Cairo’s long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum was first announced in 1992, heralding a new era for showcasing antiquities in a country with one of the world’s most fascinating and studied histories. Designed by Dublin studio Heneghan Peng Architects, the vast complex is the world’s biggest museum, encompassing a 90,000 square metre site in 50 hectares of space right in the shadows of Cairo’s mighty Giza pyramids.
Located in the western reaches of the city, the Grand Egyptian Museum will house more than 100,000 pharaonic artefacts from Ancient Egypt, bringing together priceless pieces from the city’s existing museums under one roof, alongside offering an immersive exhibition space, auditorium, gardens, shops, dining and more. The billion-dollar project will also display Tutankhamun’s treasures, some of Egypt’s most famous, capturing the imagination of global audiences with its mix of awe-inspiring relics in state-of-the-art facilities. Despite facing delay, the site is said to be on track for a 2024 full opening. So when will the Grand Egyptian Museum actually open?
When will the Grand Egyptian Museum open?
The GEM complex has been partially open to the public since 2023, offering taster tours to test site readiness. The tour gives visitors a glimpse into what will be the world’s grandest and most encompassing museum, taking them into the soaring covered Grand Hall, past the Hanging Obelisk and imposing statue of statue of King Ramesses II. The space itself is home to a grand staircase gallery with tiered statues and treasures, including 10 statues of Senusret, the Victory Column of Merenpetah, and Ptolemaic king and queen statues. The guided tour lasts 45 minutes and takes place every two hours, where groups use a headset in their chosen language. Until recently, an immersive Tutakhamum exhibition was also available to visitors in the exhibition space – offering a cinematic preview of what’s to come.
The Grand Egyptian Museum’s retail and dining space is also open, an ultra-modern and glossy mini shopping centre withEgypt’s favourite elevated street food concept (and MENA’s 50 Best restaurants) Zooba, homegrown Egyptian brewers 30 NORTH and coffee shops like Ladurée and Starbucks. An elevated gift shop sells premium quality garments, souvenirs from local artisans, and high-quality Egyptian-made artisan products (like skincare, homeware, and more). Other boutiques include jewellery stores and a small gourmet grocery store – all of which are open now. The museum is set to be fully open by mid-2024, with what’s expected to be a huge opening ceremony televised across the world. That said, no official opening date has been confirmed.
What can I see at the Grand Egyptian Museum?
On top of the impressive array of artefacts already on display in the partially opened section of the museum, visitors will be able to gaze upon the wonders of ancient Egypt when the Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens in full this year. Star pieces from the existing Egyptian Museum Cairo will be moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum, including relics from the Boy King Tutankhamun’s tomb – discovered in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings in 1922 – including his famous 22.5 karat gold death mask, sarcophagi, golden beds, chariots, in fact, all 5,000 items found in his tomb will be displayed for the first time together across two vast exhibition halls. Outside of the famous king, the museum will house 100,000 items in its collection, many of which have never been exhibited before, and will enhance visitor experience with interactive displays and technology.
How big is the Grand Egyptian Museum?
The Grand Egyptian Museum spans 90,000 square metres across a 50-hectare site and is the world’s biggest museum. The billion-dollar exhibition will offer 484,000 square feet of floor space, 12 exhibition halls, and a soaring 36-foot-tall Grand Hall (housing a towering 3,200-year-old King Rameses II statue, amongst other treasures). Outside of the exhibition halls are a series of gardens and outdoor spaces for soaking up the stunning view of the Pyramids and enjoying the greenery. Former President Hosni Mubarak first set aside the site, approximately two kilometres from the Giza pyramids, back in 1992, and it’s been marked for the museum every since.
How much do the Grand Egyptian Museum Tickets cost?
When open, the Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to attract over five million tourists a year, and tickets will be available across various price points. Entry tickets for Egyptian citizens have been confirmed at LE60 (around AED5, US$2). Foreign tourists will pay LE200 (about AED15, US$6.70). Both Egyptian and foreign students will be able to avail a 50% discount on tickets. Exhibitions and immersive displays will be on offer at a separate ticket charge. The Tutankahm exhibition, which ran at GEMS in early 2024, was charged at LE1,200 for foreign tourists (around AED90), indicating the price of showcases going forward.
Can I stay near the Grand Egyptian Museum?
The Grand Egyptian Museum sits on the edge of the first desert plateau between the Giza pyramid complex – home to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx and two other majestic pyramids – on the western reaches of Cairo city. The complex is around a 20-30-minute drive from the city centre, so it is easily accessible from Cairo’s best hotels and its other attractions. The site itself is almost ethereal, with the mighty pyramids commanding the surrounding vantage points, creating a visual connection between Egypt’s past and present. While the city’s top hotels are just a short drive away, staying near the Grand Egyptian Museum, and therefore, Giza pyramids, offers one of Egypt’s most visually striking experiences. Book into the historic Marriott Mena house for a front-row view of the pyramids, easy access to the Grand Egyptian Museum, and a manicured golf course.
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