After decades of anticipation, Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened in Cairo, right beside the Great Pyramid of Khufu. It’s one of the most ambitious cultural projects ever completed in Egypt, housing around 100,000 historical artefacts that trace more than 7,000 years of history. Covering half a million square metres, it’s now the largest archaeological museum anywhere in the world.

Visitors can now see the complete Tutankhamun collection gathered in one place for the first time. The treasures from the boy king’s tomb include his gold mask, ornate throne, and delicate jewellery, all displayed together after nearly a century of separate exhibitions. It’s an extraordinary glimpse into the world of one of history’s most famous rulers.

Grand Egyptian Museum also offers the chance to see other artefacts:

  • 4,500-year-old Khufu funerary boat, an ancient wooden vessel that once lay beside the Great Pyramid
  • massive 11-metre statue of Ramesses II, which was relocated from central Cairo
  • a 16-metre obelisk from the same pharaoh

The architecture matches the treasures inside. The exterior is made from pale alabaster carved with hieroglyphs, and the entrance rises in the shape of a pyramid.

Inside, a grand staircase lined with statues of pharaohs leads to a wall of glass that frames the Giza pyramids in the distance.

The idea for Grand Egyptian Museum was first proposed in 1992, and construction began in 2005. After years of delays and refinements, the wait is finally over. Egypt expects millions of visitors each year, drawn by the scale of the collection and the chance to see the country’s heritage presented in a new light.

If you’re planning a cultural trip, Grand Egyptian Museum deserves a visit.

In the UAE, the season is full of big openings as well. Two museums will open their doors within a month: first, Natural History Museum on November 22 and then, Zayed National Museum on December 3. Both promise to showcase the region’s stories in fresh and inspiring ways.

Stay tuned for more news and upcoming events in the Middle East.