Located in the heart of downtown Cairo, the Egyptian Museum has been one of the country’s most important cultural institutions for over a century. Built during the reign of Khedive Abbas Helmi II, it opened its doors on November 15, 1902, and for decades served as the primary home for Egypt’s ancient treasures — including, until recently, the full collection of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
What’s Here Today
With the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza in late 2025, much of the Tutankhamun collection — including his famous golden mask — has moved to its new, purpose-built home. The Tahrir Square museum, however, remains a genuinely rich and worthwhile visit in its own right, still holding an extensive collection of statues, sarcophagi, and everyday artifacts spanning Egypt’s dynastic history.
The museum’s Royal Mummies Hall is a particular highlight, housing the mummies of eleven pharaohs and queens, including Ramses II and Ramses V, Seti I, and Thutmose II and IV — a rare, direct encounter with some of ancient Egypt’s most famous rulers.
Visiting the Egyptian Museum
Many visitors combine a stop here with the Grand Egyptian Museum, comparing the older, classic collection with the newer, more expansive one — together offering an especially complete picture of ancient Egyptian history and artistry.
