Museum · Cairo
Egyptian Museum
Cairo's historic museum of Egyptian antiquities, opened on Tahrir Square in 1902, with a collection spanning prehistory to the Roman era.
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The story
The collection began in the 19th century, when Auguste Mariette gathered antiquities in a museum at Bulaq on the Nile; it later passed through a palace in Giza before reaching its final home. The present neoclassical building, designed by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon, had its foundation stone laid in 1897 and was inaugurated by Khedive Abbas Hilmi II on 15 November 1902. It is regarded as one of the first buildings in the world purpose-built as a museum. Its holdings exceed 150,000 objects, only part of which is on display. Some of its highlights have moved elsewhere: the royal mummies to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, and much of the Tutankhamun treasure to the Grand Egyptian Museum, so please check what is currently on show before you visit.
Good to know
- The current building opened officially on 15 November 1902, after its foundation stone was laid on 1 April 1897.
- The French architect Marcel Dourgnon designed it in the neoclassical style, and it has around 107 halls.
- The collection's journey began at Bulaq under Mariette in 1858, then moved to Ismail Pasha's palace in Giza before reaching Tahrir.
- It displays the Narmer Palette, dated to about the 31st century BC and bearing some of the earliest known hieroglyphic inscriptions.
- The tomb of Psusennes I at Tanis was found unlooted in 1940; his gold funerary mask, among its treasures, was on display here at the time of writing.
Visiting tips
Arrive at opening time, ideally midweek (Sunday to Tuesday), to stay ahead of the tour groups; the cooler months from January to March are the most comfortable. Allow about three to four hours for the highlights, and consider a specialist guide, as the display is dense. The museum stands on Tahrir Square beside Sadat metro station, so it pairs easily with a Nile Corniche stroll and Downtown Cairo in the same day. Flash is not allowed in the galleries, and photography fees or restrictions may apply; check opening hours, prices, photo policy and what is currently on display before visiting.