Egypt begins Saqqara Necropolis upgrade on 2 October
Published on 10/04/2026 at 08:31 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Egypt launched an infrastructure upgrade at Saqqara Necropolis in Giza on 2 October 2026. The project concerns roads, visitor facilities and access across the archaeological site, whose Arabic name is omitted here because it is not written in the permitted Latin character set.
Egypt launches Saqqara Necropolis upgrade on 2 October
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the project through the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The programme covers the internal road network and connections between key monuments, alongside improvements to visitor amenities.
The published plans include seating, shaded rest areas and dedicated wheelchair-accessible pathways. The Ahram report on the project names the site, the council and the access measures on 2 October 2026. It also says the works are being carried out under engineering and conservation standards intended to protect the archaeological character of the area.
For visitors during October and early November 2026, the announcement indicates work on movement routes and facilities rather than a general closure. It does not state that the main monuments will close, so access to individual areas should not be assumed to change unless the site authorities announce a specific restriction.
Saqqara Necropolis links the upgrade to Djoser's pyramid
Saqqara Necropolis is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Memphis and its Necropolis, which extends across the pyramid fields from Giza to Dahshur. The property includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first pyramid built and the first monumental stone building in Egyptian history, according to the UNESCO description of Memphis and its Necropolis.
The cemetery served the ancient capital of Memphis and contains royal pyramids, decorated tombs, mastabas and other funerary remains. Its long sequence of monuments makes internal circulation important: the 2 October 2026 upgrade is linked directly to the routes that connect separate archaeological areas rather than to a single building.
The Step Pyramid is the best-known structure within the complex. UNESCO describes it as the oldest pyramid to be constructed, while the wider property records the development of Egyptian funerary architecture from the mastaba to the pyramid form.
New routes are planned across Egypt's ancient cemetery
The Supreme Council of Antiquities is responsible for implementing the works. The stated approach combines visitor-service improvements with conservation standards, placing the new paths and rest areas within the management of a protected heritage landscape.
The project also gives the site a practical connection to current accessibility concerns. Wheelchair-accessible paths are planned to reach a number of monuments, while shaded seating and rest stops are intended for key locations across the archaeological area.
Visiting Saqqara Necropolis: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The upgrade was launched at Saqqara Necropolis on 2 October 2026 and concerns the archaeological site in Giza.
- The announcement does not state a general closure. It describes improvements to internal roads, visitor facilities, shaded rest areas and wheelchair-accessible paths.
- The site forms part of Memphis and its Necropolis in Egypt and includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser among its principal monuments.
- The terrain includes archaeological pathways, tomb areas, pyramids and monuments spread across a large cemetery landscape, so movement between separate areas is part of the visit.
- English is widely used in tourism, while Arabic is Egypt's official language and the national currency is the Egyptian pound.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Saqqara Necropolis
When did the Saqqara Necropolis upgrade begin?
Egypt launched the infrastructure upgrade on 2 October 2026 through the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
What is changing at Saqqara Necropolis?
The project includes internal road improvements, visitor amenities, shaded rest areas, seating and wheelchair-accessible pathways.
Where is Saqqara Necropolis and what is there?
It is in Giza, Egypt, within the UNESCO-listed Memphis and its Necropolis. The archaeological area includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser, royal pyramids and decorated tombs.
