Mirella Pandjaitan
Sep 11, 2025
The long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is officially scheduled to open on 1st November 2025, as announced by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. This magnificent museum stands near the Giza Pyramids and was built at a cost of US$1.2 billion.
The project was first conceived in the early 2000s but faced delays due to political and economic crises. The GEM stands as a symbol of the revival of Egypt’s tourism industry, which the pandemic and regional instability had severely impacted.
GEM will be equipped with state-of-the-art conservation labs, exhibition spaces, educational facilities, and visitor amenities. The museum will also face the Giza Pyramids, providing visitors with an unforgettable panoramic view.
Inside, over 100,000 artefacts from ancient Egyptian civilisation will be showcased. Most notably, approximately 5,600 artefacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamun are being displayed in full for the first time since their discovery in 1922. Visitors can see the legendary golden mask, jewellery, and the war chariots of the young pharaoh.
Beyond its collection, the museum also features modern architectural design infused with elements of ancient Egypt across 480,000 square metres. At the entrance stands an 11-metre-tall statue of Ramses II, greeting every guest.
Egypt aims for the museum to attract 18 million international tourists by 2025, up from around 15.7 million visitors in 2024. The Egyptian government has called GEM the largest cultural project of the 21st century, with the hope that the museum will serve not only as a tourist attraction but also as a centre for research and education.
As one of the earliest civilisations, Egypt will showcase and interpret its ancient history through the museum’s interactive displays by reaffirming its commitment to preserving its historical heritage while opening new doors to global tourism.
The opening of the museum has given a significant boost to the hospitality and aviation industries in Egypt. In Cairo and Giza, for example, hotel bookings have noted a surge.