Saqqara is the main burial ground of ancient Memphis: a desert plateau about seven kilometers long, west of the Nile, used for burials from the First Dynasty around 2950 BCE into the Ptolemaic period. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Memphis and its Necropolis, and it is still being excavated.
This page is the overview. It shows what is at Saqqara, summarizes each main monument with a link to its full guide, lists the recent finds, and explains how to plan the visit.
Which pyramids are at Saqqara?
The royal pyramids at Saqqara belong to a long span of kings. In the Third Dynasty, Djoser built the first pyramid and Sekhemkhet began an unfinished one. The Fifth Dynasty brought Userkaf, Djedkare Isesi, Unas and, attributed to Menkauhor, a ruined pyramid known as the Headless Pyramid. The Sixth Dynasty added Teti, Pepi I, Merenre and Pepi II. That makes ten Old Kingdom pyramids; later rulers such as Ibi and Khendjer built small ones in the south, so counts of the whole site vary from source to source.
Most of these pyramids are heavily eroded because their stone was reused. The most visited are covered below, and the neighboring pyramid fields are covered in the Abusir necropolis guide and the Dahshur necropolis guide.
What is the Step Pyramid of Djoser?
The Step Pyramid, built around 2670 BCE, is the earliest of Egypt's pyramids and the centerpiece of a large walled funerary complex. It was designed by Imhotep, and its construction, interior and restoration are covered in the Step Pyramid of Djoser guide.
Walk the Necropolis Yourself
Saqqara rewards a guide who knows which tomb doors are unlocked that day and which gallery of carved reliefs most visitors walk straight past. These Egypt Sun Travel tours combine Saqqara with Giza and Memphis, with a licensed Egyptologist and a private air-conditioned vehicle included.
Which painted tombs can you visit?
The mastabas of Ti, Mereruka and Kagemni hold the finest Old Kingdom reliefs of daily life, from hippopotamus hunts to dancers. Which tombs are open, what they cost and how photography is handled are covered in the guide to the painted tombs of Saqqara.
What are the Serapeum and the animal necropolis?
The Serapeum is an underground gallery with giant granite sarcophagi for the sacred Apis bulls, and the surrounding area holds catacombs for other sacred animals. The history, the visit and the current access are in the Serapeum of Saqqara guide.
Where are the Pyramid Texts?
The small Pyramid of Unas holds the oldest religious texts carved inside an Egyptian pyramid. See the Pyramid of Unas guide for the visit and the Pyramid Texts guide for what the inscriptions say.
What has been discovered at Saqqara recently?
In January 2023 the Egyptian mission announced a group of Old Kingdom tombs in the Gisr el-Mudir area, including the sealed sarcophagus of Hekashepes. His mummy, about 4,300 years old, was described as the oldest and most complete non-royal mummy found in Egypt and the oldest wrapped in gold leaf. Separately, two mummification workshops of about 2,300 years ago, from the late 30th Dynasty to the early Ptolemaic period, were reported in the animal cemetery area.
In January 2025 a Japanese-Egyptian mission from Kanazawa University reported rock-cut tombs and mastabas of the late Second and early Third Dynasties north of the known necropolis, plus ten 18th Dynasty burials. In April 2025 a mission led by Zahi Hawass announced the multichambered tomb of Prince Waserif Re, a son of Userkaf, with a large granite false door. Newly found painted tombs are listed in the painted tombs guide. New finds are usually not open to visitors.
How to visit Saqqara: getting there, tickets and hours
Saqqara is about 30 km south-west of central Cairo, 45-60 minutes by road. There is no metro or reliable public transport to the gate, so most visitors hire a driver or join a day tour, often combined with Giza, Memphis and Dahshur. The site is typically open from 8:00 to 16:00, though some sources give 17:00.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lists a general ticket of about EGP 600 for foreign adults and EGP 300 for students (2026), with separate tickets for the Step Pyramid interior, the Serapeum, Mereruka's tomb and the noble tombs, and an all-inclusive pass at about EGP 1,400 for adults. The Imhotep Museum next to the entrance is listed at about EGP 600 for adults. Prices and hours change, so confirm them before you go.
Wear closed shoes, since the ground is sand and uneven rock, and bring a hat, water and sun protection because there is almost no shade. Early morning is the coolest time. Flash is not allowed inside the tombs, and photography rules are explained in the painted tombs guide. Vendors are few compared with Giza.
What else is near Saqqara?
Saqqara is usually combined with Memphis, the ancient capital next door, with the pyramid fields at Abusir and Dahshur, and with the Giza plateau and the Pyramids of Giza. For the stages between the Step Pyramid and the true pyramid, see the Bent Pyramid guide and the Meidum pyramid guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pyramids are there at Saqqara?
Counts differ by source. Ten pyramids belong to Old Kingdom kings (Djoser, Sekhemkhet, Userkaf, Menkauhor, Djedkare Isesi, Unas, Teti, Pepi I, Merenre and Pepi II), and later rulers such as Ibi and Khendjer built smaller ones in the south. Some sources reach 17 by including queens' pyramids and ruined structures.
Can you go inside the pyramids at Saqqara?
The interior of the Step Pyramid of Djoser has been open since the 2020 reopening, with its own ticket, and the Pyramid of Unas with its Pyramid Texts can usually be entered as well. Access to individual pyramids and tombs rotates, so ask at the ticket office on the day.
How long do you need at Saqqara?
Plan on 3-4 hours for the Step Pyramid complex, one or two painted tombs and a pyramid interior. Adding the Serapeum, the Imhotep Museum or Memphis fills a full day.
Is photography allowed inside the tombs?
Rules have changed over the years. Flash is not allowed, and visitors report that phone photos are generally tolerated while professional cameras may need a separate photo permit. Ask at the ticket office before you enter.
Is Saqqara worth visiting if you have already seen Giza?
Yes. It shows the origin of the pyramid, the oldest religious texts and detailed daily-life reliefs that Giza does not, and it is quieter, with few vendors.
