November 2, 2025 | 12:31 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is preparing to welcome visitors starting on November 4, 2025. Located just two kilometers from the Giza Pyramids, the museum is set to become a major tourist attraction in Egypt with more than 100,000 artifacts, including the complete collection of Tutankhamun. The official opening is scheduled for November 1 and will be attended by world leaders, including the President of Germany.
The idea for the construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum began in 1992 when the Egyptian government wanted to showcase its abundant archaeological wealth to the world. However, the foundation stone was not laid until 2002. A year later, Heneghan Peng Architects based in Dublin won an international design competition to realize the project, as reported by Times of India.
The design is inspired by ancient geometry. The building facade is triangular in alabaster, allowing sunlight to shine through, reflecting the desert sun. The north and south walls are parallel to the Great Pyramids of Khufu and Menkaure. After a long construction process hindered by political upheaval, regional instability, funding shortages, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum is finally ready to open to the public.
Exhibited Collections
Upon entering the museum atrium, visitors will be greeted by the 3,200-year-old colossal statue of Ramses II, standing at 11 meters tall. This statue was originally located in the congested roundabout in front of Cairo's main train station. There is also a grand six-story staircase filled with ancient statues leading to the main galleries and a view of the nearby pyramids.
In addition to exhibition spaces, the museum features a children's museum, conference and education facilities, as well as commercial and extensive conservation areas. The 12 main galleries opened last year display ancient artifacts from the prehistoric era to the Roman era.
GEM CEO Ahmed Ghoneim mentioned that the halls are equipped with advanced technology, including engaging multimedia presentations tailored to Gen Z. "Gen Z no longer uses labels that we consider outdated but uses technology," he said, as reported by ABC News.
Visitor's Guide
For travelers planning to visit Egypt and the museum, the official GEM website Visit GEM provides the following ticket purchasing guidelines and museum operational information.
1. Ticket Prices
Visitors must purchase tickets online through the museum's website. Ticket prices range from EGP 500-1,300 (approx. Rp 260,000-680,000) depending on the package. Don't forget to bring a passport for verification and avoid large bags. Due to a daily capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 people, it is advisable to book tickets in the morning to avoid crowds and the heat.
2. Opening Hours
Beginning November 4, the museum complex is open from 08:30-19:00 (Thursday-Sunday), and the galleries from 09:00-18:00. On Saturdays and Wednesdays, the galleries remain open until 21:00. The last ticket purchases are at 17:00 and 20:00.
3. Transportation
To reach the museum from downtown Cairo, visitors can use Uber or a taxi, taking 30-45 minutes. From Cairo Airport (CAI), it's about an hour, and from the new Sphinx International Airport, only 40 minutes. There is a free shuttle from the Giza Metro station.
4. Must-See Photo Spots
These include the 11-meter-tall statue of Ramses in the atrium, the Tutankhamun collection of 5,000 items and the 23-carat gold mask, as well as the Khufu boat measuring 42 meters, and 12 thematic galleries from prehistoric to Roman times, along with VR and multimedia experiences.
Putri Az zahra Suherman contributed to the writing of this article.
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