This is truly one of the most important museums in the world. It has the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts anywhere—more than 100,000 relics and antiquities, arranged chronologically from Old Kingdom to Roman Empire. Among the showpieces are treasures from Tutankhamen's tomb: the famous burial mask and the young king's jewels, thrones and statues. You have to pay an extra fee to see the Royal Mummy Room, where a dozen mummies are displayed in oxygen-free cases—we think the experience is worth it. The excellent collection of Greek and Roman artifacts is also worth seeing.
Even though the collection is world-class, don't expect a slick museum with amazing lighting and careful labeling. This place is pretty dusty, and it has so much stuff in it that you can end up feeling overwhelmed. We recommend two half-days at the museum; serious Egyptophiles will want to spend several days. And to get the most out of your visit, pick up one of several guidebooks available at the gift shop near the entrance or join a tour led by an Egyptologist who can put the dizzying array of important finds in context with Egypt's long history. Daily 9 am-6:30 pm. £E 50, with an additional £E 100 fee for the Royal Mummy Room. Tahrir Square (next to the Nile Hilton, although plans are under way to relocate the museum to Giza by 2011), Cairo. Phone 02-2575-4319 or 02-2578-2448. http://www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg.
