Sakkara lies about 18 km southeast of Cairo and is dominated by the famous step pyramid of king Djoser (or Zoser). This pyramid was build around 2600 BC by the famous architect Imhotep and it is the oldest surviving stone building in the world. It is about 100 years older than the pyramids at Giza. Inside the pyramid of Unas, southwest of the step pyramid of Djoser, are the Pyramid Texts, the oldest decorative writings in a Phaoronic tomb chamber.

Historical and archeological Sakkara and Memfis are the most important areas in Egypt. In the area around Sakkara there are 13 pyramids, all of which are smaller, but much older than the ones at Giza. The Serapeum consists of a series of catacombs where 70 sacred bulls where buried in an enormous granite sarcophagi. The Persian Tombs are one of the deepest burialk chambers in the country. They are decorated with beautiful wall drawings.