What to See at the Grand Egyptian Museum: Highlights and Layout

The Grand Egyptian Museum’s must-sees are Tutankhamun’s treasures, the colossal Ramses II, the Grand Staircase and Khufu’s 4,600-year-old boat. With more than 24,000 objects on display (Wikipedia), you’ll need a plan. Here are the highlights, how the museum is laid out, and a route that works.

In short

• Must-sees: Tutankhamun, Ramses II, the Grand Staircase, Khufu’s boat.
• The 12 main halls run in chronological order (Wikipedia).
• Start with Tutankhamun, before the crowds.
• Plan at least 3–4 hours.

What are the four must-sees?

1. Tutankhamun’s galleries

The reason most people come. over 4,500 objects from the tomb are shown together for the first time, with the golden mask at the centre of the main Tutankhamun hall (AFP via Khaleej Times, 2025). Look for the gilded shrines, the chariots and the funerary beds. Full guide: Tutankhamun at the GEM.

2. Ramses II in the Grand Hall

The first giant you meet: 11 m tall, 83 tonnes (Wikipedia). The Grand Hall itself is about 10,000 m² under a glass roof, with a view of the Giza pyramids. Outside, at the main gate, look for a “hanging” obelisk of Ramses II at the main gate.

3. The Grand Staircase

about six storeys tall, with more than 60 artefacts, arranged in four themes: Royal Image, Divine Houses, Gods & Kings, and a funerary section (Wikipedia). Take it slowly on the way up; the view of the pyramids from the top is the reward.

4. Khufu’s boat

Khufu’s boat, about 4,600 years old, in its own hall; a second boat is being restored in a live lab (Wikipedia). It’s a quieter way to end the visit.

How is the museum laid out?

Think of it in three parts:

1. The Grand Hall: the entrance hall with Ramses II and other large statues.
2. The Grand Staircase: six storeys of sculpture leading up to the galleries.
3. The main galleries: the 12 main halls arranged in chronological order, from prehistory to the Roman period. Tutankhamun has two halls of his own, and Khufu’s boat has a separate hall.

There’s also an interactive children’s museum for ages 6–12, with screens, augmented reality and hands-on games (Wikipedia).

Which route works best?

1. Arrive early and go straight to Tutankhamun.
2. Walk the main galleries in order, as far as your energy lasts.
3. Come down the Grand Staircase and finish in the Grand Hall.
4. End with Khufu’s boat, if you still have time.

Want someone to plan the route for you? The guided options are at the top of this page, sorted by price. Going alone? Start with the tickets guide.

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” (layout, halls, Grand Staircase, Ramses II, Khufu’s boat, children’s museum) (link). Checked 22 Oct 2026.
• AFP via Khaleej Times, “King Tut’s collection displayed for first time at Egypt’s Grand Museum”, 4 November 2025 (link). Checked 22 Oct 2026.
• Voyaged Magazine, “How to Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2026” (cafés and lunchtime queues) (link). Checked 22 Oct 2026.