The Grand Egyptian Museum: An Honest Review
What do you get when humanity creates a larger-than-life passion project dedicated solely to one civilization? A tourism magnet? Absolutely. A harborer of ancient treasures that not-so-gently reminds you that your primary and secondary education may have been lacking in a major chapter of human history? That too.
The Grand Egyptian Museum — GEM for short — is certainly grand in both scale and its collection of ancient treasures. As its moniker casually, and perhaps even cleverly, suggests, it can be counted as a rare and precious “gem” in the world of museology and architectural design. The hype surrounding its grand opening was hard to avoid: At last, a museum displaying all of King Tutankhamun’s treasures under one roof! But was all this attention justified, or was it mostly hoopla?
Let’s get into it with my honest review, based on my visit in December 2025.
Affordability: 7/10
At slightly over $30 USD per adult ticket, visiting GEM is a relatively affordable experience.
Accessibility: 8/10
There has clearly been a substantial effort to make GEM accessible for visitors with disabilities, though there is still room for improvement. Elevators are available for those who use wheelchairs or walking aids, and the upper-level exhibits – including King Tutankhamun’s – offer plenty of navigable space for wheelchair users.
There is also a massive people-mover ascending the Grand Staircase, which displays numerous stone-carved artifacts. On the opposite side, you will find a traditional staircase with a handrail. I do wish the Grand Staircase itself were more accessible for visitors with disabilities, as navigating each tier can be tricky when trying to observe the artifacts up close.
Design: 9/10
Not only is the physical design of the museum spectacular, but the developers also deserve an A+ for reimagining how visitors experience a museum. From the moment you enter, you are left in awe by the sheer expansiveness of the space. Fair warning, you will feel small!
The first treasure to command your attention is the colossal statue of Ramses II, one of the most significant and longest-reigning pharaohs in Egyptian history. Standing there in all his glory, towering over visitors, he makes for an unforgettable welcome.
The Grand Staircase itself is breathtaking in person. Each level showcases stone artifacts from different dynasties so seamlessly that it genuinely feels like you’re “stepping” through history. The upper exhibits follow an open-concept layout and are easy to navigate. At the very top, you are rewarded with a perfectly framed view of the pyramids in the distance.
King Tutankhamun’s exhibit is nearly perfect. His iconic funerary mask is displayed at the center, and visitors must queue if they want a relatively close view (or any real chance of taking a decent photo). Because the mask is presented as a three-dimensional experience, the queue slowly revolves around it, allowing observers to appreciate its intricate details from every angle. You will only have a few seconds standing directly in front of it before being gently ushered along by a docent.
Information: 6/10
Did visiting GEM give me a strong foundation in Egyptology? If my mother and I had not hired a private, certified guide and Egyptologist, I would say, no, not really.
As a visual learner, I rely heavily on videos as a supplement to written information. A dedicated room with short films explaining topics such as a brief history of Egypt, how the pyramids were built, or, most notably, Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb (which was meticulously documented in photographs and film) would have been incredibly valuable.
Additionally, there was a noticeable lack of information about King Tutankhamun’s funerary mask itself. As I slowly revolved around it, I had no idea what the hieroglyphs on the back represented, which was frustrating and felt like a missed educational opportunity.
Relief: 6/10
The only restroom I noticed was located in the main lobby, meaning you will have to make your way all the way down the Grand Staircase if the need arises. That said, the bathroom was spacious and very clean. I also wish there were more seating options scattered throughout the museum.
Souvenirs: 7/10
The souvenir selection is adequate. I did not see many handmade items, which I found a little disappointing, and prices were a bit higher than expected. If you are searching for authentic, handmade Egyptian souvenirs, I recommend visiting the carpet schools in Saqqara or the Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo. Both places also allow for price negotiation.
Sustenance: 8/10
There are a couple of dining options inside the museum. We ate at Zooba, and the food was quite good. The braised lamb shank was delicious, and I especially enjoyed the mint limeade. Most menu items range from about $6–15 USD. The lamb shank was the most expensive dish at around $30 USD, but it was generous enough to share among the three of us.
Instagramability: 8/10
Yes, you can capture some lovely selfies with your travel companion throughout the museum. However, the statue of Ramses II is constantly surrounded by people, making it difficult to get a clean shot with just the two of you. And your selfie with King Tutankhamun’s funerary mask likely will not be post-worthy – you simply cannot get close enough.
Overall: 7.3/10
In hindsight, it is clear that GEM’s publicists did an excellent job promoting the museum. I have little doubt that tourism to Egypt will increase as a result. That said, I do think the museum received more hype than it ultimately deserved. GEM took many years to complete and faced numerous delays due to funding challenges and sheer bad luck. Creating such a beautiful institution to showcase Egyptian heritage after overcoming so many obstacles is, without question, something to celebrate.
Still, for me, if it were not for King Tutankhamun’s funerary goods, I might have left feeling underwhelmed. GEM did not evoke the same sense of raw Egyptian history that I felt at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC). NMEC is home to more than twenty royal mummies – including Ramses II himself – beautifully displayed and honored with detailed information about each individual. Seeing those mummies brought Ancient Egypt to life for me almost as powerfully as visiting the tombs and temples of Luxor.
If you would like to purchase tickets to visit GEM, click here for the link to their official page.
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