2025-07-17

The Grand Egyptian Museum is finally open

Here's a brief look at what's inside:

For over a decade, travelers planning trips to Egypt have been crossing their fingers, hoping their visit would coincide with the Grand Egyptian Museum’s long-awaited debut. First slated to open in 2012, the GEM became something of a mirage, with travel agents frequently warning their clients not to get their hopes up, as the opening date seemed to be indefinitely pushed-back.

But now that the GEM is fully open to the public, was it worth the wait?

Aside from being the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization, a visit to the museum is worthwhile alone for its star attraction: The Tutankhamun Gallery. For the first time since Howard Carter uncovered the tomb in 1922, over 5,000 treasures from King Tut’s tomb are now on display together in the same place, including the iconic Golden Burial Mask. Another highlight is Pharaoh Khufu’s Solar Boat, which was discovered buried near the Great Pyramids. Measuring at 142 ft long, this masterpiece of ancient engineering is now on display in its new home after being moved from its original museum next to the Pyramids.

Fittingly located less than a mile from the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum is an ambitious architectural feat. It’s sleek and open interior even offers unobstructed views of the Great Pyramids nearby, almost as if they were another display in one of it’s galleries.

Upon entering the Grand Hall, you are greeted by a massive statue of Ramesses II, over 3,000 years old. The galleries are divided into three thematic areas: Society, Kingship, and Belief. Each section is arranged chronologically, guiding you through the evolution of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Around 2–3 hours is usually a comfortable amount of time to take in the highlights, although it’s very much subject to preference.

The museum houses over 100,000 artifacts in total, many of which have been moved there from across Egypt and taken out of storage where they were hidden from public view. The museum was also designed to support ongoing research and conservation efforts, with dedicated facilities for scholars and archaeologists.

Importantly, the GEM isn’t intended to replace the century-old Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, which itself is an important part of the nation’s history. That institution will remain open in conjunction with the GEM and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, which houses the remarkable Royal Mummies Gallery.