It’s undeniable that you have heard about the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on November 1st. Perhaps that made you excited to visit this museum and the other best museums in Cairo and Egypt. This is why, in this article, we will help you plan your next visit.
Throughout this comprehensive guide, you will get to know all about the best museums in Cairo and other cities in Egypt as well. Also, you will be able to know their details, fees, and locations, so you can easily plan your visit.
So, set back, and get ready to plan a mesmerizing museum visit all around Egypt!
Museums in Egypt: A Long Story
This article is going mainly to tackle the best museums in Cairo and other museums all around Egypt. But why Cairo specifically?
Cairo is one of the oldest cities in Egypt. It has stories and history-long monuments, not just museums. Also, the city has witnessed different historical eras and dynasties.
Also, Cairo hosts most of Egypt’s museums. It is especially a significant host with the latest addition to its list with the soon opening of Grand Egyptian Museum. This is why, in this article, we’ll be focusing mainly on following Cairo’s museums, then taking a glimpse at other museums in Egypt.
Best Museums in Cairo
The list of the best museums in Cairo includes the following:
- Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
- National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
- Egyptian Museum in Cairo (EMC)
- Abdeen Palace Museum
- Manial Palace Museum
- Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo
- Coptic Museum
- Gayer Anderson Museum
- Egyptian Air Force Museum
- Agricultural Museum
- Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum
Also, it should be noted that these museums welcome visitors of all ages, and children under 6 years are free of charge.
Now, let us talk about each of them in a bit of detail.
1. Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
First and foremost, the one that has been taking the hype lately, the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is expected to be one of the best museums in Cairo. It should be noted that the museum is currently operating, and it is expected to close its doors on October 15th to get ready for its grand soft opening on November 1st.
Also, the Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to be one of the major landmarks in the west of Cairo, on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, close to many upscale compounds, such as:
It hosts the Grand Staircase Gallery with over 60 remarkable artifacts, twelve exhibition halls, the Hanging Obelisk, and a Grand Hall.
It should be noted that many top-rated real estate developers contribute to the opening ceremony of the museum. For example:
- Hassan Allam Properties
- Talaat Moustafa Group
- Orascom Construction
- Operating hours: 8:30 am to 7:00 pm (hours might differ between different galleries and from weekdays and weekends, but generally operating hours start at 8:30 am)
- Fees for adults: 200 EGP for Egyptians and 1220 EGP (25.63 $) for foreigners
- Location: Cairo – Alexandria Desert Road
Check out the top 10+ things to do in West Cairo
2. National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) has been one of the best museums in Cairo since its opening in November 2021. With a magical parade of pharaonic mummies, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization started operating, offering one main gallery, the royal mummies hall, and the textile gallery.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 90 EGP for Egyptians and 550 EGP (11.55 $) for foreigners
- Location: Ein as Seirah, Old Cairo
3. Egyptian Museum in Cairo (EMC)
The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Cairo, is considered the first ever national museum in the Middle East. Its concept started linguirng since the 1850s until it was officially acclaimed and opened in 1902.
This unique museum contains more than 100,000 artifacts. Currently, this museum is undergoing a renovation project to bring it back to its good old days.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 30 EGP for Egyptians and 550 EGP (11.55 $) for foreigns
- Location: El-Tahrir Square, Ismailia, Qasr El Nil
4. Abdeen Palace Museum
The Abdeen Palace Museum stands out as one of the best museums to visit in Cairo. It has been the Egyptian royal household’s primary official residence from 1874 until the July Revolution in 1952.
The palace was originally built at the orders of Khedive Ismail. Later, it was transformed into a museum to show its magical pieces. Currently, it hosts many sub-museums and showrooms.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Fees for adults:20 EGP for Egyptians and 100 EGP ( 2.10 $) for foreigners
- Location: El-Gomhoreya Square, Rahbet Abdin, Abdeen
5. Manial Palace Museum
Manial Palace Museum, also known as the Mohamed Ali’s Palace Museum, is one of the majestic museums to visit in Egypt, also related to the Mohamed Ali Family. This unique palace is known for exhibiting various styles of Islamic architecture.
It blends the modern Islamic style with Persian and Mamluk elements, in addition to Syrian, Moroccan, and Andalusian motifs, and Ottoman style.
- Operating hours:9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 20 EGP for Egyptians and 200 EGP (4.2 $) for foreigns
- Location: 1 Al Saraya, Al Manyal Ash Sharqi, Old Cairo
6. Islamic Art Museum
Another well-known museum in Egypt is the Islamic Art Museum, which was officially opened in 1903 to showcase exceptional pieces of Islamic art. The museum currently hosts more than 100000 artifacts.
Also, the museum was closed in 2014 due to an explosion targeting the opposite building (Cairo Security Directorate). It was reopened in 2017 after renovation.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 20 EGP for Egyptians and 270 EGP (5.68 $) for foreigners
- Location: Port Said, Ghayt Al Adah, Al-Darb Al-Ahmar
7. Coptic Museum
The Coptic Museum is one of the best and most unique museums in Cairo. It was established by Marcus Simaika in 1908 to be a home for major Coptic Christian artifacts.
Currently, it hosts a wide collection of unique pieces that date back to the 1st Century A.D..It is also home to more than 25 galleries.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 20 EGP for Egyptians and 230 EGP (4.83 $) for foreigners
- Location: 3 Mari Gerges, Kom Ghorab, Old Cairo
8. Gayer Anderson Museum
The Gayer Anderson Museum is one of the best and most popular museums in Cairo. The museum is made up of two Ottoman houses in which the English Doctor Gayer Anderson lived and requested from the Assembly of Preserving Arab Antiquities to collect special antiques from different eras.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 20 EGP for Egyptians and 100 EGP (2.1 $) for foreigners
- Location: Ahmad ibn Tulun, Sayyida Zeinab
9. Air Force Museum
The Egyptian Air Force Museum, also known as Almaza Airport Museum, is one of the most unique museums in Egypt. It exhibits a wide selection of wartime antiques.
The museum hosts a vast collection of aircraft that were used in different wars throughout Egyptian history. Also, it has a mesmerizing outdoor area where ancient Egyptian antiques are showcased.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm except Tuesdays
- Fees for adults: 30 EGP for Egyptians and 100 EGP (2.1 $) for foreigners
- Location: Almaza Airport, El Nozha, Heliopolis
10. Agricultural Museum
The Agricultural Museum is one of the most well-known museums in Cairo. It opened its doors in 1938, and in 2024, it was temporarily closed to undergo renovations.
The museum hosts a wide selection of scientific collections, different plants, and narrates the history of ancient Egyptian agriculture. When the renovation is done, it is planned that the museum will open its doors, adding new sub-museums to its galleries.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm except Fridays
- Fees for adults: 10 EGP for Egyptians and 50 EGP (1 $) for foreigners
- Location: Dokki
11. Mahmoud Mukhtar Museum
The Mahmoud Mukhtar Museum is one of the best museums to visit in Cairo. It opened its doors back in 1934, to be home for the Egyptian sculptor and artist Mahmoud Mukhtar’s works and sculptures.
The Egyptian Authorities opened this museum to signify their appreciation for the artist’s works. Moreover, it now hosts Mukhtar’s personal belongings side by side with his main sculptures.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm except Fridays
- Fees for adults: 5 EGP for Egyptians and 50 EGP (1$) for foreigners
- Location: El Tahrir, Zamalek
By now, you know almost all of Cairo’s major and best museums; it is high time we talked a little bit about other museums found all over Egypt. In fact, Egypt is filled to the brim with many museums in other governorates than Cairo, including Giza, Marsa Matrouh, and Suez.
Helwan Corner Museum
Aside from Cairo, there are many unique museums found in different governorates all around Egypt, one of which is the Helwan Corner Museum. This one is also known as Farouk’s Corner.
This unique museum, that is created on the Nile’s bank, was built in 1942 as a rest house for Farouk’s royal family members.
It reopened in 2016 after its renovation to be a museum that exhibits statues, souvenirs, photographs, oil paintings of members of the royal family, and a collection of replicas of the furniture discovered in King Tutankhamun’s tomb.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 20 EGP for Egyptians and 100 EGP (2.1$) for foreigners
- Location: Nile Corniche, Helwan El Balad
Royal Jewelry Museum
Another major, well-known museum in Egypt is the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria. This unique-style museum was first built in 1919 as a residence for Princess Fatma Al Zahraa, descendant of the Mohamed Ali Royal family.
Later, it was transformed into a museum that holds royal jewelry pieces of most of the family’s ladies. It hosts more than 11,500 artifacts and jewelry pieces.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 20 EGP for Egyptians and 110 EGP (2.31 $) for foreigners
- Location: San Stefano, El Raml, Zizinya
El Alamein Military Museum
El Alamein Military Museum in Al Alamein City is one of the most spectacular museums in North Coast. It opened its doors in 1965 upon a presidential decree by the late President Gamal Abd El-Nasser. The museum was created to commemorate World War II remnants in which Egypt took part.
Also, this museum exhibits many indoor and outdoor galleries, as well as many pieces that date back to the real soldiers in the war. The museum mainly focuses on the remains of the Al Alamein Battle.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Fees for adults: 20 EGP for Egyptians and 100 EGP (2$) for foreigners
- Location: 105-kilometer sign en route Alexandria-Matrouh road, south of the International Coastal Road
What was mentioned above does not construct the only group of museums in Cairo or Egypt in general. Rather, it was just a tini-tiny part of the numerous museums in Egypt that mount over 80, according to the latest count.
Don’t forget that there are many mesmerizing places to visit in Egypt, where you can enjoy your time. Aside from museums, the country offers many vibrant spots, such as:
- Khan El Khalili
- Wadi Degla Protectorate
- Saqqara Complex
Now, let’s tell you what are the next steps!
Wrap Up & Final Thoughts
Throughout this article, we have tackled over 10 of the best museums in Cairo. Also, we have mentioned many well-known museums in other parts of Egypt.
Now, it is high time you took action. But how can you take action? First, you can start planning your visit to these museums using this guide.
Moreover, you might start planning to find your new home in Cairo or any other part of Egypt. This is where Nawy comes into the scene, with the largest property inventory in Egypt.
All you need to do is just go through our professional property listing platforms (website or mobile app), and pick whatever property you aspire to get. The remaining part is the job of our highly professional property consultants, who will seamlessly guide you through the entire process.
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FAQs
How many museums are in Egypt?
The latest count listed in 2022 is 84 museums.
How much does the entrance to the Egyptian Museum cost?
For adults: 30 EGP for Egyptians and 550 EGP (11.55 $) for foreigners.
Can you take photos in the Cairo Museum?
Yes, but with restrictions including no flash and not using the photos for commercial use without prior permission.
When does the new museum in Cairo open?
November 1st 2025
How much is the mummy room at the Cairo Museum?
Free entrance included in the museum’s entrance ticket
