Sakkara

Saqqara is an ancient Egyptian necropolis in Giza Governorate, south of Cairo. It is one of the country's most important burial grounds, with a long history of royal and noble tombs spread across a wide desert plateau.

What to see

• The Step Pyramid of Djoser, the best-known monument here, rising in stepped tiers above the desert.
• Numerous mastaba tombs from various dynasties, many of them low, flat-roofed structures that show how Egyptian burial architecture developed over time.

The site suits visitors interested in ancient history, archaeology and the earliest stages of Egypt's pyramid building. Because the monuments are scattered over a large area, it rewards unhurried exploration rather than a quick stop.

Around the site

Saqqara lies within reach of Cairo, so it is commonly visited as a half-day or full-day trip from the capital. Visitors often combine it with the nearby pyramids of Giza and the older sites of the wider necropolis area, giving a fuller picture of how ancient Egyptians honoured their dead across many centuries.