Turin / Museo Egizio
Museums
Museo Egizio
The world's second-largest Egyptology collection outside Cairo, and one of its best displayed.
- Price
- From €18
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 9am–6:30pm, closed Mon
- Avg. visit
- 2–3 hours
- Book ahead
- Recommended at weekends and school holidays
The museum was founded in 1824 around a collection acquired by King Carlo Felice from the Piedmontese consul-general in Egypt, and it has grown since through further acquisitions and a long history of Italian archaeological missions in Egypt. It now holds around 30,000 objects, a collection second in scale only to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo itself.
A major renovation completed in the 2010s reorganised the entire display, and the reinstallation is widely regarded as genuinely excellent rather than simply comprehensive — object density is balanced with clear context, chronological logic and real attention to how visitors move through the space, rather than case after case with minimal explanation.
Inside
What to see
- The intact tomb assemblage of the architect Kha and his wife Merit, found with furniture, clothing, food and cosmetics still in place
- The rock-cut Temple of Ellesiya, relocated in its entirety from Nubia before it would have been submerged by the Aswan High Dam
- The Gallery of Kings, a dramatic mirrored hall of royal statues
- The papyrus collection, including significant fragments of the Egyptian Book of the Dead
Practical
Good to know
- Allow two to three hours at minimum — the collection is large and rewards unhurried attention.
- Booking a slot is sensible at weekends and during school holidays, when demand is highest.
- The reinstallation is exceptionally well done — even visitors who don't usually seek out Egyptology tend to find the presentation itself engaging.
Timing
When it's busiest
- Morning
- Quiet
- Midday
- Busy
- Afternoon
- Busy
- Last hour
- Quiet
Nearby
Combine your visit
5-minute walk
Piazza San Carlo & the historic cafés
Head to Turin's grand baroque square, just around the corner.
Visit →
10-minute walk
Palazzo Reale & the Musei Reali
Continue to the Savoy royal palace and its connected museums.
Visit →
10-minute walk
Mole Antonelliana & Museo Nazionale del Cinema
Visit the city's iconic spire and its inventive cinema museum.
Visit →
FAQ
Common questions
How does it compare to the Cairo museum?
It's smaller than the Egyptian Museum in Cairo but widely regarded as more clearly and thoughtfully displayed, following a major renovation.
How long should I plan for?
Two to three hours for a proper visit; committed Egyptology fans could spend considerably longer.
Do I need to book ahead?
Recommended for weekends and school holidays, when demand is highest, though not always strictly required.
What's the single most famous object?
Opinions vary, but the intact tomb group of Kha and Merit and the rock-cut Temple of Ellesiya are the two most frequently singled out.