Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square opened in 1902 and is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East. The pink neoclassical building was designed by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon after an international competition in 1895, and for more than a century it held the national collection of pharaonic antiquities. Although the Tutankhamun treasures and the royal mummies have moved to newer museums, the building remains crammed with objects and is still one of the great museum visits in Cairo.

Highlights include the Narmer Palette, one of the earliest historical documents from Egypt, and statues of the pyramid builders Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. Upstairs, the complete burial of Yuya and Thuya, the parents of Queen Tiye, gives a rare idea of how a wealthy tomb was furnished. The Tanis treasures, including the gold and silver of Psusennes I, are another strong reason to come. Papyri, painted coffins, jewellery and countless small objects fill the galleries, many in old wooden cases that are part of the charm.

The museum suits visitors who enjoy a traditional, slightly crowded museum rather than a polished modern display. It works well as a complement to the Grand Egyptian Museum, especially for the Old Kingdom statues and the Tanis gold. Allow two to three hours. Personal photography without flash is permitted, and commercial filming needs permission. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Opening hours have changed several times, so check the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities website before you go. Mornings tend to be busy with groups, so late in the day can be calmer. Labelling is uneven, and a guide or a good guidebook makes a real difference to understanding what you are seeing.

The museum stands on the north side of Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo, and Sadat metro station is right next to it. From here it is a short walk to the Nile Corniche, the Downtown cafés around Talaat Harb Street and hotels such as the Nile Ritz-Carlton and the Steigenberger El Tahrir, which overlook the museum gardens. Crossing Tahrir Square on foot takes some care because of the traffic, so use the pedestrian crossings or the metro underpass. If you are visiting both national museums, many people see the GEM first for the big picture and come here afterwards for the details it does not cover.