Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara, Cairo

What is the Step Pyramid of Djoser?

It is the first pyramid ever built in Egypt and the oldest large building of dressed stone. It went up for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty around the 27th century BC — roughly a century before the Giza Pyramids. The design is credited to Imhotep, Djoser's chief official, later revered as a sage and a god of medicine.

Saqqara itself is the vast cemetery of ancient Memphis, spread along the desert ridge above the Nile valley. Kings and officials were buried here for over 3,000 years, from the first dynasties to the Ptolemies. Djoser's pyramid is the landmark in the middle; around it are the pyramids of Unas and Teti, nobles' tombs with painted reliefs, the Serapeum and the Imhotep Museum.

It joined the UNESCO list in 1979 together with Giza, Dahshur and ancient Memphis. Crowds are a fraction of Giza's, which makes it the calmest place near Cairo to take in a pyramid.

Saqqara tickets: what the EGP 600 covers

The main ticket for foreign visitors costs EGP 600, students under 24 pay EGP 300 and under-6s go free. According to the Ministry's official ticket list it covers the Djoser complex, the pyramids of Unas and Teti, the nobles' tombs by the Teti pyramid (Kagemni, Ankhmahor, Ptahhotep and others) and the Imhotep Museum.

Extras are sold separately: the descent inside the Step Pyramid (EGP 280), Djoser's Southern Tomb (EGP 300), the Serapeum (EGP 340), the Tomb of Mereruka (EGP 200), and the nobles' and New Kingdom tombs along the Unas causeway (EGP 400). An inclusive ticket at EGP 1,400 bundles the museum and several tombs, but not the pyramid interior or the Serapeum — check what it covers at the desk.

Buy online at Egymonuments, in the Experience Egypt app or at the ticket office. Tickets are dated and non-refundable. Visa and Mastercard work in every channel, including the desk, so you don't need cash for entry. Keep small Egyptian pounds for toilets, water, a tuk-tuk and tips.

Is it worth going inside the Step Pyramid?

If you want to stand in the burial vault of the very first pyramid, yes — it is the signature interior at Saqqara. A separate EGP 280 ticket lets you in from the south side, down to a central shaft about 28 m deep and the granite burial chamber, surrounded by galleries once lined with blue faience tiles.

It is a cramped, stuffy descent, and Djoser's body was never found — the tomb was robbed in antiquity. If you have already been inside the Great Pyramid at Giza and don't enjoy tight passages, spend the money on the Serapeum or Mereruka's tomb instead.

What to see at Saqqara

• The Djoser complex — the enclosure wall with its false gates, the entrance colonnade of ribbed columns carved like reed bundles, the Great South Court and the Heb-Sed court with its dummy chapels. Allow 45–60 minutes.
• The serdab on the pyramid's north side — a sealed stone box with two eye holes; a plaster copy of Djoser's statue gazes out.
• The Imhotep Museum by the entrance — six halls of Saqqara finds, a reconstructed tomb with a mummy, and a room for Jean-Philippe Lauer, who devoted his life to restoring the Djoser complex. Start here.
• The Pyramid of Unas and its causeway — the first pyramid with Pyramid Texts on the burial chamber walls. Ask at the desk whether the interior is open that day.
• The Pyramid of Teti and the tombs of Kagemni and Ankhmahor — more Pyramid Texts and lively scenes of daily life, all on the main ticket.
• The Serapeum — underground galleries with colossal granite and basalt sarcophagi of the Apis bulls. The single best extra here.
• The Tomb of Mereruka — a vizier's huge mastaba covered in hunting, fishing and craft scenes.

How long to spend and when to go

Saqqara is open every day from 8:00, last entry 16:00, or 15:30 during Ramadan. Two hours covers the Djoser complex, the museum and a tomb or two. Add the Serapeum, Mereruka and the Unas pyramid and you need half a day on site, plus travel.

Arrive at opening. There is almost no shade, and you walk on sand and rubble between monuments. The best months are November to March; in summer it is hot even by mid-morning, so carry water and a hat.

Is Saqqara worth it if you have seen Giza? For anyone curious about how pyramids came to be, yes: you can trace the leap from tomb to pyramid here, and the nobles' tomb reliefs are among the best preserved near Cairo. With only one day in Cairo and a wish to see the famous three pyramids, skip it this time.

Saqqara vs Giza vs Memphis

Giza has the world-famous pyramids; Saqqara shows where they began. Memphis is next door and takes about an hour, so pair it with Saqqara.

Ancient Egypt in Cairo: compare and choose

Historic sites in Cairo with a YesGo score. Tap a column header to sort.

How to do it right

• Sort out your ride back before you set off — it is the one real hassle of a Saqqara trip.
• Start at the Imhotep Museum by the gate; the Djoser complex makes far more sense afterwards.
• If you buy one extra, make it the Serapeum; for tomb reliefs, Mereruka.
• Already been inside the Great Pyramid? You can skip the Step Pyramid descent.
• Pair Saqqara with ancient Memphis — it is next door and takes about an hour.
• Bring your own water: there is almost no shade on the plateau.

Questions