Saqqara

The Pyramids of Giza are well-known, but they aren't the only pyramids Egypt has. The large necropolis site of Saqqara, as well as the nearby sites of Dahshur and Abu Sir, is located thirty kilometers south of Cairo and is where Egypt's earliest pyramids were built.

Saqqara is a large necropolis of tombs and pyramids that was used during every era of pharaonic rule and is only a day's journey from Cairo. It is well renowned for its Old Kingdom Step Pyramid, which shows how Ancient Egyptian architects expanded their engineering expertise to create a true pyramid shape. However, there is much more to see beyond the Step Pyramid, with some of the nearby tombs, such as the Mastaba of Ti, showing some of the country's greatest tomb murals. The Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid are located nearby at the Dahshur pyramid site and should be included on every Saqqara visit.