Is The Old Egyptian Museum Worth Visiting? Old Egyptian Museum vs the GEM

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is home to the world’s largest collection of Egyptian antiquities. The oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, it features over 170,000 artifacts. And it has the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world.

The 100+ galleries of the Egyptian Museum span the Pre-Dynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era (5,500 B.C.-364 A.D.).

But is it worth visiting? Read on to learn why over 100 million people have visited the Egyptian Museum since it opened in 1902.

Is The Egyptian Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes! The Egyptian Museum is an absolute must-see while in Egypt! Even though the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has opened and taken away some of the headline pieces, the old museum still holds powerful stories.

There are also hundreds of amazing masterpieces that are worth viewing. Even if you are not a big museum lover, you should spend a few hours at the Egyptian Museum. You will not regret it!

Museum Highlights

• The Royal Mummy Room
• The Burial of Yuya and Thuya
• The Narmer Palette
• Statues of Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure – the builders of the Giza Pyramids
• An extensive collection of papyrus, sarcophagi, jewelry, and more.

10 Reasons Why The Egyptian Museum Is Worth Visiting

You can immerse yourself in the diverse aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization through statues, mummies, jewelry, hieroglyphs, and everyday objects. Here are ten compelling reasons why a visit to the Egyptian Museum is a worthwhile experience.

Plan a trip to see the Egyptian Museum.

1. The Royal Mummy Room

The crown jewel of the Egyptian Museum is the Royal Mummy Room. It features 20 Royal mummies – 18 Kings and 2 Queens – from the 17th-20th Dynasty. The most famous are Thutmose III, Seqenenre Taa II, and the female pharaoh Hatshepsut.

Ancient Egyptians mummified bodies because they believed the body was the home of the soul. It was very expensive so only the pharaohs and nobility could afford it. The process involved draining all moisture from the body and wrapping it in linen. Mummification preserved the body so well we can tell what the person looked like 3,000 years ago!

There is an extra fee to visit the Royal Mummy Room, but it is worth it.

2. The Burial of Yuya and Thuya

The tomb of Yuya and Thuya was the most famous “untouched” tomb until the discovery of their great-grandson Kin Tutankhamun 16 years later.

Although the burial site was robbed in antiquity, many objects not considered worth plundering by the robbers remained. Both the mummies were largely intact and were in an amazing state of preservation. 

3. The Narmer Palette

The Narmer Palette commemorates the victories of King Narmer, who unified Upper and Lower Egypt in 3,000 BC. It is proof that the first political unification in the history of mankind took place in Egypt. The Narmer Palette also contains some of the earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Hieroglyphics on the Front of the Narmer Palette:

• Narmer’s name is displayed in between two bovine heads.
• Narmer strikes down a foe. This might represent his conquest of Lower Egypt.
• Two dead enemies symbolizing towns are underneath Narmer’s feet

Hieroglyphics on the Back of the Narmer Palette:

• Narmer’s name is displayed in between two bovine heads.
• Narmer inspect a pile of beheaded corpses.
• The taming of wild animals, which is a metaphor for the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.
• A bull symbolizing the king destroys the walls of a city or fortress.

4. The Animal Mummy Room

Ancient Egyptians mummified 4 categories of animals:

• Pets buried with their owners
• Victual mummies (funerary food offerings for humans) – These mummies consist of beef parts as well as whole birds (ducks, geese, and pigeons)
• Sacred animals
• Votive offerings

Animal mummies teach us about ancient Egyptian veterinary practices, religious beliefs, and dietary habits.

Animal Mummification Process

Animal mummification mimicked human mummification with variations. It involved desiccation using natron to prevent decay, but organs were often discarded. After washing, the body was dried with natron for about 40 days, then massaged with oils for flexibility. Finally, it was wrapped in linen and buried, taking about 70 days in total.

Animals in Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, animals were crucial for food, companionship, clothing, tools, religion, and art. Many animals once thrived in ancient Egypt are now extinct due to climate changes and human activity.

Egyptian art and religion highlight animals’ significance, depicted in tombs, temples, and artifacts. Some animals, like the Apis Bulls and Sobek Crocodile, were worshipped and buried with grandeur.

Votive Mummies

Votive mummies were animals mummified as offerings to specific deities, buried in temple catacombs. Pilgrims would purchase these mummies, such as cats for Bastet or ibises for Thoth, the god of wisdom.

Unlike pets or sacred animals, votive mummies were often bred in captivity, deliberately killed, and mummified. There were often signs of intentional harm like broken necks or slit nostrils.

5. Unrivaled Artifact Collection

The Egyptian Museum proudly hosts the world’s largest assembly of ancient Egyptian artifacts, exhibiting over 120,000 items. This includes various epochs from the prehistoric era to Roman rule, showcasing grave goods, mummies, jewelry, eating bowls, and toys that offer an immersive insight into ancient life.

6. Historical Significance and Archaeological Marvels

The First Floor offers a comprehensive journey through the final Egyptian dynasties, including items from the Valley of the Kings and intact tombs of Psusennes I. It also has items from notable Pharaoh tombs including Thutmosis III, Thutmosis IV, Amenophis II, and the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut.

The first level of the museum displays amazing artifacts from the New Kingdom. Its 42 rooms feature statues, tables, sarcophagi). They also show old coins and paper from that time.

7. Guided Tours and Interpretation

Guided tours and interpretive materials help contextualize the exhibits. They provide a deeper understanding of the artifacts and their cultural significance.

Renting an audio guide or opting for a tour guide within the museum’s garden ensures a more enriching and informative exploration of the exhibits.

Book your private tour of the Egyptian Museum

8. Architectural Heritage

The museum’s building itself holds historical significance, reflecting an architectural style that complements the richness of its contents. The building’s design elements include grand columns, ornate motifs, and domed roofs.

The museum has a grand entrance, featuring a monumental doorway adorned with decorative elements, arches, and embellishments. It is built on an area of 13,600 sq. meters, with more than 100 exhibition halls.

Book your Egyptian Museum Private Half Day Guided Tour.

9. Educational Experience

The Egyptian Museum offers detailed insights into ancient Egypt’s history, from the Pre-Dynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era (5,500 B.C.-364 A.D.). Visitors gain an understanding of Egyptian culture, traditions, religious beliefs, and societal norms.

10. Garden Collection

The Garden Collection at the Egyptian Museum is a special place with statues honoring famous Egyptologists. You’ll see the red granite striding statue of Merenptah (excavated in 1936), two sphinxes of Thutmose III from Karnak Temple (1861), and a colossal statue of Ramesses II found in Armant in 1913.

At the western end of the garden stands the monument to Auguste Mariette, founder of Egypt’s first antiquities museum. His statue and sarcophagus sit within a semi-circular marble structure surrounded by 26 busts of major Egyptologists. It’s a way to thank them for their hard work in studying and preserving Egypt’s ancient past.

Why The Egyptian Museum Isn’t Worth Visiting

The museum’s presentation and facilities might not meet everyone’s expectations. Despite its historical significance, challenges like overcrowding and limited organization may diminish the overall visitor experience.

1. Artifacts Relocation

With the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), many of the museum’s most famous pieces have already been transferred. Several halls feel emptier than they used to, and some displays are in transition. If you are expecting a fully stocked, polished collection, the shift can be disappointing.

2. King Tut Collection Moved

The star attraction, the King Tutankhamun collection, is no longer in the Old Egyptian Museum. Most of his treasures, including the iconic gold mask, chariot, throne, and jewelry, are now housed at GEM. For many visitors, this was the reason to visit the old museum, so its absence makes the experience feel less complete.

3. Crowded Environment

The museum tends to be crowded year-round. This impacts the visitor experience regardless of the time of visit due to the high influx of tourists and limited space.

4. Lack of Organization

The museum’s layout is not very organized, and its limited space doesn’t adequately accommodate the extensive collection, affecting the ease of exploration.

5. Inadequate Conditions

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo lacks sufficient air conditioning. This might make visits uncomfortable, especially during hot weather, impacting the overall comfort of visitors.

What Moved from the Old Egyptian Museum to the Grand Egyptian Museum? 

Items have been moved from the Old Egyptian Museum in the Tahir district of Cairo to the New Egyptian Museum in Giza (near Cairo) since 2016. The Egyptian government has not released a comprehensive list. But this is what we do know.

Major artifacts officially moved to GEM:

• 1. Entire King Tut Collection  (5,398 objects): This includes the golden mask, three nesting coffins, golden shrines, throne, chariots, beds, canopic shrines, and all personal items.
• 2. Colossal Statue of Ramses II (83 tons): Originally discovered in Mit Rahina, the artifact was displayed at Ramses Square, briefly stored at the Old Egyptian Museum, and then transported to the GEM in January 2018.
• 3. Khufu’s First Solar Boat (fully disassembled and transferred): It is made of 1,224 wooden pieces and was transferred from the Solar Boat Museum at Giza to GEM in August 2021 using a climate-controlled Smart Transport Vehicle.
• 4. Colossal Statues of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye: Several restored colossi from the Kom el-Hetan “Temple of Millions of Years.”
• 5. Menkaure Triads (King + Hathor + Nome Goddess): These pieces date to Dynasty 4 and were excavated at Giza.
• 6. Royal Sarcophagi and Mummies (selected individuals)
• 7. Architectural Fragments and Reliefs: Massive stone blocks, unfinished colossi, and large relief panels were transferred from the Tahrir Museum’s garden, basement, and storerooms to GEM due to their size, humidity requirements, and conservation needs.
• 8. Late Period and Ptolemaic Statues

Note: The major 22 royal mummies were moved from Old Egyptian Museum to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), not GEM.

What Remains in the Old Egyptian Museum

The Old Egyptian Museum will remain open to the public, even after the GEM’s opening. The Egyptian government has denied any plans to demolish the Old Egyptian Museum, confirming it is a protected heritage building. Only the Tutankhamun Gallery is being closed (from October 20, 2025).

Some high-profile pieces reportedly still at the Old Egyptian Museum: 

• The mummies of Yuya and Thuya
• A seated statue of Djoser (3rd Dynasty) 
• Colossal Statue of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye
• The Narmer Palette
• Meidum Geese Painting
• The ivory figurine of Khufu
• Merneptah (Victory) Stele
• The wooden Ka-aper (“Sheikh of the Village”) statue

The Two Titans: Old vs Grand Egyptian Museum

The Old Egyptian Museum offers the classic, time-capsule experience. You will find crowded cases, original displays, and the nostalgic charm of early Egyptology. The Grand Egyptian Museum delivers spacious galleries, modern storytelling, and the full Tutankhamun collection finally displayed properly. Each delivers its own distinct experience, giving you two very different ways to explore Egypt’s past.

No visit to Cairo is complete without seeing the Pyramids of Giza, and the Grand Egyptian Museum is just a short distance away, making it easy to plan both in one trip.

Tips For Visiting The Egyptian Museum

Here are a few simple tips to help you make the most of your visit to the Egyptian Museum.

If you’re planning to explore more of Egypt beyond Cairo, be sure to check out my blog post on Things to do in Alexandria, a city rich in history and stunning Mediterranean views.

Book your hotel near the Egyptian Museum.

What is special about the Grand Egyptian Museum?

The Grand Egyptian Museum is the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. It brings together over 100,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the entire Tutankhamun collection displayed together for the first time.

Is there a dress code for the Egyptian Museum?

There isn’t a strict dress code. However, it’s advisable to dress modestly and comfortably, considering Egypt’s culture and weather.

Can you take pictures inside the Egyptian Museum?

Yes. You can take pictures with your mobile phone for free. However, you have to purchase a ticket to take videos for personal use. Also, you are not allowed to take pictures in the Mummy Exhibits.

For a broader look at Egypt’s temple heritage, the Kom Ombo Temple is an unforgettable stop that pairs well with a Cairo‑based museum itinerary.

Final Thoughts

If you love history the way I do, the Egyptian Museum is absolutely worth visiting. Yes, many star artifacts have already moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum, but the Old Museum still holds a charm that’s hard to replicate anywhere else in Cairo. This is a place where you don’t just see ancient Egypt, you feel the weight and wonder of it.

If you are planning a trip soon, I recommend pairing your visit here with the GEM. Check out my The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM): Complete Guide, Costs + Info blog!

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