The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
Tour the museum where Egyptology began — 120,000+ artifacts, the Narmer Palette, and the untouched burial of Yuya and Thuya, all on Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo.
Location
Tahrir Square, Downtown Cairo (Qasr El Nil)
Opened
1902
Typical visit
2–3 hours self-guided, 3–4 with a guide
Best time
Right at 9:00 AM opening, or the last hour before close
Nearest metro
Sadat station (Lines 1 & 2), directly on Tahrir Square
Collection size
120,000+ artifacts across roughly 107 halls
Good to know
Tutankhamun's gold mask now lives at the Grand Egyptian Museum, not here

Opened in 1902 on Tahrir Square, the Egyptian Museum is the institution that built the discipline of Egyptology. Its neoclassical home was designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon, selected through an 1895 international design competition — the first of its kind for a museum building — and the collection first opened under Egyptologist Gaston Maspero. More than a century later, it remains the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East and still holds one of the largest collections of Pharaonic antiquities anywhere, spread across roughly 107 halls on two floors.

The ground floor runs chronologically, from Predynastic pottery through Old and Middle Kingdom statuary, including the museum's celebrated diorite statue of Khafre. Upstairs, smaller and more delicate finds take over: the complete, undisturbed burial of Yuya and Thuya, the gold and silver treasures of Tanis and Psusennes I, painted Fayum mummy portraits, and the Narmer Palette — the carved slate that records Egypt's unification under one king around 3100 BCE.

One thing worth knowing before you go: this is no longer the home of Tutankhamun's gold mask or the 22 royal mummies that once anchored the museum's top floor. The mask and most of Tutankhamun's treasures moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza in 2025, and the royal mummies were relocated to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in 2021. Tahrir's museum today is a different, still essential stop — not a diminished one.

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Admission

Entry tickets get you into the halls — a guide gets you to the Narmer Palette and the Yuya and Thuya burial without losing an hour to the wrong wing. Compare vetted options below.

Tours & Activities

Most travelers pair this museum with Giza, Khan el-Khalili, or a Nile felucca ride. If Tutankhamun's mask and the royal mummies are on your list too, note they now live at two different museums — plan your day accordingly.

Plan your visit

  • Buy tickets online or bundle them into a guided tour — the on-site ticket window can back up once tour buses arrive, usually after 10:00 AM.
  • Head to the ground-floor Old Kingdom galleries first; they're the quietest before the mid-morning rush.
  • Camera use inside most halls requires a separate photography pass at the ticket counter; phone photos without flash are generally fine.
  • Large bags and backpacks aren't allowed inside — there's a bag check near the entrance.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for marble floors and limited seating, and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) as a courtesy in a state institution.
  • If Tutankhamun's treasures or the royal mummies are priorities, plan separate visits to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat — this museum no longer holds either.
  • Hours run 9:00 AM–5:00 PM daily, with shorter hours during Ramadan — confirm before you go, since holiday schedules shift.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Egyptian Museum in Cairo still have Tutankhamun's gold mask?

No. The mask and most of Tutankhamun's collection were transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza in 2025. Only a small number of Tutankhamun-related pieces remain on Tahrir Square.

Are the royal mummies on display here?

No — the 22 royal mummies moved to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat back in 2021. This museum now focuses on statuary, jewelry, papyri, and other Pharaonic collections.

Do tours include entry tickets?

Many do, but always check each tour's inclusions before booking — some cover entry only, others add a guide, transport, or skip-the-line access.

How long should I plan for a visit?

Budget 2–3 hours on your own, or 3–4 hours with a guide who can prioritize the highlights across the museum's 107 halls.

Is photography allowed inside?

Yes, with a paid photography pass for cameras. Phone photos without flash are typically fine in most halls, though a few galleries restrict cameras entirely.

How do I get to the museum?

It sits directly on Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, a short walk from Sadat metro station on Lines 1 and 2.