The highlights not to miss at Egypt's newest and largest museum, and how to make the most of your visit.
The Grand Egyptian Museum, often called the GEM, is the most important new museum in Egypt in generations. Set just a short distance from the Pyramids of Giza, it brings together tens of thousands of ancient artifacts in vast, modern galleries. Here's what not to miss and how to plan your visit.
Where is the Grand Egyptian Museum?
The museum stands on the edge of the Giza Plateau, within sight of the pyramids. That makes it easy to combine with a visit to the pyramids and the Sphinx on the same day, which is exactly how most of our tours plan it.
The colossal statue of Ramses II
Your visit begins in the soaring entrance hall, dominated by a colossal granite statue of Ramses II, more than 3,000 years old and over 11 metres tall. It's one of the most impressive first impressions of any museum in the world.
The Grand Staircase
From the entrance hall, the Grand Staircase climbs through the building, lined with statues of kings, queens and gods from across ancient Egypt's long history. At the top, large windows frame a view toward the pyramids, connecting the treasures inside with the monuments outside.
Tutankhamun's treasures
For many visitors, the highlight is the Tutankhamun collection. For the first time, the treasures found in the young king's tomb are displayed together, from his famous golden mask to his chariots, jewelry, golden shrines and everyday objects. Seeing them together gives a vivid picture of the burial of a pharaoh.
Plenty more to explore
Beyond the headline displays, the main galleries trace Egyptian civilization through the ages, with sculpture, jewelry, coffins and objects from daily life. The museum also displays one of Khufu's ancient solar boats, a remarkable wooden vessel buried beside the Great Pyramid thousands of years ago.
Tips for your visit
Allow at least half a day, and more if you're a keen history lover. Arriving early helps you enjoy the most popular galleries before they get busy. Wear comfortable shoes, since the museum is enormous. Visiting with an Egyptologist guide makes a real difference: they bring the objects to life and help you find the highlights in a building this size.
Tours that include the Grand Egyptian Museum
Nearly all our Egypt tours include a guided visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, usually together with the Pyramids of Giza. Popular choices include Wonders of the Nile, Egypt's Living Heritage, Escape to Egypt and The Royal Nile. Not sure how long to stay in Egypt? Read our guide to how many days you need.
