Africa >> North Africa >> Egypt >> Saqqara

Saqqara is the name given both to a village 32 km to the south of the Egyptian capital of Cairo and (more particularly) to the extensive ancient necropolis on the plateau above the Nile Valley, the location of tombs and pyramids dating to the Predynastic, Old Kingdom, New Kingdom and Late Periods of ancient Egyptian history.

Culture and History

The desert plateau above the modern village of Saqqara formed one of the main cemeteries of the ancient Egyptian capital city of Memphis for thousands of years. As such, it attracted a large number of royal and high prestige burials, the remains of which can be seen in pyramids and decorated tombs scattered across the area. The site of Saqqara is quite extensive, stretching 6 km north-south and 1.5 km across at its widest point.

Travel to Saqqara - Visa Requirements

By taxi / cab

Taxis can be hired from central Cairo to visit Saqqara. Negotiate with your driver for a daily rate.

Buses to Saqqara

Bus services do exist to Saqqara from central Cairo, but entail a lengthy journey and a long walk from the village up to the plateau.

Tours and Getting around Saqqara

Saqqara tourist attractions and sightseeing

  • Saqqara Necropolis. open daily 8am-5pm. admission LE£50.  
  • Step Pyramid of Djoser. This structure marks the transition between the bench-like mastaba style of burial and the true pyramid shape (first seen at Dahshur). 
  • Pyramid of Teti I and Teti Period Cemetery. The pyramid tomb of the first ruler of the 6th Dynasty, the Pyramid of Teti was quickly surrounded by the tombs of his nobles and officials upon its completion. 
  • Tomb of Mereruka.  
  • Tomb of Kagemni.  
  • Tomb of Ankhmahor.  
  • Serapeum.  
  • Mastaba of Ti. A 'classic' Old Kingdom tomb of a high noble and one of the richest sources of information about life during that period, the mastaba tomb of Ti is one of the grandest and best-decorated examples of funerary architecture in Egypt. 
  • Unas Causeway. Leading to the Pyramid of Unas 
  • Imhotep Museum, ☎ +2 (02) 3818-3095. open daily 8am-4pm..  

Saqqara city tours

Shopping in Cairo

Saqqara souvenirs and shopping

Saqqara Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Saqqara nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Saqqara cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Get out

This page was last edited by Wikitravel user Aude. Based on work by Stacy Hall, Andrew Haggard, Paul N. Richter and chris spencer, Wikitravel user(s) Pjamescowie and Jonboy and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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