Egypt’s Fantastic GEM Is Finally Open. Here’s What You Can Expect.

This jewel is a place truly worthy of the treasures inside.

Egypt tops the must-visit list for many travelers. In that iconic cradle of civilization where the Nile River delta meets the desert, kings and queens ruled with golden staffs, iron fists, and in opulent style for thousands of years.

Archeologists the world over have come to Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, and Aswan to dig, dreaming of uncovering pharaonic temples or tombs. Once discovered, artifacts were often scooped up and sent to museums outside Egypt. Today, as the country fights to have them returned, it’s also built its own magnificent shrine for objects that stayed put.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. This state-of-the-art facility finally opened—at least partially—late last year. With costs in the $1b range and nearly 20 years of delays, it was absolutely worth the wait. Here’s why.

Better Preserving the Past

When my husband and I first visited Cairo some 15 years ago, one of our first stops was the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. The museum’s collections were mindboggling. Unfortunately, so too was its condition. Built at the turn of the 20^th century, the building showed its age. Plaster walls had cracked, climate control for most of the works was non-existent, and security didn’t seem sufficient.

We were horrified several years later when the museum was plundered during Egypt’s 2011 revolution. Some stolen objects still haven’t been recovered.

The new Grand Egyptian Museum was designed to better protect and preserve those valuables. But the path to a grand opening continues to be a long, winding one.

Uncut GEM

Government culture ministers long knew there was an urgent need for a modern home to house their ancient treasures; planning for the GEM actually began two decades ago. However financial issues and widespread Arab Spring protests caused funding to stall. The new project halted, its completion timeline unknown.

Eventually, Japanese investors stepped in to assist, as did private donors. In 2014, construction resumed at the sprawling Giza site. Progress was made, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. As the world came back online, the final touches for the GEM came together. Items from the old Egyptian Museum moved to the GEM’s new galleries, and late in 2024, the government at long last announced the GEM was ready for tourists.

An Architectural, Astronomical Marvel

The modern building, designed by the Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects, is a marvel. Set on 120 acres, the museum emulates the pyramids which can be seen in the distance.

Scenes from inside the GEM Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt Colinmthompson/Shutterstock;Maciek Grabowicz/Shutterstock;Maciek Grabowicz/Shutterstock

On the museum’s exterior, hieroglyphs spelling out the names of Egyptian rulers surround glittering gold reliefs. The main entrance’s facade is comprised of triangular glass panes set alongside creamy alabaster blocks mined in Egypt.

My jaw was on the ground before I even entered the building.

“It’s amazing,” my guide Hanan El-Deib promised. She’s both an Egyptologist and an archeologist, so I took El-Deib at her word. She wasn’t wrong.

We stepped into the main atrium and received a magnificent royal greeting. A 40-foot, 80-ton red granite statue of Ramses II stood in a reflecting pool, towering over museum visitors. El-Deib explained that a strategically placed window panel lets a shaft of sunlight in over the king’s face twice a year: October 21 and February 21. Those are the exact dates when the same phenomenon occurred at the statue’s original home at Abu Simbel. It’s an astronomical engineering trick that must be pure magic; I was bummed to have missed it by just a couple of weeks.

To the left was the grand staircase. Its three main landings display more than 60 statues, sculptures, and other imperial items. At the base, royal life is represented. As guests ascend the stairs or escalators to the second level, the kings’ relationships to the gods are explored. And at the top, it’s all about the afterlife, with stone sarcophagi taking center stage. The symbolism of starting at the bottom as a mortal and summiting to the afterlife is powerful, as is the view of the pyramid of Khafre at the top of the staircase. 

The GEM’s objects, from pottery and precious stones to papyrus manuscripts, are thoughtfully displayed and well-protected. Special points of interest are easily found as they sit under strategically placed spotlights. Explanation placards are in Arabic, Braille, and English. The galleries are arranged both chronologically and thematically, focusing on society, kingship, and beliefs.

It all adds up to an experience that’s masterfully curated.  Visitors travel through time and place seamlessly, without feeling forced. It’s the perfect way to truly immerse yourself in all the wonders ancient Egypt has to offer.

Tut’s Treasures Are On the Way…At Some Point

As remarkable as the 5 million square foot GEM is, something big is still missing.

The astonishing haul from Tutankhamun’s tomb, including the Boy King’s gilded funerary mask, golden coffins, and all that jewelry, remain at the aforementioned Egyptian Museum back in Cairo. Their delivery to the GEM will mark the museum’s grand opening, and a lavish celebration will be planned.

But given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a big party right now in the region wouldn’t be the best look. Once the situation eases and it feels more appropriate, curators plan to pick up Tut’s treasures and transport them to the GEM where they will occupy several separate galleries. Their arrival will be a triumphant moment that will finally, officially open the museum.

A Source of National Pride

There’s no question the GEM’s creation is an incredible achievement. While it’s long overdue, any grumbles about delays haven’t quelled current excitement. Everyone’s thrilled about and astonished by the museum. That includes locals and visitors alike.

“We are so proud of the GEM,” said El-Deib. “What really impresses me is that not only tourists are coming to the museum, but Egyptians are also running to see it. It will be the crown jewel of the country.”

Ultimately, this is what the treasures of Egypt truly deserve: to be housed safely, securely, and in an astoundingly gorgeous space. If your future travel plans include Cairo, the Grand Egyptian Museum is a must-not-miss destination.