The Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza opened on November 4, 2025. Learn about the exhibits, opening hours, tickets, routes and the main treasures of the GEM

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November 4, 2025 is a historic day for Egypt: after more than two decades of planning and construction, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) officially opened to visitors. The complex is unique, as it is the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization, located just a few kilometers from the Great Pyramids of Giza. The huge modern museum combines ancient history with innovative technology and is set to become a new center of attraction for millions of tourists.

Our guide contains a lot of practical information for tourists planning to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, as well as a little history and features of the complex.

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Is the Grand Egyptian Museum open?

From November 1 to 3, 2025, an official VIP opening ceremony was held, only for world leaders, presidents, dignitaries and cultural figures. This is a closed event by invitation.

November 4, 2025 is the grand opening to the public. On this day, for the first time, visitors can explore the entire museum with all available galleries.

This historic date marks the 103rd anniversary of Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb on November 4, 1922. .

Photo –egypttoursportal.com

Where is the Grand Egyptian Museum?

The museum is located on the Giza Plateau, next to the pyramids, Cairo, Egypt.

- Address: Cairo - Alexandria Desert Rd, Kafr Nassar, Al Haram, Giza Governorate 3513204, Egypt.

Grand Egyptian Museum Opening Hours

The Grand Egyptian Museum has a convenient opening hours that allow visitors to plan their day to combine a visit to the Giza Pyramids with an introduction to the museum’s exhibits.

- The GEM complex (territory, shopping areas, restaurants and open spaces) is open from 08:30 to 19:00.

- The museum galleries are open from 09:00 to 18:00, and the last ticket can be purchased until 17:00.

Starting from November 4, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the museum operates in the evening mode:

- Complex - from 08:30 to 22:00,

- Galleries - from 09:00 to 21:00,

- Last ticket - until 20:00.

This schedule is especially convenient for those who plan to visit the pyramids first and then spend a few quiet hours in the museum when the heat subsides. We recommend always checking the official GEM ticket page, as opening hours may vary depending on the date or special events.

Where to buy tickets to the Grand Egyptian Museum?

You can buy tickets online, on the official GEM website.

It is recommended to book in advance, especially in the first weeks after opening - a large flow of tourists is expected.

The website offers different categories: standard admission, access to the Tutankhamun exhibition, as well as special guided tours.

Bank cards are widely accepted; if your card does not work online, try a different card or a different browser/session.

How to get to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo?

The most convenient way to get to the Grand Egyptian Museum is by Uber or taxi, or by hiring a driver, or by joining a tour.

How to get to the Grand Egyptian Museum from different cities in Egypt

You can visit the museum not only from Cairo - it is easy to get here from Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Luxor or Aswan. Choose a route that suits your schedule and budget.

From Hurghada

The most convenient is a morning flight to Cairo, then a transfer to Giza (30-60 minutes). After visiting the museum, you can see the Pyramids and the Sphinx and return in the evening.

By car - about 6 hours one way. It is optimal to plan a trip with a driver or guide and stay overnight in Cairo.

Tip: arrive at the GEM 15-30 minutes before your visit time and leave a margin for traffic jams.

From Marsa Alam

The best option is a flight via Cairo with an overnight stay: the first day is the museum and the Pyramids, the second is the Museum of Civilization or Old Cairo.

By car - 7-8 hours on the way. It is better to plan a stop or overnight stay.

Tip: if you are short on time, first visit the GEM, and then make a short photo stop near the Pyramids.

From Luxor

Quick and comfortable - an early flight to Cairo + private transfer (1-1.5 hours to the museum).

By train - a day or night option to Cairo/Giza, but it is wiser to stay in the capital overnight.

Itinerary for the day: GEM → lunch → Pyramids → evening flight or train back.

From Aswan

The most convenient option is a morning flight to Cairo. Upon arrival - a museum, lunch and a tour of the Pyramids.

The train is possible, but only suitable for those who plan to stay in Cairo.

Tip: If you arrive in the afternoon, it is better to visit the Pyramids first, and then the GEM - there are fewer tourists there in the afternoon.

Photo – nationalgeographic.com

How much time does it take to see the exhibition?

On average, a tour of the exhibits takes 3-4 hours to briefly see the sights. If you are a fan of deep immersion in history, plan to spend at least half a day in the museum.

The optimal route through the GEM exhibition for beginners

If this is your first time visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum, this route will help you see the main thing in 2.5-3 hours - without rushing, but with all the key impressions.

1. The Great Hall (10 min). Start with the atrium, where the colossal statue of Ramses II stands. This is the perfect place to get into the atmosphere of ancient Egypt and familiarize yourself with the museum map.

2. Tutankhamun’s Tomb (50–60 min). The real gem of the GEM is the complete collection of treasures of the young pharaoh. It is recommended to visit early in the morning or closer to closing time, when there are fewer visitors.

3. The Ridge of Civilizations (45 min). The main exhibition takes you through three key eras - the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms. This is the best way to see the evolution of art, architecture and religious ideas in Egypt.

4. Khufu’s Sun Boat (20–30 min). Finish your tour in the pavilion with the legendary sun boat of Pharaoh Cheops, which symbolizes his journey to the afterlife. One of the most impressive exhibits in the entire museum.

5. Cafe and museum shop (15–30 min). Before leaving, take a break – have a coffee, buy a souvenir or a postcard, enjoying the view of the Giza plateau.

Also combine a tour of the museum with the pyramids: the museum and Giza are located very close, which makes it possible to spend a whole day in the ancient heart of Egypt.

Is it possible to take pictures in the new Egyptian Museum?

Photography is not allowed everywhere – pay attention to the signs and always ask the staff if you are not sure.

A short checklist before going to the GEM

- E-ticket and QR code on your phone (also save an offline copy).

- Passport or ID.

- Comfortable shoes, light clothing, a hat and sunscreen.

- Power bank and a bottle of water.

- Arrive 30-45 minutes before the specified time to calmly pass the security check, especially in the first weeks after opening.

Visitor Amenities at the Grand Egyptian Museum

- Interactive digital displays and multimedia presentations.

- Virtual reality experiences of life in Ancient Egypt.

- Several restaurants and cafes overlooking the Nile and the pyramids.

- Children's Museum with interactive archaeological activities.

- Conference center and theaters for cultural events.

- Large souvenir shops with authentic Egyptian crafts.

- Landscaped gardens with native Egyptian plants.

Accessibility and Inclusion

The museum was designed with accessibility in mind. Wheelchair access is available throughout the complex, and specialized tours are offered for visitors with visual or hearing impairments.

Digital guides are available in 13 languages, ensuring that international visitors can fully appreciate the cultural significance of the exhibits.

The History of the Grand Egyptian Museum

The idea for the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) arose in the 1990s, when the old Egyptian Museum in the center of Cairo became too small for its priceless treasures. The new location was chosen next to the Giza Pyramids - to combine ancient grandeur and modern architecture.

The first preparatory work began in 2005, but the implementation of the project stretched for two decades. Financial difficulties, political events and the COVID-19 pandemic stood in the way. Ironically, the construction of this museum took almost as long as the construction of the Great Pyramid.

One of the most difficult stages of the project was a large-scale operation to transport more than 100,000 artifacts from museums and storage facilities throughout Egypt, which lasted from 2018 to 2024. This grand operation brought together hundreds of archaeologists, restorers and specialists from all over the world – with compliance with unique temperature, vibration and logistical standards.

After more than twenty years of preparation, the Grand Egyptian Museum has become a reality. Today, the Grand Egyptian Museum is not only the largest archaeological museum in the world, but also a symbol of modern Egypt, combining a thousand-year-old heritage with the technologies of the future.

Concept and design of the Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum has become a real architectural breakthrough of the 21st century. Its project, created by the Irish studio Heneghan Peng Architects, combined modern design with the symbolism of ancient Egypt. The large-scale building, made of glass and sandstone, organically fits into the landscape of Giza, forming a harmonious transition between modern Cairo and the centuries-old pyramids.

The most recognizable feature of the complex is its translucent facade, made of hundreds of thousands of triangular plates - a reference to the geometry of the pyramids. During the day, it lets in soft natural light, creating a calm atmosphere, and at night it turns into a shining beacon, visible even from the desert.

Photo – rics.org

Inside, visitors are greeted by a spacious atrium over 40 meters high, in the center of which stands a statue of Ramses II, over three thousand years old. It has become a symbol of the new museum, personifying the connection between the past and the present. From here begins a journey to the main galleries, covering more than seven thousand years of history.

Of particular note is the monumental grand staircase, along which dozens of ancient artifacts are located in chronological order. They lead guests “through time” - from the era of the first pharaohs to the Greco-Roman period.

The museum is surrounded by desert gardens, a verdant oasis of native plants, water features and open-air exhibition spaces. This landscape creates a natural buffer between the bustling city and the tranquility of Giza, while panoramic windows offer breathtaking views of the pyramids, enhancing the sense of being in the heart of the ancient world.

Unique Grand Egyptian Museum Exhibition

The Grand Egyptian Museum exhibition area is 470,000 square meters (approximately the size of 70 football fields). The GEM exhibition features more than 100,000 artifacts, covering about seven millennia of the country's history, most of which have never been exhibited before. Of particular interest is the entire contents of King Tutankhamun's intact tomb, which will be displayed together for the first time since its discovery by British Egyptologist Howard Carter. Among the exhibits are Tutankhamun's impressive gold mask, throne and chariot, more than 5,000 objects in total.

Other unique exhibits include: the 4,500-year-old boat of Pharaoh Cheops, who is credited with building the pyramids, statues of gods and queens, colossal sarcophagi, and interactive multimedia zones with a reconstruction of ancient Cairo.

On the top floor, through a huge window, you can enjoy a perfect view of the Giza pyramids - a nice bonus for all travelers.

A conservation center is also open for scientists and visitors, where you can watch the restoration process of artifacts live.

The huge museum complex, which costs about 1.2 billion dollars (1.1 billion euros), is expected to attract up to 8 million visitors annually, which will give a huge boost to Egyptian tourism.

Returning Egyptian treasures: why is this issue relevant again?

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum has once again revived the discussion about the return of ancient artifacts from abroad, which are an integral part of Egyptian heritage. Among them are world-famous monuments that are now stored in the world's leading museums: the Rosetta Stone in the British Museum, the Zodiac from the Temple of Hathor in the Louvre and the Bust of Nefertiti in Berlin.

The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799, became the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs and opened a new era in understanding ancient culture. The Dendera Zodiac, carved from the temple more than two centuries ago, is a unique celestial map that combines astronomy and Egyptian mythology. And the bust of Queen Nefertiti is one of the most famous images of ancient beauty and a symbol of Egyptian art.

According to experts, the creation of a modern world-class museum not only demonstrates the richness of the national collection, but also strengthens the arguments in favor of these priceless artifacts one day returning to their homeland.

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is not just a cultural event, but part of the national strategy for tourism development. According to forecasts by the Egyptian government, the opening of the GEM could increase the number of tourists to 20 million per year. This is a place where the past meets the future – and where the history of Ancient Egypt comes alive before your eyes.

If you’re planning a trip to Egypt – don’t miss the chance to be one of the first to see the largest museum collection in the ancient world!

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Reminder! Planning a trip and want to choose the perfect destination for your vacation? We’ve already told you why Egypt remains one of the most popular travel destinations in the world: from the pyramids of Giza and Luxor to the resorts of the Red Sea and oases in the middle of the desert.

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