February 15, 2025 8:50 pm

The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, located in Cairo, Egypt, is a world-renowned institution that houses the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. Established in 1901, the museum is an impressive building that exhibits over 120,000 artifacts that represent the various historical periods of ancient Egypt.

The museum features numerous galleries that give visitors a glimpse into ancient Egyptian life and culture. The ground floor hosts an impressive collection of statues, sarcophagi, and papyri, while the first floor is home to the Royal Mummies Room, where mummies of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs are displayed. The museum’s collection includes a wide range of artifacts, from everyday household items to priceless treasures that belonged to influential figures in ancient Egyptian history.

One of the museum’s most famous exhibits is Tutankhamun’s treasure, which includes his iconic gold burial mask. Other notable exhibits include the Narmer Palette, the Akhenaten Gallery, and the Egyptian Jewelry Gallery (most of which are moved to the New Grand Egyptian Museum). The museum is also home to fascinating papyri dating back to the Old Kingdom, as well as the fascinating tomb artifacts of the Valley of the Kings.

Aside from the museum’s collection, the Department of Antiquities operated a saleroom in the museum from 1902, where original ancient Egyptian artworks and other original artifacts were sold. The museum also has a garden adjacent to the main building dedicated to famous Egyptologists of the world, serving as a memorial to their contribution to the study of ancient Egypt.

Despite facing a series of issues, including insufficient space and conservation needs, the museum remains a critical institution for preserving the history of ancient Egypt and presenting it to the world. Its impressive collection of artifacts and rare pieces makes it one of the world’s top museums and a favorite for tourists who visit Egypt.

In addition to its current collection, Egypt is currently constructing a new Egyptian Museum at Giza, expected to open in 2022, that will house more than 100,000 objects, making it one of the largest museums in the world. The Grand Egyptian Museum, as it’s known, will be a world-class institution that features interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, and cutting-edge technology that will help bring the stories of ancient Egypt to life.

History of the Egyptian Antiquities Museum

The museum was built first in Bulaq, then it was moved to the Giza Palace of Khedive Ismael, Cairo museum which is now in Tahrir Square, was opened in 1901. It houses the antiquities that were collected by Mariette Pacha, a French Egyptologist who was later titled the father of Egyptology.

Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Tahrir Square
Tutankhamun Alabaster head

The museum accommodates more than a hundred thousand ancient pieces, all displayed in historical order. It is divided into two stories; on the ground floor, visitors can see the antiquities from:

  • The Predynastic period
  • The Old Kingdom
  • The Middle Kingdom
  • The New Kingdom
Yoya & Thoya collection

While on the upper floor visitors can see antiquities from:

  • Tutankhamen’s tomb (Most of its content is now moved to the GEM)
  • Coffins and mummies from the new kingdom and the late period
  • The Royal Mummies Room (Moved to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization)
  • The animal mummy room
  • The contents of Yuya and Thuya’s tomb
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Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Tahrir Square

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Amazing tour to the pyramids of Sakkara and Dahshur

January 1, 2025

This week we had a great tour with Mohamed to the pyramids of Sakkara and Dahshur as well as Memphis. He tailored the tour to our preferences, took a lot of time with us and gave us detailed background information on everything. It was also great that he never tired of taking the time to answer our many questions.

You can definitely tell that he has studied Egyptology as he has a very deep understanding of the subject and can explain everything well. He also speaks perfect English and is really good driver.

We would definitely book a tour with him again in a heartbeat and would recommend him to anyone. 🙂

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Christina Gaedcke

Amazing Egypt Fun Tours

December 22, 2024

Highly Recommend Egypt Fun Tours!

Several weeks ago, I reached out to Egypt Fun Tours regarding a 9-hour layover in Cairo. From the very beginning, Hani Ahmed was responsive and professional, quickly providing a well-organized itinerary tailored to our limited time. The itinerary included a visit to the pyramids, other historical sites, a delicious dinner, and even a quick stop for souvenir shopping.

Upon arrival, Gilman efficiently assisted us in obtaining our day tourist visas (note: $25 per person in cash). She then introduced us to our guide, Mydo, who was absolutely phenomenal! Mydo’s knowledge, friendly demeanor, and ability to adjust the tour to our pace made the experience unforgettable.

We returned to the airport with plenty of time to relax before our flight. The entire experience was smooth, stress-free, and incredibly memorable. Egypt Fun Tours offers reasonable prices for a private, customized experience that truly exceeds expectations. Thank you, Egypt Fun Tours! We will definitely use your services again in the future.

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Miguel R

Alexandria! Wow!

November 7, 2024

Muhammad is the best! He showed me a world I never thought possible! The tombs in Alexandria by far was my favorite! I never knew there was a place on earth that contained both Greek and Egyptian carvings in the same tombs! The history and culture of Egypt is so fascinating! I highly recommend booking with Muhammad!

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James Risenhoover

Tour of Cairo

November 4, 2024

Despite a late start due to car trouble, Mohamed more than made up for it with his incredible knowledge and dedication. His explanations were detailed and thoughtful, and he went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. A memorable and informative tour, thanks to Mohamed’s hard work!

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Sebastian

AMAZING TOUR, SOLO TRAVELER.

October 12, 2024

I am a California woman who traveled to Egypt alone and thanks to Egypt Fun Tours I had a great time. Hani, Mohammed, Kamal and David (my driver) were very professional and very knowledgeable, I appreciate how respectful they were and how protective they were with me.

They show me everything I wanted to see in Cairo and nearby places like Saqqara, Memphis, etc. Thanks to them I had a great time in Egypt, they were so so helpful than on my second day they helped me to move from my hotel in Giza to the Steigenberger hotel in downtown Cairo.

The tour price is super good includes a guide (expert in the field) a driver, lunch and drinks, they took me to amazing places for lunch, the food was super super delicious, for a foodie like me that was a highlight. We went out fo the tourist traps and I got to see the Cairo that if you are in a bus tour you will never get to see.

This tour is personalized for each person depending of what you want to see and do, I absolutely love it.

I used WhatsApp to communicate with Hani and arranged all my tours, Hani was super super nice since the moment I contacted him and explained him what I wanted to do and see.

Hani and his group mesmerized me with the tours they put together, this is a memory I will keep for lifetime.

I had only good things to say about them and I highly recommend them.

I did visit the pyramids in Giza, downtown Cairo, new Cairo, several museums, Coptic Cairo and Muslim Cairo with them and I learned a lot from them, I felt like they were family to me and it was EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT.

If I go back to Egypt I will hire them again without hesitation.

David I take my hat off for you because I have NO IDEA how you can drive in crazy Cairo, thanks to all of you for making this lady’s dream a reality.

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Ladylalique - California
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