The Egyptian Museum of Cairo, opened to the public in 1902 on Tahrir Square, houses over 150,000 objects and artworks spanning 7,000 years of history, from the dynasty of the pharaohs to the Greco-Roman period. Its ochre-colored neoclassical facade makes it one of the most recognizable buildings in downtown Cairo.

Why visit the Egyptian Museum of Cairo

The museum offers a comprehensive introduction to Egyptology: royal statues, sarcophagi, papyri, funerary objects and jewelry are gathered in one place, within a historic building conceived from the outset for this purpose.

Note: since the progressive opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Gizeh, some of the most iconic collections—including the entire Tutankhamun treasure—have been or will be transferred to the new museum. The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square nonetheless retains a considerable collection and remains a key stop on any Cairo visit. Check the status of transfers before your visit to adjust your expectations.

• Over 150,000 pieces spread across two floors
• Listed building, designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon
• Central location, Tahrir Square, accessible on foot from many hotels
• Complementary to a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Gizeh

History of the museum

The project dates back to 1835, when the regent prince Mohammed Ali banned the export of antiquities and initiated the idea of a dedicated place for their preservation. In 1858, the first museum of Egyptology was established in Bulaq, Cairo, under the direction of Auguste Mariette, in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities.

A Nile flood inundates the establishment in 1878 and damages the collections. The antiquities are then temporarily moved to the royal palace of Gizeh, in Al-Jizah, while awaiting a permanent building.

The construction of the new museum was entrusted to the Italian company Garozzo-Zaffarani, based on a general plan signed by Marcel Dourgnon. On November 15, 1902, the Egyptian Museum of Cairo opens its doors on Tahrir Square, where it remains today.

What you can see

The tour is organized chronologically on the ground floor and thematically on the upper floor. Some pieces and sets to look for (subject to transfers to the GEM):

Royal statuary and major figures

• The statue of Hetep-Heres I, figure of the Old Kingdom
• The statue of King Amenhotep II
• Sphinxes, colossi and reliefs from the great sites of Upper and Lower Egypt

Akhenaten, Nefertiti and Amarna art

• Funerary objects from the era of Akhenaten and Nefertiti
• Statuary in the characteristic Amarna style, aesthetic rupture with classical canon

Tutankhamun

The museum long housed the entire treasure of the young pharaoh, including the golden mask of Tutankhamun. These royal treasures of Tutankhamun are being transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Gizeh, which now ensures their primary presentation. Verify which pieces are still on display at Tahrir Square at the time of your visit.

Halls of mummies, papyri and daily life

• Sarcophagi, funerary masks and tomb furnishings
• Papyri, stelae and everyday objects (tools, jewelry, games)

The building and its garden

The edifice with its ochre-colored neoclassical facade precedes a tree-lined garden bordered by 24 stelae in memory of great figures in Egyptology: Auguste Mariette, François Chabas, Johannes Dümichen, Conradus Leemans, Charles Wycliffe Goodwin and others. Take a few minutes before or after your visit to walk through it.

Practical information

• Duration of visit: allow 2 to 3 hours for a selective tour, half a day for a thorough visit.
• Opening hours: open daily, with varying times depending on the day and season. Check before you leave, as hours change regularly.
• Ticketing: standard entrance fee, surcharge for special rooms (mummies in particular) and for photography. Reduced rate for students with an international ID.
• Guide: an English-speaking guide is highly recommended. Signage remains limited and many pieces benefit from explanation.
• Safety and comfort: security checks at the entrance, bags limited, water allowed. Wear comfortable shoes.

How to get there

The museum is located on Tahrir Square, in downtown Cairo, making it very accessible.

• By taxi or VTC: the easiest solution from any hotel. Ask for "Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square".
• By metro: Sadat station (Tahrir Square), or Nasser and Naguib Mahfouz stations, all 3 to 5 minutes on foot.
• By bus: line 381 serves a stop near the Ramses Hilton, a few minutes' walk from the museum.
• On foot: from downtown hotels or along the Nile, the museum is often accessible in 10 to 20 minutes of walking.

When to visit

The museum can be visited year-round, but conditions vary greatly depending on Cairo's season:

• October to April: the most pleasant period in Cairo, moderate temperatures. This is also high tourist season: plan to arrive at opening to limit crowds.
• May to September: marked heat outside, but the museum is less crowded. A midday visit allows you to escape the intense heat.
• Friday morning: smoother traffic flow in Cairo, easier access.

Nearby

The museum is part of a broader journey around Cairo and its major sites:

• The Citadel of Saladin, medieval fortress overlooking the city
• The Khan el-Khalili souks, about twenty minutes away
• The Coptic quarter of Old Cairo
• The Gizeh plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum, natural complement to the Tahrir museum

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

The Egyptian Museum naturally integrates into an itinerary combining Cairo, Gizeh, Luxor and Aswan. To build a custom itinerary including this visit, consult our trips to Egypt.