What You Need to Know About the Grand Egyptian Museum

Home to a wide assortment of spectacular artifacts, Egypt is a dazzling destination full of temples, tombs and some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. And if you happen to be an avid fan of the Egyptology, here’s a recent addition to the already mind-blowing list of highlights of the ‘Land of the Pharaohs’ — The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Nestled in the close proximity to the Pyramids of Giza, this marvelous art gallery strives to be a world-famous attraction that will not only contribute to Cairo’s tourism but also its economy.

While this grand museum is still under construction and expected to be completed in 2023, here is all the information you need for your special visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum:

Location and Historical Significance of GEM

The much anticipated and talked about Cairo hotspot, the Grand Egyptian Museum is nestled 2 kilometers inside the legendary pyramids of Giza. With magnificent monuments dating back to a long time ago, the museum complex is spread around 480,000 square meters and is nominated by the UNESCO for the World Cultural Heritage sites. All in all, the Grand museum is not just your gateway to the past but also the junction between the dry desert and fertile floodplain thanks to its central location in Cairo!

Design of the Grand Egyptian Museum

Mastercrafted to serve the ancient Egyptology center for the next 100 years, the GEM is shaped like a chamfered triangle, and built on the difference in level to create a new ‘edge’ to the existing plateau. While the entrance to the grand structure boasts of a series of striking layers comprising a forecourt, it will welcome visitors into a shaded entrance area with a grand staircase that rise above to the plateau level, where for the first time they see a glimpse of the pyramids from within the museum and unveil the galleries.

Did you know? The entrance hall comprises of a latticework of stone triangles held by strong, sturdy structures prepared from 1,340t of MSH sections

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Avant-Garde Features of the Grand Egyptian Museum

Envisaged as the cultural complex of activities dedicated to the ancient Egypt, the museum takes immense pride in its 24,000m² of permanent exhibition space, which is almost the size of 4 football fields. This humongous arts center will also showcase five galleries hosting the complete Tutankhamen collection, an atrium with the statue of Ramses II, a children’s museum and a large conservation centre with distinct laboratories for cleaning, sorting and refurbishing the artefacts.

In fact, one of the most alluring features of the GEM will be an 800-seater auditorium-cum-conference center with a large shaded courtyard next to it. What’s more; it is adorned with an 800m long translucent stone wall that rises to a height of 40m in places, letting visitors discover the sheltered space behind. In fact, the wall is extraordinarily illuminated by the vivid lighting schemes of the main building, which adds an extra dose of charm to the desert landscape in the night.

Honorable Mentions: Nearby, the areas of soft landscaping will be house restaurants, ticketing centers and outdoor leisure areas embellished with internal circulation and access roads winding between them.

What to expect on your visit to Grand Egyptian Museum

On your arrival at the Grand Egyptian Museum, you can expect to kickstart your journey back in ancient Egyptian times while moving through a large plaza adorned with beautiful date plants. Soon after, you’ll be warmly welcomed by a series of giant statues brought in from several sites across Egypt and never been on display before. In fact, you’d notice one-third of the museum complex covered by the exhibition featuring about 50,000 artifacts dating to a variety of periods in Egypt’s history —making it largest archaeological museum in the world.

While the entire museum is especially designed to impress, it is the exhibit dedicated to King Tutankhamun, which is expected to be the largest attraction of the GEM. With the Mummy of Tutankhamen anticipated to shift from his tomb in Valley of Kings to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the authorities boast that the visitors can closely associate themselves as a part of the King Tut’s funeral procession.

With two galleries especially dedicated to the relics of King Tut, the idea is to make the exhibition an immersive experience where visitors can step into his life and have an inside look at his lifestyle including how he ate, dressed, and ruled! What’s more; one can also catch the glimpse of the Great Pyramids, since one of the walls will be made of glass.

Experience the Grand Egyptian Museum with Memphis Tours

While you’re all welcome to explore the beautiful city of Cairo and mark your attendance at the Grand Egyptian museum, it is highly recommended you book a tour for an organized and hassle-free experience. In addition to ensuring that you can enjoy the sight of each of those 100,000 relics and artifacts at your pace, at Memphis tours we make sure that you don’t miss anything important and cherish memories for a lifetime.

Is the museum open to visitors at the moment?

While the Grand Egyptian Museum prepares for its highly anticipated grand opening on November 1, 2025, visitors can already enjoy a unique preview of what’s to come. Though still under construction, parts of the museum are partially open, allowing guests to explore completed galleries and witness the fascinating process of artifact restoration up close — an exclusive opportunity to watch Egypt’s ancient treasures being revived before the grand reveal.

1. When will the Grand Egyptian Museum officially open?

You’ll be thrilled to know that the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to officially open on November 1, 2025, with a spectacular ceremony the whole world is waiting for.

2. Where exactly is the Grand Egyptian Museum located?

You can find the museum on the Giza Plateau, just 2 kilometers from the Great Pyramids of Giza, offering an incredible backdrop that connects the ancient and the modern.

3. What can I see inside the Grand Egyptian Museum?

You’ll explore over 100,000 ancient artifacts, including massive statues, royal treasures, mummies, and the entire collection of King Tutankhamun’s belongings displayed together for the first time.

4. What makes the Grand Egyptian Museum different from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir?

You’ll notice the GEM is larger, more modern, and designed with advanced technology for display and preservation, while the Tahrir Museum remains a historical classic in downtown Cairo.

5. who designed grand egyptian museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum was designed by Heneghan Peng Architects, an Irish architectural firm based in Dublin. Their design was chosen in an international competition held in 2003, standing out for its modern vision that harmonizes with the pyramids of Giza while celebrating Egypt’s timeless heritage.

6. How can I visit the Grand Egyptian Museum?

You can visit the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, near the Pyramids Plateau, just outside Cairo. While the official grand opening is scheduled for November 1, 2025, parts of the museum are already partially open to visitors, allowing you to explore completed galleries and witness artifact restoration in progress. Once fully open, you’ll be able to book tickets online through the museum’s official website or authorized travel agencies for a seamless experience.

7. What are the main sections or galleries inside the museum?

You can explore five dedicated galleries to King Tutankhamun, alongside sections for prehistoric, Pharaonic, and Greco-Roman artifacts, plus a children’s museum and conservation center.

8. What facilities are available for visitors inside the museum?

You’ll enjoy modern visitor amenities like restaurants, cafés, shops, shaded courtyards, and even an 800-seat auditorium for cultural events and lectures. You’ll enjoy modern visitor amenities like restaurants, cafés, shops, shaded courtyards, and even an 800-seat auditorium for cultural events and lectures.

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What You Need to Know About the Grand Egyptian Museum

Location and Historical Significance of GEM

Design of the Grand Egyptian Museum

Customize Your Dream Vacation!

Avant-Garde Features of the Grand Egyptian Museum

What to expect on your visit to Grand Egyptian Museum

Experience the Grand Egyptian Museum with Memphis Tours

Is the museum open to visitors at the moment?

Plan Your Trip!

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