The Ramses II Statue at the Grand Egyptian Museum
The first face you see at the GEM is a pharaoh's: Ramses II, 11 metres of granite, after a journey across Cairo. The story, and how to see him best.
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VIP Grand Egyptian Museum tour and King Tut collection
A private museum visit focused on Tutankhamun and Khufu’s boat, with airport-area pickup available.
- 3–5 hrs
- Hotel pickup
- Private
- Skip the line
- Free cancellation
Live guide: English, Spanish, Arabic
From US$30 per person · Oct 2026
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Grand Egyptian Museum with hotel pickup
Private car from your hotel, entry fees and a guide on site, for a half-day museum visit.
- 4 hrs
- Hotel pickup
- Skip the line
Live guide: English, Spanish, Arabic
From US$60 per person · Oct 2026
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Half-day tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum
Four hours with a guide on site, entry fees and a private car from your hotel.
- 4 hrs
- Hotel pickup
- Private
- Free cancellation
Live guide: English, Spanish, Arabic
From US$60 per person · Oct 2026
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Grand Egyptian Museum tour
A guided visit with entry and hotel pickup that starts in the Grand Hall with Ramses II.
- 3 hrs
- Hotel pickup
- Free cancellation
Live guide: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Arabic
From US$145 per person · Oct 2026
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The colossal statue of Ramses II greets you in the Grand Egyptian Museum’s Grand Hall. It’s 11 m tall, 83 tonnes (Wikipedia). It was moved from Ramses Square in central Cairo in 2006 and placed in the Grand Hall in 2018.
In short
- 11 m tall, 83 tonnes, in the Grand Hall.
- Moved from Ramses Square in 2006; in place since 2018.
- It’s the first major object you see, free with your museum ticket.
- The museum has staged a sun alignment on the statue; dates to be confirmed.
Who was Ramses II?
One of ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaohs, known for his long reign and huge building projects, including the temples of Abu Simbel. His statue sets the scale for everything you’ll see inside.
How did the statue get to the GEM?
For decades it stood on Ramses Square, outside Cairo’s main railway station. In 2006 it was moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum site, and in 2018 it was placed in the Grand Hall (Wikipedia). The hall itself is about 10,000 m² under a glass roof, with a view of the Giza pyramids.
When does the sun light up Ramses’ face?
At Abu Simbel, the sun lights Ramses’ face twice a year. In October 2025, the GEM recreated the effect on its statue (Türkiye Today, 2025). Dates at the GEM: the morning of 21 February, a day before the Abu Simbel alignment (clouds can hide it, as in 2023).
How do you see Ramses II at his best?
- Look up from close by, then step back towards the staircase for the full scale.
- Outside the gate, look for a “hanging” obelisk of Ramses II at the main gate (Wikipedia).
- Come back in the evening: from 1 November 2026, the Grand Hall hosts the Eternal Sun light show (GEM ticketing site). See the GEM at night.
Sources and fact-check
Every fact on this page was checked against these sources on 22 October 2026. Prices and hours change; the official website has the final word.
- Wikipedia, “Grand Egyptian Museum” (Ramses II statue, Grand Hall, hanging obelisk) (link). Checked 22 Oct 2026.
- Grand Egyptian Museum, official ticketing website: Eternal Sun (link). Checked 22 Oct 2026.
- Türkiye Today, “Grand Egyptian Museum simulates Abu Simbel sun alignment on Ramses II’s face”, 2025 (link). Checked 22 Oct 2026.
Questions people ask
How big is the Ramses II statue at the Grand Egyptian Museum?
It is 11 m tall, 83 tonnes (Wikipedia).
Where was the Ramses II statue before the GEM?
On Ramses Square in central Cairo. It was moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum site in 2006 and placed in the Grand Hall in 2018 (Wikipedia).
Does the sun shine on the Ramses statue at the GEM?
We are verifying the current answer. Please check the museum’s official website before you go.