The Grand Egyptian Museum, a project decades in the making, will finally fully open on Saturday with an exclusive ceremony on the Giza plateau.
The museum, only 2km from the Great Pyramids, will host what has been described as “a night to remember” by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy.
With years of anticipation, delays and meticulous preparation culminating in this moment, the museum’s unveiling promises to be a defining chapter in Egypt’s cultural and tourist history.
The museum holds an unparalleled collection of more than 50,000 artefacts, including the complete treasures of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as architectural features that have already captivated archaeologists and dignitaries. Some sections of the building have been open to the public since last year.
Designed by Dublin's Heneghan Peng Architects, the structure draws inspiration from Pharaonic design with its chambered pyramid shapes and alignment with the Great Pyramid of Khufu.
Among its highlights are a colossal statue of Ramses II in the atrium, a hanging obelisk dedicated to the same king, and a “Journey to Eternity” staircase lined with statues of gods and pharaohs.
For many who have been awaiting the museum’s inauguration for decades, this will be not just a moment of celebration but also one of reflection.
On Tuesday, former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass, who oversaw the conception and parts of the museum’s construction during his tenure, issued a statement recounting the ambitious dream that started it all.
“Together, we set out to transform a dream into reality: a museum beside the pyramids that would tell the eternal story of Egypt,” Mr Hawass said, recalling the initial pitch by Farouk Hosny, Egypt’s culture minister from 1987 to 2011.
“I vividly remember the moment we chose the site, selected the architect through an international competition, and the unforgettable relocation of the colossal statue of Ramses II to its new home – a moment that will forever live in the hearts of all Egyptians.”
For many Egyptians, the opening of the museum is a source of national pride, amplified by congratulatory messages from ambassadors of countries including Brazil, Russia, and China.
The sentiment is shared by archaeologists around the world, who have lauded the project as a monumental achievement in preserving and presenting history.
Opening ceremony
In the lead-up to the opening, Egypt’s Giza plateau has been a hive of activity. Thousands of workers have been involved in beautifying the area, repairing roads, bridges and buildings along the routes to the museum.
Streets and highways near the site have been repainted, with road signs installed to guide the expected influx of international guests. Hundreds of trees have been planted around the museum.
Security teams have been stationed throughout the area and their presence is expected to intensify as opening day approaches. Large sections will be closed off to the public during the opening night.
However, to include the public in the festivities, screens have been set up in squares and main roads allowing people across governate to watch the ceremony live.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspected the museum and surrounding area on Monday night, before confirming that preparations were on track.
While the guest list remains under wraps, state media has reported that up to 60 world leaders will attend the ceremony, underscoring the global significance of the event.
Following the ceremony, the museum will host two days of private tours for dignitaries and invitees unable to attend on November 1. The museum will open to the public on November 4.
Grand Egyptian Museum – in pictures
Tourism boost
The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to have a transformative impact on Egypt’s tourism sector, which is already having a strong year. Between January and September, the country welcomed 15 million tourists, a 21 per cent increase on the same period in 2024.
A government information centre predicts that the museum opening will boost visitor numbers by 30 per cent in the months following the ceremony, with the total number of visitors expected to reach 18 million by year’s end.
Hotels near the museum and across the Giza plateau are fully booked, and travel companies have reported a surge in bookings from tourists eager to witness the museum’s grandeur.
“Currently, we are receiving between 5,000 and 6,000 daily visitors,” Mr Fathy told The National earlier this month. “We project that number will triple, if not more, after the opening.”
The museum also boasts a cutting-edge restoration centre, which will open its doors to visitors for the first time. Specialists and regular guests will gain insight into the preservation techniques used to care for Egypt’s treasures, from stabilising ancient papyrus to restoring colossal statues.
The Grand Egyptian Museum’s journey has been marked by challenges.
The project, conceived in 1992, was originally scheduled to open in 2020. However, the museum’s debut was pushed back multiple times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and regional instability.
Despite these setbacks, it has already garnered widespread praise. Sections of the museum have been partially open to the public since 2024, and its galleries are set to reveal new features and exhibits for the official opening.
The crown jewel remains the King Tutankhamun galleries, where visitors can see the boy king’s golden mask, chariots and throne displayed together for the first time.
With excitement building and anticipation reaching fever pitch, Saturday’s opening promises to be an unforgettable moment for Egypt and for the world.
