The absolutely staggering collection of antiquities displayed in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum makes it one of the world’s great museums. You would need a lifetime to properly see everything on show.
The museum was founded in 1857 by French Egyptologist August Mariette and moved to its current home – in the distinctive powder-pink mansion in Downtown Cairo – in 1897.
Yes, the collection is poorly labeled and not well set out due to limits of space (and only a fraction of its total holdings are actually on display).
It also currently suffers with some empty cases due to artifacts having already been transferred to the as yet unopened new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), but you still can’t help being impressed by the sheer majesty of the exhibits.
If you’re pressed for time, make a beeline straight for the Tutankhamun Galleries.
The treasures displayed here were all found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, son-in-law and successor of Amenophis IV (later Akhenaten), who died at the age of 18.
The tomb, discovered by Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings in 1922, contained the largest and richest assemblage of grave goods ever found intact in an Egyptian tomb.
Highlights include Tutankhamun’s death mask and sarcophagi (Room 3), the pharaoh’s lion throne (Room 35), and his fascinating wardrobe collection (Room 9).
Afterwards, don’t miss a wander through the Egyptian jewelry collection (Room 4), which contains more bling than you’ll ever see again in one lifetime.
Even when the GEM opens, this iconic building will still be used as a museum. It is still uncertain which collections will definitely stay here and which will be transferred to the GEM when opened.
The Tutankhamun Galleries are definitely being moved and will form the highlight exhibition within the new GEM. Meanwhile, in April 2020, the Egyptian Museum’s Royal Mummies Collection was transfered to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilizations (NMEC) to further share out the vast amount of Egypt’s Pharaonic riches between Cairo’s museums.
The Egyptian Museum sits right beside Midan Tahrir, the central square of Downtown Cairo.
The easiest way to arrive here is to take the Cairo Metro to Sadat station (on Midan Tahrir) and follow the exit signs to the museum.
Location: Midan al-Tahrir, Downtown
