The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM):

Egypt’s New Cultural Icon

After two decades of anticipation, the Grand Egyptian Museum—affectionately known as GEM—is opening in July 2025 just steps from the Giza Pyramids. Designed to solve overcrowding at the century‑old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, GEM offers a spacious, modern, and engaging way to experience Egypt’s ancient past.

The new Grand Egyptian Museum is significantly larger and more modern than the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum will display the entire Tutankhamun collection, including the famed golden masks and sarcophagi, unlike the old museum where space was limited. The Grand Egyptian Museum is also designed to offer a more immersive and educational experience for visitors, providing a more detailed look at Tutankhamun’s life and the artifacts from his tomb.

Opened for soft-launch tours since October 2024, with a full opening expected on July 3, 2025.

GEM is twice the size of the Louvre Museum and two and a half times the size of the British Museum, spanning 500,000 square meters, making it the biggest museum in the world. It houses a vast collection of over 100,000 artifacts from the Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman eras.

Why GEM Was Built

The original Egyptian Museum in Tahrir opened in 1902, and while it houses some of the most important pieces of ancient history, it was no longer equipped to hold Egypt’s vast collection—much of which has remained in storage due to lack of space. Enter the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM): a state-of-the-art, $1 billion project designed to showcase the country’s full heritage with modern technology, updated displays, and climate-controlled environments worthy of its priceless artifacts.

The old museum in Tahrir Square can no longer display Egypt’s vast collection—many pieces remain in storage.
GEM responds to this need with 81,000 m² of galleries, space for over 100,000 artifacts, and room to host millions of visitors
Positioned close to the Pyramids, it’s part of a new “Giza 2030” masterplan aimed at transforming the entire plateau into a premier cultural zone.

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

Visitor Info

Location: Giza Plateau, approx. 2 km from the Pyramids of Giza
Opening Dates: Trial opening since Oct 2024; full public opening slated for July 3, 2025
Complex Hours: 8:30 AM–7 PM (9:00 PM on Wed & Sat)
Galleries Hours: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (extended to 9:00 PM Wed & Sat)
Tickets (2025 estimated):

General Admission: 1,300 EGP ($25)
Guided 90‑min Tour: 1,700 EGP ($35)
Children under 4: free; kid’s tour extra charge

Photography: Smartphone & small handheld cameras allowed; DSLR/tripods are not
Amenities: Cafés, restaurants, gift shops, accessible toilets, elevator access .

Get your tickets for the Grand Egyptian Museum

Tips for Visiting

Book tours early as they fill up fast—up to 7 tours daily, more on busy days .
Allow 3–4 hours—the museum is massive and rich with detail
Wear comfortable shoes and bring water—you’ll be walking a lot.
Combine with a Pyramids visit—they’re just minutes away and make the ultimate day of ancient Egypt.
Check solar alignment and lighting times, especially if visiting around sunset—it elevates the Pyramid views
Child-friendly zones make it easy for families to explore together .

Final Thoughts

GEM is Egypt’s greatest museum leap—combining cutting-edge design, comprehensive storytelling, and undeniable grandeur—all with the backdrop of the Pyramids. Even in its limited opening phase, it’s already a jaw-dropping experience.

It’s a must‑visit for anyone who wants to understand ancient Egypt in full scale—from priceless relics and unforgettable displays to context-rich interpretation that brings myths, men, and gods to life.

Book, step inside, and get ready to feel history echo within vast alabaster halls that face down the Pyramids themselves.

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.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM):

Egypt’s New Cultural Icon

Why GEM Was Built

How GEM Differs from the Old Egyptian Museum

Visitor Info

Tips for Visiting

Final Thoughts

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

Are you ready to start discovering Egypt?

Are you ready to start discovering Egypt?

More things to see in Egypt