Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will close to the public from October 15 to November 4 as it finalizes preparations for its highly anticipated official opening, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced.
Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of GEM, explained that the temporary closure will allow the museum to complete a series of organisational and logistical tasks ahead of the ceremony.
“This period is essential to ensure that all aspects of the museum are fully ready to welcome visitors for the official opening,” he said.
The museum is scheduled to reopen on November 4, coinciding with the 103rd anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Visitors will then be able to experience the museum’s full array of exhibitions and facilities.
Since October 16, select areas of GEM have been operating on a trial basis, while the Museum Authority has been gradually implementing official opening hours since February.
The museum currently welcomes visitors daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with extended evening hours from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout the year.
The temporary closure comes as the museum, one of the world’s largest and most ambitious archaeological institutions, finalises its collections, displays, and visitor services.
GEM houses thousands of artefacts from ancient Egypt, including the complete collection of Tutankhamun treasures, and represents a major milestone for the country’s cultural and tourism sectors.
Ghoneim stressed the importance of these final preparations.
“Ensuring an exceptional visitor experience requires meticulous attention to detail, from exhibition layout to logistical coordination,” he said, highlighting the museum’s role in both preserving Egypt’s heritage and boosting international tourism.
With its official opening just weeks away, GEM is poised to become a global cultural landmark, offering visitors an immersive journey through Egypt’s millennia-old history while setting a new standard for museum exhibitions worldwide.
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