Nubian Museum in Egypt

Opened in 1997, the International Museum of Nubia is located a short walk from the Old Cataract and Basma hotels on the east bank of the Nile. Cool, peaceful and intimate, it is definitely worth a few hours of anyone’s time. While its collection may lack the Pharaonic grandeur of the iconic pieces in the larger museums in Cairo and Luxor, it still contains a number of extremely impressive exhibits, such as the huge statue of Ramesses II and a gorgeously detailed collection of Nubian soldier statuettes. There is also plenty of local flavour, and anyone who has previously visited the older – and rather chaotic - museum in Cairo will appreciate the way in which the Nubian Museum has been designed and curated to give a linear narrative through the history of the Nubian people. The museum also benefits from an attractive garden outside, which itself contains some interesting items.