The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a project spanning over three decades, has now fully opened its doors to visitors. Located near the Giza pyramids, the museum aims to revolutionize how ancient Egyptian artifacts are displayed and experienced. It has already welcomed approximately 19,000 visitors daily since its opening.
Key Takeaways
- The Grand Egyptian Museum officially opened on November 4, 2025, after 33 years of development.
- It houses all 5,398 artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb, reunited for the first time.
- The museum cost an estimated £915 million, making it one of the most expensive museums globally.
- Its design aligns with the Giza pyramids, offering stunning views and a sense of ascending into Egypt's past.
- Beyond the GEM, Egypt has opened or renovated several other significant museums, including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria.
A Long-Awaited Unveiling
The journey to open the Grand Egyptian Museum has been a long one. First announced 33 years ago, with the foundation stone laid 23 years ago, and serious construction beginning 20 years ago, the museum faced numerous delays. Global financial crises, political events, and the COVID-19 pandemic all contributed to the extended timeline.
The full opening on November 4 holds historical significance. It coincides with the date in 1922 when Howard Carter's team discovered the steps leading to Tutankhamun's tomb. This deliberate timing highlights the museum's central focus on the boy pharaoh's treasures.
GEM by the Numbers
- Cost: Approximately £915 million
- Construction Time: Over 20 years of serious construction
- Daily Visitors: Around 19,000 since opening
- Tutankhamun Objects: 5,398 items reunited
- Collection Span: Over 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history
Architectural Vision and Visitor Experience
Dublin-based architects Heneghan Peng designed the GEM. Their vision aligns the museum with the three great Giza pyramids. The building uses the natural elevation of the Giza plateau, creating a sense of ascent towards Egypt's ancient past.
The main entrance portal is clad in alabaster, a material widely used by ancient Egyptians. However, some initial impressions suggest that certain large spaces, like the main hall, can feel overwhelming. The colossal statue of Ramses II, for instance, appears almost dwarfed by the sheer scale of the surroundings, which also include various shops and food outlets.
The Solar Boat of Khufu
A dedicated side building houses Pharaoh Khufu's solar boat. This 43-meter-long vessel, made of Lebanese cedarwood and held together with ropes, is fully seaworthy. It was discovered in a pit at the foot of the Great Pyramid.
Despite its impressive size and beauty, some feel its new home slightly diminishes its impact. The boat's papyrus-shaped prow rises majestically but seems uncomfortably close to the ceiling within the exhibit space.
"The sheer gobsmacking beauty of just about everything takes the breath away and brings tears to the eyes. It feels good to witness this splendor that reaches across millennia to us, partly I think because so much of it is all too human."
Treasures of Tutankhamun
The highlight of the Grand Egyptian Museum is undoubtedly the newly opened Tutankhamun galleries. For the first time since Howard Carter excavated the tomb in 1922, all 5,398 objects are reunited and displayed together. This collection offers an unparalleled glimpse into the life and death of the young pharaoh.
Visitors can see linen underwear worn by Tutankhamun, wreaths of olive, willow, celery, cornflowers, and blue lilies placed on his body. A reed staff inscribed with "His Majesty selected and cut with his own hands" is also on display. Even a jar of wine, labeled "very good shedeh [red wine] of the Estate of Aten in the Western River" and bearing the vintner's name, Khay, provides a personal connection to the past.
The galleries feature brilliant lighting and informative panels. These elements enhance the experience, making the extensive collection both engaging and educational. The sheer amount of gold and the iconic burial mask draw large crowds, with many visitors eager to capture a selfie with the boy king's treasures.
Planning Your Visit
The GEM is vast, so visitors should plan to spend a full day exploring. Conveniently, you can exit the galleries for coffee or lunch. Taxis and Uber are the best ways to reach the museum, as a planned metro line is not yet complete. The museum offers something for everyone, including a dedicated children's museum and various shopping opportunities for jewelry and sweets.
Beyond the GEM: Egypt's Other Museum Wonders
While the Grand Egyptian Museum takes center stage, Egypt has also invested in other cultural sites. Several museums have recently opened or reopened after significant renovations, offering diverse historical perspectives.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Cairo
Opened in 2021, this museum provides a comprehensive overview of Egyptian history. It gained international attention during a spectacular parade that transported royal mummies from the old Egyptian Museum to their new home here. The collection spans from the Old Kingdom (3rd millennium BC) through the New Kingdom, extending to Greek, Roman, Christian, and Islamic periods.
Highlights include the gilded sarcophagus of Nedjemankh, repatriated from New York, and a 14th-century BC alabaster water clock used to track nighttime hours. The royal mummies, belonging to some of Egypt's most famous rulers, are displayed on the lower floor.
The Egyptian Museum, Cairo
The original Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, opened in 1902, remains a crucial site despite many of its treasures moving to the GEM. It still houses one of the world's most important collections of Egyptian antiquities. Visitors can explore predynastic objects, including ivory stick figures and the Narmer Palette, which marks the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Other notable exhibits include a statue and tiled wall from the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and lifelike statues of Prince Rahotep and his wife, Nofret. The treasures of Tutankhamun's great-grandparents, Yuya and Thuya, now fill the space once occupied by the boy king's artifacts, offering another glimpse into ancient royal wealth.
Imhotep Museum, Giza
Located at Saqqara, this museum reopened in December 2023 after flood damage. It offers an excellent introduction to Old Kingdom art, particularly for those visiting the Step Pyramid. The collection includes fragments from the tunnels beneath the pyramid, such as exquisite stone vessels and tiles. It also features King Merenre I, the oldest known royal mummy from the 23rd century BC, and a plaster funeral mask of a man named Senu, dating back 4,000 years.
Graeco-Roman Museum, Alexandria
After closing in 2005, Alexandria's Graeco-Roman Museum reopened in 2023. This enlarged building showcases a world-class collection of Greco-Roman art, reflecting the long history of trade and cultural exchange between Egypt and Greece. The exhibits highlight both distinct Greek and Roman figures and those that blend cultures, such as the Egyptian goddess Isis, who was worshipped by Greeks and Romans alike. The museum brilliantly illustrates Alexandria's identity as a crossroads of civilizations.
