Saqqara 2027: A Local Guide to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Tombs You Can Enter, Memphis and Dahshur

Saqqara is the ancient burial ground of Memphis, south of Giza, and it is where you will find the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt. Most travelers spend 2 to 3 hours at Saqqara and pair it with Memphis or Giza in a single Cairo day. It is quieter than Giza, and it lets you go inside tombs with carvings and color that still look fresh.

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Saqqara at a glance

What is Saqqara and why it matters

Saqqara was the main cemetery of Memphis, Egypt's first great capital. Kings, viziers, priests and even sacred animals were buried here over roughly three thousand years. That long history means you can see how Egyptian tombs changed, from flat mud brick mastabas to the first stone pyramid.

The whole area is part of the UNESCO site Memphis and its Necropolis, the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur. Giza gets the crowds, but Saqqara is where the pyramid idea was born. If you have already seen the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara shows you the experiment that came before them.

We take guests here every week, and the reaction is usually the same. People expect a side trip. They leave saying the tombs at Saqqara were the highlight of their time in Cairo.

The Step Pyramid of Djoser: what to look for

The Step Pyramid of Djoser was built for King Djoser around 4,700 years ago. His architect, Imhotep, stacked six stone layers on top of each other, each one smaller than the last. It is often called the oldest large stone building in the world.

Before you reach the pyramid, you walk through a long entrance colonnade with stone columns carved to look like bundled reeds. This is a good spot to slow down. The builders were copying in stone what they knew in wood and plants, and you can see it in the details.

Beyond the colonnade is the Great South Court, an open space where the pyramid fills your view. Look for the long enclosure wall with its niched pattern, and the reconstructed chapels on the east side. Your guide can point out the serdab, a small stone box with peepholes where a statue of Djoser once sat looking out.

The inside of the pyramid reopened to visitors in 2020 after a long restoration. Access has sometimes needed a separate ticket, and rules can change, so check before you go. Even from the outside, the Step Pyramid of Djoser is worth the trip on its own.

The Imhotep Museum

Near the entrance, the small Imhotep Museum shows finds from the site. It is a good first stop for 20 minutes, especially on a hot day. It gives you context before you walk out onto the plateau.

Tombs you can enter at Saqqara

This is where Saqqara beats Giza for many visitors. Inside the Giza pyramids you climb through bare stone passages. Inside the Saqqara tombs you see walls covered in carved and painted scenes of daily life.

Which tombs are open changes from season to season. Some close for conservation and others reopen. Here are the ones our guides most often take guests into:

• Mastaba of Mereruka: the tomb of a vizier to King Teti, with many rooms. Look for scenes of fishing, hunting in the marshes, farm animals and craftsmen at work.
• Mastaba of Ti: the tomb of a 5th Dynasty official, known for some of the finest relief carving in Egypt. The marsh and boat scenes are a favorite with photographers.
• Pyramid of Unas: from the outside it looks like a pile of rubble. Inside, the burial chamber walls are carved with the Pyramid Texts, the oldest known religious writings of their kind in Egypt.
• Pyramid of Teti: another pyramid with texts inside, reached by a low sloping passage.
• The Serapeum: long underground galleries where the sacred Apis bulls were buried in huge stone boxes. It feels very different from the painted tombs.

A few tombs may need an extra ticket. A licensed guide makes a big difference here. The scenes are full of small stories, like a calf being carried across a river or workers teasing each other, that you would walk past without someone pointing them out.

Memphis and Saqqara: visiting the old capital

Many people search for Memphis and Saqqara together, and for good reason. Memphis was the city, and Saqqara was its cemetery. Today, very little of the city is left above ground, but the open-air museum at Mit Rahina is easy to add on.

The star at Memphis is a colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II, lying on its back inside a covered hall so you can look down at the face. Outside you will see an alabaster sphinx and statues set among palm trees. Plan about 45 minutes to an hour.

Is Memphis worth it? If you love statues and want the full story of the capital, yes. If you are short on time, we usually tell guests to give that hour to the Saqqara tombs instead. You can ask your guide on the day.

Dahshur: the Red and Bent Pyramids nearby

South of Saqqara, Dahshur has two pyramids built for King Sneferu, the father of Khufu, who built the Great Pyramid at Giza. Together with the Saqqara pyramids, they show the step by step move from stepped sides to smooth sides.

The Bent Pyramid changes angle partway up. The builders seem to have realized the slope was too steep. The Red Pyramid got it right and is the first true smooth-sided pyramid. You can usually climb down inside the Red Pyramid, though the passage is long, low and stuffy.

Dahshur is often very quiet, which makes it great for photos. It is not part of every Cairo package. If it matters to you, message us before booking and we can tell you whether it fits your itinerary.

How long to spend and how to add Saqqara to a Cairo day

For most travelers, 2 to 3 hours at Saqqara is right. That covers the Step Pyramid complex, the Imhotep Museum and two or three tombs. Tomb lovers can easily spend half a day.

Here are three ways our guides build a Cairo day around it:

1. Saqqara and Giza: start at Saqqara in the morning while it is cooler, then drive north to Giza for the pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza in the afternoon.
2. Memphis and Saqqara: a relaxed ancient Egypt day with the old capital and its cemetery, ending with lunch nearby.
3. The pyramid fields: Dahshur, Saqqara and Memphis together. This is a long but rewarding day for history fans who have already seen Giza.

We would not try to fit Saqqara, Giza and a full museum visit into one day. Give the Grand Egyptian Museum its own half day if you can. In the evening, a walk through Khan el Khalili is an easy way to wind down.

Planning your visit in 2027

If you are planning Saqqara 2027 travel, here is what to check. Ticket prices, opening hours and which tombs are open are set by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. All details in this guide are current at the time of writing and can change, so check the official Egyptian Monuments site before you go.

Best time of year and day

October to April is the most comfortable season. Summer days are very hot, and Saqqara has almost no shade. In any month, aim to arrive early. The light on the Step Pyramid is softer, and the tombs are less crowded.

Getting there from Eilat

From Eilat, our Cairo tours cross into Egypt at the Taba border and drive across the Sinai to Cairo. Cairo is outside the Sinai-only entry zone, so you need a full Egyptian visa, not the free Sinai stamp. You can pre-pay the Egypt visa and border fees on our booking form, so you do not have to sort it out at the border.

Safety

As of November 2026, we run Cairo tours from Eilat on a regular basis, and Saqqara is a well-managed site with tourist police present. Conditions in the region can change quickly. Please check your own government's travel advisory before you book and again before you travel, for example the US State Department for American citizens.

What to wear and bring

There is no strict dress code at Saqqara, but modest clothing is respectful and practical. Light long sleeves and long pants or a long skirt protect you from the sun. Bring closed shoes for sand and uneven stone, a hat, sunscreen, water and some small cash for tips.

Tomb passages can be low and steep. If you have knee or back problems, or you do not like tight spaces, tell your guide. There is plenty to see outside, and they will choose the easier tombs.

Photos

Photo rules inside tombs have changed over the years, and some sites have charged for camera use. Phone photos without flash are generally fine outside. Ask at the ticket office or ask your guide on the day.

Saqqara tours from Eilat and Cairo compared

Not every Cairo tour stops at Saqqara. These are the trips we run that include it or pair well with it. Prices below are current at the time of writing.

Our honest advice: if Saqqara is a must for you, choose the 4 day or 2 day Cairo tour from Eilat, since both list it by name. The one day private tour is built around Giza. The 8 day Nile trip focuses on Giza and Upper Egypt, so ask us before booking if you want to add Saqqara.

Tours that include hotels or flights are non-refundable. Day tours have free cancellation up to 36 hours before the start time. You can browse all our Egypt trips on the Cairo and Egypt tours page.

Tours that include Saqqara

Live prices and dates, hotel pickup on most tours, and a local team in Eilat that answers on WhatsApp.

Cairo and Luxor 4 Day Tour from Eilat by Sleeper Train4 days · From EilatFrom $749View tour5 Day Israel, Jordan and Egypt Tour: Jerusalem, Petra and Cairo5 days · From Tel AvivFrom $1,512View tour8 Day Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise from Cairo8 days · From Cairo (Egypt)From $1,950View tour4 Day Nile Cruise from Cairo with Flights to Aswan and Luxor4 days · From Cairo (Egypt)From $850View tour5 Day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with Flights from Cairo5 days · From Cairo (Egypt)From $1,100View tourMount Sinai Sunrise Express from EilatFull day · From EilatFrom $100View tour

See all tours in this area →

Frequently asked questions about Saqqara

How long do you need at Saqqara?

Plan 2 to 3 hours to see the Step Pyramid complex, the Imhotep Museum and a few tombs. If you love ancient art, half a day is not too much. Add about an hour for Memphis and one to two hours for Dahshur.

How much does it cost to visit Saqqara?

Entry prices are set by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and some tombs or the Step Pyramid interior have needed separate tickets. Prices change, so check the official Egyptian Monuments site before you go. On our packages, check the tour page to see what is included.

Can you go inside the Step Pyramid of Djoser?

Yes, the interior reopened in 2020 after restoration. Access has sometimes required an extra ticket and can close at short notice. Your guide will tell you what is open on the day.

Is Saqqara worth it if you have seen Giza?

Yes. Giza shows you the biggest pyramids, but Saqqara shows you the first one and the best painted tombs near Cairo. Many of our guests say Saqqara was their favorite stop.

Can you visit Saqqara from Eilat or Israel?

Yes. Our Cairo tours from Eilat cross at the Taba border and drive across the Sinai to Cairo. The 2 day and 4 day Cairo tours from Eilat both include Saqqara.

What should I wear to Saqqara?

Wear light, modest clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, plus closed shoes for sand and stone. A hat and sunscreen are a must because there is little shade. Bring water and a light layer for cooler winter mornings.

What is the best time to visit Saqqara?

October to April has the most comfortable weather. Early morning is best in every season, for cooler air and fewer people. Summer afternoons can be very hot on the open plateau.

Is Saqqara the same as Memphis?

No, but they belong together. Memphis was the ancient capital city, and Saqqara was its main cemetery on the desert edge. Today they are separate sites, and many tours visit both on the same day.

Keep planning

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Plan your trip

Saqqara is one of the places that makes ancient Egypt feel close. You stand in the courtyard where pyramid building began, then step into a tomb where a fisherman carved over four thousand years ago still pulls in his net. Our guides love showing it, and it is often the part of Cairo our guests talk about most.

If you want Saqqara, Giza and the bazaar without rushing, our 4 day Cairo tour from Eilat with Saqqara is the one we recommend. For other options, see our Cairo and Egypt tours or the full Booking-Tours travel guide.

Not sure which trip fits your dates? Message our Eilat team on WhatsApp at 08-6338361 (international +972 8-633-8361) or email [email protected]. Tell us how many days you have and what matters most to you, and we will help you plan it.

Cover photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons