The Main Gallery
A single hall that follows Egyptian civilization in order, from prehistory through the Pharaonic, Greek, Coptic and Islamic eras to modern times and popular heritage.
Home / Attractions / National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Cairo & Giza · Fustat, Ain El-Sira
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
Cairo's museum of Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to today, in Fustat, home of the Royal Mummies Gallery of 17 kings and 3 queens.
About National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), on Al-Fustat Road in Ain El-Sira, Cairo, presents Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day. Its best-known collection is the royal mummies: the Royal Mummies Gallery shows 17 kings and 3 queens of ancient Egypt.
The mummies gallery is designed to feel like a walk down the Valley of the Kings, where most of these mummies once lay. The Main Gallery follows Egypt in order through the Pharaonic, Greek, Coptic and Islamic eras to modern times, and the Textile Gallery holds about 600 artifacts, from ancient fabrics to modern royal costumes.
A short history
- 1982At the Egyptian government's request, UNESCO launched a global campaign to build the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the NMEC in Cairo.
- 1999–2002A site in the Al-Fustat district was chosen in 1999, and the foundation stone was laid in 2002.
- 2017A temporary exhibition hall on Egyptian crafts through the ages opened, with about 400 artifacts in 1,000 square meters.
- 2021On April 3, 2021, the main hall and the hall of mummies opened as the Pharaohs' Golden Parade brought 22 royal mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.
What you'll see
The Textile Gallery
About 600 artifacts trace Egyptian fabrics across the millennia, with modern royal costumes, jewelry and clothing.
Opening hours and tickets
Opening hours
| Daily | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm · last ticket 4:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Evening opening | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm · last ticket 8:00 pm |
| Ramadan | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
The museum's own site lists the evening opening without naming a day; the Ministry's pages and ticketing portal place it on Fridays.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, checked August 2026
Tickets, foreign visitors
| Adult | Student | |
| General admission | EGP 550 | EGP 300 |
| Admission with a museum tour guide | EGP 1,510 | EGP 1,260 |
- Not part of the Cairo Pass
- Children under 6 enter free, except on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays
- Students: valid ID, age 24 or under
Prices in Egyptian pounds, as of August 2026
Getting there and how the visit runs
Drive to the site
| Downtown / Zamalek hotels | 7.3 km · about 10 min |
|---|---|
| Giza, near the pyramids hotels | 17.4 km · about 18 min |
| New Cairo hotels | 32.5 km · about 29 min |
Without traffic, from our tours' map routing
The museum is on Al-Fustat Road in Ain El-Sira, in the old Fustat district of Cairo. Our private half day takes you there from your hotel with an Egyptologist guide.
Before you go
What to wear and bring
- Modest clothing
- Small bags only: anything over 40 x 40 cm goes in the cloakroom
Photos
- Private photos and video need a photography ticket
- No flash, tripods or monopods
- Do not photograph other visitors or staff
Average daily high in Cairo (°C)
The coolest months are December to February.
World Meteorological Organization climate normals (monthly averages, not forecasts)
Questions about National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
What is in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization?
The Royal Mummies Gallery, with the mummies of 17 kings and 3 queens; a Main Gallery that follows Egypt from prehistory to modern times; and a Textile Gallery of about 600 artifacts.
Are the royal mummies at the NMEC or the Egyptian Museum?
At the NMEC. They came from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir on April 3, 2021, in the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, which carried 22 royal mummies.
How much is the NMEC ticket?
EGP 550 for foreign adults and EGP 300 for foreign students, as of August 2026. The museum is not part of the Cairo Pass.
What are the NMEC opening hours?
Daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, last ticket 4:00 pm, plus an evening opening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (last ticket 8:00 pm), which the Ministry lists on Fridays.
Can you take photos in the NMEC?
Yes, with a photography ticket for private photos and video. Flash, tripods and monopods are not allowed.
Sources: National Museum of Egyptian Civilization; Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Day tours
Tours that stop at National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Guides
Read before you go
Egyptian Museum or Grand Egyptian Museum?Tutankhamun is at the GEM and the royal mummies at NMEC: what each Cairo museum holds and how to choose.
What can you see in Cairo in 6 hours?A half-day tour, one cluster of nearby sites, or a two-hour felucca sail or quad ride; check last entry.
First time in Egypt: which day tours to start withGiza and a museum in Cairo, both banks in Luxor, Philae in Aswan: where a first trip starts.