Saqqara Necropolis: A Journey Through Ancient Egypt's History

4.8 (3056)

Explore Saqqara Necropolis: Uncover ancient Egypt's oldest pyramid and elaborate tombs in this vast historical burial ground near Cairo.

Home
Egypt
Lower Egypt
Saqqara Necropolis

Explore Saqqara, the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis and a UNESCO World Heritage site, located just south of Cairo. Discover the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest complete stone building complex in the world, along with numerous tombs and pyramids that span over 3,000 years of Egyptian history.

A brief summary to Saqqara Necropolis

V698+9PP, Badrshein, Giza Governorate, EG
Click to display

Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and the heat, especially during summer months.
Hire a local guide to gain deeper insights into the history and significance of the site.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water, as there is limited shade available.
Check if the Pepi I and Pepi II pyramid areas are open for tourism before your visit.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

Pyramid of Djoser

Pyramid of Djoser: Egypt's First Pyramid

Ruins of King Unas Valley Temple

Ruins of King Unas Valley Temple: A Glimpse into Ancient Egyptian Burial Rites

Teti Pyramid

Teti Pyramid: A Glimpse into Ancient Egypt's 6th Dynasty

Getting There

Taxi/Ride-Sharing

From central Cairo, taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber or Careem offer a direct route to Saqqara Necropolis. The journey typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. A one-way fare ranges from 150 to 300 EGP. Negotiate the fare with the taxi driver before starting the journey or use a metered taxi.
Public Transport

To reach Saqqara via public transport, take a microbus from Cairo to Giza, departing from locations like Tahrir Square. In Giza, transfer to a local minibus heading to Badrshein, informing the driver of your destination. The ride takes approximately 1-1.5 hours. From Badrshein, a taxi or tuk-tuk can take you to the necropolis, roughly 10-15 minutes away. Expect to pay around 10-20 EGP for the microbus and minibus rides. Alternatively, from El Monib metro station (Line 2), take a microbus to El Badrasheen, then a tuk-tuk to Saqqara. The microbus costs around 10 EGP and the tuk-tuk 70-100 EGP.
Car

If driving, take the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road (E5) towards Giza, then follow signs for Saqqara. Exit onto the Cairo-Suez Road (E3) and follow signs to Badrshein. The Saqqara Necropolis is located at coordinates V698+9PP. Parking is available near the entrance, with a small parking fee.

Discover more about Saqqara Necropolis

Saqqara, a sprawling necropolis located approximately 30 kilometers south of Cairo, served as the burial ground for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis for over 3,000 years. This vast site, stretching 7 kilometers, is a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian history, showcasing the evolution of funerary practices and architectural innovations from the Early Dynastic Period to the Ptolemaic and Roman times.The most iconic structure at Saqqara is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built during the Third Dynasty (around 27th century BCE) by the architect Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser. This groundbreaking monument is considered the oldest complete stone building complex in the world and marked a major transition from traditional mastaba tombs to the pyramidal shape, influencing the construction of later pyramids, including those at Giza. Visitors can explore the pyramid's exterior and marvel at its innovative design.Saqqara is also home to other notable pyramids, such as the Pyramid of Unas, known for its intricate interior decorations and hieroglyphic inscriptions, and the Pyramid of Teti, which also features well-preserved interior decorations depicting scenes of daily life and religious texts. The Pyramid of Userkaf, one of the earliest pyramids constructed during the Fifth Dynasty, is located in the Abusir area of Saqqara.In addition to the pyramids, Saqqara boasts a wide array of tombs, ranging from simple mastabas to complex underground structures like the Serapeum, the burial site of the Apis Bulls. These tombs contain a wealth of inscriptions, paintings, and artifacts that offer valuable insights into ancient Egyptian culture, religion, and daily life. Notable tombs include the Tomb of Mereruka, the largest and most elaborate tomb of a non-royal, and the New Kingdom Tombs of Horemheb and Maya.Ongoing excavations at Saqqara continue to unearth new discoveries, including well-preserved mummies, burial shafts, and the Tomb of Wahtye, enriching our understanding of this significant archaeological site. The Imhotep Museum, located at the entrance to Saqqara, showcases some of the most interesting finds from the site, including the wooden coffin of Imhotep and a reconstruction of the library of Jean-Philippe Lauer.