Attraction
Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world on the edge…
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
A modern museum in Fustat telling the story of Egyptian civilisation from prehistory to today, best known for its atmospheric Royal Mummies Hall.
At a glance
- Type
- History museum
- Area
- Fustat, Cairo, Egypt
- Opening
- Open daily · 09:00–17:00
- Official site
- nmec.gov.eg
Good to know
- Royal Mummies Hall
- Textile Gallery
- Gift shop
- Cinema
- Near Mar Girgis metro
Why we recommend it
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, known as NMEC, opened in stages and was officially inaugurated on 3 April 2021, the day 22 royal mummies were moved here from Tahrir in the televised Pharaohs' Golden Parade. It stands in Fustat, the site of the first Islamic capital of Egypt, beside the lake of Ain El-Sira, and it is the first museum in the Arab world devoted to the story of a whole civilisation across its history.
The main reason most visitors come is the Royal Mummies Hall, a dimly lit underground gallery designed to evoke the Valley of the Kings. Here the mummies of famous rulers, including kings of the New Kingdom, are shown individually with clear information on their lives and reigns. Upstairs, the main gallery traces Egyptian life from prehistoric times through the pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic periods to the modern era, and the Textile Gallery holds hundreds of pieces from different eras.
NMEC is less crowded than the Giza museums and is well suited to visitors who want context rather than just famous objects. Older children often find the mummies fascinating, though some may find them unsettling. Allow two hours, or longer if you watch the introductory film. The building is modern and spacious, which makes it easier going than the older museums of the city.
The museum is open from Saturday to Thursday between 09:00 and 17:00, with last tickets at 16:00. On Fridays it opens at the same times and adds an evening session from 18:00 to 21:00, with last tickets at 20:00, which is a pleasant way to visit after the heat of the day. Check the official website for any changes before you go.
Mar Girgis metro station, which also serves Coptic Cairo, is the nearest stop, and from there a short taxi ride brings you to the entrance. Many people combine NMEC with the Hanging Church and the other churches of Coptic Cairo, or with the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As nearby. The redeveloped lakeside around the museum has green spaces and places to eat. The museum makes a good first stop on a southern Cairo day, since the mummies and the timeline galleries give useful background for the churches and mosques of Old Cairo that you will see later.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization FAQs
What are the opening hours?
Saturday to Thursday 09:00 to 17:00, last ticket 16:00. Fridays also have an evening session from 18:00 to 21:00.
What is the Royal Mummies Hall?
An underground gallery displaying royal mummies of kings and queens moved here in 2021.
How long should you allow?
About two hours for the main gallery and the mummies.
How do you get there?
Take the metro to Mar Girgis, then a short taxi ride to the museum.
Is it good for children?
Yes for most older children, though the mummies may unsettle some.
What can you combine it with?
Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church, which are close by.
Is there a gift shop?
Yes, along with a cinema and temporary exhibition spaces.