Explore Munich’s Egyptian Museum, which covers 5,000 years of Ancient Egyptian art and culture. The Ägyptische Museum (State Museum of Egyptian Art) in Munich is the only museum outside of Egypt dedicated exclusively to pieces from Ancient Egypt.
The Museum in Munich's Kunstareal has two special features to offer. The exhibition rooms, which opened in 2013, are completely underground and evoke associations with temple rooms and royal tombs. Secondly, the museum offers a special children's programme and is particularly suitable for families with children.
Its location in the centre of the Kunstareal, between the Pinakothek museums and the Antiquities on Königsplatz, also gives Ancient Egypt an appropriate spatial position as an integral part of world art. A wide flight of steps leads up to the nave-like rooms, which receive daylight from a sunken atrium.
The two large halls alternate with more intimate, smaller rooms. Views through the rooms provide a look into prominent exhibits such as the statue of Antinous or the large obelisk. In addition to the statues, hieroglyphs and objects, you can also learn a lot of information at interactive and multimedia stations. The exhibits are also organised thematically, which makes it easier to get an overview. Particularly noteworthy is the section where you can touch the exhibits, as they are detailed casts - a great experience for people with visual impairments.
In addition to the permanent exhibition in 13 rooms, which illuminates the 5000-year-old art and culture of Ancient Egypt, the SMÄK also offers many other activities such as changing exhibitions, lectures (Tuesday evenings) and other events focussing on (Ancient) Egyptian culture. Various guided tours - inclusive, suitable for children or for groups - round off the programme.
One of the museum's many child-friendly offers is the Pharaoh Hunt. This is a digital scavenger hunt with the museum's own mascot that lasts around an hour and is tailored to kindergarten children. Young visitors can also get an archaeological rucksack at the entrance, which introduces them to the work of archaeologists and guides them through the museum in a fun way. Family tours are also offered every second and fourth Sunday of the month.
Adults pay 7 euros, concessions 5 euros. On Sundays, admission costs just one euro and children and young people under the age of 18 are always admitted free of charge.
Good to know: Munich Card holders are entitled to a reduced admission fee. If one owns the Munich City Pass, the entrance is free of charge. No matter which card you choose, the public transport is included.
How much time should I plan for a visit to the museum?
You should allow one and a half to two hours to walk through the entire exhibition in a relaxed manner.
How do I get to the Egyptian Museum in Munich?
Take the underground lines U2 and U8 to Königsplatz. You can also take tram 27 or 28 and get off at Karolinenplatz or one of the following bus lines, exit Pinakothek: 58, 68 and 100. The museum does not have its own car park. If you come by car, you can park along Gabelsbergerstraße or in Arcisstraße.
What are the opening hours of the museum?
You can find the opening hours and further information on the museum's website.