Just two kilometres from the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation. Its huge glass-and-stone façade faces the Giza Plateau, and inside, thousands of years of history are displayed on a scale Egypt has never seen before. Here is how to make the most of a visit on your trip to Cairo.

Highlights of the Grand Egyptian Museum

The complete Tutankhamun collection

For the first time, the entire treasure of the boy king is shown together, more than 5,000 objects. They include the famous golden mask, his gilded shrines, chariots, jewellery and everyday belongings. Give yourself at least two hours for these galleries alone.

The colossal statue of Ramses II

The 3,200-year-old granite statue of Ramses II, which once stood in a busy Cairo square, now greets visitors in the museum’s grand atrium.

The Grand Staircase

Lined with dozens of royal statues and sarcophagi, the six-storey Grand Staircase leads up to the main galleries. Big windows at the top frame a view of the Pyramids.

Khufu’s solar boat

The 4,500-year-old cedar-wood boat buried beside the Great Pyramid was moved from Giza to the museum. It is now displayed in its own dedicated hall.

Tips for Visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum

  • Book ahead: tickets are timed, and some galleries need a separate ticket.
  • Plan half a day: the museum is vast, so pick your priorities before you go.
  • Go with an Egyptologist: a guide helps you find the masterpieces and explains the stories behind them.
  • Take a break: the museum has cafés, shops and outdoor gardens with views towards the Pyramids.

Combine the Museum with the Pyramids

Because the museum sits on the edge of the Memphis and Giza necropolis, it pairs naturally with a visit to the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Our Giza Pyramids & Egyptian Museum day tour covers both. End the evening at the Pyramids Sound and Light show.

Egypt Tours That Include the Museum

Cairo days with museum visits are part of our Seven Wonders Nile Cruise & Cairo Discovery, the Cairo & Nile Cruise and the Golf Tours in Cairo. Ask us to add the Grand Egyptian Museum to any itinerary.