Egypt’s history has a new home – the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo
What happens when a nation reimagines its millennia-old heritage, all right beside the Pyramids of Giza?
In the shadow of the Great Sphinx rises an 800-metre-high façade of glass and pale sandstone. A landmark structure that Egypt has spent decades planning: the Grand Egyptian Museum. The world’s largest museum dedicated to Egyptian history showcases over 100,000 artefacts spanning thirty dynasties. Many of these treasures have never been publicly exhibited before.
Why is the building itself an attraction before you even set eyes on a single artifact?
Surrounded by date palms, Egypt’s first elevated obelisk greets visitors outside the main entrance. Behind it, the sprawling 500,000-square-metre complex of the new Egyptian museum stands out against the vast desert landscape. Its façade converges in sharp angles, pointing north toward the Pyramid of Khufu and south toward the Pyramid of Menkaure.
Do you need to be passionate about hieroglyphics to get your money’s worth?
No, a touch of curiosity is all it takes. The new museum is a prestige project, yet by no means reserved for experts alone. The galleries are arranged by theme – kingship, society, and belief – telling the story of transformation across the dynasties. Exhibits on display include Pharaoh Khufu’s 42-metre-long solar barge, intricate sarcophagi and everyday objects from life beyond the royal court.
Where can I find the highlights?
Beyond the entrance lies the Great Hall, lined with colossal statues of former rulers. Unmissable is the eleven-metre-tall statue of Ramesses II: 3,200 years old and weighing 83 tonnes. The impressive Grand Stairs lead to the ultimate Egyptology highlight: 5,500 grave goods created for Pharaoh Tutankhamun, discovered over a century ago, displayed together here in their entirety for the first time, including his famous death mask.
Why did construction take over 20 years?
Construction began in the early 2000s. The old Egyptian Museum in Cairo was running out of space, leaving many artefacts kept away in storage. Egypt planned the multi-billion-dollar project – also known as the Tutankhamun Museum – as a cultural flagship. The opening was originally slated for 2012, but years of delays followed, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally officially opened its doors in November 2025.
Will you experience the pyramids differently after visiting the museum?
In the Mixed Reality Hall, VR headsets bring to life details that can only be imagined when looking at the original structures. The reconstructions reveal the extraordinary precision and incredible planning that went into building the pyramids. It is therefore well worth starting your trip at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Gaining these insights first will give you a whole new perspective when you later gaze upon the silhouettes on the horizon.
How much time should you allow?
The Grand Egyptian Museum is not a place for a quick walk-through. To see the main galleries, you will need at least three to four hours. If you wish to explore the Tutankhamun collection at a leisurely pace, it is best to allow half a day. The most pleasant time to visit the new Egyptian Museum in Cairo is in the morning. This allows you to wander through the spacious galleries before the larger crowds arrive.
How do you get to the Grand Egyptian Museum?
The drive from central Cairo takes roughly 45 minutes. From Sphinx International Airport, the museum can be reached in about 30 minutes. Many visitors combine their trip to the country’s largest museum with a detour to the nearby Pyramids of Giza. A time slot should be reserved online in advance, as demand remains consistently high.
Header - Photo by NESRINE ELKHATIB/The Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA)
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