Grand Egyptian museum to open on November 1

Egypt has officially announced that the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will open its doors to the public on November 1. Located near the iconic pyramids of Giza in Cairo, the billion-dollar museum is poised to become a global cultural landmark.

The GEM will showcase over 100,000 artifacts, with more than half on public display. Its centerpiece will be the extensive collection of King Tutankhamun, featuring more than 5,000 items—many of which have never been exhibited before.

Spanning 50 hectares, the museum is expected to attract around five million visitors annually from across the globe, delivering a significant boost to Egypt’s vital tourism sector.

The announcement came during a cabinet meeting, where Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly confirmed that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had approved the new opening date. The launch was originally scheduled for July 3 but was postponed in June due to heightened regional tensions, particularly the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Madbouly described the upcoming opening as “an exceptional event” that will highlight Egypt’s rich cultural heritage. He emphasized its importance not only as a national achievement but as a global celebration of ancient civilization.

The museum’s completion has been delayed multiple times, largely due to regional instability and the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, once fully operational, the GEM will be the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization, according to Egyptian officials.

The grand opening is expected to draw high-profile international attention and reinforce Egypt's position as a top destination for historical tourism.