Saqqara is the sprawling ancient burial ground just south of Cairo — home to the Step Pyramid and far quieter than Giza. For expats, it's one of the best day trips from the city, especially if you want depth without the crowds.
What you're looking at
Saqqara served as a necropolis for thousands of years, layering tombs and monuments from many periods across a huge site. The headline sight is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt's oldest pyramid. Beyond it are richly decorated Old Kingdom tombs (Ti, Mereruka, Kagemni) covered in scenes of daily life, the Pyramid of Unas with its early "Pyramid Texts," and the Serapeum, the vast underground vaults of the sacred Apis bulls. Recent excavations here regularly make international headlines.
Visiting as a resident
Saqqara is about an hour from Cairo by car or ride-hailing and is often combined with Giza and Memphis. It's spread out, so allow at least half a day and expect some walking and short drives between clusters of tombs.
Good to know
- Best months are the cooler November to February.
- A guide is genuinely useful — the site is large and largely unsigned.
- Individual tombs and the Serapeum sometimes need separate tickets.
- Bring water and sun cover; on-site amenities are limited.
Related
- Living in Egypt — the full expat guide
- Getting around in Egypt — transport and day-trip logistics
- Step Pyramid of Djoser — the necropolis's centrepiece
- Great Pyramids of Giza — the classic pairing on the same day