The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

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Standing proudly on the edge of the Giza Plateau, overlooking the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is not just a cultural landmark; it’s the most ambitious museum project in Egypt’s modern history. Set to open its doors for all visitors on November 4, 2025, the GEM spans a staggering 500,000 square metres, combining architectural innovation with a collection of over 100,000 ancient treasures that trace the journey of one of the world’s oldest civilisations.

From the moment visitors step through the 27,000-square-metre forecourt known as the “Obelisk Plaza,” they are greeted by the breathtaking “Pyramid Wall,” a 600-meter-wide, 45-metre-high façade that hints at the grandeur within. But beyond its scale, the museum’s true magic lies in its carefully curated masterpieces. Here are some of the most remarkable featured pieces that define the Grand Egyptian Museum experience.

‌The Colossal Statue of King Ramses II

Dominating the Grand Hall, the museum’s main entrance space spanning 7,000 square metres, stands the awe-inspiring statue of Ramses II. This ancient colossus, weighing more than 80 tons, greets visitors as they pass through the museum’s threshold. Once displayed in Ramses Square, the statue now presides over five other monumental artefacts that set the tone for the treasures ahead.

The Grand Staircase Collection

Rising to a height of six floors, the 6,000-square-metre “Grand Staircase” connects the entrance to the museum’s upper galleries. Along its monumental ascent are 87 large-scale artefacts, including statues, sarcophagi, and architectural elements, that chronologically narrate the evolution of Egypt’s civilisation. Forty-two of these pieces are already installed, carefully restored to show the artistic and symbolic mastery of the ancients.

The Complete Treasures of Tutankhamun

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For the first time in history, all 5,000 artefacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamun will be displayed together inside a dedicated 7,500-square-metre gallery. This collection, transferred from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, offers a complete narrative of the boy king’s life, reign, and afterlife. From his iconic golden mask to his chariots, jewellery, and funeral beds, the exhibition promises a rare, intimate glimpse into Egypt’s most legendary discovery.

The Khufu Solar Boat (Mersekhet Khufu)

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One of the museum’s most ambitious restoration and transfer projects, the second solar boat of Pharaoh Khufu, comprising over 1,240 wooden components, was unearthed near the Great Pyramid and reassembled at GEM following meticulous conservation. Displayed in the new Sun Boat Museum, the vessel stands as a 4,000-square-metre tribute to ancient Egyptian craftsmanship and their belief in the pharaoh’s eternal journey with the sun god Ra.

The “Pyramid Builders” and Daily Life Galleries

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Within the 18,000-square-metre halls of the permanent exhibitions, visitors will encounter artefacts that illuminate the lives of ordinary Egyptians, the artisans, labourers, and scribes who sustained the kingdom. These include tools, reliefs, and statues that humanise the civilisation often remembered only for its rulers and monuments.