The Egyptian Museum, usually just called the “Museum of Egyptian Antiquities”, houses the world’s biggest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Because of its immense popularity, we have included a trip to the museum in nearly all of our guided Cairo tour packages.

Uncover Egypt’s treasures at the Egyptian Museum – a journey through millennia of history.

The Egyptian Museum is conveniently located in Cairo, the capital city of Egypt. Cairo is also home to the country’s primary international airport, which in turn means that most Egypt tour packages start and end in Cairo, with travelers usually having several days to explore this enchanting city and the many infamous attractions located nearby.

Quite understandably, the vast majority of tourists rush to see the nearby Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, but one should never make the mistake of thinking that Cairo itself has little in the way of attractions, especially with treasures like those of Tutankhamun. To the contrary, there are so many fascinating Cairo tourist attractions, and you can be guaranteed that a visit to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo will be one of the highlights of your vacation in Egypt.

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Key Highlights and Interesting Facts about the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

Historical Significance: Established in 1902, the Egyptian Museum is one of the oldest archaeological museums in the Middle East, housing over 120,000 artifacts from various periods of ancient Egyptian history, including the Predynastic Period, Old and New Kingdoms, and the Greco-Roman Era.
Architectural Marvel: The museum building was designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon and is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture. The Italian construction company Garozzo-Zaffarani oversaw its construction.
Vast Collection: It houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world, including the famous Tutankhamun collection with his gold funerary mask and over 5,000 items from his tomb.
Royal Mummy Room: The museum features a special Royal Mummy Room, which displays the mummies of some of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs, including Ramses II and Seti I. This room requires a separate ticket for entry.
Historical Artifacts: Among its treasures, the museum boasts the oldest known life-sized Egyptian statue, the painted limestone statue of Djoser, as well as the Narmer Palette, which is a significant archaeological find from the Early Dynastic Period.
Resilient Through Turmoil: The museum faced significant challenges during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, when several artifacts were vandalized and stolen. However, many of these items were recovered, and the museum continues to be a symbol of Egypt’s rich heritage.
Future Plans: The Egyptian Museum is set to be complemented by the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which will be the largest archaeological museum in the world. This new museum will house additional artifacts and provide a more modern experience while the original museum will undergo renovations to preserve its historical significance.

These fascinating facts highlight the Egyptian Museum’s importance, resilience, and rich history, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian culture.

Egyptian Museum – An Attraction Not To Be Missed

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, home to many artifacts inscribed with hieroglyphs, was commissioned in 1835 by the Egyptian government who were desperate to stop widespread plundering and looting of the country’s many archeological sites. It was hoped that the museum would effectively be able to protect priceless antiquities that bear testimony to Egypt’s ancient past.

The Egyptian museum has fulfilled its role superbly, and today it is home to 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, although it should be noted that not all items are on display. Many items need to be stored under very exact environmental conditions in order to prevent rapid deterioration. Nonetheless, there are enough items on display to warrant spending at least one or two full days at the museum.

King Tutankhamen

Quite understandably, there is an entire section within the museum which has been dedicated to the boy king, Tutankhamen (Tutankhamun). He is after all the most famous of all the Egyptian pharaohs. Unlike many of the tombs which have been discovered during the years, that of King Tutankhamen was still relatively intact when it was initially discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter.

While the Tomb of King Tut had clearly been looted on two occasions, research suggests that the looting took place shortly after his death, and as a result, the vast majority of artifacts were left behind in the tomb. By the time excavation work was completed, more than 3,500 artifacts had been recovered, including the gold face mask which has since become a global icon of ancient Egyptian civilization.

The face mask, which is believed to be a representation of Tutankhamen’s face in this life, was crafted from solid gold and weighs in at 11 kg (24.5 pounds). The mask was found in its original position where it had been place over Tutankhamen , concealing the bandages that covered his head.

Other artifacts recovered from his tomb include a range of jewelry; vases; pots; a large finely decorated chest, and several weapons and instruments which historians believe he might have used prior to his death.

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Museum of Egyptian Antiquities Jewelry Display

The Egyptian Museum houses a truly spectacular jewelry display, a gem which is considered by many to be the world’s finest display. Coincidentally, the display also often includes two beautiful ivory and gold bracelets that were recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamen.

Perhaps the most striking thing of all about this display, is the fact that the items you look at have all been worn by people who lived so many thousands of years ago.

Ancient Sculptures

Sculptures were held in high regard in Ancient Egypt, and there served several purposes. As a result, sculptures of every shape; form and size have been recovered from Egypt’s archeological sites. Some have come from pyramids; some from the remains of ancient temples and monasteries, and some have simply been recovered from the desert sands. From tiny talismans to huge statues, the Egyptian Museum has enough sculptures to keep you busy all day.

Royal Mummy Room

The Royal Mummy Room at the museum never fails to impress visitors. In 1981, the then president of Egypt ordered the museum to close the Royal Mummy Room, but it was later reopened again in 1985, but with fewer mummies on display. The original room had 27 mummies on display, whereas the room as it stands today only has 11 mummies, including the most recently discovered mummy, that of Hatshepsut.

Visiting The Museum – General Tips

Experience the magic of the Egyptian Museum at night – where history glows under the city lights.

If you would like to visit the Egyptian Museum during vacation in Cairo, it is advisable to get to the museum early in the day, and particularly if you’re visiting Egypt during the high season which starts in December and ends in February. The museum is one of Cairo’s busiest and most popular tourist attractions, which inevitably means it can get very busy. Also, because of its large size and the number of artifacts on display, you should leave yourself plenty of time to explore.

Opening hours are from 9AM t 7PM all days.

Most of our Cairo tour packages include a visit to the museum, but not all of them. As such, please check the itinerary of a package tour before you make your booking. If your chosen tour package doesn’t include a museum visit, then please remember that all the tours we offer can be customized to suit your individual needs.

Alternatively, you can create you very own custom Egypt tour simply be contacting our customer service team with the relevant details.

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Egyptian Museum Cairo FAQ

Visiting the Egyptian Museum in Cairo promises a journey through time. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit.

What are the opening hours for the Egyptian Museum?

At the time of writing, the museum is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM.

Are all exhibits at the museum available to view?

Not all 120,000 artifacts are on display; some are stored under specific environmental conditions to prevent deterioration.

Is King Tutankhamen’s face mask on display?

Yes, Tutankhamen’s iconic gold face mask is prominently displayed at the museum.

What kind of jewelry can I expect to see?

The museum boasts a spectacular jewelry display, including items from Tutankhamen’s tomb and other ancient artifacts worn by people thousands of years ago.

Is there a section dedicated to sculptures?

Yes, the museum has a vast collection of sculptures ranging from tiny talismans to huge statues, sourced from various archaeological sites across Egypt.

Does the museum have a mummy display?

Yes, the Royal Mummy Room features 11 royal mummies, including the recently discovered mummy of Hatshepsut.

How crowded does the museum get?

The museum can get very busy, especially during the high season (December to February). It’s best to visit early in the day.

Are museum visits included in all Cairo tour packages?

Not all Cairo tour packages include a museum visit. Check the itinerary of your chosen tour or customize your tour to include a visit.

Can I customize my tour to include the Egyptian Museum?

Absolutely! You can design a custom tour to suit your needs or contact our customer service team for assistance.

Our team of highly experienced representatives is standing by 24/7, so why not go ahead and book your Egyptian Vacation right now. Allow us to help discover the magic of Egypt, including a visit to the Egyptian Museum, in a way you never thought possible.