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Within easy reach of Cairo, the pyramids at Saqqara are far less visited than their neighbors at Giza.
Saqqara is where the royalty and nobility of Memphis were buried, and there are a large number of mastabas (a simple tomb structure that was developed over time to become a pyramid) and temples to explore.
Step Pyramid of Djoser
The most important is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which predates the Great Pyramid of Cheops by about 75 years and marks the moment when the pyramid age began under the architectural aegis of the remarkable Imhotep.
Building on increasingly larger mortuary mastabas for his pharaoh Djoser, Imhotep eventually struck on the idea of a stepped pyramid, and the other larger and more famous pyramids took their inspiration directly from this design.
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Suggested itineraries featuring Saqqara
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Saqqara, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Saqqara
- Dahshur 7 miles away
- Giza 11 miles away
- Cairo 14 miles away
- Alexandria 122 miles away
- El Alamein & the Mediterranean Coast 152 miles away
- Hurghada 239 miles away
- The Red Sea 286 miles away
- Luxor 300 miles away
Photos of Saqqara
Our expert guides to exploring Saqqara
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Saqqara, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Saqqara at its best.
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What to do in Egypt: our highlights guide ![Dahshur Pyramid, Egypt]()
What to do in Egypt: our highlights guide
What to do in Egypt: our highlights guide
Home to some of the world's most historical monuments and best dive sites, Egypt's size makes it possible for the first-time visitor to see many of its highlights in a relatively short trip.
Read this guide
