Egyptian Museum, Cairo
No holiday in Cairo is complete without a trip to the Egyptian Museum. Not only does it house the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities, more than 120,000 artifacts are on display here, it is home to King Tut’s tomb, as the treasures of King Tutankhamun are commonly referred. Yet a tour of this pink building just meters from the Nile can quickly become overwhelming. The collection, arranged chronologically, is poorly labeled and the few descriptions are a century old. The following tips will ensure history triumphs over boredom on a trip with kids. Focus on things kids like such as the Royal Mummy Room, King Tut’s tomb and animal mummy exhibit. Hire a professional guide or invest in a map and educate yourself beforehand. View the ground floor last. Take a break mid-way through your visit and recharge your child’s batteries. Head to the museum cafeteria, bring snacks and relax in the courtyard, or simply take a breather in the bookshop. One last word of advice, quit the museum before the kids no longer care.
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Getting there
The Egyptian Museum is located in Midan El Tahrir or Tahrir Square next to Nile Hilton in downtown Cairo. The nearest metro stop is Sadat.
Getting around
Navigating the queues is the first challenge to getting around. The four step entrance process - metal detector, ticket booth, cloak room, automatic ticket taker - can take upwards of an hour during the peak winter season from December through April. If you plan to hire an authorized government guide do so before entering the museum. When they aren't hustling prospective clients they are sitting on the grassy knoll to the left of the ticket booth. Specify the amount of time as well as the exhibits you would like to see when negotiating the fee. If you plan to view the museum independently purchase a color-coded map at the bookstore situated just inside the entrance and to the left of the automatic ticket taker. Inside, you will need a plan of attack. The collection is spread across two floors; the ground floor is arranged chronologically whereas the first floor is organized by theme. If you are visiting the museum at the opening, head to the first floor and view the Royal Mummy Room, King Tut's tomb and animal mummy exhibit while the tour bus crowds linger over the ground floor exhibits.
Opening hours
The museum is open daily, including weekends and holidays, from 9:00 to 18:45. The Royal Mummy Room closes 30 minutes before the museum.
Fees
An entrance fee is charged and children are half price. Entrance to the Royal Mummies is charged separately. The rate posted on the Egyptian Museum website applies to locals. Non-residents are charged roughly double.
Contact details
Telephone +20 (2) 5782448. Fax +20 (2) 5794596.
Things to keep in mind
Photographs and videos are not permitted inside the museum. Check your camera and video equipment at the cloak room in exchange for a ticket only. If they've run out insist on carrying your gear inside. The Egyptian Museum will be transferred to a new site in Giza, Grand Museum of Egypt, in 2012.
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