The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir

Cairo’s Timeless Treasure

Right in the heart of Tahrir Square, the Egyptian Museum—also known as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities—has been Egypt’s most-loved cultural landmark since 1902. Designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon, the building’s pink neo-classical exterior is a piece of history in itself. This is where generations of visitors have experienced the wonders of ancient Egypt.

A Brief History

Formed out of a need to house Egypt’s growing collection of pharaonic treasures, the museum opened its doors in the early 20th century. Its collections originally resided in locations like Boulaq and Giza before finding their permanent home here. Over the years, despite challenges like Nile flooding and crowd congestion, the museum has undergone renovations (most recently in 2018) to preserve its historic character while improving displays and building infrastructure .

The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir: Cairo’s Timeless Treasure
The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir: Cairo’s Timeless Treasure

What You’ll Discover Inside

A Vast Collection

With more than 120,000 items, the museum showcases an impressive range of artifacts, from colossal statues of Khufu and Khafre to everyday objects like pottery, jewellery, coins, and papyri.

Treasures of Tutankhamun

The stunning golden mask, sarcophagi, chariots, and jewelry from King Tut’s tomb remain one of the museum’s highlights—even though many items are gradually being moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Royal Mummies Room

Previously housed here, several royal mummies were relocated in 2021 to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. When open, the hall was a powerful, intimate space showcasing preserved pharaohs like Ramses II and Hatshepsut.

Objects from Ancient Daily Life

You’ll also see everything from ancient cosmetics and tools to ceremonial stelae, papyrus scrolls, and ritual objects—little glimpses into how ordinary people lived thousands of years ago .

Unique Finds

Look out for the Narmer Palette, the “birth certificate” of ancient Egypt, and complete tomb burials of notable figures like Yuya & Thuya and artifacts from Tanis

The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir: Cairo’s Timeless Treasure

How GEM Differs from the Old Egyptian Museum

Difference Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Building & Feel 1902 vintage building, cozy but cramped Sleek modern architecture, spacious, with panoramic museum layout
Collections 120,000+ artifacts, but space-limited Houses 100,000+ artifacts, newly displayed—including full Tutankhamun collection
Experience Style Traditional displays in wooden cases Interactive, thematic galleries, multimedia, VR, and conservation labs shown
Visitor Flow Bustling, sometimes crowded Designed for ease and comfort, built for future millions of visitors
Proximity to Pyramids Central Cairo Just 2 km from Giza Pyramids—perfect companion visit
Roseta Stone The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir: Cairo’s Timeless Treasure

The Rosetta Stone

One of the most iconic pieces associated with Egypt’s history is the Rosetta Stone—but here’s something that surprises many visitors: it’s not actually in the Egyptian Museum. The real Rosetta Stone has been on display at the British Museum in London since 1802, after being taken during colonial times.

Discovered in 1799 near the town of Rosetta (Rashid) in the Nile Delta, the stone proved to be the key to decoding ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. It features the same text written in three scripts: Greek, Demotic, and Hieroglyphic, which allowed French scholar Jean-François Champollion to finally crack the ancient language in 1822.

Although the original remains abroad, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir does display a high-quality replica—an important symbol of Egypt’s lost heritage and ongoing calls for the return of stolen antiquities. Seeing it in context, surrounded by other linguistic artifacts, adds a layer of depth to the museum’s narrative and a bittersweet reminder of Egypt’s global legacy.

Visitor Info

Location: Northern side of Tahrir Square, Downtown Cairo—easily accessible via Sadat Metro Station on Line 1
Hours: Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (ticket office closes around 4 PM). In Ramadan, hours are slightly reduced
Ticket Prices (approx.):

  • Foreigners: 550 EGP ($11.13) Adult, 275 EGP ($5.56) Student
  • Egyptians & Arabs: 30 EGP ($0.61) Adult, 10 EGP ($0.20) Student
  • Children under 6: Free

Photography (non-commercial): mobile phones often free; cameras/video require extra fee (50–300 EGP)

Get your tickets for the Egyptian Museum

Tips for Visiting

  • Hire a guide or audio guide—the labeling is sparse, and a guide brings context to the exhibits .
  • Go early to avoid crowds and explore more calmly.
  • Wear comfortable shoes—there are 42 rooms on multiple floors
  • Respect photo rules and signage—especially in rooms with sensitive artifacts and mummies.
  • Don’t rush the Tutankhamun galleries—they’re stunning and deserve time

The Museum’s Future Role

Although many artifacts are set to move to GEM, the Tahrir museum will remain open as a “heritage site,” focusing on smaller exhibitions, academic research, and displays that maintain the charm of early 20th‑century archaeology.

Wondering what to wear or when to go? Check our Egypt guide to discover more!

Check Egypt Travel Guide

Are you ready to start discovering Egypt?

I booked a couple of tours for my trip to Egypt and had an incredible time! I’m sharing the links below in case you’re interested.

Are you ready to start discovering Egypt?

I booked a couple of tours for my trip to Egypt and had an incredible time! I’m sharing the links below in case you’re interested.

More things to see in Egypt

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