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Archaeological site · Pharaonic
Saqqara and the Step Pyramid
Where the pyramid began
Before Giza, Saqqara produced the idea that transformed Egyptian architecture: a royal tomb rising in successive tiers of stone. Djoser’s Step Pyramid anchors a vast necropolis preserving more than three millennia of history.
About this place
Saqqara includes Djoser’s Third Dynasty Step Pyramid complex, traditionally associated with Imhotep, as well as Old and New Kingdom tombs, later pyramids, the Serapeum and Imhotep Museum. The basic area ticket does not cover every interior; several tombs, the Serapeum and Djoser’s interior require separate tickets, while an inclusive ticket is also sold.
Start with Djoser’s complex, then choose one or two additions. Distances across the necropolis are substantial, so a car or driver is useful between monument groups.
Saqqara is more than one pyramid: it lets you trace the development of royal tombs and monumental stone architecture from their beginnings in a landscape generally calmer and more spread out than Giza.
Visitor information
- Opening hours
- Sunday — 08:00 – 16:00
Monday — 08:00 – 16:00
Tuesday — 08:00 – 16:00
Wednesday — 08:00 – 16:00
Thursday — 08:00 – 16:00
Friday — 08:00 – 16:00
Saturday — 08:00 – 16:00 - Payment
- Card
- Amenities
- Toilets · Parking · Guides
| Tickets | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Egyptian | 30 | 2026-09-06 |
| Egyptian student | 10 | 2026-09-06 |
| Foreign | 600 | 2026-09-06 |
| Foreign student | 300 | 2026-09-06 |
Highlights
- Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex
- The underground Serapeum
- Nobles’ tombs and New Kingdom tombs
Tips from the visit
- Enter at 8:00 AM to avoid the strongest heat and crowds.
- If time is limited, add the Serapeum or Djoser interior rather than every separate ticket.
- Use a car or driver inside the site; distances are long.
Worth knowing
- Several tombs, Djoser’s interior and the Serapeum are not included in the basic area ticket.
- The site is exposed and uneven.
Location & getting there
Saqqara Archaeological Area, Al-Badrashin, Giza
Nearest landmark: هرم زوسر المدرج
Nearest metro: المنيب
The easiest approach is by car or taxi from Giza via the Saqqara tourist road. El Mounib is a practical metro connection, but a taxi is still required to reach the site.
29.8712, 31.2165
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Between the weight of the past and the surprise of the present, you stand before a great gateway. Pass through it and you have crossed out of your own time. What the pharaohs built is in front of you, and the wonder arrives slowly — until you realise this is not a place you pass through and leave, but one that stays in you.
At the edge of the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum brings thousands of years of history into one journey—from the colossus of Ramesses II and the Grand Staircase to the galleries and the complete Tutankhamun collection displayed together.
At Dahshur you can see the engineering experiments that led to the true pyramid: the Bent Pyramid with its changing angle, then the Red Pyramid where the smooth-sided form succeeded at monumental scale. The relative quiet is part of the experience.