The Grand Egyptian Museum Has Finally Opened — Here's What You Need To Know

It takes a certain audacity to stand next to the Pyramids of Giza, arguably the most celebrated manmade structures on the planet, look them up and down, and then think to yourself, "I can do better than that." But that's exactly what the team at Heneghan Peng Architects must have thought when they were commissioned by the Egyptian government to create a museum impressive enough to hold the treasures of Tutankhamun. And you know what? They've actually gotten pretty close to achieving that goal.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has been a very long time coming. For over a hundred years, many of Egypt's more important historical artifacts have found a home in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in central Cairo. But, by the start of the 21st century (a full 4,500 years after the Great Pyramid of Khufu had the finishing touches done to it), this museum was starting to look very dated and, with some 120,000 items, there simply wasn't enough space for everything. This meant that a new, state-of-the-art museum was called for. The Grand Egyptian Museum, which has taken 20 years to come to fruition and cost an astonishing one billion U.S. dollars, has been partially open for some time now. Its official opening on November 4 will be the moment when all the galleries will be revealed.

Now the Grand Egyptian Museum can claim the Pharaoh's crown of being the world's largest museum dedicated to just one civilization. But with so much to see, where do you start and what are the top highlights? Here are our expert tips on how to make the most of a visit.

The Building

Before you step inside, take a moment to appreciate the building itself. A vast esplanade leads up to the tapering glass and concrete structure, which incorporates pyramidal shapes and patterns into the walls. The building is situated at the edge of the Giza plateau and just 2 kilometers (about 1.25 miles) from the pyramids. According to the architects behind it, "The museum exists between the level of the Nile Valley and the plateau," and their hope is that it creates a "new 'edge' to the plateau, a surface defined by a veil of translucent stone that transforms from day to night."

The Main Auditorium

Entering the museum via a desert-yellow pyramidal gateway brings you face to face with a superb 11-meter- (about 36-foot-) high statue of Ramses II set beside a reflecting pool. The cinematic lighting and scale of the auditorium make this a dramatic opening salvo. Head up the Grand Staircase, which, with dozens of giant statues, tombs, obelisks, and columns, takes you on a "Journey to Eternity." Appropriately, once you reach the top of the stairs, a giant glass wall gives views out across the Giza plateau to the pyramids.

The Galleries

The museum is divided into 12 different galleries, which between them contain some 100,000 objects arranged chronologically, from prehistory up to the Greco-Roman period. Each gallery also focuses on a different theme of life in Ancient Egypt; society, economy, religion and beliefs, kingship, death, and the afterlife. There are giant video screens bringing Ancient Egypt to life, as well as constant views over to the pyramids. With so many items on display, you cannot hope to admire them all, but be sure not to miss the treasures unearthed from the tomb of Queen Hetepheres I, the mother of King Khufu, which includes her bed and throne. Another big hit with visitors is the mummies, including one of a mummified crocodile.

Tutankhamun and a Solar Boat

Tutankhamun was only a minor Pharaoh, but today he is by far the most famous. And that's because his was the first — and only — pharaoh's tomb that had been unopened when it was discovered in 1922. Now, for the first time, the treasures found within — golden chariots, inlaid furniture, piles of jewels, and, of course, his solid gold mask — will all go on display together in the same place.

As former museum director, Dr. Tarek Sayed Tawfik, says, "For the first time, you can see his clothing and sandals. In his tomb, he had a lot of preserved foods for the second life after death. There was beef and duck, bread, and treats. It's as close as you will get to his life." It goes without saying that the gallery dedicated entirely to Tutankhamun will be the highlight of the GEM.

Another highlight, which won't be revealed until the official opening, is the gallery containing the 42 meter- (about 138-foot-) long, 22 ton, Solar Barque of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops). Egyptologists remain uncertain as to the use of this wooden, boat-like structure, some say that it was used to transport the Pharaoh's body across the Nile to his final resting place and others that it's presence is purely symbolic.

And the Rest

The Grand Egyptian Museum isn't just a museum. Perhaps disappointingly, a large part of the building is given over to upscale shops and cafes. Better news, though, is that there's a dedicated children's museum gallery, with interactive displays illustrating life in Ancient Egypt and copies of Pharaonic items to climb on.

Logistics

Cost

General admission costs EGP1270 (about $25) for adults and EGP635 (about $12.50) for children. Guided tours cost EGP1700 (about $33.50) for adults and EGP850 (about $16.75) for children. Tickets can be bought online or at the ticket desks on arrival.

Opening Hours

The museum galleries are open daily except Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last entry at 5 p.m. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the galleries are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the last entry at 8 p.m. The rest of the complex opens half an hour before the galleries and closes an hour later.

Transport

A metro line will one day connect central Cairo with the GEM, but for now, by far the easiest way of getting from either central Cairo or the Pyramids is with a taxi. It's possible to walk the 2 kilometres (about 1.25 miles) between the pyramids and the museum; however, it's along a busy road.