Upon entering the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), visitors are immediately greeted by a towering 36-foot-tall, 82-ton granite statue of Ramesses II, one of Egypt’s most renowned pharaohs who reigned over 3,300 years ago. Since 2006, Ramesses II has been a sentinel at the site, being one of the first artifacts installed during the early stages of construction. However, only recently have travelers been able to view him along with the more than 100,000 ancient artifacts contained within this expansive new museum that captures 5,000 years of Egyptian civilization.
The GEM spans over 5 million square feet and is hailed as the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. Visitors have been getting an early look at 12 selected exhibits during the museum’s soft opening phase, which precedes the official grand opening scheduled for July 3, 2025. According to the museum’s official website and ticketing portal, this preliminary phase has been designed “to test the site’s readiness and visitor experience prior to the official opening.”
As per the museum’s advisory, “During this phase, you will be able to visit the main exhibition halls, the Grand Atrium, the Grand Staircase, the commercial area, and the outdoor gardens. The King Tutankhamun Halls will remain closed until the official opening.” For now, the museum welcomes guests daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., although it will temporarily close on June 15 to finalize preparations for the grand opening.
The journey to this point has been long and tumultuous. Construction began 20 years ago but was significantly delayed by political unrest, financial challenges, the global pandemic, and regional conflicts. Despite these setbacks, the museum is finally nearing completion.
The GEM’s facade is an impressive display of alabaster and glass, adorned with hundreds of cartouches—ovals encircling hieroglyphs that contain the names of ancient Egyptian kings and queens. However, the new museum is not intended to replace the historic Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo, which opened in 1902 and is housed in a two-story building. Rather, it serves to accommodate Egypt’s vast collection of archaeological artifacts, providing a more spacious and organized setting.
“Over the years, artifacts started piling up in the basement, in the attic, in storage rooms, and it became too much,” explained Marwa Abbas, an Egyptologist who collaborates with AmaWaterways, a cruise company that offers Nile River sailings with pre-departure tours in Cairo. She further stated, “It was decided that a new museum would open to house new excavations and allow curators to better organize findings by theme, creating better understanding.”
In the upcoming weeks, over 5,000 items from the tomb of the famous boy king Tutankhamun will be relocated from the Egyptian Museum to two massive exhibition halls within the GEM. Among these treasures are King Tut’s ornate throne, intricate royal jewelry, two golden sarcophagi, and his iconic funerary mask, crafted from nearly 25 pounds of solid gold and regarded as one of the most significant artifacts of Egyptian art. Many items from this collection have never before been on public display. Although Tutankhamun’s reign was brief, his tomb’s remarkable preservation provided unparalleled insight into ancient Egyptian life and customs when British archaeologist Howard Carter unearthed it in 1922.
In addition to Tutankhamun’s treasures, the museum will also unveil a separate annex displaying two royal boats that were discovered near the Great Pyramid in 1954. These boats will be available for viewing after the museum’s official opening.
From the Grand Atrium, where the statue of Ramesses II stands, visitors can ascend a magnificent staircase lined with statues of Egypt’s legendary pharaohs. At the landing, guests are treated to a stunning, unobstructed view of the Pyramids of Giza, located just over a mile away. Future plans include creating a pedestrian walkway that connects the museum directly to the ancient pyramids.
The museum’s galleries are designed around three central themes: society, kingship, and beliefs. These themes are further categorized into four historical periods—the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, and the Greco-Roman period—allowing visitors the option to explore the exhibits thematically or chronologically. The collection includes a diverse range of artifacts such as ancient manuscripts on papyrus, mythological stories etched into stone, ceremonial tools and jewelry, a 3,100-year-old wig made from real human hair, a replica of the Rosetta Stone, royal mummies including a mummified crocodile, and numerous other remarkable objects. Every artifact or set of artifacts is accompanied by clear and informative placards written in Arabic, English, and Braille, ensuring accessibility to a wide range of visitors.
Architectural elements reflecting the pyramid motif are incorporated throughout the museum, from the angular design of the window panes to the stone patterns in the outdoor water features positioned between the security checkpoints and the main building. Besides the exhibition spaces, the museum also features a food hall and several gift shops offering a wide selection of souvenirs.
Admission tickets can be purchased either online or at the museum’s on-site ticket booth, where only credit cards are accepted. The cost for adult admission is 1,200 Egyptian pounds, approximately $24 according to current exchange rates. Children and students aged 4 to 21 are eligible for half-price tickets, and admission is free for children under 4 years old. Visitors also have the option to book a 90-minute guided tour in either English or Arabic for 1,700 Egyptian pounds, about $34.
The Grand Egyptian Museum represents an unprecedented effort to preserve, showcase, and celebrate Egypt’s unparalleled historical legacy. After years of anticipation and obstacles, its imminent grand opening promises to usher in a new era of cultural and historical appreciation for both Egyptians and visitors from around the world.