After more than three decades of anticipation, interrupted construction, and sky-high expectations, the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened its doors to the world, standing just a mile from the iconic Pyramids of Giza. On November 4, 2025, the museum welcomed its first visitors following an extravagant opening ceremony attended by royals, dignitaries, and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who declared, "Peace is the only path to building civilizations." The sentiment, broadcast by drones spelling out "Welcome to the land of peace" above the festivities, echoed the museum’s mission: to celebrate not only Egypt’s ancient past but also the achievements of humanity as a whole.
The project, first announced in 1992, was conceived as a place to showcase the vast sweep of Egyptian history, and its scale is nothing short of monumental. The museum sprawls across more than 5 million square feet (or, if you prefer, about 500,000 square meters), making it the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization, according to the Associated Press and AFAR. With 12 primary galleries, the museum’s exhibits span from prehistory through Greek Antiquity, offering a comprehensive journey through seven millennia of Egyptian culture.
But the true headline act—what’s drawing travelers from every corner of the globe—is the complete collection of treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. For the first time since British archaeologist Howard Carter’s astonishing discovery in 1922, all 5,500-plus artifacts from the boy king’s tomb are displayed together. Previously, these treasures were scattered across various museums or locked away in storage. Now, visitors can marvel at the legendary golden death mask, ornate chariots, royal jewelry, two golden sarcophagi, and even the king’s spectacular throne—each piece arranged as Carter first found them over a century ago.
"Most Tutankhamun treasures were in the old Egyptian museum," explained Ahmed Ghoneim, the museum’s CEO, to reporters. "However, some were scattered in other museums and others were kept in storage. Bringing all those treasures in one place enriches the museum display experience." The new Tutankhamun Gallery, housed in two massive exhibit halls, features more than 5,900 artifacts, some of which have never before been displayed to the public. As one Greek tourist put it after visiting the gallery, "It was amazing, especially the mask." That might even be an understatement.
Yet King Tut’s treasures are just the beginning. The Grand Egyptian Museum holds over 100,000 artifacts, ranging from monumental statues to delicate manuscripts and ceremonial tools. Among the grandest is an 83-ton, 36-foot-tall granite statue of Ramesses II, which has stood as the museum’s guardian since its relocation from Cairo’s railway station in 2006. Visitors are also greeted by a suspended 16-meter obelisk from Ramesses II, and the 4,500-year-old funerary boat of Pharaoh Khufu, one of the best-preserved vessels from antiquity. A separate annex displays two royal boats discovered near the Great Pyramid in 1954, now accessible for public viewing.
The museum’s design is itself a marvel. Its alabaster and glass façade, decorated with hundreds of cartouches bearing the names of ancient kings and queens, evokes the grandeur of Egypt’s past. The pyramid motif is repeated throughout—from the entrance to the cut of the window panes and even the stones in a water feature outside. Inside, a grand staircase lined with statues of pharaohs leads to an upper floor, where a massive window frames an unobstructed, breathtaking view of the Pyramids of Giza. Eventually, plans call for a walkway to connect the museum directly to the pyramids, making it an even more integral part of the Giza plateau experience.
The galleries are organized by three central themes—society, kingship, and beliefs—each further divided into four historical periods: the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, and Greco-Roman era. This thematic and chronological arrangement allows visitors to explore Egypt’s history in a way that suits their curiosity, whether they prefer a sweeping overview or a deep dive into specific eras. Among the thousands of exhibits are papyrus manuscripts, mythological carvings, ceremonial jewelry, a 3,100-year-old human hair wig, a replica of the Rosetta Stone, and royal mummies—including a mummified crocodile. Concise, well-lit placards offer explanations in Arabic, English, and Braille, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience.
The journey through the museum isn’t just about artifacts; it’s about the experience. The food hall and multiple gift shops provide a chance to refuel and pick up mementos, while the museum’s vast open spaces and carefully curated lighting create an atmosphere that feels both awe-inspiring and intimate. Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum, with adult entry set at 1,450 Egyptian pounds (about $30.75), and discounts for children and students. Children under six enter free, and 90-minute guided tours in English or Arabic are available for those seeking deeper insight.
Getting to Cairo for this once-in-a-lifetime experience has gotten easier, too. In celebration of the grand opening, EgyptAir offered up to 40% off international flights to Cairo for tickets purchased on or before November 7, 2025, with travel valid until March 10, 2026. It’s a move that’s expected to further boost Egypt’s tourism industry, which has weathered its share of challenges in recent years—from the 2011 Arab Spring and subsequent political upheaval, to economic instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and even nearby conflicts that delayed the museum’s completion.
But if the opening crowds are any indication, the wait has been worth it. Museum officials anticipate between 7 and 8 million visitors annually, with a daily cap of 20,000 to ensure a comfortable experience for all. As Marwa Abbas, an Egyptologist with AmaWaterways, told AFAR, "Over the years, artifacts started piling up in the basement, in the attic, in storage rooms, and it became too much. 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."
The Grand Egyptian Museum doesn’t replace the old Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo, which opened in 1902 and remains a beloved institution. Instead, it gives Egypt’s tens of thousands of archaeological treasures room to breathe and shine, inviting visitors to engage with the country’s history in a way that’s never before been possible.
With its doors finally open, the Grand Egyptian Museum stands as a testament to resilience, ambition, and the enduring allure of ancient Egypt—a place where the wonders of the past meet the possibilities of the future, right in the shadow of the world’s last standing Ancient Wonder.
