Grand Egyptian Museum: Uncover Ancient Egyptian Treasures

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is now the world’s largest archaeological museum, and it lives up to the hype. Situated on the edge of the Giza Plateau with the pyramids visible from its grounds, the GEM houses over 100,000 artifacts—including the complete Tutankhamun collection displayed together for the first time in history.

We have been bringing guests here since the soft opening, and the reaction is always the same: people plan for two hours and stay for four. The scale of the building, the quality of the displays, and the sheer density of significant artifacts make it one of the most impressive museum experiences anywhere in the world. Here is what you need to know before you go.

Practical Information: Tickets, Hours, and Getting There

General Admission	600 EGP (~$20 USD) for foreigners, 200 EGP for Egyptian nationals
Tutankhamun Galleries (extra)	400 EGP additional
Combined (Museum + Pyramids)	Check the ticket office for current bundle pricing
Opening Hours	Saturday–Thursday: 9 AM – 7 PM, Friday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Time Needed	3–4 hours minimum (the Tutankhamun galleries alone take 1.5–2 hours)
Best Time to Visit	Weekday mornings (9–11 AM) have the smallest crowds. Friday evenings are also good.
Location	Al Remaya Square, Giza — 2 km from the Pyramids, about 30 minutes from central Cairo by car
Getting There	Taxi/Uber from Cairo (30–45 min), Sphinx International Airport (5 min), or combine with a Pyramids visit

Insider tip: Buy tickets online in advance when available to skip the queue. If you plan to visit the Pyramids on the same day, do the museum first thing in the morning (it is air-conditioned) and the pyramids in the late afternoon when the light is best for photos and the heat has eased.

What to Expect Inside

The museum is organized chronologically across 12 main galleries, starting with the Predynastic period and ending with the Greco-Roman era. The Grand Staircase is the dramatic centerpiece—a massive atrium featuring colossal statues of pharaohs arranged from oldest to newest as you ascend. The 11-meter Ramses II statue greets you at the entrance.

The Tutankhamun galleries occupy an entire wing and display all 5,398 objects from his tomb for the first time in one place. In the old Egyptian Museum downtown, only about a third of these were on display. Seeing the full collection—from his golden shrine to his underwear—gives a completely different understanding of who this young king was and how he lived.

Beyond the artifacts, the museum includes VR experiences, a children’s museum, conservation labs with viewing windows (you can watch restorers at work), and landscaped gardens with views of the pyramids. There are also restaurants and a large gift shop.

10 Must-See Treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum has a huge collection of ancient Egyptian relics. You can see the complete King Tutankhamun collection here. It’s a chance to see some of the most important artifacts in Egyptian history up close.

Here are the top 10 treasures you won’t want to miss:

1- The Golden Death Mask of Tutankhamun

Crafted from solid gold and inlaid with lapis lazuli, carnelian, obsidian, and turquoise, this iconic funerary mask once covered the face of the boy king Tutankhamun. With intricate detailing of divine symbols, such as the false beard and nemes headdress bearing the cobra and vulture, it was meant to transform the young pharaoh into a god in the afterlife. Beyond its breathtaking beauty, the mask remains a symbol of ancient Egyptian beliefs about death, rebirth, and eternal life.

2- The Complete Collection of Tutankhamun’s Treasures

Discovered intact by Howard Carter in 1922, the tomb of Tutankhamun revealed over 5,000 objects, each telling a story about life, power, and death in the 18th Dynasty. From his golden throne and alabaster perfume jars to ceremonial beds shaped like sacred animals and ornate chariots used in battle or processions, the collection is the most complete royal burial ever found. It offers an unprecedented glimpse into ancient Egyptian craftsmanship, daily life, and spiritual practices.

3-The Statue of Ramses II

Standing over 10 meters tall and carved from a single block of red granite, this colossal statue of Ramses II once adorned the entrance of a grand temple. Depicted with idealized features and a serene yet commanding expression, it emphasized his divine authority and status as a living god. Ramses II ruled for over 60 years and led monumental building projects across Egypt—this statue embodies his legacy as a military leader, builder, and deity.

4. The Solar Barge of Khufu

Constructed from cedar wood and measuring over 40 meters long, the solar boat of Pharaoh Khufu was found dismantled and buried near the Great Pyramid. Experts believe it served a symbolic purpose: to carry the pharaoh across the heavens with the sun god Ra in the afterlife. Ingeniously built without nails, using a “sewn” technique with ropes and planks, the boat reflects ancient Egypt’s advanced engineering and religious imagination from over 4,600 years ago.

5. The Vulture Goddess Nekhbet Collar

This elegant ceremonial collar, shaped like a vulture with wings spread wide, represents the goddess Nekhbet, protector of Upper Egypt and the pharaoh. Made from gold, faience, and semi-precious stones, the necklace would have been worn during rituals or burials to ensure divine protection. Its symbolism extends beyond decoration—it was a spiritual safeguard for kings and queens, reinforcing their sacred connection to the gods and their dual rule over Upper and Lower Egypt.

6. Tutankhamun’s Tunic and Other Clothing Items

Among the treasures of his tomb were linen garments of remarkable delicacy and design—tunics with pleats, leather sandals with gold overlays, gloves, and even intimate garments. These preserved pieces show the sophistication of textile work in the New Kingdom and provide rare insight into royal fashion, comfort, and aesthetics. Every piece was custom-made for the young king and reflects the ceremonial and practical roles of clothing in both life and death.

7. The Armor of Tutankhamun

Though Tutankhamun ruled at a young age and may not have seen battle, his tomb included ceremonial armor fit for a warrior king. Made from gilded leather and decorated with embossed patterns and protective symbols, these pieces project an image of strength and valor. The armor reflects how pharaohs were not only divine rulers but also protectors of Ma’at—the cosmic order—through military might, even if symbolically represented.

8. The Statues of the Elite of the King

These life-sized and miniature statues of priests, scribes, military commanders, and royal advisers reflect the hierarchical structure of ancient Egyptian society. Carved in limestone, granite, or painted wood, they often accompanied tombs to ensure the continued service of these individuals in the afterlife. Their detailed features, postures, and inscriptions offer scholars valuable clues about fashion, titles, and social roles in the New Kingdom and earlier dynasties.

9. Artifacts from the Third Intermediate Period

Spanning from 1069 to 664 BCE, this era was marked by political fragmentation but also rich religious and artistic continuity. Artifacts from this period include elaborately painted coffins, bronze statuettes of gods, and magical amulets. Despite the decline in centralized power, these pieces show how religious devotion persisted and adapted. The art style became more expressive, reflecting both regional influences and a deep concern for the afterlife.

10. Graeco-Roman Artifacts

From the reign of Alexander the Great to the fall of Roman rule, Egypt witnessed a cultural blend that gave birth to unique artistic forms. These artifacts—marble statues with Egyptian motifs, coins inscribed in Greek, pottery with mixed symbolism, and jewelry that combined Roman luxury with Egyptian protection symbols—tell the story of a cosmopolitan Egypt. They represent a rich period of religious syncretism and cultural fusion that shaped late antiquity.

Combining the GEM with the Pyramids of Giza

The GEM and the Pyramids are practically next door—about a 5-minute drive apart. Most of our guests combine them in a single day, and it works well with the right schedule:

• 8:30–12:00 — Grand Egyptian Museum (arrive at opening, start with Tutankhamun galleries, then work through the chronological halls)
• 12:00–13:00 — Lunch at the museum’s restaurant or a nearby spot
• 13:30–16:30 — Pyramids and Sphinx (the afternoon light is ideal for photographs, and crowds thin out after 2 PM)
• Evening option — Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids (starts at sunset)

Our Cairo day tours include this exact combination with an Egyptologist guide who connects what you see in the museum to what you see at the pyramids. It makes both experiences much richer.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Grand Egyptian Museum

How much does it cost to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum?

General admission is 600 EGP (approximately $20 USD) for international visitors. The Tutankhamun galleries require an additional 400 EGP ticket. Egyptian nationals pay reduced rates. Children under 6 enter free.

How long do you need at the Grand Egyptian Museum?

Plan for at least 3–4 hours. The Tutankhamun galleries alone require 1.5–2 hours to see properly. History enthusiasts who want to explore all 12 galleries should allow a full day.

Can you visit the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids in one day?

Yes, and most visitors do. The museum is only 2 km from the Giza Pyramid complex. Start at the museum in the morning when it opens (9 AM), then visit the Pyramids in the afternoon. A guided tour makes this combination seamless.

Is the Grand Egyptian Museum worth visiting?

Absolutely. It is the world’s largest archaeological museum, with over 100,000 artifacts including the complete Tutankhamun collection—all 5,398 objects displayed together for the first time. The building itself is architecturally stunning, and the proximity to the Pyramids makes it a must-visit on any Cairo itinerary.

Ready to explore? Book a guided Cairo day tour that combines the Grand Egyptian Museum with the Pyramids of Giza, or browse our Egypt travel packages for complete itineraries. You can also customize your own tour to spend as much time at the museum as you like.