Making history: Grand Egyptian Museum bags the global Top 3 spot

I came across an article recently that described museums not simply as tourist spots, but as custodians of human history and cultural heritage.

The deep poignancy of those words was not lost on me.

While sightseeing, tours, and activities often dominate a trip, culture enthusiasts naturally gravitate toward prominent museums in the country they visit.

There is a hypnotic quality to journeying through time via artefacts, preserved art, and memorabilia that celebrate the legacy of a nation and its people.

Having only opened its doors in November 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza has already achieved an impressive feat by becoming the world's third most visited museum.

This accomplishment stands as a clear testament to the global interest in Egypt’s history.

Situated just two kilometres from the Giza Pyramid complex, the museum showcases a wide array of Egyptian artefacts spanning the country's rich history, from the Predynastic Period to Roman Egypt.

Its extensive collection comprises over 100,000 items, including 20,000 pieces making their public debut, such as the complete King Tutankhamun collection.

Visitors are also drawn to newly restored highlights, including the second solar ship of Khufu, the collection belonging to Queen Hetepheres (mother of King Khufu), and the artefacts of Yuya and Thuya (parents of Queen Tiye).

Other drawcards at the GEM include: 

• New Heritage Library: Launched in July 2026, this facility accommodates 17,000 rare volumes and reference materials dedicated to archaeology and Egyptology.
• Colossus of Ramses II: In the Grand Hall, visitors are welcomed by an imposing, 3,200-year-old monumental statue of Ramses II.
• Grand Staircase: This dramatic six-story climb features approximately 60 significant ancient relics, including statues of divine figures and sarcophagi.

An Instagram post by @nationbrandco read: “According to ‘Forbes’, Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum has become the third most visited museum in the world since opening in November 2025.

“Beyond the headline lies a powerful nation branding lesson.

“Egypt has shown that heritage is not just something to preserve; it is one of a country’s greatest strategic assets. “When history is thoughtfully curated, invested in and shared with the world, it becomes a driver of tourism, economic growth and global influence.”

The post continued: “In 2025, Egypt welcomed 18.6 million international visitors, confirming that cultural heritage can be one of the most powerful engines of a national tourism strategy.

“For African countries, the lesson is clear: our history is not only part of our identity, it can also be one of our greatest competitive advantages. Investing in world-class museums and cultural institutions means investing in the future of tourism.”

Below is ‘Forbes’ ranking of the Top 10 museums in the world:

1. Louvre Museum (Paris, France) - 9 million: It houses the famous Mona Lisa and boasts the largest art collection in the world.
2. Vatican Museum (Vatican City) - 6.8 million: A major pilgrimage destination featuring the renowned Sistine Chapel.
3. Grand Egyptian Museum (Giza, Egypt) - 6.5 - 7 million: It is considered the premier global institution for archaeological study of one society; it contains the entire assemblage of Tutankhamun.
4. National Museum of Korea (Seoul, South Korea) - 6.5 million: It displays a wide range of Asian history and arts, following a significant post-pandemic increase in attendance.
5. The British Museum (London) - 6.4 million: Aside from the free admission; its aglobal fixture for world antiquities like the Rosetta Stone.
6. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA) - 5.7 - 5.9 million: As the largest museum in the United States, it features a collection of global art spanning over 5 000 years.
7. National Museum of Anthropology (Mexico City, Mexico) - 5.0 - 5.4 million: It shattered historical attendance records due to its extensive display of pre-Columbian artefacts.
8. State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia) - 5.0 million: It is experiencing a meteoric rise in domestic and regional attendance.
9. Uffizi Galleries (Florence, Italy) - 5.0 million: It attracts substantial crowds to experience premier masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance.
10. Tate Modern (London, UK) - 4.7 million: It continues to be the most frequently visited modern and contemporary art museum worldwide.