The new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near Giza, opened November, offers a breathtaking journey through 5,000 years of Egyptian civilization. Covering 490,000 m²—larger than Vatican City—and housing over 100,000 artifacts, GEM’s highlights include an 11 m statue of Ramses II, the “Grand Staircase” exhibition that guides visitors from earthly rule to the afterlife, and the complete treasure trove of Tutankhamun: some 5,400 items including the famed gold mask and a 110 kg gilded coffin. The museum is organized into 12 main halls across four eras (Old, Middle, New Kingdoms and later Greco-Roman periods) focusing on society, kingship, and religion. Practical visitor tips: book tickets online (card payment only on site), consider an official guided tour, and plan a 3–4 hour “must-see” route rather than attempting to view everything (which would take weeks). Nearby is the Khufu ship museum, displaying a 44 m wooden “solar boat” linked to pharaonic funerary beliefs. (GEM = Grand Egyptian Museum)
