Top 8 Museums in Cairo: Discover the Ancient Era of Egypt

Cairo, Egypt's historical capital and largest city, is located on the Nile and will transport you back in time. This city will make your entire trip dreamlike with its magnificently built monuments that portray the lovely architectural motifs from the past. This city is a fascinating fusion of both ancient and contemporary features. Among the largest in all of Africa, this city's metropolitan area is a major one. There are numerous museums in Cairo where you may locate the evidence of the previous events that took place in Egypt, as history is one of the important characteristics of the city. People from all over the world love to participate in Egypt's cultural tours.

Top Museums in Cairo: Explore the Pharaonic Artifacts

You'll want to stay more than one or two nights in Cairo because of the city's enormous concentration of museums. Travelers with a passion for culture should schedule several days to see the city's collection of museums when planning an Egypt tour. Some are enormous in scope and content, while others are more upscale, possibly even secretive, but no less important. While others simply call for a few hours, some will take an entire day or even longer. The city offers a variety of sights and activities. The museums in Cairo, however, capture the hearts of visitors from all over the world who come to witness the mysterious past of Egypt. The most popular museums in this city are listed here, out of the many that are present so continue reading to learn more!

• Grand Egyptian Museum
• The Egyptian Museum (Museum of Egyptian Antiquities)
• National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
• Abdeen Palace Museum
• Coptic Cairo Museum
• Manial Palace Museum
• Museum of Islamic Art
• Gayer Anderson Museum

1. Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum, the biggest museum in Cairo is declared to be open in November 2022 though they are welcoming limited guests till the official opening. This huge museum is only 2km away from the Pyramids of Giza and is the house of the world’s largest archaeological collection. The museum carries the world’s most comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities along with a massive number of artifacts that date back thousands of years. The very first impression that this new Cairo museum puts on a visitor is the grand Hanging Obelisk that will lead visitors to the vast Grand Hall.

When everything is up and running, visitors will also get the opportunity to view all of the artifacts of King Tutankhamun in this Egyptian museum Cairo for the first time since the boy king's tomb was found in 1922. In addition to the main museum building, the enormous museum complex houses a Children's Museum, a temporary exhibition area, a library, an education center, and a cutting-edge conservation facility. Office space, an auditorium, a conference center, shops, and also facilitate with some amazing restaurants in Cairo, located in different portions of the museum. The Terrace Garden, Palm Garden, and Sculpture Garden are outdoor areas.

Main Attractions: Artifacts of King Tutankhamun, Exhibition, Children’s Museum, library, etc

Location: Kafr Nassar, Al Haram, Giza Governorate 3513204, Egypt

Visiting Time: 9 AM to 5 PM

2. The Egyptian Museum- Museum of Egyptian Antiquities

Every year, millions of tourists visit the Egyptian Museum to view the largest collection of pharaonic artifacts in existence. Two floors make up the museum; the lower floor houses a chronological tour through Egypt's 5,000-year history with 160,000 artifacts, and the upper floor houses varying exhibitions. These have previously included items from Tutankhamun's tomb, statues of deities, and common objects. Exploring Tutankhamun’s ornaments is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Egypt. Try something different and choose the evening shows.

This two-level museum, which is in the heart of Cairo, is also known as the Museum of Cairo and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. The collection, which contains more than 120,000 artifacts, includes items found in Tutankhamun's tomb, jewels recovered in the Royal Tombs of Tanis, mummies discovered starting in the 19th century, as well as finds from the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom. Don't miss the park next to the museum, where 23 busts of renowned Egyptologists are on display and a statue honors Auguste Mariette, a French professor who established the Egyptian Department of Antiquities. This "mother" of Egyptian museums, as Egyptologists have dubbed it, will remain open for visitors even if a portion of the collection will go to the new Grand Egyptian Museum.

Main Attractions: Items from Tutankhamen's tomb, Jewels from Tanis tomb, mummies from the 19th century, etc

Location: Wasim Hasan, El-Tahrir Square, 4272083

Visiting Time: 9 AM to 5 PM

3. National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

This museum was once a part of the historic district of El-Fustat, but it is currently located in Cairo, the country's capital. Here, as the name implies, you can learn everything about Egypt's ancient civilizations as this is the biggest civilization museum cairo. There are almost 50,000 artifacts here that transport you to ancient Egypt and then back to modern Egypt. By offering technical assistance, UNESCO helped with the establishment of this museum in Egypt. The entire collection has been divided both topically and chronologically. To gain a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian civilizations, visit the museum.

The first museum dedicated to Arab civilization is called NMEC. The Nile, Writing, State and Society, Material Culture, Beliefs and Thinking, and the Gallery of Royal Mummies are six of the galleries. NMEC began a soft opening in February 2017, however, the structure is still under construction. In the last three years, more galleries have opened, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization will keep growing until the billion-dollar project is complete. This museum is somewhat overwhelming and will become even more so once every gallery is complete because it is the largest museum in the world devoted to one civilization.

Main Attractions: Ancient and modern Egypt artifacts, various galleries, etc

Location: Ein as Seirah, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate 4245001, Egypt

Visiting Time: 9 AM to 5 PM

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4. Abdeen Palace Museum

One of the most stunningly beautiful museums in the world, this palace-turned-museum is named after Egyptian leader Abidin Bey and is one of the best places to visit in Cairo. From 1872 until 1952, when Egypt's monarchy ended, this magnificent building in Old Cairo's Abdeen neighborhood served as the country's royal house. The museum is renowned for its lavish interior design, which includes multiple paintings in each room and a collection of gold-encased clocks. The building has multiple museums under one roof, all of which are free to enter. The upper floors of the museum, which once served as the royal family's residences but are now only accessible to foreign dignitaries on business, are divided into sections today. The museum's primary divisions—the Silver Museum, the Arms Museum, the Royal Family Museum, the Presidential Gifts Museum, and the Historical Documents Museum—are located on the lower floors.

The Silver Museum, the Arms Museum (which features a sizable collection of weapons), the Royal Family Museum, the Presidential Gifts Museum (which features royal gifts and ornaments), and a Historical Documents Museum. International leaders and dignitaries are routinely welcomed at the higher levels.

Main Attractions: Royal Exterior of the Palace, lavish interior, paintings, museum of weapons, etc

Location: 26VW+7VP, Juma Abdeen Street, El-Gomhoreya Square, Rahbet Abdin, Abdeen, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Visiting Time:

• Saturday to Thursday- 9 AM to 3 PM
• Friday- Closed

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5. Coptic Cairo Museum

Millions of Coptic Christians still call Egypt home, where the religion was first practiced not long after Jesus' death. The Coptic Museum, which is housed inside the Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo, recognizes the Copts' long history by housing the largest collection of Egyptian Christian items in the entire world. To honor the history of Christianity in Egypt and link Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and Islamic cultures, Marcus Simaika Pasha founded the museum in 1908.

An extraordinary collection of 16,000 works of art, 6,000 papyrus manuscripts, including the Psalms of David and Nag Hammadi, and monastery frescoes have all been donated over the years by members of the community and making it one of the best attractions in Cairo. The unique feature of this museum is that it has extensively explored Egyptian history and even includes scenes from now to demonstrate the tremendous advancement that has occurred over time.

Main Attractions: Egyptian Christian items, papyrus manuscripts, etc

Location: 3 Mari Gerges, Kom Ghorab, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate 4244001, Egypt

Visiting Time:

Monday to Friday- 9 AM to 4 PM

Saturday to Sunday- 9 AM to 3 PM

6. Manial Palace Museum

This lavish yet strange museum was constructed by Prince Mohammed Ali in the early 20th century and is distinguished by a fusion of traditional Islamic, Persian, and Mamluk architectural and aesthetic elements. The Manial palace, which is surrounded by stunning, lush gardens, provides insight into the lifestyle of the Egyptian monarchy in the 19th and 20th centuries and is one of the best places to visit in Egypt.

This palace, which was created in the Arabic, Ottoman, and Moorish architectural styles while combining Art Nouveau and Rococo features, is frequently regarded as a hidden jewel of Egyptian culture. Six separate structures make up the opulent museum, including the late King Farouk's hunting lodge, a throne room, a stunning mosque, the palace, and elaborate Persian gardens in an English garden park.

The interior decor at this place is likewise quite opulent; it features vibrant Islamic motifs, stained glass, gilding, and old Persian rugs. Manial Palace is a favorite with both amateur and professional photographers since it is situated next to a stretch of the Nile, which gives the entire location a lovely and cinematic feel. So, when you visit this lovely museum, don't forget your camera.

Main Attractions: Interior decoration, a paradise for photographers, etc

Location: As Saraya, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate 4240291, Egypt

Visiting Time: 9 AM to 5 PM

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7. Museum of Islamic Art

This museum will give you the best of both worlds if you enjoy creativity and the arts and are intrigued by local history. Due to the exceptional art collection that accurately captures Islamic culture, the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo is one of the most renowned museums in the world. Visitors to this museum get access to one of the broadest collections of works in this genre anywhere. On display are rare items of woodwork, plaster, fabrics, pottery, glass, crystal, and metal, as well as Qur'anic manuscripts. Pieces from North Africa, Andalusia, Iran, and the Arabian Peninsula, as well as Egypt, date from the 7th to the 19th centuries. The exhibitions in the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) are categorized by period or topic, such as currency, calligraphy, science, and astronomy, among others. In addition to the plethora of Islamic art on show, the building itself is stunning, worth a visit, and a nice escape from the busy streets of downtown Cairo.

Main Attractions: Items of woodwork, plaster, fabrics, pottery, glass, crystal, and metal, Qur'anic manuscripts, artifacts from the 7th to 19th century, etc

Location: Port Said, Ghayt Al Adah, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate 11638, Egypt

Visiting Time:

• Saturday to Thursday- 9 AM to 5 PM
• Friday- 9 AM to 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM to 5 PM

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8. Gayer Anderson Museum

If you are passionate about the James Bond movies, this is the location you can see a glimpse. This museum, also known as Beit El Kertlia, was featured in the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. Major Gayer-Anderson Pasha's name is on the building, which is situated near the Ahmad Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo's Islamic quarter. The British officer and Egyptophile Major lived at that location from 1935 to 1942. In this location, two Ottoman-era buildings face one another and are connected by a tunnel. A sabil, which was a drinking water fountain, is also on display at this museum, which is unusual because homes at that time didn't typically have them.

You will see furniture, rugs, and Egyptian artifacts that Gayer-Anderson collected while residing there on exhibit with colorful pillows, artwork, pictures, and lovely Mashrabiya screens. The Gayer-Anderson Museum is a must-see destination when in Cairo and one of the city's finest examples of 17th-century home architecture.

Main Attraction: famous movie location,

Location: Ahmad Ibn Tulun, As Sayedah, El Sayeda Zeinab, Egypt

Visiting Time: 9 AM to 3 PM

For history enthusiasts, Cairo is a historical paradise. You'll be pleasantly surprised by Egypt's capital in a variety of ways! This area has a very diverse and rich background from the ancient artifacts to the new-age buildings. The aforementioned museums in Cairo serve as evidence of both Cairo's and Egypt's extensive historical past. You can meet and explore the world-famous Tutankhamun and his treasures in the museums. Avail yourself of the best Egypt tour package to cover all the key areas of this capital city to make your trip to Egypt one you'll never forget.

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