Quick answer
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, Old Cairo, is home to Egypt's royal mummies, including Ramesses II, Seti I and Hatshepsut, displayed in an underground hall since the Pharaohs' Golden Parade of April 2021. Above it, a main gallery tells Egypt's story from prehistory to today. Allow two to three hours.
What is the NMEC?
The NMEC is a national museum covering the whole sweep of Egyptian history, from prehistory through the pharaohs, Graeco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic periods to the modern state, and it is where the royal mummies now rest. It stands in Fustat, the site of the first Arab capital of Egypt, founded in AD 641, near the lake of Ain el-Sira. The museum opened in stages from 2017 and became a major destination when the mummies arrived in 2021.
Many visitors confuse it with the Grand Egyptian Museum. The division is simple: the GEM holds Tutankhamun's treasures and the great pharaonic collections near Giza; the NMEC holds the royal mummies and tells the longer story of Egypt as a civilisation.
Who is in the Royal Mummies Hall?
The hall holds 22 royal mummies, 18 kings and 4 queens, mostly of the New Kingdom, including Ramesses II, Seti I, Thutmose III, Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Ramesses III. Each lies in a climate-controlled case in a dimly lit space designed to resemble the rock-cut tombs of the Valley of the Kings, with its coffin or biographical panel alongside.
- Seqenenre Tao: a 17th Dynasty king whose skull shows the axe and spear wounds that killed him, probably in battle against the Hyksos.
- Ramesses II: his hair, still tinted reddish, and his aquiline profile make him instantly recognisable. Learn more in our Ramesses II profile.
- Hatshepsut: identified only in 2007, partly by a tooth found in a box bearing her name.
Most of these kings were found in two caches, at Deir el-Bahari in 1881 and in the tomb of Amenhotep II in 1898, where priests had reburied them to protect them from robbers. Photography has not been permitted in the mummies hall at the time of writing; check signs on the day. For how bodies were preserved, see our guide to mummification.
What was the Pharaohs' Golden Parade?
On the evening of 3 April 2021, the 22 royal mummies were moved from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the NMEC in a televised procession, each on its own gold-decorated vehicle, in chronological order. The route of about 7 km along the Nile Corniche was closed and lit, with an orchestra, singers performing in ancient Egyptian, and a 21-gun salute on arrival. The vehicles were fitted with shock absorbers and the mummies travelled in nitrogen-filled capsules. The parade was a deliberate showcase of Egypt's new museums, and the Royal Mummies Hall opened to the public shortly after.
What else should you see?
The main gallery is a single large hall arranged by theme and era, worth an hour after the mummies, and the building's upper areas give views over Fustat and the lake. Displays move from prehistoric pottery and early writing through pharaonic statuary to Coptic textiles, Islamic ceramics and objects from modern Egyptian life. A gallery on textiles traces weaving from linen to modern cloth. The collection is less dense than the GEM's, which makes it a more relaxed visit and a good overview before or after a trip up the Nile.
NMEC, GEM or Tahrir: which museum is for what?
Go to the GEM for Tutankhamun and the great pharaonic sculpture, the NMEC for the royal mummies and the long view of Egyptian history, and the Tahrir museum for its historic building and Old Kingdom masterpieces.
| Museum | Best for | Allow |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza | Tutankhamun's complete collection, Grand Staircase, Khufu's boat | 4–5 hours |
| NMEC, Fustat | Royal mummies, Egypt from prehistory to today | 2–3 hours |
| Egyptian Museum, Tahrir | Historic 1902 building, Old Kingdom statuary | 2–3 hours |
With three days in Cairo, most travellers manage the GEM and the NMEC. For a fuller comparison, read GEM vs the Egyptian Museum.
How do you plan a visit?
Allow two to three hours, and pair the NMEC with Coptic Cairo, about 10 minutes away by car, for a half or full day in Old Cairo. From Giza and the GEM area it is roughly 30 to 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic; from Downtown or Zamalek about 20 to 30 minutes. Mornings are quieter; school groups often visit mid-morning on weekdays.
Ticket prices and opening hours are set in Egyptian pounds and change, so check the museum's official website or ask your operator; separate fees have applied for the mummies hall at times. The museum has a café, toilets and lifts, making it easy for travellers with limited mobility. A natural afternoon continues to the churches and synagogue of Coptic Cairo.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC): FAQs
Where are Egypt's royal mummies now?
At the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, Cairo, since April 2021. Tutankhamun is the exception: his mummy remains in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
Which mummies are in the NMEC?
Twenty-two royal mummies, 18 kings and 4 queens, including Ramesses II, Seti I, Thutmose III, Hatshepsut, Seqenenre Tao and Ramesses III.
Can you take photos of the mummies?
Photography has not been allowed in the Royal Mummies Hall at the time of writing. Rules can change, so follow the signs and staff instructions.
Should I visit the NMEC or the GEM?
Both if you can. The GEM has Tutankhamun and the great pharaonic collections; the NMEC has the royal mummies and a broader history of Egypt. If time is short, the GEM comes first.
How long do you need at the NMEC?
Two to three hours: about an hour for the mummies hall and an hour or more for the main gallery.