The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), also known as the Giza Museum, is a proposed museum dedicated to ancient Egyptian antiquities. Its purpose is to ensure that these treasures are preserved for future generations. While under construction, the museum partially opened in 2024 and 2025, showcasing the complete Tutankhamun collection with many pieces displayed for the first time. It is described as the largest archaeological museum in the world, capable of hosting 5 million visitors per year. The museum’s cost is $795 million, primarily supported by two loans from the Japanese government totaling $300 million.
Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum Overview
Design of the Grand Egyptian Museum
The museum is designed in the shape of a chamfered triangle. Its architecture utilizes the level difference to create a new “edge” to the plateau. This surface is defined by a veil of translucent stone that shifts magically from day to night. The museum is located between the Nile River and the plateau, positioned 2 kilometers west of the pyramids at a highway junction. The north and south walls of the structure align exactly with the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure.
The new museum features cutting-edge technologies, including virtual reality. It also serves as an international communication hub for other museums, fostering engagement with local and international institutions. The Grand Egyptian Museum includes a children’s museum, a convention facility, a training center, and workshops modeled after ancient Pharaonic sites. One of the museum’s most significant features is the restoration center, which spans 32,000 meters and lies 10 meters below ground. It connects to the museum via a 300-meter tunnel for transferring items after restoration.
There are around 19 laboratories dedicated to conserving and repairing ancient Egyptian antiquities. These include a vase, glass, and metal lab for non-organic artifacts, a wood lab for wooden items, and a stone lab that cares for all sculptures on exhibit. The microbiological lab identifies and eradicates harmful microorganisms, while a microscope scanning lab prepares and analyzes samples. Additionally, the “Mummies Lab” is responsible for repairing the mummies of kings, queens, laborers, and even animals like cats and birds.
Area of the Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum occupies a 50-hectare (120-acre) plot of land, situated about 2 kilometers from the Giza pyramids. This site is part of a new master plan for the plateau. A wide courtyard in front of the building is adorned with numerous date palms. The museum features a notable translucent stone wall made of pure alabaster, which forms the front face of the building. The main entrance boasts a large atrium where impressive statues will be displayed.
The Grand Egyptian Museum’s Development
Grand Egyptian Museum Exhibits
The museum occupies about one-third of the overall grounds, showcasing over 100,000 objects from various eras. The primary attraction is the first exhibition of King Tutankhamun‘s complete tomb collection, featuring around 5,000 pieces. Other significant items are being transferred from Luxor storage facilities and museums. These include the colossal statue of Amenhotep III and a four-ton pink granite figure of the deity Horus.
In addition, artifacts from Aswan, Minya, Sohag, Assiut, Beni Suef, Fayoum, the Delta, and Alexandria are also included. Check out our Egypt tours. Plan your ideal holiday to Egypt and explore everything it has to offer, including the Grand Egyptian Museum! We also offer Nile river cruises, which you may want to consider!
Opening Hours:
- GEM Complex: Daily from 8:30 AM to 6 PM
- Galleries: Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
- Last ticket purchase: 4 PM
- GEM main galleries
- GEM children’s museum
- GEM VIP special access
Ticket Prices
- Adult: EGP 1,200
- Child: EGP 600
- Student: EGP 600
