The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), an ambitious undertaking that has involved twenty years of planning and construction and a billion-dollar budget, stands as a testament to Egypt's rich history. Housing nearly 50,000 artifacts spanning more than 5,000 years, it is considered by many to be the country's most significant project since the iconic Pyramids of Giza.

Upon entering the museum, visitors are immediately greeted by a colossal 36-foot-tall statue of King Ramses II, dating back 3,200 years, which dominates the sun-drenched atrium. The museum currently features 12 open galleries designed to guide visitors through Egypt's storied past. Numbered paths chronologically trace the nation's history, from its pre-dynastic origins through the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, and ultimately to its decline during the Roman era. Additionally, thematic trails offer deeper dives into ancient societies and spiritual beliefs, utilizing video installations, evocative soundscapes, and compelling displays of relics such as papyrus scrolls, mummy beds, and intricately carved deities.

Future expansions promise even more treasures. A dedicated gallery for King Tutankhamen is anticipated to open later this year, aiming to reunite over 6,000 artifacts, including alabaster vessels, exquisite jewelry, and the famed golden funerary mask, for the first time since their discovery in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings in 1922. This winter will also see the debut of a climate-controlled pavilion housing two reconstructed solar boats belonging to King Khufu, believed to have been intended to transport the pharaoh to the afterlife alongside the sun god Ra.

The GEM's impact extends beyond its historical exhibits; it has significantly bolstered Cairo's reputation as a premier destination for cultural tourism. According to Philomena Schurer Merckoll, a hotelier and cofounder of Egypt Beyond, a visit to the GEM serves as an ideal introduction to the numerous temples and historical treasures found across Egypt. Beyond the ancient world, the museum complex also offers contemporary amenities, including a gift shop featuring capsule collections by local designers like Malaika Linens (Egyptian cotton) and Naïa (mother-of-pearl accessories), a boutique from Kahhal Looms selling exquisite handwoven rugs, and the café Zooba, which offers a delightful menu of Egyptian culinary classics perfect for lunch.

Adding to Cairo's allure are several other notable destinations. The Immobilia Cairo, located on the upper floors of the city's first skyscraper built in the 1930s, offers rooms and residences that merge the building's original Art Deco aesthetic with modern comforts, complete with a private butler, driver, and insider tips for exploring the city. For unparalleled views of the Pyramids, Khufu's restaurant on the Giza Plateau provides a breezy setting where Chef Mostafa Seif reimagines local flavors, serving dishes like koshari as a salad and falafel-wrapped jammy eggs. Finally, in the leafy Zamalek district, the boutique Anūt, founded by designer Goya Gallagher, showcases Egypt's deep artisan heritage, featuring hand-embroidered linens, speckled drinking glasses, and polychrome bowls crafted by artisans from across the country.