Office Address
Amayr El Watanya, Akher Faisal Building No. 13, Apartment No. 27, 6th Floor.
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+201026563967
Email Address
Reservation@magicegypttours.com
Amayr El Watanya, Akher Faisal Building No. 13, Apartment No. 27, 6th Floor.
+201026563967
Reservation@magicegypttours.com
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Discover the fascinating history of the Pyramids of Giza, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx. Learn why these ancient monuments were built, who built them, and why they remain among Egypt’s most remarkable archaeological treasures.
Blog – Magic Egypt Tours
Discover the best places to visit in Egypt, from ancient pyramids and temples to Nile cities, desert landscapes, and Red Sea beaches. Find the top destinations for your first Egypt trip.
Blog – Magic Egypt Tours
What Is the Grand Egyptian Museum? Everything You Need to Know Reading Time: 5 minutes 7 If you are planning a trip to Egypt, you have probably heard about the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Located near the Pyramids of Giza, the museum is one of the most important cultural landmarks in modern Egypt and the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. But what exactly is inside the Grand Egyptian Museum? How many ancient Egyptian artifacts does it contain? And which treasures should you make sure not to miss? Here is everything you need to know before visiting. What Is the Grand Egyptian Museum? The Grand Egyptian Museum, commonly known as GEM, is a major archaeological museum dedicated to the civilization of ancient Egypt. The museum tells the story of Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times through the Greek and Roman periods. Its collection includes thousands of objects covering different periods of ancient Egyptian history, allowing visitors to see how Egyptian art, religion, daily life and royal culture developed over thousands of years. One of the museum's biggest advantages is its location. It stands close to the Giza Pyramids, creating an opportunity to combine two of Egypt's most important archaeological experiences in one visit. The museum itself is also designed as part of the experience, combining ancient Egyptian heritage with modern architecture and museum technology. How Many Artifacts Are in the Grand Egyptian Museum? The Grand Egyptian Museum houses more than 57,000 archaeological artifacts representing different periods of Egyptian history. The collection covers an exceptionally long timeline, from prehistoric periods to the end of the Greek and Roman period in Egypt. However, one collection attracts particular attention from international visitors: the treasures of King Tutankhamun. The Tutankhamun Galleries bring together more than 5,000 artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun, allowing visitors to experience the treasures of the young pharaoh together in one dedicated museum experience. This is especially significant because Tutankhamun's tomb, discovered in 1922, contained an extraordinary collection of royal funerary objects, furniture, jewelry and other treasures. 5 What Are the Most Famous Things to See at the Grand Egyptian Museum? The museum contains thousands of objects, but several attractions stand out immediately. 1. The Hanging Obelisk of Ramesses II One of the first objects visitors encounter is the Hanging Obelisk of King Ramesses II. The granite obelisk dates to the New Kingdom and is approximately 16 meters high and weighs about 87 tons. It was originally erected at Tanis in the eastern Nile Delta. What makes it particularly unusual is the way it has been elevated on a platform, allowing visitors to see the royal cartouches carved on its lower section. The museum describes it as the first elevated obelisk in Egypt and places it in the large piazza in front of the main entrance. 6 2. The Colossal Statue of Ramesses II Inside the Grand Hall, visitors are welcomed by the enormous statue of King Ramesses II. The granite statue stands approximately 11.35 meters high and originally stood at the temple of the god Ptah in Memphis. The statue is particularly impressive because of its scale. Visitors can stand beneath it and appreciate the enormous size and craftsmanship of royal Egyptian sculpture. 5 3. The Grand Stairs The Grand Stairs are another major part of the museum experience. The staircase features 59 archaeological artifacts, including royal statues, stelae, columns and sarcophagi. Rather than simply functioning as a way to move between levels, the Grand Stairs were designed as an exhibition experience, allowing visitors to encounter monumental ancient Egyptian objects while moving through the museum. 4. The Treasures of Tutankhamun For many visitors, the highlight of the Grand Egyptian Museum is the Tutankhamun Galleries. The galleries explore different aspects of the young king's life and burial, including his discovery, identity, funeral equipment, daily life and journey to the afterlife. Among the collection are famous objects associated with Tutankhamun, including the Golden Burial Mask, funerary equipment, furniture, jewelry and the four golden canopic coffinettes. The museum's official collection describes the canopic coffinettes as miniature coffins made of solid gold and decorated with colorful inlays. They were used to hold the king's mummified internal organs. 6 5. Khufu's Boat Another major attraction is the Khufu's Boats Museum. King Khufu is the pharaoh associated with the Great Pyramid of Giza, and one of the ancient boats connected with his funerary complex was transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2021. The transfer was carefully carried out using specially designed wooden and metal frames to protect the ancient vessel. For travelers visiting the Pyramids, seeing the boat at GEM adds another dimension to the story of the Fourth Dynasty and the construction of the Giza complex. 6 When Did the Grand Egyptian Museum Open? The Grand Egyptian Museum officially opened on November 1, 2025. The opening ceremony was attended by international leaders and delegations, marking a major moment for Egypt's cultural and tourism sector. However, visitors had already experienced selected parts of the museum during earlier partial and trial openings. The Grand Stairs opened partially in 2023, while some of the Main Galleries were partially opened in 2024 before the museum's official inauguration. So if you see older articles saying that the museum had not yet opened, check their publication date. The situation changed significantly with the official opening in November 2025. Why Is the Grand Egyptian Museum Important? The importance of GEM goes beyond its size. For the first time, visitors can experience a huge collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts within a purpose-built museum located just a short distance from the Pyramids of Giza. The museum also presents the ancient Egyptian civilization chronologically and thematically, helping visitors understand the objects rather than simply seeing them as isolated antiquities. It is particularly valuable for first-time visitors to Egypt because it provides historical context before or after visiting sites such as the Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis, Luxor and Aswan. How Long Do You Need at the Grand Egyptian Museum? If you want to see the main highlights without rushing, allow at least half a day. Travelers who are especially interested in archaeology, ancient Egyptian history or the Tutankhamun collection may want considerably more time. A well-planned Cairo itinerary can combine the museum with the Giza Pyramids, allowing you to experience the artifacts and then see the monumental landscape they belong to. The museum's official visitor information currently lists the galleries as open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended gallery hours until 9:00 PM on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Travelers should check the official website before visiting because opening arrangements can change. Is the Grand Egyptian Museum Worth Visiting? For anyone interested in ancient Egypt, the answer is straightforward: yes. But even travelers who are not archaeology specialists can enjoy the museum because its most impressive objects are presented at a scale that makes the experience easy to appreciate. The combination of monumental statues, the Grand Stairs, Tutankhamun's treasures, the Hanging Obelisk and Khufu's Boat makes GEM one of the most significant stops on a modern Egypt itinerary. If you are visiting Cairo for the first time, combining the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids of Giza is one of the best ways to connect the objects inside the museum with the monuments still standing outside it. Plan Your Egypt Journey If you prefer to explore the Grand Egyptian Museum with a private Egyptologist and comfortable transportation, Magic Egypt Tours can design a personalized Cairo and Giza experience around your interests and travel dates.
Blog – Magic Egypt Tours
Discover the best places to visit in Old Cairo, from historic mosques and churches to Al-Muizz Street, Khan El-Khalili, Fustat, and the Citadel of Salah Al-Din.
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Discover the Valley Temple of Khafre at Giza, its ancient architecture, granite pillars, connection to the Great Sphinx, famous statues, history, and visitor information.
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Discover the Aswan High Dam, its history, Lake Nasser, hydroelectric power, impact on agriculture, Nubian communities, and role in saving ancient Egyptian monuments.
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Discover Philae Temple in Aswan, one of Egypt's most beautiful ancient temples, dedicated to Isis and famous for its island setting, mythology, architecture, and dramatic rescue from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
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Discover Kom Ombo Temple near Aswan, a unique double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus, famous for its ancient reliefs, crocodile museum, and spectacular Nile-side location.
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Discover Edfu Temple, one of Egypt's best-preserved ancient temples, dedicated to Horus and famous for its monumental pylon, detailed reliefs, hieroglyphs, and fascinating mythology.
