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The Grand Egyptian Museum or Giza Museum is a popular archaeological museum that is situated near the famous pyramids of Giza. It is spread over four hundred ninety thousand square metres and opened to the public in 2024. The museum is known to be the largest archaeological museum to exist in the world and consists of more than one hundred thousand artefacts. It was constructed as part of Giza 2030 and has a pharaonic architectural style. Here, temporary, permanent, and special exhibitions take place, which are must-visits.
Quick Details
Opened To Public In: 2024 CE
Address: Alexandria Desert Road, Giza, Egypt
Timings: Opens around 8:30 AM and closes around 6 PM
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Ideal Time To Spend: Around 4 hours
Location
Photo: Omar Elsharawy / Unsplash
The Grand Egyptian Museum is situated at Alexandria Desert Road in the Giza Governorate. This museum lies almost two kilometres from the Great Pyramid of Giza and is located near the bank of the Nile River. It can be visited easily due to being close to the Cairo Governorate.
How To Reach
Photo: Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons
By Road: You can take a taxi to reach the museum. As the site around is still developing. You can also reach the museum with your privately hired vehicle.
By Train: The nearest station to the museum is a metro station in Cairo whose closest stop to the museum is Cairo University.
By Air: The closest airport to the museum is Sphinx International Airport, as it is located at a distance of 33 kilometres from the museum.
Things To Do
1. Admire Various Exhibits Taking Place
The highlights at the museum include the colossal statue of Ramses II and Khufu’s Solar Boat, an over 4,500-year-old vessel built for the afterlife. The museum houses 12 galleries displaying 15,000 artefacts spanning Egypt’s Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. Visitors can explore a reconstructed tomb chapel of Khnumhotep II, offering insights into burial practices. While not fully open yet, the museum plans to unveil King Tutankhamun’s complete treasure collection, featuring his golden mask and over 7,000 items. The exhibits bring ancient Egypt’s rich history vividly to life.
2. Learn About The Museum’s History
The museum (GEM) is a landmark project that began in 2002 to preserve and showcase Egypt’s rich heritage. Construction started in 2012 near the Pyramids of Giza, making it one of the largest archaeological museums to exist in the present era. Designed to house over 100,000 artefacts, GEM aims to provide a modern space for Egyptology studies. Key highlights include the relocation of Ramses II’s colossal statue and the restoration of iconic treasures like Khufu’s Solar Boat. Although partially open as of 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum represents a monumental effort to celebrate ancient Egypt on a global stage.
Places To Visit Around The Grand Egyptian Museum
1. Giza Necropolis
Photo: Ricardo Liberato / Wikimedia Commons
The Giza Necropolis is a complex that houses some of the most famous pyramids to exist in the modern-day world. It is said that the pyramids were made during the fourth dynasty and consist of the Pyramid of Khafre, the Great Pyramid, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Other than these, the Great Sphinx is also known to be part of the Giza Necropolis. This site is located near the Nile River and lies on the eastern corner of the Western Desert. At present, the destination is popular among tourists for desert safaris and for exploring the hidden gems of Giza.
Location: Al Haram, Egypt
Distance From The Museum: 2 km
2. Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum
Photo: Willyman / Wikimedia Commons
The Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum opened for public access in 1962 CE. It is dedicated to the prime minister of Egypt, Mohammed Mahmoud Khalil Pasha and his consort, Emiline Lock. The museum is housed in a palace and has a collection of impressionist paintings. Some of the notable works that you can witness here are by Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Auguste Rodin, Auguste Renoir, and Vincent Van Gogh. It opens from 10 AM to 3 PM and stays closed on Mondays and Fridays. The museum has a French architectural style and is located close to the Nile River.
Location: Dokki, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Distance From The Museum: 16 km
3. Manial Palace Museum
Photo: Motazhesham2 / Wikimedia Commons
The Manial Palace Museum is famously known as the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace Museum, which has a mix of Moorish, Ottoman, and Arabic architectural styles. It is said that the construction of the palace museum started in 1875, and it belonged to Prince Mohamed Ali. The museum stays open on all days of the week, and its opening time is 9 AM to 5 PM. It has intricate carvings and amazes tourists with its marvellous architecture. Some of the highlights in the museum are its reception pavilion, saray of the throne, clock tower, and mosque.
Location: Old Cairo, Egypt
Distance From The Museum: 17 km
4. The National Museum Of Egyptian Civilization
Photo: Roland Unger / Wikimedia Commons
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation houses artefacts from Greek, Roman, prehistoric, Islamic, textile, ancient Egyptian civilisations, and modern eras. It opened to the public in 2021 and occupies an area above four hundred thousand square metres. There are more than fifty thousand antiques displayed here, which include several archaeological findings. The museum opens around 9 AM and closes at 5:30 PM. The hall of mummies is one of its highlights, where twenty kings and two queens are displayed. Visiting this museum will educate you more about the cultural and historical progression of Egypt over the centuries.
Location: Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Distance From The Museum: 21 km
5. Saqqara Necropolis
Photo: Berthold Werner / Wikimedia Commons
Saqqara, or Sakkara Necropolis, is an ancient burial ground in Egypt spread over almost eight kilometres. The Saqqara Necropolis features numerous pyramids, including the pyramid of Djoser, which is famously known as the Step Tomb. It is situated near the city of a thousand minarets, Cairo, in the Giza Governate. Here, the oldest complete stone building complex was built around the third dynasty (2670 to 2613 BCE). At the Saqqara Necropolis, you will find sixteen other pyramids made by Egyptian kings, which are now in different states of preservation.
Location: Badrshein, Egypt
Distance From The Museum: 25 km
Where To Stay
Photo: Donald Tong / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Around the museum, you will find a wide range of accommodation options. Whether you are looking for a more upscale experience or a budget-friendly option, here you can easily find a place that suits your needs. Some of the places where you can stay comfortably are Cairo Pyramids Hotel, Royal Great Pyramid Inn, and Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel.
Where To Eat
Photo: Basma / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
There are a few dining options available near the museum from which you can choose, depending on your preference for cuisine. If you are looking for an authentic experience, restaurants like Zooba and Bittersweet GEM are best to visit. Other than this, the museum also has a cafe by the name of 30 North that you can explore on your visit there.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Dariusz Sankowski / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Tips For Travellers
- The Grand Egyptian Museum gets crowded on the weekends and holidays; hence, it is advised to plan accordingly.
- Keep yourself hydrated at all times of the day and bring bottled water with yourself, preferably non-plastic.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as it might take a while to explore the museum and nearby area.
The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is a modern marvel set to house over 100,000 ancient artefacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection. Located near the Pyramids, it blends innovative architecture with Egypt’s timeless history. Spanning more than 480,000 square meters, a visit here promises a breathtaking journey through ancient Egypt. Plan a trip with TripXL for an unforgettable, mesmerising cultural experience at this marvellous destination.
Cover Photo: Maciek Grabowicz / Shutterstock
