In celebration of International Museum Day on May 18, Egyptians will be granted free entry to most antiquities museums across the country — a gesture by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities aimed at encouraging deeper public engagement with Egypt’s millennia-old heritage.
However, access to the country’s three flagship institutions — the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — will remain ticketed as usual.
A Day at the Museum — for Free
The free admission initiative applies to a wide range of regional and thematic museums scattered across Egypt, from Alexandria’s Greco-Roman Museum to Luxor’s Mummification Museum. The offer is open exclusively to Egyptian citizens, offering them a chance to reconnect with the treasures of their civilization without cost.
“Museums are not just halls of antiquity — they are living classrooms that connect past to present,” said an official from the Antiquities Ministry. “We want every Egyptian to feel part of that legacy.”
Why the Big Three Are Off the List
The exclusions — GEM, NMEC, and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir — are no surprise. These institutions are either newly opened, undergoing phased access, or central revenue generators in the country’s cultural economy. The Grand Egyptian Museum, in particular, is preparing for its highly anticipated full launch in July 2025 and currently offers limited previews.
The NMEC, home to the royal mummies and a sweeping timeline of Egyptian history, and the Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo, with its unparalleled Pharaonic collection, continue to draw steady tourist traffic — another reason for maintaining paid access.
A Global Tradition
International Museum Day, created by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977, is held annually on May 18 to highlight the importance of museums in education, research, and cultural dialogue. This year’s theme, “Museums for Education and Research,” resonates strongly in a country where archaeological discovery and historical scholarship remain integral to national identity.
