Egyptian Museum

Located in Tahrir Square, Cairo, the Egyptian Museum is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, housing over 150,000 artifacts from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era. Designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon and inaugurated in 1902, the museum’s extensive collection includes the treasures of Tutankhamun, the Narmer Palette, and statues of kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Visitors can explore artifacts arranged chronologically on the ground floor and by category on the first floor, with additional items stored in a large basement. The museum offers various services, including guided tours, audio guides, a gift shop, café, library, and facilities for visitors with special needs.

Planning your visit

The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, opened in 1902 in Marcel Dourgnon's purpose-built halls, and it still holds over 150,000 objects spanning the Predynastic period to Greco-Roman Egypt. The ground floor runs chronologically, the first floor by category — an arrangement that rewards a guide, because the labelling is sparse compared to newer institutions and the sheer density of objects makes it easy to walk past significant pieces.

Almost every bookable option here treats the museum as part of a Cairo day rather than a standalone stop, most often paired with the Giza pyramids and Sphinx. Half-day guided tours combine it with the Citadel and Old Cairo; longer itineraries add a felucca ride on the Nile with lunch or a stop at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. There are also transfers built for cruise passengers arriving at Alexandria, El Sokhna or Hurghada, which handle the long drive as part of the package. See current departures below.