Today, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) celebrates its official opening, with festivities continuing through November 4, when doors will open for visitors to discover its unparalleled treasures.
A remarkable journey awaits each guest, a journey that beautifully weaves together Egypt’s legendary past and vibrant present.
The Grand Promenade or so called “Promenade of Time” begins at the museum’s threshold and gracefully extends towards the majestic Giza Plateau, inviting all to stroll or ride in eco-friendly vehicles.
This thoughtfully designed path, brought to life by Egyptian hands, helps reduce urban emissions and is carefully equipped with amenities to ensure a memorable, comfortable experience for every visitor.
Elegantly clad in Egyptian granite and marble, the promenade rises gently toward the Pyramid complex, connecting visitors to the awe-inspiring main plaza of the Giza Plateau.
Stretching 1,270 metres, this grand passage fulfills the vision of the world’s largest museum, spanning both open-air and enclosed spaces across an impressive 4,200 feddans.
Carefully attuned to the natural beauty and historical significance of its surroundings, the promenade unfolds in two distinctive sections. The first is an architectural extension of the GEM, continuing its striking contemporary identity.
The second segment crosses gracefully over the Fayoum Road, transforming it into a tunnel and blending harmoniously with the landscape as the path leads to the ancient Pyramids.
Through this vision, Egypt’s ambition to create the largest open-air museum comes to life. This extraordinary complex, the Golden Cone, will encompass the Giza Plateau, the new promenade, the area of the shooting club, and the GEM itself.
Within the museum, visitors are welcomed into immersive worlds of cultural engagement: an inspiring children’s museum, an educational centre, dynamic temporary galleries, a cinema, and a cutting-edge conference centre.
Inviting shops, welcoming cafeterias and restaurants, expansive gardens, and peaceful parks await guests at every turn.
In April 2021, the esteemed Legacy Alliance, a collaboration between leading Egyptian and international firms, part of Hassan Allam Companies, was entrusted with elevating visitor services, ensuring excellence in hospitality, safety, and quality for all.
Commitment to excellence, environment
The museum’s pursuit of excellence is demonstrated in numerous ways, most notably through its internationally recognised ISO certifications. Among these are the ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management, ISO/PAS 45005:2020 for Risk Management, including a thoughtful, proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with ISO 9001 for Quality Management and ISO 50001 for Energy Management. Each of these honors reflects the museum’s passion for sustainability, safety, and world-class service.
The museum’s Conservation Centre has equally distinguished itself, earning ISO certifications for Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Management, and Quality Management, highlighting its leadership in the preservation of Egypt’s invaluable treasures.
In 2020, the museum published “We Never Stopped… Facing Covid”, a heartfelt record of its pandemic response, capturing the dedication of staff and the rigorous precautions taken to ensure health and safety, even in the most challenging of times.
International recognition, awards
The GEM’s pioneering commitment to sustainability and innovation has been widely recognised.
In September 2022, it was awarded the Green Building Award at the Environment and Development Forum, organized by the Arab Water Council in Cairo, and the prestigious BIM Model Award for innovation in smart building design.
In October 2022, the museum received the Gold Certificate for Green Building and Sustainability from the National Housing and Building Research Centre. This commitment was further highlighted by the international EDGE Zero-Carbon Assessment Certificate in December 2023, and in the same year, the Khufu Solar Boat Museum received the Global Smart Energy Solutions Design Award from Schneider Electric.
Crowning these achievements, the GEM Project was recognised internationally in December 2024, winning the Highly Commended Award for Best Project Using the FIDIC International Contracts at the FIDIC Users Awards in London.
This is a landmark honour for an Egyptian project and a proud testament to the collaboration between the GEM Authority, consultant Hill International-Ehaf, and contractor Besix-Orascom.
Looking to the future
After years of dedication, creativity, and careful stewardship, the dream of the GEM has blossomed into a dazzling reality.
The GEM is more than a museum; it is a bridge between ancient wonders and modern aspirations, a sanctuary where history breathes and inspires.
It embodies Egypt’s pride, resilience, and ingenuity, inviting the world to walk its Promenade of Time and discover the heartbeat of a civilisation that continues to shape humanity’s story.
Located just 15 minutes from Sphinx International Airport, the GEM is perfectly positioned to welcome global visitors. This prime location streamlines access for tourists, enabling seamless journeys to the museum and beyond to Egypt’s iconic destinations, such as the vibrant coastal haven of Sharm El Sheikh or the emerging cultural hub of El Alamein City. The proximity fosters diverse tourism programmes, blending the GEM’s rich cultural offerings with Egypt’s renowned beach and leisure experiences, creating unforgettable journeys that celebrate both heritage and modernity.
Missed the previous article?
Discover Part 5: Khufu’s solar boats, enchanting gardens in GEM’s epic journey.
