After more than two decades of delays, the Grand Egyptian Museum emerges as one of the world’s most ambitious cultural landmarks. Set against the backdrop of the Giza Pyramids, the vast museum spans nearly 500,000 square metres and is now the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation. Often described as Egypt’s “fourth pyramid,” the museum combines monumental contemporary architecture with more than 100,000 artefacts tracing over 5,000 years of Egyptian history.
Among its most anticipated highlights are the complete treasures of King Tutankhamun, displayed together for the first time, alongside the restored royal boats of King Khufu and the colossal statue of Ramses II that dominates the Grand Hall. Designed by Dublin-based architects Heneghan Peng, the museum’s striking triangulated structure was conceived to mirror the geometry of the pyramids themselves, while vast galleries guide visitors chronologically through ancient Egypt’s dynasties and civilisations.
The Grand Egyptian Museum adds a new solar power station
The addition of the new solar power station in May 2026 marked a major step in the Grand Egyptian Museum’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading “green museums.” Installed along the museum’s perimeter walls and integrated into the Solar Boats Building through advanced Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technology, the system currently has a production capacity of 200 kilowatts, supplying around 12% of the museum’s electricity needs. Plans are already underway to expand the station to approximately 1 megawatt, significantly increasing the museum’s reliance on renewable energy.
What makes the project especially significant is the way it combines cultural preservation with environmental innovation. Supported by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme, the initiative demonstrates how major heritage institutions can actively contribute to climate-conscious design and operations. Museum officials described the project as part of a wider sustainability strategy that extends beyond architecture into daily management, including annual carbon footprint reporting and long-term emissions monitoring.
The solar station also reflects Egypt’s broader Vision 2030 sustainability goals, positioning the museum not only as a global cultural landmark, but as a model for environmentally responsible tourism and heritage conservation across the region.
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Visitors to the Grand Egyptian Museum – located just outside Cairo, a mile north of the Great Pyramids of Giza – are greeted by a staggering 3,200-year-old statue of the Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses II, one of the first artefacts brought to the new museum in 2018. The statue leads the eye to an architectural marble aptly named the Grand Staircase, which rises six storeys high, offering direct views out to the pyramids, but that's not all. The staircase is actually a monumental procession hall of sorts, with some of the most immaculately preserved statues of the rulers of ancient Egypt lined up alongside.
Overall, the Grand Egyptian Museum will present over 100,000 artefacts. The hope is, that then, the future aspirations of the country and its people, come into focus, too.
This state-of-the-art facility, located just outside Cairo, promises to offer an unparalleled experience by showcasing over 100,000 pharaonic artefacts, including the full collection from Tutankhamen’s tomb for the first time ever, with five thousand items being relocated from other museums across Egypt. Other standout exhibitions include a reconstructed Khufu ship otherwise known as a solar barque (vessels used by the sun god Ra).
One of the most fascinating destinations on the planet, Egypt has captured the imagination of a global audience for centuries. Its heady mix of legends, myths and fabled treasures is rivalled only by its monumental architecture: an awe-inspiring blend of ancient rituals, art, scientific prowess and a spell-binding Sphinx that continues to enthral even the most seasoned historians. And now, a modern wonder, The Grand Egyptian Museum, is set to shine the light on this land of the Pharaohs where the Pyramids continue to inspire modern legends. Far from being a mere repository of antiquities, it is slated to be a mirror to some of humanity’s greatest achievements – from paper to the 365 days calendar – and mysteries (cue Tutankhamen’s gilded death mask). As it gets ready to fully open its doors to visitors, find out what makes this larger-than-life complex – already counted amongst the Middle East's finest museums – simply unmissable.
Must Read: Step Inside The Most Beautiful Homes in Cairo
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When will the Grand Egyptian Museum open?
The Grand Egyptian Museum formally opened to visitors on 4th November 2025, with the last of its 12 galleries (dedicated to Tutankhamen’s treasures) and annexe displays finally receiving visitors. The 12 halls of the museum tell the story of Ancient Egypt.
Can I see King Tutankhamen's Treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum?
Yes, the Tutankhamen galleries at the Grand Egyptian Museum has been open from 4th November 2025 onwards, following the museum's formal opening ceremony.
One of the most significant Pharaohs of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt – courtesy of the opulent wealth and documentation discovered in his nearly-intact tomb in 1922 – Tutankhamen is intrinsically linked with how the world views Egyptian history. Now, the entirety of his treasures will be revealed to the public. From objects destined to clear his path in the afterlife, to garments, jewels and chariots used during his lifetime, all 5,000 objects from his tomb will be displayed for the first time across two gigantic museum halls.
How much do the Grand Egyptian Museum Tickets cost?
Set the attract over five million people a year, the Grand Egyptian Museum offers tickets across a range of prices. Tickets for Egyptian citizens have been confirmed at LE60 (US$2, €1.85, £1.60). Foreign tourists will pay LE200 (US$6.70, €6.16, £5.45) to enter the museum. For both Egyptian and foreign students, tickets will be offered on 50% discount.
What To See at the Grand Egyptian Museum?
Whilst the treasures from the Egyptian boy king Tutankhamen’s tomb take top billing at the Grand Egyptian Museum, there is so much more to discover. Overall, the Grand Egyptian Museum will present over 100,000 artefacts and an educational insight into one of the world's most enigmatic civilisations. The hope is, that then, the future aspirations of the country and its people, come into focus, too.
Tutankhamen: The Immersive Exhibition
Travel back in time to ancient Egypt and admire the spectacular collection of over 60 historically significant artefacts. Explore the grand staircases of the museum, as well as a revolutionary and immersive audio-visual experience like no other. This tour includes a 30 minute digital show, with a 45 minute guided tour, both available in Arabic or English. The cost of a tourist ticket is between 300 to 600 EGP (about $6.3 to $12.6) depending on the day of the week.
GEM Children’s Museum Tour
This guided tour has been created for children, to teach them about the fantastic history of the ancient Egyptians through hands-on learning experiences. This 45 minute long experience is for children aged 6-12 and is available in either Arabic or English. The price of a tourist ticket is 250 EGP (roughly $5.3). Click here to book your tickets.
Who designed the Grand Egyptian Museum?
Born from a 2003 competition that saw some of the biggest architecture firms in the running, the complex was designed by the Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects. Construction began in 2005, but unprecedented setbacks – including the 2008 financial crisis, the Arab Spring in 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic – pushed the Grand Egyptian Museum many years behind schedule. In April 2021, the Pharaohs’ Golden Parade – a televised procession of 22 royal mummies – reignited global interest in the museum and signalled an imminent opening. The Egyptian government and the museum itself have remained tight-lipped about the exact opening date, but events such as the Dior Men’s 2022 show have kept it on the radar.
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Where is the Grand Egyptian Museum located?
Sat on the edge of the first desert plateau between the Great Pyramid of Giza – the only surviving wonder of the ancient world – and Cairo, the Grand Egyptian Museum forges a visual connection between Egypt’s past and present. The 120-acre site is defined by a 50-metre level difference created by the Nile as it snaked through the desert, fashioning a new ‘edge’, which is celebrated by the museum’s enormous stone facade.
How big is the Grand Egyptian Museum?
Spanning 90,000 square metres across a 50-hectare site, the Grand Egyptian Museum is the world's biggest museum.
Set across 484,000 square feet of floor space, the billion dollar museum features 12 exhibition halls and 17 different labs dedicated to preserving its artefacts. Visitors will be greeted by a monumental forecourt, its scale calibrated to elicit an emotional response akin to standing in front of the pyramids. Inside, the museum’s soaring atrium is marked by a 36-foot-tall, 3,200-years-old statue of the Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses II. A grand staircase ascends to plateau level from where, through the galleries, the eye is drawn outside, towards the ancient wonders. Seamlessly integrated into the museum’s masterplan, a series of gardens create a favourable micro-climate.
Who is the New Head of The Grand Egyptian Museum?
Noted author, historian and Egyptologist Gihane Zaki is the new head of the Grand Egyptian Museum. She has previously represented Egypt at the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Since 2021, Zalki has been serving as a member of the House of Representatives of Egypt and from 2013 to 2019 she served as the Director of the Egyptian Academy of Fine Arts.
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