Coptic Museum
Quick answer
Coptic Museum in Cairo, Egypt — the Coptic Museum was founded in 1908 by Marcus Simaika to preserve the art and heritage of Egypt's Christian community. Open daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: EGP 200 standard admission. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Coptic Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | EGP 200 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 9 AM opening — Old Cairo is quiet before tour groups from the Egyptian Museum arrive. |
| Getting there | Metro: Mar Girgis metro station (Line 1) — entrance directly at Old Cairo district |
| Address | Mar Girgis, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt |
| Official website | coptic-cairo.com |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Coptic Museum known for?
The Coptic Museum was founded in 1908 by Marcus Simaika Pasha to preserve the art and heritage of Egypt's Christian community. It sits inside the walls of the Roman Babylon Fortress in Old Cairo (Misr al-Qadima), beside the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Its 16,000 objects include early Bible manuscripts, Coptic textiles, frescoes, woodwork, and a major group of the Nag Hammadi codices — Gnostic texts discovered in Upper Egypt in 1945 that transformed the study of early Christianity.
The museum's building itself is a work of art: a neo-Coptic design by Simaika blending Pharaonic, Roman, and Islamic architectural elements around a central garden courtyard.
Old Cairo is easily reached by the Mar Girgis metro station, which opens directly onto the museum district — one of the most compact and rewarding heritage walks in Cairo.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · Art Lovers · Religious Heritage
How long do you need at Coptic Museum?
Allow 1.5–2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Coptic Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Nag Hammadi Codices (selection)
📍 Manuscript Gallery
Pages from the Gnostic gospels discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945 — including texts not found in the canonical Bible — among the most important manuscript finds of the 20th century.
- 2
Fresco of Adam and Eve
📍 Fresco Gallery
A rare surviving Coptic wall painting depicting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, with distinctive Coptic facial types and colour palette.
- 3
Coptic Textile with Orant Figures
📍 Textiles Gallery
Woven linen and wool panels with praying figures (orants) in purple and ochre — among the finest surviving Coptic textiles.
- 4
Mashrabiya Screen
📍 Woodwork Gallery
An intricately carved wooden mashrabiya screen demonstrating the continuity of Coptic craft traditions into the Islamic period.
What are the must-see works at Coptic Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Nag Hammadi Codices (selection), Fresco of Adam and Eve, Coptic Textile with Orant Figures and more.
Nag Hammadi Codices (selection)
Early Christian scribes · 4th century
📍 Manuscript Gallery
Pages from the Gnostic gospels discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945 — including texts not found in the canonical Bible — among the most important manuscript finds of the 20th century.
Fresco of Adam and Eve
Coptic artist · 6th century
📍 Fresco Gallery
A rare surviving Coptic wall painting depicting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, with distinctive Coptic facial types and colour palette.
Coptic Textile with Orant Figures
Coptic weavers · 5th–7th century
📍 Textiles Gallery
Woven linen and wool panels with praying figures (orants) in purple and ochre — among the finest surviving Coptic textiles.
Mashrabiya Screen
Coptic woodcarvers · 18th century
📍 Woodwork Gallery
An intricately carved wooden mashrabiya screen demonstrating the continuity of Coptic craft traditions into the Islamic period.
Collections and highlights
- • Nag Hammadi Library codices
- • Coptic frescoes
- • Coptic textiles gallery
- • Mashrabiya carved wooden screens
- • Old Cairo Babylon Fortress setting
Tips for visiting Coptic Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 9 AM opening — Old Cairo is quiet before tour groups from the Egyptian Museum arrive.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate; tour groups from the Hanging Church often spill over in the late morning.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
EGP 200 for foreign adults; combined tickets with nearby monuments available.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Limited in Old Cairo itself; cafés in Coptic Cairo district; fuller dining in Garden City.
- 5.
Accessibility
Historic building with some stairs; ground-floor galleries accessible.
How do you get to Coptic Museum?
- metro Mar Girgis metro station (Line 1) — entrance directly at Old Cairo district
- walk 5 minutes from the Hanging Church; 10 minutes from Cairo Metro Sadat (via Mar Girgis)
- taxi Taxi or Uber to 'Coptic Cairo' or 'Mar Girgis' from downtown Cairo (15 minutes)
Address: Mar Girgis, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Coptic Museum: frequently asked questions
Is the museum near the Hanging Church?
Yes, the museum sits next to the Hanging Church and other Old Cairo monuments.
How do I reach Old Cairo?
The Mar Girgis metro station is at the museum's entrance.
How long should I spend at Coptic Museum?
Plan 1.5–2 hours for the highlights of Coptic Museum. Our 4-stop route — Nag Hammadi Codices (selection), Fresco of Adam and Eve, Coptic Textile with Orant Figures and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Coptic Museum best known for?
The Coptic Museum was founded in 1908 by Marcus Simaika to preserve the art and heritage of Egypt's Christian community. It sits inside the walls of the Roman Babylon Fortress in Old Cairo. Key highlights include Nag Hammadi Library codices, Coptic frescoes, Coptic textiles gallery.
How do I get tickets for Coptic Museum?
Admission: EGP 200 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://coptic-cairo.com/museum/museum.html
Are the Nag Hammadi texts on display?
Selected pages and facsimiles are displayed in the manuscript gallery; the originals are held in a climate-controlled repository with rotating display.
Is Coptic Museum open on Mondays?
Yes — Coptic Museum is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are Coptic Museum's opening hours?
Coptic Museum is open daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Coptic Museum free to visit?
No — standard admission is EGP 200 standard admission.
