On November 1, 2025, Egypt officially unveiled the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), an architectural and cultural marvel set beside the legendary Pyramids of Giza. Heralded as the world’s largest archaeological museum, the GEM has captured global attention not only for its staggering scale and dazzling collections but also for the decades-long journey it took to reach this moment. After years of anticipation, setbacks, and meticulous preparation, the museum now stands as a testament to both ancient grandeur and modern ambition, aiming to transform Egypt’s cultural landscape and revive its vital tourism sector.
It’s hard to overstate the significance of the GEM’s opening. With a footprint surpassing even the Vatican City, the museum houses approximately 100,000 artifacts, spanning seven millennia—from Egypt’s earliest pre-dynastic days through the Greco-Roman era. According to the Associated Press, the museum boasts 24,000 square meters of permanent exhibition space, with 12 main galleries organized by era and theme. The result is a sweeping timeline of Egyptian civilization, offering visitors an unrivaled immersion into the country’s storied past.
But the true star of the show is, without question, the full display of Tutankhamun’s tomb. For the first time since British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the boy king’s burial chamber in 1922, the entire contents—including the iconic gold mask, ornate throne, chariots, and funerary beds—are presented together. As Dr. Tarek Tawfik, president of the International Association of Egyptologists and former head of the GEM, explained to BBC News, "I had the idea of displaying the complete tomb, which means nothing remains in storage, nothing remains in other museums, and you get to have the complete experience, the way Howard Carter had it over a hundred years ago."
The Tutankhamun collection alone occupies two halls, and its centerpiece—the burial mask—has already been compared to the Mona Lisa in terms of its magnetic appeal. Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s most renowned archaeologist and former minister of antiquities, told the Associated Press, "Why this museum is so important, and everyone is waiting for the opening? Because of Tutankhamun." Indeed, the allure of the “Golden Pharaoh” has always been a draw, but never before has the world had the chance to witness the entire collection as Carter first did, more than a century ago.
Beyond Tutankhamun, the museum dazzles with other showstoppers. The main atrium houses a towering 36-foot statue of Ramses II, rescued from a roundabout near Cairo’s railway station and installed as a central anchor around which the building was constructed. Nearby, a 3,200-year-old, 16-meter-long suspended obelisk of Ramesses II hovers above visitors, while a grand staircase lined with statues of ancient kings and queens leads up to galleries that frame breathtaking views of the Giza pyramids. As The Independent’s Simon Calder noted, the museum’s geometry echoes the timeless lines of its ancient neighbors, blending modern design with pharaonic inspiration.
The journey to this point, however, was anything but straightforward. First proposed in 1992, the museum’s construction began in 2005 but was beset by a series of formidable obstacles: financial crises, the upheaval of the 2011 Arab Spring, the COVID-19 pandemic, and even the war in Gaza. These delays stretched the project to nearly twenty years—twelve years behind the original schedule. Yet, as Calder wryly observed, "With artefacts dating back five millennia, such a delay is barely a heartbeat."
The GEM’s opening is more than a cultural event; it’s a linchpin in Egypt’s strategy to boost tourism and revive its economy. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who has championed a series of megaprojects since taking office in 2014, described the museum as bringing together "the genius of ancient Egyptians and the creativity of modern Egyptians, enhancing the world culture and art with a new landmark that will attract all those who cherish civilization and knowledge." According to official figures cited by the Associated Press, Egypt welcomed a record 15.7 million tourists in 2024, with tourism contributing about 8% of the country’s GDP. The government is now aiming to attract 30 million visitors annually by 2032, and the GEM is seen as a key magnet in reaching that ambitious target.
The museum’s opening hours cater to the expected influx: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Tickets for foreigners are set at $30, and can be purchased through the official website, visit-gem.com. Photography is permitted—though flash, tripods, selfie sticks, and drones are strictly prohibited. The museum also benefits from improved accessibility: a new metro station is under construction at its gates, and the recently opened Sphinx International Airport, about 20 miles northwest, offers a serene alternative to the often chaotic Cairo International Airport.
The GEM is not just a tourist attraction but a center for academic research and conservation. Egyptian conservators have already restored many of Tutankhamun’s artifacts, including his intricate armor made of textiles and leather—a point of national pride. As Dr. Tawfik told BBC News, "Colleagues from around the world have been in awe of the fantastic conservation work that has been done." Egyptian law stipulates that such restoration can only be performed by Egyptians, underscoring the country’s commitment to preserving its heritage with homegrown expertise.
Yet, amid the jubilation, the museum’s opening has reignited debates over the repatriation of Egyptian antiquities held abroad. Dr. Zahi Hawass has launched petitions for the return of three iconic artifacts: the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum, the Zodiac from the Louvre, and the Bust of Nefertiti from Berlin. "Now I want two things: number one, museums to stop buying stolen artefacts and number two, I need three objects to come back," Hawass told BBC News. Dr. Monica Hanna, another leading Egyptologist, echoed these calls, stating that the GEM "gives this message that Egypt has done its homework very well to officially ask for the objects." The British Museum, for its part, told BBC News it had "received no formal requests for either the return or the loan of the Rosetta Stone from the Egyptian Government."
For visitors, the experience is designed to be unforgettable. The museum’s bridge connects directly to the pyramids, allowing seamless movement between ancient wonders. Tourists have already expressed their excitement. "It’s an absolute must-see," said Raúl, a Spanish visitor awaiting the public opening. Sam, a tourist from London, summed up the anticipation: "It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity." Even those who saw Tutankhamun’s treasures at the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square are eager for the new, more coherent presentation. "The old museum was pretty chaotic, and it was a bit confusing," one British tourist remarked to BBC News. "Hopefully the Grand Museum will be a lot easier to take in and I think you will just get more out of it."
With its grand opening, the Grand Egyptian Museum stands as both a tribute to Egypt’s past and a bold step toward its future. From the awe-inspiring treasures of Tutankhamun to its ambitious vision for tourism and scholarship, the GEM is poised to become a beacon for cultural pride and global fascination for generations to come.
