15 Must-See Museums in Cairo (A Local’s Guide)

Cairo has tons of incredible museums – from state-of-the-art museums packed with Ancient Egyptian masterpieces to quirky and dusty hidden gems.

There’s also a lot going on. The much-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum is now partially open to visitors and there’s a recently open Egyptian Civilization Museum that’s a definite must-see.

So where do you begin with this wide array of museums? What are the definite must-sees, and which hidden gems are worth seeing?

I’m a longtime expat living for more than a decade in Cairo – and I’m a huge museum nerd. I’m also the founder of a Woman’s Art Circle that visits museums every month (email me if you live in Cairo and want to join).

I’ve been lucky enough to visit all of Cairo’s museums many times. And this is my ultimate local’s guide to the best museums in Cairo – along with hidden gems and insider tips.

1. Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square, downtown)

Highlights: King Tut’s gold mask, gorgeous statues, artifacts and sarcophagi from the pre-dynastic to the New Kingdom.

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo has the world’s largest collection of Ancient Egyptian antiquities – including many must-see masterpieces like the gold mask of Tutankhamun.

This iconic museum in Tahrir Square is simply massive. It holds some 120,000 items across two floors that are packed with artifacts. I’ve been going there for years and I still haven’t seen it all!

If you only see a single museum in Cairo – make it this one.

Insider’s tip: there are always dozens of tour guides standing outside offering their services who’ll guide you through this enormous collection.

Though there are some misconceptions surrounding this museum. It is not closing – and yes it’s still the best place in the world to dive into Ancient Egyptian masterpieces.

It’s a bit dusty and not very well labelled, but it’s getting better with each visit as staff work overtime to modernize the exhibits. It hasn’t lost its old-world charm but there are a few new state-of-the-art exhibits that are just fascinating.

READ MORE: 10 Incredible Things To See At The Egyptian Museum

2. National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (Fustat, near Coptic Cairo)

Highlights: the royal mummies, relics from the coffin of Sennedjem, an enormous embroidered cloth (the kiswa) that once covered the Ka’aba in Mecca.

The new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization has 20 royal mummies and a vast collection of artifacts from Ancient Egypt through the modern day – all in a megalithic building overlooking a lake.

NMEC’s collection tells the story of Egyptian civilizations from pre-historic to Ancient Egyptian, through the Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic periods right up until modern times.

It’s a sweeping collection that gives you a great overview of Egyptian culture through the ages.

And it’s a perfect introduction to your travels across the country. You’ll see everything from pre-historic stone tools to the golden coffins of Ancient Egypt and the glass lamps of medieval mosques.

There are also 19th-century busts of Khedive Ismail, who inaugurated the Suez Canal, and sculptures by early modernist Egyptian artists.

Insider’s tip: Save a bit of your energy for the beautiful Egyptian Textile Hall (just past the exit) full of traditional Egyptian dresses, quilts (khayamiya) and ancient linens.

READ MORE: 20 Must-See Things At The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

3. Gayer-Anderson Museum (Historic Cairo)

Highlights: the famous bronze Ancient Egyptian cat, rooms that let you imagine the domestic life of medieval Cairo.

The Gayer-Anderson Museum is packed with Ancient Egyptian antiquities, Islamic furniture and curiosities from the collection of an English officer who once called it home.

It’s one of my favorite hidden gems in Cairo – and right next to the historic Ibn Tulun Mosque (which you can both easily visit in one trip).

The museum is one of the best-preserved 17th-century homes in Cairo. Its many rooms, breezy courtyard and vast collection of carpets, artwork and antiquities are a real treat for art lovers and history buffs.

It was once the home of eccentric Irish Egyptologist Gayer-Anderson Pasha, who lived there in the 1930s and 40s.

Gayer-Anderson lived in the house after he struck a deal with the Egyptian government. The self-described Orientalist promised to restore the house and fill it with an art collection in exchange for being allowed to live in the historic gem.

Insider’s tip: The Gayer-Anderson Museum is right next door to the breathtaking Ibn Tulun Mosque – and both can easily be visited in an afternoon.

READ MORE: Gayer-Anderson Museum: An Ultimate Visitor’s Guide

4. Coptic Museum (Fustat, Coptic Cairo)

Highlights: Coptic textiles, the oldest book of psalms in the world, ancient ankhs and walls of monastery frescoes.

The Coptic Museum contains the world’s largest collection of Coptic Christian artifacts, including dazzling icons, manuscripts, wooden panels and frescoes that chronicle centuries of Christianity in Egypt.

The museum holds more than 1,200 pieces that date back to the origins of Coptic Christianity in the 3rd century. It offers a fascinating look at how Coptic Christianity interacted with different cultures across Egyptian history, from the Pharaonic gods and Roman paganism to early Christianity and Islam.

The museum is housed in a beautiful building with elaborately carved wooden ceilings.

The well-labeled exhibits are easy browse, though some are dimly lit for preservation.

Insider’s tip: If you’re hiring a tour guide for Coptic Cairo, make sure they include the museum on your itinerary. Some guides will skip it to save costs.

READ MORE: 12 Best Things To Do In Coptic Cairo

5. Manial Palace Museum (Rhoda Island)

Highlights: the lavish tile-clad Residence Hall, the throne hall with a golden ceiling, the hunting museum and the prince’s butterfly collection.

The opulent Manial Palace is a real Cairo hidden gem packed with ornate interiors, curiosities and lush gardens.

This sumptuous 20th-century palace has lavish halls, quirky exhibits and wonderful gardens filled with exotic plants.

I love to wander the gardens on a humid summer day and explore the dozens of luxuriant rooms packed with artwork, colorful tiles and textiles.

Manial Palace was built by a prince known for his love of collecting antiques and passion for Islamic art, heritage and culture.

And the palace is a testament to everything he’s collected, from French tapestries to fine horse saddles to porcelain vases.

Because where else can you see Indian ficus trees, paintings of the pyramids and stuffed ducks all in one place?

Insider’s tip: Manial Palace is nestled on the (relatively) quiet Rhoda Island surrounded by the Nile River. The Nilometer is another hidden gem that’s about a 15-minute taxi ride away.

READ MORE: Manial Palace: An Ultimate Local’s Guide

6. Museum of Islamic Art (Historic Cairo)

Highlights: medieval glass mosque lamps, astrolabes and other astronomical tools, an 8th-century copy of the Quran, Mamluk copperwork and Ottoman ceramics.

From elaborate Ottoman bonbonnieres to gold calligraphy and intricate wooden mihrabs, the Museum of Islamic Art has a fascinating collection.

The Museum of Islamic Art is a real Cairo hidden gem with an incredible collection of masterpieces from across the Islamic world.

There are enamel lamps from old Cairo mosques, decorated Persian manuscripts and a gorgeous collection of woodwork, ceramics and textiles. Another highlight are the rare manuscripts of the Quran with decorated borders in golden ink.

Insider’s tip: Just across the street is a bustling working-class neighborhood with great falafel (ta’ameya) stands and street food.

READ MORE: 18 Must-See Things At The Museum Of Islamic Art

7. Abdeen Palace Museum (downtown)

Highlights: gifts to Egyptian leaders, silverware collection and the manicured gardens.

Abdeen Palace is a Cairo hidden gem filled with royal treasures, lavish gifts and curiosities from the reigns of Egypt’s leaders.

This palace in the heart of downtown was once the Egyptian president’s sumptuous residence – and it’s now been transformed into a small and fascinating museum for history buffs and travelers off the beaten path.

The palace is filled with paintings, gold clocks and millions of francs worth of Parisian furniture. It houses a vast silverware collection, an arms collection and another exhibit devoted to the royal family.

There are also plenty of curiosities in the collection of gifts given to Egyptian leaders and presidents, including a Japanese model of a Samurai crown and a golden-plated AK-47 from Saddam Hussein.

There’s also a quirky exhibit of American buttons collected by King Farouk with funny quotes, cartoons and old U.S. campaign slogans.

Insider’s tip: Abdeen Palace is about a 20-minute walk from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. And it’s a perfect spot to take in some 19th century Egyptian history.

READ MORE: Abdeen Palace Museum: An Ultimate Visitor’s Guide

8. Bayt al-Suhaymi (Moez Street, Islamic Cairo)

Highlights: woodwork and mashrabiya windows, the breezy courtyard and the ceramics collection.

Bayt al-Suhaymi is a historic Ottoman-era home turned into a museum featuring mashrabiya windows, marble floors and period furniture. It offers a fascinating look at everyday life in 17th-century Cairo.

Nestled in a quiet alley just off Moez Street, Bayt al-Suhaymi has a breezy palm-lined courtyard from which you can admire all the fine mashrabiya.

Bayt al-Suhaymi is one of my favorite spots to experience the atmosphere of historic Cairo – and to take a break from sightseeing the district’s many mosques. It’s been lovingly restored and much of the wooden furniture and ceiling decor is still intact.

Don’t miss the haramlik section, the private spaces for women. The women enjoyed views of the house guests in the courtyard while being concealed behind wooden screens. There’s also a beautiful room full of blue tiles and lined with ornate ceramics.

Insider’s tip: Buy your ticket to Bayt al-Suhaymi either at the entrance or at the little ticket booth opposite the Qalawun Complex on Moez Street.

READ MORE: Moez Street in Cairo: An Ultimate Local’s Guide

9. Umm Kulthum Museum (Manial island)

Highlights: collection of medals, musical sheets and vintage designer dresses.

This very small and special museum is full of curiosities from the life and times of the iconic Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum.

From the legend’s designer shoes and glittering dresses, to photos of her with Egyptian leaders, the Umm Kulthum museum is a slice of modern Egyptian history.

Umm Kulthum grew up in an Upper Egyptian village and went on to defy social norms as a woman taking the stage with her heartbreaking love songs.

Her music is hugely popular in Egypt and the Arab world – take a white taxi with an elderly driver and you’re bound to hear her voice on the radio.

Insider’s tip: The Umm Kulthum Museum is right next door to the Nilometer, an ancient instrument that measured the Nile waters and predicted flood or famine. Both sites can easily be visited in an afternoon.

READ MORE: 15 Incredible Hidden Gems in Cairo (A Local’s Guide)

10. Khalil Museum (Giza)

Highlights: the Rodin sculptures, Monet’s Water Lilies, Gauguins, Degas pastel sketches and Renoir still lives.

The Khalil Museum is a real Cairo hidden gem inside a Nile-side palace that houses an Impressionist collection to rival European exhibits.

The Khalil Museum isn’t what you’d expect from a city known for historic mosques and Ancient Egyptian artifacts.

But it’s a true Cairo hidden gem with its vast collection of Impressionist paintings, porcelain and miniatures.

Tucked inside a 1905 palace along the Nile River, the Khalil Museum has finally opened after a decade-long closure and the high-profile theft of a priceless Van Gogh.

It’s a fascinating look into Egypt’s royal history. And it’s a rare chance to see masters like Monet and Renoir in a more intimate setting.

Insider’s tip: The museum has an annoying alarm system that goes off whenever anyone gets too close to a painting. Consider your ear drums warned.

READ MORE: 12 Must-See Things At The Khalil Museum

11. October War Panorama (Heliopolis)

Highlights: the massive painting of the war and the storytelling that gives you an immersive experience.

The October Panorama is a memorial to Egypt’s 1973 battle with Israel – and it’s a must-see for history and military buffs.

Egyptian weaponry, tanks and fighter jets – along with weapons seized from Israel – are on display on the grounds around the building.

Inside, a mural depicts Egyptian forces storming the Bar-Lev Line on the Suez Canal. Visitors sit on a rotating platform to view the 360 degree mural as a narrator recounts the story. The 3D figures and sheer scale of the mural make it a very immersive experience that’s especially popular with school children.

The October War was fought between Egypt and Syria against Israel in 1973 to liberate Sinai and Golan, which were occupied by Israel since 1967. The war ended when both sides accepted a UN-brokered ceasefire. Israel finally returned the Sinai six years later.

Insider’s tip: There’s a bowling alley next door if you need to let off some steam in air-conditioned comfort.

READ MORE: 10 Unique Things To Do In Cairo (A Local’s Guide!)

12. Grand Egyptian Museum (Giza)

Highlights: the enormous Ancient Egyptian statues in the Grand Staircase, the excellent boutiques and chic eateries inside.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is set to open in late 2024 and it will be the world’s largest archaeological museum – and the future home of the entire Tutankhamun collection.

But take that slated opening date with a huge grain of salt because this museum has been delayed numerous times. Do I really think it’s going to open in late 2024? I have no idea – I’d say there’s a 50/50 chance.

The museum is now offering trail visits to the parts of the museum that have already been completed. This includes the Grand Hall and the Grand Staircase with a collection of enormous Ancient Egyptian statues. There are also some great shops inside if you’re looking for high-end, Egyptian designer souvenirs.

Is it worth a stop if you’re nearby in Giza and you’ve got some extra time? Probably.

But just remember: the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir (#1 on this list) is currently still THE must-visit museum for everything Ancient Egypt. So don’t skip that one thinking that the newer one is better!

Insider’s tip: You no longer need to reserve tickets online for the GEM trial visits, but I do highly recommend it because you never know when a big tour group will sweep through.

READ MORE: Grand Egyptian Museum: Opening Date in 2024

13. Royal Carriage Museum (Boulaq, near downtown)

Highlights: a royal carriage from 1863 that carried Egypt’s monarchs for over a century, a carriage gifted by Napoleon III to Khedive Ismail for the inauguration of the Suez Canal.

This tiny museum near downtown is such a fun and fascinating discovery.

From the enormous hall with glass ceilings to the paintings of old Cairo royalty, the Royal Carriage Museum is a deep dive into the history of Egyptian nobility.

The museum is housed inside a gorgeous building that was once the Royal Stables built by the Muhammad Ali dynasty.

It opened to the public in 1983 – and it’s a shining example of some brilliant restoration work.

The museum contains dozens of different coaches, carts and wagons. And there’s plenty of curiosities including a carriage once used by royals exclusively for rides around the gardens.

Insider’s tip: Just across the street is El Wekala, Cairo’s go-to outdoor market for thrifting clothes. Zaki El-Sammak is also a 2-minute walk away if you’re looking for an unpretentious eatery with some of the best authentic seafood in the city.

READ MORE: 10 Unique Things To Do In Cairo (A Local’s Guide!)

14. Dai Zamalek Art Gallery (Zamalek)

Highlights: huge collection of modern Egyptian art and a leafy garden.

There’s a lot of art galleries in Zamalek – and I have a lot of favorites. But Dai still comes out on top because it’s MASSIVE – two or three floors (depending on the exhibit) full of art.

It’s technically a cozy art gallery on a quiet side street. But it really feels like a museum with huge exhibits and high-quality art.

There’s also a garden cafe outside lined with old trees and bronze sculptures. It draws an artsy crowd and it’s always serene.

Insider’s tip: Zamalek is full of art galleries and you could easily spend an afternoon browsing at Dai and other nearby venues like Safarkhan and Picasso.

READ MORE: 14 Best Things To Do In Zamalek (A Local’s Guide)

15. Museum of Modern Egyptian Art (Gezira, near Zamalek)

Highlights: Mokhtar’s bronze Bride of the Nile and Said’s painting Al Madina.

This little-known museum on the grounds of the Cairo Opera House boasts a beautifully-curated collection of modern Egyptian masters.

From sculptures by Egyptian legend Mahmoud Mokhtar to otherworldly paintings by Mahmoud Said, this art museum is an all too-rare place to find a vast collection of 20th and 21st-century Egyptian art.

And it’s all set on the beautiful grounds of the Cairo Opera House, which is worth a stop in itself during an off the beaten path walk around Zamalek.

Insider’s tip: This museum is great to visit before a performance at the Cairo Opera House. I didn’t even know it existed until I was walking around before a performance of Giselle.

READ MORE: 15 Incredible Hidden Gems in Cairo (A Local’s Guide)