Egyptian Museum

This is not the first post we have dedicated to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, as we wrote this other one some time ago. But its collection is so large that it deserved to be the subject of another post. We are also taking this opportunity to give you some useful information for visiting the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Despite the inauguration of the pharaonic (never better said) Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, this other museum still has many reasons to convince every visitor, Egyptologist or not.

Five additional masterpieces

In the previous post we mentioned, we highlighted four masterpieces that every visitor should see with their own eyes: the Triad of Menkaure, the Palette of Narmer, the Statue of Akhenaten, and the Portrait of Two Brothers. However, this museum, which opened in 1902 and is considered the largest institution in Egyptology, has some 150,000 pieces in its inventory, although only a small part of them are actually on display.

So your visit will take you past many masterpieces, of which five more examples are worth highlighting:

Cairo Scribe

A statue made during the Fourth Dynasty (around 2500 BC) and named to distinguish it from the Seated Scribe in the Louvre Museum. Made of polychrome limestone, it also captivates with the quartz and glass used in the eyes of this character, a former official of the pharaohs.

Statue of Kaaper

Another scribe, in this case also a priest and Nubian nobleman who held a position of responsibility at the end of the Fourth Dynasty or the beginning of the Fifth. It is worth taking a close look at this statue, as it is a striking example of realistic sculpture in wood.

Statue of Mentuhotep II

One of the most fascinating examples of art during the Middle Kingdom (11th Dynasty, around 2000 BC). It is striking for the ‘Osiriform’ position of this pharaoh, showing his desire to equate himself with or invoke the god Osiris, lord of the Afterlife and judge of the Dead.

Sarcophagus of Kawit

A funerary structure that contained the mummy of the queen consort of the aforementioned pharaoh Mentuhotep II. Despite the lack of polychromy, the reliefs are in very good condition and allow us to admire the clean and polished style of Egyptian art, with such striking scenes as the grooming of her hair.

Masks of Yuya and Tuyu

Prominent nobles during the 18th Dynasty (grandparents of Akhenaten and great-grandparents of Tutankhamun), who commissioned extraordinarily beautiful funerary masks covered with gold leaf.

Information for visiting the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

In addition to these outstanding masterpieces, you will find the following practical information useful for your visit:

Opening hours

Open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (until 3:00 p.m. during Ramadan)

Price

550 EGP for adult foreigners, 275 EGP for students. Egyptian or Arab citizens are eligible for discounts: 30 EGP for adults and 10 EGP for students. Some visitors enjoy free admission: children under 6, Egyptian citizens over 60, and Egyptian people with disabilities.

Address

Tahrir Square, Cairo

Visitor services

Café, souvenir and book shop, elevators, library, Braille panels, sign language service, parking

The information above is correct as of March 2025, when this post was written. Please check the museum's official website for any updates on prices and opening hours. The recently revamped website also offers interactive information, maps, and other useful resources for your visit.