commonplace all throughout Egypt. John Anthony West suggests that birds represent one’s wild inner nature that needs to be tamed.

To make matters more complex, different birds each had their own symbolic significance. The stork, a migrant bird, may be a metaphor for the soul. Other birds, meanwhile, symbolize specific divinities. At certain tombs, the falcon represents Horus and the goose Amun.

Elsewhere around Mehu’s tomb, you’ll encounter numerous colorful depictions of the deceased and various offerings being presented to the gods. The artwork here is truly exquisite and, while somewhat faded, remains in remarkable condition considering it’s 4,300 years old!

Note: Unless you get there just as another group is inside or leaving, you’ll likely find this tomb locked. Keep walking straight until you find a guard near the Tomb of Idut and they’ll get someone to come and unlock it for you. 

Even though you’ve paid for the ticket, be prepared for multiple people to ask you for baksheesh in exchange for their ‘services.’ This is only a small preview of what’s to come in Saqqara, and all throughout Egypt, for that matter.

Tomb of Idut

Princess Idut was a daughter of the 5th dynasty pharaoh Unas, and her tomb is just nearby his pyramid.

The reliefs here are in a good state of preservation. While not in contention for the most remarkable tomb of Saqqara, it’s still worth stopping in for at least a few minutes.

One of the notable reliefs depicts hippo hunting – a common scene throughout Old Kingdom tombs. Both hippos and crocodiles are symbolic of Set. In Egyptian mythology, Set was the adversary of both Osiris and Horus. He represents chaos and the disruption of the natural order, or Maat. 

The numerous hunting scenes on display throughout the tombs, then, surely represent the necessity of conquering and subduing these forces within the world and within one’s self.

It’s worth pointing out, however, that Set isn’t quite the same as the ‘evil’ Satan of Christianity – even if that’s where the word originated. Set plays a necessary role and can never be eliminated entirely. In order for one to muster the strength to overcome opposition, there needs to be some kind of oppositional force in the first place.

Just by the tomb of Idut is that of Unas Ankh, one of Pharaoh Unas’s sons. The reliefs are largely faded, but there’s no harm in a quick visit if you already have a ticket.

Just next door is the tomb of Inefert, a vizier of Unas. It contains a rare scene of Inefert and his wife entering a bedchamber, though it can be hard to spot amongst the other faint reliefs. 

The Pyramid of Unas

Egypt’s 5th Dynasty lasted from around 2456–2323 BC and consisted of nine kings. Many of them built pyramids which, while still standing today, are no match for the 4th Dynasty pyramids of Giza and Dahshur . 

And here at Saqqara, the Pyramid of Unas, the final ruler of the 5th Dynasty, looks puny in comparison with Djoser’s nearby Step Pyramid.

Be that as it may, Unas implemented a brand new innovation in his pyramid tomb that would change royal tombs for the remainder of Egyptian civilization. It’s here that the Pyramid Texts appeared for the very first time.

But before heading in, take a moment to observe the pyramid from the outside. Notice how in comparison with the relatively shoddy masonry of the core, the remaining casing stones appear nearly as tight and precise as those at Giza.

An inscription on the southern end of the pyramid mentions reconstruction efforts carried out during the reign of Ramesses II. They were done by his son Kha-m-was over 1,000 years after the pyramid was built.

Inside, the burial chamber is entirely covered in hieroglyphs and nothing but hieroglyphs. This is in great contrast to the vivid imagery found throughout the royal tombs of Luxor . But the texts on display in those later tombs, such as the Book of the Dead, the Amduat and the Book of Gates, can all trace their roots back to the Pyramid Texts.

The texts were meant to help the ba  (individual soul) of the dead king navigate through the netherworld, ultimately uniting with his ka (life force). If all went well, he would emerge as Horus and be resurrected in eternal union with the gods. (Learn more here )

Notably, even by the time of the New Kingdom, the language of these texts was already archaic. It’s thanks to New Kingdom scribes that Egyptologists can decipher the original Pyramid Texts at all!

Note the large granite sarcophagus in the burial chamber. It appears to be as perfectly crafted as those inside the Giza pyramids and in the Serapeum (more below).

Yet it feels strangely oversized here. Was the box carved to just barely fit inside the chamber? Or was the chamber designed later around the box’s dimensions?

Note: At the time of writing, the Pyramid of Unas is only open for visitors each day until noon. If you miss it, don’t fret. The 6th Dynasty Pyramid of Teti in the Northeast Zone is nearly an identical copy and remains open until closing time.

The Unas Causeway

Outside of the temple, to the east, are the remains of Unas’s mortuary temple . Notice the basalt floors, which is a fairly common feature of Old Kingdom temples. As basalt is a volcanic stone, the Egyptians often used it symbolically to represent the element of fire.

A long causeway then leads east from the ruined mortuary temple. Originally, it would’ve been entirely lined on either side with carved reliefs, only some of which survive.

Most of the carved scenes are from daily life (though most definitely also symbolic). Notably, they share some similarities with scenes found inside the tombs.

One of the most notable reliefs found at the Unas Causeway is no longer on display at the causeway itself, but at Saqqara’s Imhotep Museum. It’s a scene of a famine, an extremely rare portrayal in Egypt of a negative event.

Tomb of Irukapta

Continue heading east down the Unas Causeway and you’ll encounter a few tombs to the south. If they’re locked, you may have to backtrack all the way to the central area until you can find someone with the key. The guard will accompany you and later request a tip for the ‘trouble.’

During my visit, only two tombs were open in this area, but they were among the most impressive. The first was that of Irukapta, also dubbed the ‘Tomb of the Butchers.’

Irukaptah was a ‘Superintendent of the Royal Slaughterhouses’ during the 5th Dynasty. Appropriately, his tomb features many butchering scenes.   

Butchering scenes are common at most Egyptian tombs, as ritual sacrifices were carried out at the time of the funeral as an offering to the gods.

The real highlight of the tomb, though, isn’t its reliefs, but the series of ten statues of the deceased and his family. Irukapta’s family members, in fact, were buried here along here with him.

The Tomb of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum

Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum both worked as manicurists for the 5th Dynasty pharaoh Nyussere . They were buried in this tomb together along with their families. But why didn’t each man have his own tomb?

The tomb artwork, many believe, provides us with an important clue. In multiple places, the two men are shown standing next to one another in a close, intimate embrace. This has led many to speculate that they were lovers.

Others, however, believe that they were merely brothers – perhaps even twins. In any case, it’s clear from the art that they really, really liked each other.

There are a lot of other charming reliefs to admire throughout the tomb. For example, note the cow giving birth by the entrance.

We also have the typical netting and funeral scenes and what appears to be two men wrestling. This is a unique Old Kingdom example of what would later be a common motif at Middle Kingdom tombs.

The Pyramid of Sekhemkhet

By walking several minutes southwest into the desert from the Pyramid of Unas, you can find the unfinished pyramid of Djoser’s successor, Sekhemkhet. That makes this Egypt’s second-ever pyramid! 

Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot to see. But it’s worth the walk for the historical value alone. You can also head here when finished with the New Kingdom tombs.

The Persian Shafts

Just south of the Unas Pyramid are some shaft tombs of high officials built during the two centuries of Persian Achaemenid rule. They’re linked to each other by an underground passageway but are inaccessible to the public.

One of the tombs contains hieroglyphs copied from the Pyramid Texts. Unas’s Pyramid was conveniently just next door, though it and its texts predate the Persian Shafts by around 2,000 years! 

The New Kingdom Tombs

Though most of the prominent tombs built throughout the New Kingdom period (16th-11th centuries BC) are in Luxor , many nobles had tombs built here in Saqqara, the necropolis of Memphis. Even in later periods of Egyptian history, long after the seat of political power shifted to Thebes (Luxor), Memphis remained an important religious and political center.

But as mentioned above, these New Kingdom tombs are skippable if you’re short on time. Pretty much every tomb in Luxor is from the New Kingdom period. It makes more sense, then, to focus on the Old Kingdom stuff while in Saqqara.

The path to these tombs isn’t well marked, but find whatever path you can which takes you further south into the desert. If you’re somewhere off-limits, a guard will surely let you know!

Tomb of Horemheb

The Tomb of Horemheb is the most noteworthy of Saqqara’s New Kingdom tombs – both visually and historically. Horemheb was the last king of the 18th Dynasty. But before that, he was a general for Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Not of royal blood and probably never expecting to take the throne, he had a tomb built here in Saqqara during his military career.

Notably, he also has a royal tomb in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings , and it was ultimately his mother who was buried here. It would be great if people could visit both to compare them, but Horemheb’s Luxor tomb is currently closed.

You’ll notice straight away how these New Kingdom tombs are a bit different. They seem to more closely resemble temples than they do tombs, making them distinct from other tombs in both Saqqara and Luxor.

The reliefs here depict Horemheb’s military campaigns. Though Horemheb was a general who did indeed embark on numerous foreign campaigns, even war was symbolic to the Egyptians. In addition to being historical to some degree, battle scenes typically symbolized the forces of light vanquishing the forces of darkness.

In the New Kingdom, the four races of foreigners known to the Egyptians are also commonly depicted, together symbolizing the four corners of the world.

Another notable scene here shows the general and future king being rewarded by King Tut.

Sadly, due to looting, the original artwork is now on display at museums throughout the world. Much of what you see here are replicas, as is the case with Saqqara’s other New Kingdom tombs.

Tomb of Maya

The next most notable tomb in the area is that of Maya, the Royal Treasurer under pharaohs Tutankhamun and Horemheb.

At this tomb, you can walk down into the subterranean chamber which is entirely carved in reliefs. The scenes, all done in white and yellow, show Maya and his wife in the company of various divinities.

When visiting the Cairo Museum, you can also spot some of the original, albeit fragmented, scenes on display.

Pay was the Overseer of the Harem of King Tut and Raya was his son. The notable feature of this tomb is its large sarcophagus. 

Tia worked for Ramesses II as the Treasurer and Overseer of cattle. He even married the pharaoh’s sister. Very little art remains here.

Ptahemwia was the Royal Butler of Akhenaten. His tomb should be visited by those with an interest in Amarna art , though it lacks any depictions of the Aten sun disk.

During his controversial reign as pharaoh, Akhenaten built a temple to the Aten at Memphis, and Meryneith was its steward. This is another tomb for those with a special interest in the Amarna period.

Warning: It was here at Saqqara’s New Kingdom tombs that I had my most unpleasant interaction with a tomb guard anywhere in Egypt. At first, he was more than willing to take me from one tomb to the next, and I tipped him what I felt was appropriate.

He then complained that it wasn’t enough – a common reaction in Egypt.  But the problem was that he tried to physically block my exit out of the tomb until I paid him more! I refused and sternly told him to get out of my way, and he eventually obliged. 

Needless to say, this kind of behavior is totally uncalled for.  I’m not entirely sure how often the guards get switched around at each site, but be careful here.

Northwest Zone

The Northwest Zone is home to a couple of Saqqara’s finest tombs, in addition to one of Egypt’s most enigmatic attractions: the Serapeum. There are only a few things to see here so navigation won’t be an issue.

The Serapeum

An increasing number of visitors to Egypt are finding themselves enamored with something they may have never thought about before their trip: granite boxes.

Many of the granite sarcophagi in Egypt, such as those in the pyramids of Giza and at the Pyramid of Unas, appear to be absolutely perfect. It remains a complete mystery how the ancient Egyptians were able to make something so precise out of one of the hardest stones. And supposedly, with only very primitive tools.

And here at the Serapeum, the granite boxes are just as precise as those made for the pharaohs. But they’re also much, much larger, with some weighing between 60-80 tons. To top it off, there are more than 20 of them. But what were they for?

The Serapeum is said to have been a burial site for Apis bulls. Apis bulls were long revered in Egypt for representing the god Ptah. Ptah represented creative fire and the generative powers of nature. And he was also the patron deity of Memphis.

Later on in Egyptian culture, the Apis bull was assimilated with Osiris. Osiris, lord of the underworld , also represents the cyclical aspect of nature. The names of the Apis bull and Osiris combined to form Osarapis, and then Serapis in Greek.

Though the Serapeum is believed to date back to the New Kingdom, Osarapis worship continued throughout the Ptolemaic times, with the tradition mirroring Dionysus worship in Greece.

Strangely, however, no bodies of bulls were ever discovered in any of the sarcophagi. Some bull heads were found in niches throughout the tunnels, however.

As you explore the dimly lit crypts, you’ll surely be asking yourself ‘ H ow’d they do it? ‘ again and again. The massive boxes were all carved from single blocks of stone.

Not only is their creation a complete mystery, but it’s unclear how they were placed in their current positions.  Note how each individual crypt is a couple meters lower than the central walkway. 

You may even get lucky enough to enter inside one of the boxes. Run your hands over the granite and feel how perfectly smooth it is. The granite even seems to have a polish to it.

Christopher Dunn, engineer and author of Lost Technologies of Ancient Egypt , observed how the inside corners of the boxes are very sharp – an incredibly hard task to pull off with such a hard stone like granite. During his visit, he brought a precision-ground parallel and found the surfaces of the box’s interior to be completely flat.

Why would such exactitude be required for the burial of an animal – no matter how sacred? 

In his book, Dunn also details his communication with the Tru-Stone Corporation, an American manufacturer of granite surface plates. They admitted that they didn’t have the capability to create such a box out of a single piece of granite, but would need to assemble it out of five different pieces.

In modern times, the Serapeum was first excavated by August Mariette in the 19th century. Though many of the boxes were already opened, he found one that was sealed shut. And so he blew it up with dynamite, only to ultimately find . . . nothing.

Most of the boxes are completely void of decoration or inscriptions. One box has a couple lines of hieroglyphs inscribed on the lid, however. And another box has writing and patterns etched all along its sides. 

But even the most casual of observers will notice the strange contrast between the crude writing and the smooth polished granite. It’s highly doubtful that the people who left these carvings were the same ones that built the box.

Back near the entrance, you’ll find a seemingly unfinished box that got stuck in transport. Another lays on the floor nearby. The transportation of these boxes is another unsolved mystery, as nothing on the ceiling indicates that flames were used for lighting.

Even before carrying them through these tunnels, the granite first needed to be shipped all the way from Aswan .

As mentioned above, no bull mummies were ever found inside the Serapeum. One royal human mummy was, however. 

It was none other than Kha-m-was, the son of Ramses II. As mentioned earlier, he helped restore the Pyramid of Unas. And being a high priest of Ptah, he asked to be buried here in the Serapeum upon his death. 

Mastaba of Ti

Located just northeast of the Serapeum is the Mastaba of Ti, a 5th Dynasty nobleman. Ti was overseer of the pyramids and the Sun Temple of Abu Sir . One can get a clear view of those pyramids from outside his tomb, while the pyramids of Giza can also be made out further in the distance (see below).

Ti’s official titles can be seen inscribed on the entrance chamber, and here we learn that Ti’s wife was a royal princess.

Scenes in the court include women bringing offerings and an ox being slaughtered. Ti is shown merely looking on as an observer.

Also look for scenes of a dwarf leading a greyhound and a monkey. According to John Anthony West, the greyhound represents instinct while the monkey likely represents one’s inner mischievous nature. Here we see both being subdued and brought under conscious control.

Other reliefs show Ti wearing panther skin, part of a high priest’s ceremonial dress. The panther represents the predatory aspect of nature. The priest wearing panther skin, therefore, represents victory over this aspect of nature.

One of the notable features of this tomb is that it still houses Ti’s statue, or serdab , in the sacrificial chamber. The ka of the deceased was believed to temporarily inhabit these statues in order to receive food offerings.

It’s also possible to head further down to see the burial chamber, where Ti’s sarcophagus remains intact.

Given the excellent reliefs and the presence of the serdab and sarcophagus, it’s no wonder why the Mastaba of Ti has long been considered one of Saqqara’s highlights.

Tomb of Ptahhotep

Ptahhotep was a vizier and Inspector of the Priests during the 5th Dynasty. The reliefs at his tomb are widely regarded as some of the finest carved during the Old Kingdom. But while still open during my visit, large portions of the tomb were blocked off. As such, I wasn’t able to find many of the notable carvings.

Overall, the tomb contains scenes which are typical of tombs from this era, such as scenes of reaping and sowing and winemaking. Many tomb scenes place an emphasis on various processes – likely metaphors for inner spiritual transformation .

Some of the reliefs were left unfinished, indicating that Ptahhotep died before his tomb was completed. 

Ptahhotep is notable in Egyptian history for authoring a book of wisdom called  The Maxims of Ptahhotep . The book is comprised of teachings intended for his son, Akhethotep, who would replace him as vizier (and who’s also buried here at this tomb).

Over 4,000 years later, and in a completely different world to that of Old Kingdom Egypt, Ptahhotep’s advice holds value today. He emphasized listening to the wise and to avoid spreading harmful gossip. He also warns against being arrogant, as ‘knowledge has no limits, and none has yet achieved perfection in it.’

Around Northwest Saqqara

At the eastern end of this section is a collection of Greek statues known as the ‘Philosopher’s Circle.’ The statues, now all headless, include the likes of Plato and Aristotle. They were placed here during the reign of Ptolemy I (305-285 BC), the former general of Alexander the Great.

Over by the Mastaba of Ti, there’s a small assortment of 3rd Dynasty tombs. Sadly, they’re now full of trash, while a lone limestone sarcophagus sunbathes in the sand nearby.

Also be sure to take in the views of the distant pyramids. While the Abu Sir pyramids were built around 100 years after the Giza pyramids , the gap in engineering quality is especially striking from this vantage point.

Northeast Zone

The Northeast Zone largely revolves around the Pyramid of Teti and the tombs of his family and administrators. Most of the highlights in this area were constructed in the 6th Dynasty. But, as we’ll go over below, some of Egypt’s earliest burials can be found around here as well. 

Pyramid of Teti

Teti was the first pharaoh of the 6th Dynasty, taking the throne just after Unas, the 5th Dynasty’s last ruler. His pyramid also contains the Pyramid Texts.

Interestingly, the pyramid was restored during the Middle Kingdom’s 12th Dynasty . Even the Cult of Teti was revived at this time, centuries after his death.

Like the Unas Pyramid, the entire wall is inscribed in hieroglyphs. The colors of the interior are different, however. It’s interesting to note how similar the Unas and Teti pyramids are on the inside in contrast to those at Giza, which are all distinct.

Tomb of Mereruka

Mereruka was a son-in-law of King Teti. And within his spacious tomb are also his son and wife. John Anthony West comments on the decline in artistic quality when compared with the tomb of Ptahhotep, just a few generations prior. Be that as it may, this tomb is still worth a visit.

In the entrance chamber, you can find a scene where a hippo and a crocodile, both aspects of Set, are in conflict with one another.

In the third chamber, you can see a scene which shows village elders being punished for tax evasion. Why would such a scene be displayed in a private tomb if it didn’t have a deeper symbolic meaning? Perhaps it’s meant to remind the deceased of the need to pay one’s dues, at least in the metaphorical sense.

Other rooms contain lotus imagery. The flower seems to have played as important a role in Egypt as it has in Indian culture.

Tomb of Kagemni

Just next to Mereruka’s tomb is that of Kagemni. He was a high priest and judge under three kings of both the 5th and 6th dynasties, including Pharaoh Teti. The tomb is full of well-preserved reliefs, many of which depict hunting, fishing and the transport of special oils.

One of the notable reliefs of the tomb, located in the three-pillared hall, is a scene of an acrobatic ballet. Also note how one of the chambers makes use of a mirror image effect with the same reliefs appearing on either wall.

Tomb of Ankhmahor

Ankhmahor was a priest and vizier to King Teti. His tomb, however, is nicknamed the ‘Physician’s Tomb’ due to its numerous medical-themed reliefs.

The most famous scene, located near the doorway, depicts two men being circumcised. This is a very rare tomb scene in Egypt and it’s unclear why Ankmahor would’ve had it included it here.

Subject matter aside, notice the left arm of the man on the right. Clearly, things didn’t always need to be so precise in symbolic tomb reliefs. Yet, for whatever reason, precision was of utmost importance for the creators of the granite boxes.

Tomb of Neferseshemre (?)

Just next to the tomb of Ankhmahor is another tomb without any signs or labels. But according to a map, this may be the tomb of Neferseshemre, yet another vizier of King Teti.

Inside, you’ll find some high quality reliefs in addition to an excellent trio of statues carved into the false door.

Around Northeast Saqqara

The northeastern section of Saqqara is one of the oldest and most dense parts of the necropolis. And if you have some extra time to spare, it’s worth taking a walk around for 15 minutes or so.

The western part of this zone is home to some of the oldest masatabas of ancient Egypt which date back to the very earliest dynasties. Most of them are rather small and made of mudbrick.

Supposedly, some early kings are even buried here. But without any signage, it’s not clear who’s buried where. Many of the early kings and nobles, however, were buried at Abydos rather than Saqqara – an area now largely off-limits to tourists (except for the fantastic temple of Seti I ).

Walking around, I saw what appeared to be large alabaster cones or bowls. There were at least three or four of them, and they’d surely be a prized possession for any fine arts museum around the world. Yet here they are, just lying in the sand!

Heading further east, there are even more tombs and even pyramids associated with King Teti of the 6th Dynasty. The sites are technically off-limits, though you can get a pretty good view from the various pathways.

The most notable construction is the pyramid of Queen Sesheshet, Teti’s mother. Its shape is rather unique and it appears more like some kind of step mastaba rather than a true pyramid. Looking inside (from a distance), you can see an intact sarcophagus. Sadly, though, the pyramid is also full of trash.

We still haven’t even covered all there is to see in Saqqara. If you still somehow have some time and extra energy, you can stop at the sites below which don’t quite fit into any particular zone (see map above). 

The Bubasteion Tombs

The Bubasteion Tombs date from the New Kingdom period. Supposedly, however, there was also a Late Period-era temple here named the Bubasteion, dedicated to the cat goddess Bastet.

While there are quite a few tombs in the area, only two are currently open to the public. One of them belongs to Maia, the wet nurse of King Tutankhamun. And  another belongs to an official named Ptahmose. 

Some of the other tombs are said to feature Amarna art from the reign of Akhenaten, though these were sadly closed during my visit.

The Pyramid of Userkaf

While driving over to the Northwest Zone, you’ll pass by the Pyramid of Userkaf which is currently closed to the public. Userkaf was the founder of the 5th Dynasty and was the first pharaoh to build a pyramid at Saqqara since the reign of King Djoser . 

His 5th dynasty successors would go on to build their pyramids at Abu Sir – at least until the reign of King Unas.

Additional Info

There’s no public transport to Saqqara so you will need to hire a private driver, taxi or Uber. Overall, the Saqqara site is very large. And while the central part of the necropolis can be explored on foot, there are two additional areas to the northwest and northeast that would take quite awhile to walk to and then back again.

I was able to hire a driver for the day through my hotel for $40 USD. Other places, however, were telling me it would cost as much as $70-80!

Sadly, many people only visit Saqqara for just a couple of hours as part of a guided tour which is combined with Dahshur and/or Giza. If you only have a few days in the Cairo area, then this is certainly better than nothing. But if you can, it’s well worth delegating an entire day to Saqqara as there is so much to see.

In fact, I spent an entire day at Saqqara but still couldn’t see everything. Since I had the Cairo Pass (more below), I asked my driver to make another stop the next day in between my visits to Dahshur and Memphis. And as mentioned above, I visited a third time weeks later to visit the Step Pyramid’s interior.

If you have the slightest interest in Egyptian culture and history, exploring Saqqara should be one of your top priorities during your stay in the Greater Cairo area.

As at many sites throughout Egypt, Saqqara has a confusing ticketing system. All in all, there are at least a couple dozen attractions which visitors can currently see throughout the vast necropolis. While entry to the site itself costs 180 EGP, many of the other sites (often grouped together) require their own tickets  which can cost 100 EGP or more.

The basic Saqqara ticket allows entry to the Imhotep Museum and you’ll be free to walk around the Step Pyramid area. (Apparently, the basic ticket also allows entry to the other pyramids of Unas and Teti.) Entry to the inner chamber of the Step Pyramid, meanwhile, costs an additional 100 EGP while the Serapeum costs 150.

And if you change your mind while out in the desert, you’ll have to return all the way to the ticket gate at the entrance to purchase new tickets.

That’s why I recommend buying the 440 EGP Inclusive Ticket , which allows access to every site of the Saqqara necropolis. Not only will it save you money, but also time and hassle.

Note that this doesn’t include the photography pass , which costs 300 EGP on its own. At the time of writing, visitors are allowed to take photos with their smartphones everywhere in Egypt as long as they don’t use a flash. However, if you want to use a DSLR, you’ll need to buy the photo pass to take pictures inside the tombs or pyramids (Sadly, each photo pass is only valid for that particular site.)

An even better option than the Saaqara Inclusive Ticket, however, is to buy the Cairo Pass for $100 USD. This allows access to every site in Saqqara, Giza (including inside the pyramids), Dahshur and Memphis. It also allows entry to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and its mummy room, not to mention the sites of Islamic and Coptic Cairo. ( Learn more  HERE )

As the pass is only valid for 5 consecutive days, there’s no way you can see everything in the greater Cairo area with it. But you’ll likely still save some money after just 3 or 4 days. After my trip, I did the math and found that with everything I saw, I saved around $50 with the Cairo Pass.

Even better is that if you get the Cairo Pass, you can get 50% off the Luxor Pass . This includes the ‘PREMIUM’ Luxor Pass (which allows entry to the Seti I and Nefertari tombs) which normally costs $200. But with the Cairo Pass, you can buy this same ticket for $100!

I visited just about every attraction in Luxor and ended up saving around $200 thanks to having bought the Cairo Pass. That means that with both passes, I saved over $250  in Cairo and Luxor!

Note that the Cairo Pass can only be purchased at Giza and at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (be sure to ask them about it, as signage is nonexistent). Therefore, plan your itinerary accordingly if you want the pass.

To get the Cairo Pass, you’ll need to bring your original passport, a copy of your passport, a passport photo (exact size isn’t so important) and $100 USD in cash. You also need the same for the Luxor Pass which, at the time of writing, can only be purchased in Luxor at Karnak Temple and near the Luxor Museum.

The Greater Cairo Area is home to many of Egypt’s, and the world’s, most impressive sites. The city of Cairo itself, on the other hand, is overwhelming in terms of both traffic and pollution, yet rather underwhelming in regards to tourist attractions. Therefore, I recommend that people stay in Giza and not in Cairo .

I find it puzzling that so many travelers decide to stay in central Cairo and then commute multiple times to reach Giza and Saqqara. For archaeology enthusiasts, it makes much more sense to stay in or near Giza and dedicate 3 or 4 full days to exploring the various pyramid sites.  As Saqqara and Dahshur are both south of Giza, which itself is southwest of central Cairo, staying in Giza gives you a big head start for those excursions.

You will want to commute to central Cairo at least once, however, to visit the Egyptian Museum and maybe an additional day for Islamic Cairo.

Staying in Giza, right by the Giza Necropolis, allows you to get there right when the pyramids open at 8:00am. That means you’ll get at least 90 minutes or more with the entire complex all to yourself (as long as you don’t visit on a Friday or Saturday, that is).

While the modern suburb of Giza has a reputation for being dirty and rundown, it’s no worse than the average neighborhood of Cairo. And while there are lots of touts around, they’re not nearly as bad as the East Bank of Luxor.

I took things even further and also stayed for a few nights in the small village of Abu Sir, just north of Saqqara. I then switched to accommodation in Giza for a few nights so that I could visit the pyramids right when they opened.

Later, at the end of my trip, I based myself in downtown Cairo for better access to the historic sites in the city center, not to mention the airport.

In Abu Sir/Saqqara I stayed at the Sakkara Inn . Not only is the hotel situated in an authentic local village, but Mohamed the owner can set you up with reliable drivers for an affordable price. (I even continued to have him arrange drivers for me after checking out, as other places were quoting me much higher.)

In Giza I stayed at Abo Stait Pyramid View Homestay . It’s literally a one-minute walk from the Sphinx entrance of the Giza Necropolis. The family who runs it was very friendly and helpful. And while the bathroom is shared with a few other guests and family members, it wasn’t a big deal.

I’m a budget traveler, but those with more money to spend will find no shortage of accommodation options in the Giza area.

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Saqqara was the most important necropolis of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis and the site of the famous Step Pyramid of Zoser , the first in the world according to scholars, and also one of the oldest large stone structures. This is the most important point of interest to visit Saqqara, but there are also other temples and small pyramids located next to the tombs of prestigious names and pharaohs such as Mereruka, Kagemni, Ankhmahor, Idut and Ti.

Introduction

The entire archaeological area of Saqqara measures about 9 square kilometers and is located on the west bank of the Nile River, being the largest necropolis of antiquity. It is a group of tombs belonging to the First Dynasty and will remain the necropolis of the successive dynasties of the entire ancient empire until the middle empire decided to abandon it. Only with the new empire Saqqara would be used again as a necropolis for the royal tombs, gradually it would be abandoned and replaced by the Valley of the Kings .

It is a must-see site to understand a part of the spirituality of ancient Egypt. They believed that their soul, which they called Kâ, was the part of a whole, that it grew in all things and that, from the beyond, it returned to earth as a river. A vision that meant that every living being was part of a cycle in which the mind was constantly renewed, a cycle represented by the sun that rises every morning in the East and goes to bed every evening in the West (which is why the East is represented as the realm of the living and the West as the realm of the dead). The Nile River was the natural border of these two worlds and that is why the ancient Egyptians built their necropolises on its banks. And Saqqara, of course, was no exception.

Points of interest in Saqqara

• Step Pyramid. It was built by the famous Imhotep, who is considered the first recognized architect in history, during the rule of the pharaoh Zoser, belonging to the III dynasty, around 2,630 BC. The Step Pyramid was built as the most important point of the pharaoh’s funerary complex. It is 140 meters long, 60 meters high and 118 meters wide. It is built with small blocks in a style similar to adobe and its importance lies in the fact that it was fundamental as an inspiration for the pharaoh Cheops to decide to start the construction of the Pyramids of Giza .
• Archaic tombs on the north side. To the north of Saqqara are the large groups of archaic tombs belonging to the First Dynasty and the Third Dynasty. There is also the Temple of Isis and a long alley bordered by a Sphinx that separates the oldest tombs from other newer funerary complexes belonging to the Fifth Dynasty.
• Pyramids and complexes on the south side. The famous Step Pyramid of Zoser is located on the southern flank of Saqqara, in addition to several outstanding funerary complexes: Menkaouré, Sekmenket and Userkaf. In this area there are also tombs of many rulers and nobles of the Fifth Dynasty and the so-called Necropolis of the New Kingdom, built centuries later, during the Eighteenth Dynasty. Another point of interest south of Saqqara is the Serapeum, a temple dedicated to the Apis of God-Toro.
• A monastery at Saqqara. In the southern area, where the tombs of the new empire are located, there is a curiosity: the monastery of St. Jeremiah. A large part of the building, now in ruins, was created in 470 and enlarged during the 6th century. The Arabs attacked it in the 6th century, it had to be rebuilt and since 960 it has been abandoned.
• Napoleonic interest. Although before Napoleon Saqqara had already been studied, it was with his arrival that it acquired the relevance it has today. The Napoleonic expedition landed in Alexandria in 1798, at which time the Step Pyramid of Zoser was hidden in the sand and rubble. The first exploration to study this pyramid of Zoser dates from these years, through General Enrico Menu von Minutoli (1772-1846), head of the scientific mission, sent to Egypt in 1818 by the Prussian government. It would be the first in a series of archaeologists and explorers who would become interested and obsessed with Saqqara, an inexhaustible source of Egyptian treasures: the Italian Egyptologist Girolamo Segato (1792-1836), Colonel Richard W. Howard-Vyse (1784-1853), the archaeologist Karl Richard Lepsius (1810-1884) and the Frenchman Auguste Edouard Mariette (1821-1881) who managed to extend the site of Saqqara to what we know today and to whom we owe the discovery of the Serapeum on November 12, 1851.
• Sacred temples. Saqqara has many sacred temples dedicated to the gods: Anubeion, for the jackal god Anubis, near the pyramid of Thetis; Serapeum, for the bull god Apis, north of the pyramid of Zoser; Bubasteion, an area dedicated to the goddess Bastet.
• Perpetual excavations. The site of Saqqara, being so ancient and so vast, is the subject of perpetual excavations and at every moment new tombs, temples and valuable objects are discovered that continue to write the history of the Egypt of the early pharaohs.
• Fetal position. In archaic tombs, the deceased were buried in the fetal position and wrapped in a reed mat. Many are excavated inside the mastabas, rectangular buildings with sloping walls and two parts: the chapel, to celebrate the funeral cult, and the vault, where the deceased was buried.
• The Imhotep Museum. Since 2006, Saqqara has had this museum dedicated to the world’s first architect. You can see sarcophagi and mummies found right here, as well as many everyday objects from the ancient civilization. It was created by the French Egyptologist Jean-Philippe Lauer.

How to get to Saqqara

Saqqara is located south of Cairo and 15 km south of the necropolis of Giza, opposite the city of Memphis . If you are staying in the Egyptian capital, the best way to get there if you go on your own is by cab or private car, with the price previously agreed upon. But the best option is to hire a guided tour that includes the transfer to and from your hotel.

From 8:00 am to 4:00 pm every day in winter. And, in summer, the opening hours are extended to 17h.

Visit prices

Normal adult admission: 150 EGP . Accredited students: 75 EGP.

Photos of Saqqara and the Step Pyramid

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Located 40 km southwest of Cairo, Saqqara is one of the most important cemeteries of Memphis, which was itself one of the most important cities in ancient Egyptian history. The name of the site most likely derives from the god of this necropolis, Sokar.

 Saqqara is truly an open-air museum, one that has all of ancient Egyptian history on display. Kings and noblemen from the very first two dynasties ( c. 3040–2686 BC) were buried here, and this is also the location of the Step Pyramid of Djoser ( c. 2686–2667 BC).     

The pyramids of some of the most important kings of the Old Kingdom Fifth ( c. 2494–2345 BC) and Sixth ( c. 2345–2181 BC) Dynasties are located in Saqqara. One of these, the pyramid of Unas (also known as Wenis; ( c. 2375–2345 BC), features the oldest pyramid burial chamber decorated with texts. These are the so-called Pyramid Texts, the purpose of which was to protect the deceased king on his journey to the afterlife. In addition to Old Kingdom royal burials, Saqqara is also full of the tombs of the noblemen of this period, which are decorated with scenes and texts of outstanding beauty and craftsmanship.

Saqqara also features tombs from the First Intermediate Period ( c. 2181–2055 BC), Middle Kingdom ( c. 2055–1650 BC), and New Kingdom ( c. 1550–1069 BC). The New Kingdom tombs display an architectural style completely different from their Upper Egyptian counterparts in Thebes. Among them is the tomb of none other than Horemheb ( c. 1323–1295 BC), the non-royal individual, the general, who became king. He was never buried here however, for, upon ascending the throne, he built a new tomb in the Valley of the Kings worthy of his royal rank.

     Among the most important of Saqqara’s monuments is the Serapeum, a series of underground galleries in which the Apis Bulls were buried from the Eighteenth Dynasty ( c. 1550–1295 BC) to the Ptolemaic Period (332–30 BC). The Apis Bull was considered an incarnation of Ptah himself, one of the most important gods of Memphis, and as such, there was only ever one Apis Bull at a time. When it died, it was buried with full honors until his successor could be found.

     Egypt’s Coptic era is featured in Saqqara as well through the remains of the Monastery of Apa Jeremiah, which was in use until the eighth century AD. Today, Saqqara is also the site of the Imhotep Museum, in which objects from the site’s immense chronological span are displayed.

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Top choice in Cairo Outskirts & the Nile Delta

Covering a 7km stretch of the Western Desert, Saqqara, the huge cemetery of ancient Memphis, was an active burial ground for more than 3500 years and is Egypt’s largest archaeological site. The necropolis is situated high above the Nile Valley’s cultivation area, and is the final resting place for deceased pharaohs and their families, administrators, generals and sacred animals. The name Saqqara is most likely derived from Sokar, the Memphite god of the dead.

Old Kingdom pharaohs were buried within Saqqara’s 11 major pyramids, while their subjects were buried in the hundreds of smaller tombs. Most of Saqqara, except for the Step Pyramid, was buried in sand until the mid-19th century, when the great French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette uncovered the Serapeum . Since then, it has been a gradual process of rediscovery: the Step Pyramid’s massive funerary complex was not exposed until 1924, and it is in a constant state of restoration. French architect Jean-Philippe Lauer, who began work here in 1926, was involved in the project for an incredible 75 years until his death in 2001. More recently, there has been a string of new discoveries, including a whole slew of mummies and even a new pyramid.

If you keep up a good pace, you can see the high points of Saqqara in about half a day. Start with a quick visit to the Imhotep Museum , to get the lay of the land. Head for Zoser’s funerary complex, entering through the hypostyle hall, and gaze on the Step Pyramid , the world’s oldest pyramid. Walk south towards the Causeway of Unas then drive to the Pyramid of Teti to see some of the famous Pyramid Texts inside. Afterwards, pop into the nearby Tomb of Kagemni before ending with the most wonderful tomb of all, the Mastaba of Ti , with its fascinating reliefs of daily life.

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6 . Pyramid of Teti

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Visit Saqqara, Egypt

Within easy reach of Cairo, the pyramids at Saqqara are far less visited than their neighbours at Giza .

Saqqara is where the royalty and nobility of Memphis were buried, and there are a large number of mastabas (a simple tomb structure that was developed over time to become a pyramid) and temples to explore.

Step Pyramid of Djoser

Building on increasingly larger mortuary mastabas for his pharaoh of Djoser, Imhotep eventually struck on the idea of a stepped pyramid, and the other larger and more famous pyramids took their inspiration directly from this design.

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Saqqara by contacting one of our Egypt specialists

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Suggested itineraries featuring Saqqara

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Saqqara, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

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Map of Saqqara

Places & hotels on the map, places near saqqara.

• Dahshur 7 miles away
• Giza 11 miles away
• Cairo 14 miles away
• Alexandria 122 miles away
• El Alamein & the Mediterranean Coast 152 miles away
• Hurghada 239 miles away
• The Red Sea 286 miles away
• Luxor 300 miles away

Photos of Saqqara

Our expert guides to exploring Saqqara

Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Saqqara, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Saqqara at its best.

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Saqqara, Egypt: A Local’s Guide to Visiting the Step Pyramid of Djoser & the Saqqara Tombs

Updated: 4 days ago

When thinking of Egypt and pyramids, most people automatically think of the Giza Pyramids. But what most people fail to realize is that they’re not the sole pyramids in Egypt, and not even the oldest!

Read more: 9 Different Egyptian Pyramids (That AREN’T The Giza Pyramids!) That You Need To See

One of the things that makes the Pyramids of Giza so fascinating is their sheer size, plus the neighboring Great Sphinx. But not too far from the Giza Plateau is the necropolis of Saqqara, which is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in the world (and also the oldest complete stone building in the world, by the way), as well as a fascinating array of smaller pyramids and Old Kingdom and New Kingdom tombs.

Wait, what exactly is Saqqara?

Saqqara (also spelled Sakkara) was the royal necropolis of Ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom capital, Memphis. The remains of the necropolis today include the Step Pyramid of Djoser (aka Zoser), smaller pyramids, tombs and other Ancient Egyptian monuments. Outside of the necropolis that’s sectioned off for sightseeing, Saqqara is still an active archaeological dig site, with almost yearly discoveries.

Is Saqqara worth visiting while in Cairo?

If you have the time, then definitely. For several reasons:

The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest pyramid in Egypt, and is considered the initial prototype for the smooth-sided pyramids of Giza (you can see more of that evolution with the Bent Pyramid of Dahshur)

Saqqara actually has more to see than the Giza Plateau, between the different pyramids, mastaba tombs, Serapeum, etc. Continue reading down below for a more detailed guide to what you can see in Saqqara

Saqqara isn’t far at all from Downtown Cairo, around an hour maybe. Paired with the Dahshur Pyramids and maybe the remnants of Memphis, it’s a really nice half-day trip that’s easily put together by any tour agency if you don’t want to do it solo

Saqqara is much emptier and quieter than the Giza Pyramids. You can wander around the site without any annoying touts and vendors, and there are actually plaques to describe what you’re looking at it, which is a rarity in Egypt

What to See in Saqqara

Like we said above, Saqqara is divided into both a tourist site open to visitors and an active dig site. You won’t be able to explore the dig site for obvious reasons, but there’s still TONS to see.

Local tip: not all of the following are always open to the public, sometimes they’re closed for restoration or are on rotation. Unfortunately the only way to find out what’s open and what’s not is to actually go, lol.

So here are the main spots in the necropolis, and they’re all a very quick drive away from each other by car, or you can hoof it but beware all the sand and sun:

Main Saqqara Site #1 : Step Pyramid of Djoser Complex

Ok so first off, you’ll hit the Step Pyramid of Djoser Complex. There’s lots to see and explain, but we’ll only get briefly into the main points or else we’ll be here all day.

The main things to see there once you walk in are:

i) Colonnaded Entrance of the Djoser Step Pyramid Complex

You’ll enter the complex through here (same as ancient days, by the way). The colonnade is 20 pairs of columns with 24 small chambers between each, which are thought to maybe represent the nomes of Upper and Lower Egypt, and may have once held statues of the pharaoh or the gods.

ii) The Step Pyramid of Djoser

This beauty is the oldest Egyptian pyramid to date – it was built c. 2670–2650 BC, so it’s about 4,700 years old, if you can believe that. The architect was Djoser’s vizier Imhotep, thought of now as the founding father of Egyptian pyramids, and the design is six mastabas of decreasing size atop one another. Mastabas were how pharaohs and other Egyptian royalty and VIPs were buried before the invention of the pyramids -- mastabas were rectangular, flat-roofed tombs.

You can enter the Step Pyramid with an extra ticket. You’ll enter through the Southern Passage, where you’ll walk down a stone corridor ( local tip: it’s nowhere near as narrow or steep as the Giza & Dahshur Pyramids, so if you want to go inside a pyramid with the least amount of claustrophobia/physical exertion, this is the one to enter). At the end of the corridor you’ll reach a railing where you can look down and see the burial chamber where Djoser was laid to rest, deep in the belly of the pyramid.

Note: the Northern Passage into the Step Pyramid is not currently open to the public, which is a bummer because it leads to tunnels with some fascinating tiling, engraving and wall imagery.

iii) South Tomb

The South Tomb is a good place to see what you’re missing within the Northern Passage of the Step Pyramid. Because this tomb is too small to actually hold Djoser’s body, Egyptologists have several theories about the function of the tomb: one is to house the pharaoh’s ka in the afterlife, and a second theory is that this is where the pharaoh’s organs were kept in canopic jars (although future pharaohs were always buried with their canopic jars in the same burial chamber, so it’s a mystery).

In either case, the South Tomb has a 30m tunnel that descends into a pink granite burial chamber. It then leads into further chambers that have blue tiling (like the non-accessible Northern passage of the Step Pyramid) as well as wall decoration.

Note: you need to buy an extra ticket to enter the South Tomb.

The serdab is a small, enclosed chamber from the Old Kingdom that houses a statue of the deceased (in this case, Djoser) with just a small hole in the wall. It’s believed this statue was for the Pharaoh’s ka, and the sealed off space allowed the soul protection within its walls. You can peek into the hole and see what’s left of Djoser’s statue.

Like we said above, there’s loads more to see at the Step Pyramid Complex so make sure to read up on the nitty-gritty before you go. There’s also signage there if you’re not going with a guide.

Saqqara Main Site #2 : Pyramid of Unas & Old Kingdom Mastaba Tombs

While the Pyramid of Unas is not much to look at externally anymore, it’s what’s inside the collapsed pyramid that makes it so interesting. It’s the smallest remaining pyramid of the Old Kingdom, but notable due to the discovery of the ‘Pyramids Texts’ inscribed inside on its walls. The Pyramids Texts were funerary texts and spells for the pharaoh’s afterlife, which would later become the basis of the Book of the Dead.

Nearby the Pyramid of Unas are other Old Kingdom mastaba tombs such as:

Tomb of Mehu, a royal vizier

Tomb of Ti, known for its wall depictions of daily life in the Old Kingdom, including scenes of farming, boat-building and poultry-fattening

Tomb of Niankh-Khnum and Khnumhotelp, an unusual ‘double tomb’ mastaba. It’s not common to find a tomb for two people, so it’s theorized that these two men were brothers, and perhaps twins (one theory is that they were actually conjoined twins)

Tomb of Irukaptah, also known as Tomb of the Butchers

Saqqara Main Site #3 : Pyramid of Teti & Tomb of Mereruka

This pyramid doesn’t even really resemble a pyramid anymore – you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a sandy hill. But it is in fact the remains of the Pyramid of Teti, and underneath the rubble is worth seeing too – it’s the second known pyramid to have Pyramid Texts on its walls.

Nearby the Pyramid of Teti is the Tomb of Mereruka, the biggest and most elaborate tomb of all the non-royals buried in Saqqara. It has 33 chambers in total, with wall paintings and a life-like statue of the vizier Mereruka himself. (Note: going inside the Tomb of Mereruka needs an extra ticket).

There are also other Old Kingdoms tombs near the Pyramid of Teti worth visiting, like the Tomb of Kagemni.

Saqqara Main Site #4 : Horemheb Necropolis (Tombs of the Nobles & New Kingdom Tombs) and the Bubastieion

This site is for the “newer” tombs of the New Kingdom (and by newer, we’re talking 3,000+ years old lol). Although during the New Kingdom the Ancient Egyptian capital was at Thebes (now modern-day Luxor ) and the pharaohs were buried in the Valley of the Kings there, the generals were still buried in Saqqara. Horemheb was a general during the time of Tutankhamun and built his tomb in Saqqara, but then became pharaoh after King Tut died childless.

The Bubastieion (or Bubasteum) was a temple dedicated to Bastet, the cat goddess. It’s a cat necropolis where over 100 cat mummies were discovered and thousands of cat bones found. 5 lion mummies were also found there.

Saqqara Main Site #5 : Serapeum

So we covered the feline necropolis, but did you know there’s also a burial ground for bulls in Saqqara? It’s true, the Serapeum was for a sacred Ancient Egyptian bull called the Apis, and more than 60 bulls were found to be buried there, with 24 sarcophagi still remaining at the site.

How to Get to Saqqara

The most direct and hassle-free way of getting to Saqqara is arranging with a local tour company for them to pick you up and take you there (you can also add on whatever sights you’d like, for example the Dahshur Pyramids or Memphis. You can also include the Pyramids of Giza and have one big Pyramids day).

You can also go solo, via Uber or taxi, but these are our local tips:

The Saqqara necropolis is off the beaten track a bit and in agricultural land, so it’s not always straightforward to get to and sometimes the GPS will lead you astray. It’s better to make sure your driver knows how to get there without relying on GPS

The Saqqara necropolis is pretty big and ideally would need a car to drive you from one main site to the other; it’s doable on foot but ultimately a big hassle

It’s almost impossible to get an Uber back from Saqqara, so if you go with an Uber or taxi, make sure that they wait for you to finish and you can leave with them

Saqqara Opening Hours

8 am - 5 pm (closes earlier during the month of Ramadan)

Saqqara Ticket Prices

Standard Entrance to Saqqara Necropolis Ticket:

Non-Egyptian ticket: 450 EGP

Non-Egyptian student ticket: 230 EGP

Egyptian ticket: 30 EGP

Egyptian student ticket: 10 EGP

Local tip: this ticket includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser complex, Unas and Teti Pyramids and the tombs of Kagemni, Nikauisesi, Ankhmahor, Nefereshemptah, Ptahhotep, Ti, Idut, Unasankh and Iynefert – but keep in mind the tombs are sometimes on rotation so you’re not guaranteed these will be the same tombs open on the day you go.

Entry into the Step Pyramid via the Southern Passage Ticket:

Non-Egyptian ticket: 220 EGP

Non-Egyptian student ticket: 110 EGP

Egyptian ticket: 40 EGP

Egyptian student ticket: 20 EGP

South Tomb in Step Pyramid Complex Ticket:

Non-Egyptian ticket: 240 EGP

Non-Egyptian student ticket: 120 EGP

Nobles Tombs & New Kingdom Tombs in Horemheb necropolis and the Bubastieion Ticket:

Non-Egyptian ticket: 330 EGP

Non-Egyptian student ticket: 170 EGP

Egyptian ticket: 20 EGP

General Local Tips About Visiting Saqqara:

As you can probably tell by now there’s a ton to see, so if you’re interested in visiting all the sites and entering all the tombs, this will take the better part of half a day. If you want to visit as part of a larger Giza Pyramids + Saqqara + Dahshur tour, you’ll have to streamline your Saqqara visit

There aren’t any restaurants or cafes there, so make sure to bring your own snacks/water (there are a few touts selling water & sodas, but for exorbitant touristic prices)

The sun is strong, so make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat if you’re sensitive to the sun

Saqqara is a great spot to be able to see in the distance the rest of the pyramid fields: Giza, Dahsur & Abu Sir Pyramids

Happy exploring and enjoy!

You might also like: Dahshur Pyramids – A Local’s Guide to the Bent Pyramid, Red Pyramid & Black Pyramid

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The vast cemetery at Saqqara, which spans a period from the 27th century BC to the 10th century AD, is possibly named after Sokar, god of the burial sites. The site itself lies on the desert plateau about 3km (1.75 miles) west of Memphis. Its Step Pyramid is the earliest of all the pyramids, and its tombs are among the most finely decorated. The Old Kingdom tombs at Saqqara, south of Giza , are adorned with painted relics of the deceased, his wife and children, overseers of his estates, supervisors of his factories, scribes, artisans and peasants.

See Egypt's earliest pyramid at Saqqara

A welcome addition to Saqqara is the modern Imhotep Museum, which opened in 2006 in an attempt to redistribute many of the treasures in the Egyptian Museum to more relevant locations.

Of the many highlights are objects found inside Saqqara’s pyramids and tombs, including a wooden model of a rowing boat with human figures from the tomb of Khennu, a royal scribe of the Middle Kingdom.

The mummy of King Merenre I, who ruled for five years from 2297 BC, is the oldest complete mummy yet found.

Don’t miss the haunting limestone bas-relief of the “Starving Men of Unas” from the causeway ramp of 5th Dynasty King Unas; it shows the ribcages of the starving Bedouin before they are given food by the king.

The ticket office at the entrance to the necropolis stands above the valley temple attached to the Pyramid of Unas. Built in the 24th century BC by the last king of the 5th Dynasty, this houses the earliest pyramid text. The ceremonial causeway linking the two has been excavated and the pyramid at the end is one of the least difficult for visitors to enter.

Looking for inspiration for your trip? Talk to our Egyptian travel experts .

Pyramid of Unas at Saqqara, Egypt © Shutterstock

Best things to do at Saqqara

There are plenty of things to see at Saqqara. Go and explore the stunning Step Pyramid of Zoser, an architectural marvel that dates back to ancient Egypt, take a mesmerizing camel ride through the desert or just enjoy the history of this sight.

#1 Swot up at the Imhotep Museum

The Imhotep Museum really helps to explain the importance of the Saqqara site (admission is included in that of the Saqqara site; no flash photography).

The six spacious halls here showcase an impressive collection of ancient treasures. The museum's prized exhibits include the stunning painted Greco-Roman mummy and the impressive double statue of High Priest Amenemopet and his wife.

Don't miss the breathtaking coffin belonging to Imhotep, as well as the fascinating green faience panels from the tomb of Djoser.

In addition to these masterpieces, the museum boasts a wide variety of other archaeological finds, such as intricately carved wooden and stone statues, ancient tools, wall ornaments, and objects used in funerals.

Finally, make sure to visit the museum's last hall, which is dedicated to the life and work of the renowned French Egyptologist, Jean Philippe Lauer.

#2 Go inside the Pyramid of Unas

Built in the 24th century BC by the last king of the 5th Dynasty, this houses the earliest pyramid text. The ceremonial causeway linking it to the Step Pyramid of Zoser has been excavated and the pyramid at the end is one of the least difficult for visitors to enter.

#3 Walk the ruins of the Monastery of St Jeremiah

Quite close to the parking space below the enclosure on the opposite side of the causeway to the Pyramid of Unas are the ruins of the Monastery of St Jeremiah.

Founded in the second half of the 5th century and destroyed by the Arabs in about AD 960, the monastery buildings include two churches, a refectory, a bakery, an oil press and cells for the monks.

The monastery was the source of most of the objects in rooms 6 and 7 of the Coptic Museum in Cairo.

#4 Seek out the Step Pyramid of Zoser

Dominating the area is the Step Pyramid of Zoser (built 2668–2649 BC), the earliest of all the pyramids and the first great monument in the world to be built of hewn stone.

The entire complex within the enclosure, including shrines, courtyards and the Step Pyramid itself, was the conception of a single man, Imhotep, Zoser’s chief of works, who some consider the first recorded genius in history.

An inscription left behind by a New Kingdom tourist venerates him as “he who opened the stone”. He was later identified with magic, astronomy and medicine, finally becoming deified in the 6th century BC.

Translating motifs from more perishable materials, such as wood or papyrus reeds, into stone, the Zoser complex displays many features that became a permanent part of the Egyptian architectural vocabulary

The Step Pyramid can be entered only with special permission (a tour takes several hours).

Hypostyle hall at the Pyramid of Zoser - Saqqara, Egypt © Shutterstock

Best areas to stay

Most travellers will visit Saqqara on a day trip from Cairo without staying overnight. However, it’s possible to visit from Giza and Dahshur too. Here’s where to stay.

Situated around 40km north of Saqqara, most people will stay in Cairo. The city is full of accommodation options , ranging from high-end hotels to budget-friendly hostels.

The city of Giza, located approximately 30km north of Saqqara, is an excellent choice for accommodation , as it's home to a wide range of hotels, from budget-friendly options to luxurious resorts.

For those looking for a more relaxed and secluded retreat, the nearby town of Dahshur is an excellent choice, located some 12km south of Saqqara. It has a number of small hotels and guesthouses.

Things to know before visiting Saqqara

Make the most out of your visit to Saqqara with these tips. Here’s what you need to know.

Entrance fee

The entrance fee for visiting Saqqara is 60 EGP for a standard ticket and 30 EGP for students (must have valid ID).

Opening hours

Saqqara is open to visitors daily 8am–4pm. The last entry is 3pm.

There is no dress code at Saqqara, however, as in the rest of Egypt it’s considered proper to cover your arms and legs. It can be very hot at Saqqara, so pack sunscreen and a hat.

Guided tours

Several tour companies in Egypt offer guided tours of Saqqara. Ask your hotel for recommendations. Tours of Saqqara vary in length, but most last between 2-4 hours.

How to get here

Most people will visit Saqqara on a tour from Cairo because of the limited options for getting here. A private taxi is a good alternative.

Other than on a tour, the best way to get to Saqqara is by taxi. It’s worth hiring a car and driver by the day.

By microbus

It is possible to get to Saqqara by microbes from Cairo. However, it's a 20-minute walk from the microbus stop in Saqqara to the ticket office.

Find out the best ways to get to Egypt .

Best time to visit Saqqara

The best time to visit Saqqara is during the winter months (November to February) when the weather is mild and comfortable for exploring the outdoor tombs and monuments. The temperature during this time typically ranges from 15-25°C (59-77°F).

It's worth noting that the summer months in Egypt can be very hot, with temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F), making it uncomfortable to visit outdoor sites during the daytime.

Additionally, during the month of Ramadan, the sites have reduced opening hours.

Find out more about the best time to visit Egypt .

Travel ideas for Egypt, created by local experts

The Best of Egypt

Explore the history and culture of Egypt and its ancient rulers on this trip throughout the country. Start and end in Cairo and make your way down to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel. Instead of domestic flights, you will hop on luxurious sleeper trains for your journey.

Cairo & a luxurious Dahabieh sailing cruise

Explore Egypt at a leisurely pace on board a dahabieh, a traditional sailing ship. In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, and in Giza, the pyramids; cruise to world-renowned sites alongside lesser-known treasures, such as Luxor’s tombs, el Kab and Gebel Silsileh’s Temple of Horemheb.

A Nile Cruise in Egypt

Experience Cairo with the pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian museum before flying to Luxor to board your Nile cruise. Highlights include Karnak temple, Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut temple and an optional visit to Abu Simbel. Spend your last night in fascinating Cairo.

Five Star Egypt

A tour through the ancient wonders of Giza, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Start and end your trip in beautiful Cairo, exploring the surroundings before heading down to Aswan: you will spend four nights on a luxurious Nile cruise ship, discovering ancient sites such as Abu Simbel.

An introduction to Egypt

Marvel at the pyramids in Giza, explore busy Cairo, sleep on a luxurious sleeper train and explore more temples close to Luxor. This itinerary is fast-paced, with several nights in Cairo at the beginning and end, enabling you to see many fascinating sights in Egypt.

The Rough Guides to Egypt and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

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updated 26.04.2023

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Saqqara Tour

Beyond your expectations, the great experience will go on to Sakkara. In this famous archeological site, you will explore the complex of the oldest of all the pyramids.

• Egypt Day Tours
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Description

Beyond your expectations, the great experience will go on to Sakkara . In this famous archeological site, you will explore the complex of the oldest of all the pyramids. Find Now your Cairo day tours and explore the destinations through Egypt day tours

• Accommodation
• English-speaking Egyptologist guide
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Transport on air- conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water
• Gratuities/tipping (recommended). 
• Food and drinks, unless specified.

Beyond your expectations, the great experience will go on to Sakkara. In this famous archeological site, you will explore the complex of the oldest of all the pyramids. The Step pyramids, which is 4800 years old, is the first stone structure in Ancient Egypt. You will learn how the great architect Imhotep changed the royal tomb structure. The use of limestone in such a grand scale to replace the fragile mudbrick. Your guide will accompany you inside one of the tombs dedicated to the nobles. You will see the wall paintings and reliefs reflect the life of the Egyptians thousands of years ago. Amazingly, the ink and colors are still on the walls .Next, the entry to the pyramid of Titi is one of the highlights of the tour as Hieroglyphic texts cover the chamber walls and they date back to 2340 B.C.

PRICES Tour price currency is set to USD but you can pay in Euro or British pound. The prices quoted per person per tour are all inclusive and prices are always updated to ensure you receive the best price possible. Prices are valid until 30 December 2023, except during Christmas, New Year & Easter holidays. 

CHILDREN POLICY Child traveling with two accompanying adults will pay the following:

•  0 Years to 1.99 years of age: Free of charge.
•  2 years to 4.99 years of age: 50% from the full rate.
•  5 years to 11.99 years of age: 75% from the full rate
•  12+ pay full tour price as per adult person.
•  If your tour includes airfare then an extra charge for child rate may apply.

CANCELLATION Cancellation requests should be sent via fax or emailed to provide the Company with written confirmation that your reservation should be canceled.

DEPOSIT AND BALANCE OF PAYMENT Reservation should be made as early as possible to book the desired holiday. Space on a given tour will be secured upon receipt a deposit of 25 % of the full price. This payment will be 50 % during the Christmas and New Year holidays and on packages including airfare. The deposit counts as part of your final payment. The deposit can be made by bank wire transfer or sent via Western Union or paid using a credit card (Visa or MasterCard)  Payment should be received within 7 days of booking. TIPPING  Tipping for a job well done is customary in Egypt, though not required. Please feel welcomed but not obliged to offer a tip to your guide. TOUR VOUCHER  After your trip is confirmed, we will email you with the final confirmation as a voucher to print and bring it with you. Details will include contact numbers for your tour operator, customer care and additional information for your convenience.

Prices Per Person

110 USD Per Person

70 USD Per Person

60 USD Per Person

55 USD Per Person

50 USD Per Person

• Category Egypt Day Tours
• Starts From 50 USD / PERSON
• Code 1-sxxx-138

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Investigating the Marvels of Ancient Egypt within Saqqara

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Step into a world of ancient marvels and timeless wonders with Saqqara tours 2024/2025 . We invite you to embark on a captivating journey through the storied landscapes of Saqqara , where the echoes of pharaohs and the whispers of dynasties past beckon you to explore their enigmatic legacy. Since its establishment in 1987, Egypt Tours Portal has remained steadfast in its commitment to curating the ultimate touring experience for our valued visitors, seamlessly combining unmatched affordability with unparalleled service excellence. Experience the epitome of luxury with our Saqqara tours in Egypt , where indulgence knows no bounds. Immerse yourself in impeccable service, luxurious accommodations, seamless transportation, captivating attractions, unbeatable value, an array of enchanting activities, and a host of unparalleled offerings that redefine the art of travel.

Embark on a captivating journey with our Saqqara day trips , where history comes alive and ancient wonders beckon. Stand before the awe-inspiring Step Pyramid of Djoser, a remarkable feat of ancient architecture that has withstood the test of time. Wander through the labyrinthine tombs , adorned with intricate hieroglyphs and vibrant murals that offer a glimpse into the beliefs and culture of a bygone era. As you explore, our expert guides will unveil the stories etched in stone, sharing the secrets of pharaohs and commoners alike. Immerse yourself in the captivating exhibits of the Imhotep Museum, where artifacts from Saqqara's rich history are beautifully preserved. Venture to the Serapeum, where colossal stone sarcophagi once cradled sacred bulls, offering insight into the reverence and spirituality of ancient Egyptians. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an adventurer at heart, or simply curious about the past, our meticulously curated Saqqara day tours cater to every curiosity, book now!

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Overnight Trip to Cairo from EL Gouna by Plane Two days tour to Cairo from El Gouna ...

2 Days Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh by Plane Includes Saqqara

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Eoffers valuable insights straight from the source, capturing the voices and experiences of those who matter most – our cherished clients

Tour Name: 5 Days Tour of Group Witnessing Egypt’s Jewels

Experience Date: 30 August, 2024

My fiancé and I booked a private 5 day tour of Egypt with ETP starting in Cairo followed Read More by Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor. We just got home and continue to talk about how amazing the trip was. The communication with ETP was excellent. Very fast responses and they are very accommodating. Our tour was nonstop which was okay by us as we wanted to see all the sights in 4 days. Read Less

Tour Name: Experience Egypt Cultural Sightseeing in 10 Days

This was the trip of a lifetime that I was able to have with my eldest son - an absolutely Read More amazing experience. To be able to actually see the places and artifacts that I had read about and studied was truly phenomenal. Our hotels were great, the travel to and from sites was completely taken care of, we never felt unsafe or left to our own devices, and the itinerary was just right. But what made the experience so fab was our two guides - Mahmoud Nour in Luxor/Aswan/Abu Simbel and "Max" in Cairo/Memphis/Saqqara. They taught us history and context as it related to each site we visited and they indulged my myriad questions. They were both so incredibly knowledgeable and my questions were never ignored or unanswered. In addition, they shared their culture with us and treated us to some awesome dining experiences. We were reminded that Egypt is more than just ancient ruins. I would recommend without reservation this tour experience. And "hats off" to Mahmoud and Max!!! I left feeling like I had made some great new friends. And I can't wait to try some home-made kushari. Read Less

L Joe Smith

Tour Name: Experience Egypt in 9 Days

Egypt Tours Portal is an excellent company to use to arrange your visit to Egypt. They wor Read More k with phenomenal guides (we had Mahmoud Nour in Upper Egypt and Mohsen aka Max in Lower Egypt...I would recommend asking for these guides by name, as they were truly superb), make all the necessary arrangements in terms of drivers, covid testing, hotels, and in-country flights, and can tailor your tour to whatever it is you most want to see. The entire experience was smooth from start to finish. Both Mahmoud and Max spoke excellent English, were extremely knowledgeable, and went out of their way to ensure our experience was everything we hoped it would be. This was the second time I have used ETP, and I will continue to recommend them to anyone who expresses any interest in exploring Egypt. We especially liked that our tour group was limited to only our party, which meant we got one-on-one attention at all the sites, and allowed us to get answers to all our questions. And for those of you who are worried about safety or health in Egypt, in our experience it was extremely safe, and we never had any issues related to COVID-19. Cannot recommend Egypt Tours Portal enough. Choose them, you won't regret it. Read Less

Tour Name: 5 Days Cairo, Luxor & Abu Simbel Tour

It was an absolutely amazing trip where we saw some of the most historical and beautiful s Read More ights in Egypt. Our tour guide Mohamed Elshemei was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating to our needs Read Less

Tour Name: 5 Days Nile River Cruise Luxor to Aswan

Highly recommend this tour company!!! Our guides, Moses, Mahmoud, Magred and Mohamed were Read More exceptional, their knowledge of the history is more that accurate, they are also very patient!! For the price and all the attractions, the Nile cruise and the included meals.....well worth it!!! It is a very busy tour, but well worth it!!! Read Less

This review is a late, but I had to provide some feedback. My brother and I went on vacati Read More on in October 2022 and booked with Egypt Tours Portal. With on-line scams on-going, I was a little wary at first. BUT, the experience was amazing. Personal guides and drivers, lodging, food was amazing and perfect. The guides were very knowledgeable, but more importantly PASSIONATE about their job and culture. They went out of their way to take care of us. If you happen to get Zeze or Marianne, you have gotten the best. Read Less

Timmy Lovett

Frequently asked questions, what can i expect to see during a saqqara tour.

A Saqqara tour typically includes visits to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Pyramid of Teti, the Pyramid of Unas, and various ancient tombs and structures in the Saqqara complex. You'll get a chance to explore the rich history and architecture of ancient Egypt.

Where is Saqqara located?

Saqqara is an ancient archaeological site situated in the Giza Governorate of Egypt. It is located to the southwest of Cairo, approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the city center. This site holds immense historical significance and is an integral part of the larger Memphis necropolis.

What is Saqqara famous for?

Saqqara is renowned for its remarkable collection of ancient burial structures and monuments that offer insights into the funerary practices and architecture of ancient Egypt. It gained prominence due to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is the oldest pyramid in Egypt and a significant milestone in pyramid construction.

What other historical monuments are found in Saqqara?

Saqqara boasts an array of historical treasures beyond the Step Pyramid. Among them are the Pyramids of Unas and Teti, which house important Pyramid Texts, and the Pyramid of Userkaf, representing the Fifth Dynasty. Additionally, the well-preserved Mastaba of Ti provides a vivid glimpse into the daily life of ancient Egypt through its intricate decorations and reliefs.

What Are the Finest Destinations to Visit in Egypt?

The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt .

What Are Egypt's Visa Requirements?

If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa .

What Is the Top Traditional Egyptian Food?

Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.

What is the Best Time to Visit Egypt?

The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.

What to Pack for Your Egypt Tour?

You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.

Why Book With "Egypt Tours Portal"?

We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.

Is it Safe to Travel to Egypt?

You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt .

What to Wear While in Egypt?

Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.

What are the Best Activities to Do in Egypt?

The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.

What are Egypt Festival and Public Holidays?

There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt .

What are Special Advice for Foreign Women in Egypt?

Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.

What are the Official Languages of Egypt?

Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.

What is the Transportation in Egypt?

The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.

What is the Weather is Like?

The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.

What are the Reasons That Make You Visit Egypt?

It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.

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