Discover the wonders of Ancient Egypt, from Khufu to Tutankhamun.
There are mega museums around the world that are instantly recognisable – the British Museum, Musée du Louvre and the Vatican Museums have long been bucket-list destinations. Now, a new name can be added to that list: the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt. Since opening in late 2025, it has firmly secured its place on the world’s cultural stage.
The Grand Egyptian Museum has been under development since 1992, when the site was allocated by former President Hosni Mubarak. Its journey to completion has not been straightforward. The Arab Spring, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises have all taken a toll on Egypt’s tourism sector, and visitor numbers have been in decline.
The museum hopes to give the country’s tourism a much-needed boost. The opening ceremony was attended by celebrities, politicians and royalty. Regional attendees included the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed; Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham of Oman; and Queen Rania of Jordan. International attendees included King Felipe VI of Spain, Prince Albert of Monaco, and Queen Margrethe of Denmark.
Set two kilometres from the Pyramids of Giza, the museum gives travellers a reason to linger. Judging by the queues on our visit, which are normally reserved for a Taylor Swift concert, the excitement was palpable. Visitors, including us, were eager to step inside one of the most ambitious museum projects of our time.
Designing a destination
In 2003, Heneghan Peng Architects won an international competition to bring this extraordinary vision to life. Based in Dublin, Ireland, the three-person firm was suddenly entrusted with its largest-ever project. The team drew inspiration from the Pyramids of Giza, aiming to complement rather than compete with the iconic landmark.
The building’s angles are carefully aligned with the three pyramids, which remain visible throughout the complex. Triangular panels of translucent alabaster, limestone and glass wrap the structure, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame Instagram-worthy views of the pyramids. Upon entering the triangular entrance, the roof rises to echo the pyramid peaks – a respectful nod to the landscape without exceeding its height.
Róisín Heneghan, co-founder of Heneghan Peng Architects, explained: “Designing a museum of this calibre, in such close proximity to a landmark as monumental and symbolic as the pyramids, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our design works to strengthen that connection to history and place, providing a home for some never-before-seen artefacts that rest upon the very land from which they were created. The result is an experience that evokes awe at the breadth and depth of ancient Egypt’s fascinating history in a way that feels both modern and timeless.”
From tombs to treasures
At the heart of the Grand Egyptian Museum lies the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts ever assembled. The vast Grand Hall greets visitors with towering statues of pharaohs and gods, including a colossal figure of Ramses II, setting the tone for what lies ahead. Spanning over 500,000 square metres, packed with some 100,000 artefacts and covering more than 5,000 years of history, the galleries are easy to navigate, taking visitors from the earliest dynasties through to the Greco-Roman period.
The blockbuster attraction is the complete collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures. The display allows visitors to immerse themselves in the boy king’s life, death and legacy. For the first time since the tomb’s discovery in 1922, more than 5,000 of Tutankhamun’s objects are displayed together.
In Gallery Seven, a line snakes toward Tutankhamun’s iconic funerary mask. Weighing over 10 kilograms, the solid gold mask glows under carefully controlled lighting, its blue and white inlays shimmering as visitors admire the serene face and striking cobra-and-vulture headdress. Highlights also include his exquisitely decorated coffins, crafted to guide him into the afterlife, and ceremonial chariots that speak of power and prestige.
The museum also exhibits the two oldest wooden boats in the world. The Great Pyramid of King Khufu contained boat pits. In 1954, archaeologists uncovered two sealed pits with the dismantled remains of Khufu’s vessels. Reassembling one took more than a decade, revealing a massive wooden boat measuring 42.32 metres – now on display.
Eat, drink and shop
In the Grand Egyptian Museum’s atrium sits a lively food hall featuring a curated mix of local and international brands, including 30 North, Bitter Sweet, Beano’s Café, Ratio’s Bakery, Starbucks, Dolato, Ladurée, Mandarine Koueider and Zooba.
For those keen to take home a stylish souvenir, the museum’s shops are superb. Azza Fahmy presents beautifully crafted jewellery by the celebrated Egyptian designer, whose work draws deeply on the country’s heritage, from scarab-shaped rings to elegant lotus-drop earrings. OKHTEIN showcases sculptural handbags designed by Egyptian sisters Aya and Mounaz. Created as wearable works of art, the collection includes gold-toned clutches and shimmering silver purses.
Ambitious, awe-inspiring and, above all, grand, the Grand Egyptian Museum isn’t just a place to see Egypt – it’s a place to experience it.
GO: Visit https://gem.eg/ for more information.