Set near the Pyramids and overlooking the Giza Plateau, this massive new museum is built to tell the full story of ancient Egypt — all under one roof. It will house the complete Tutankhamun collection, including many pieces never seen by the public before.

Be prepared to have your mind bent, blown and rewired as you walk into the Lange Voorhout Palace where the illusory work of famous graphic artist M.C. Escher is exhibited. The palace is home to such legendary Escher paintings as 'Air and Water' in which birds are blended into fish and 'Waterfall' in which water appears to flow upwards instead of down. There are interactive experiences on the second floor, dedicated to the Eye of Escher where guests are encouraged to solve some of Escher’s most perplexing mysteries, including the impossible Penrose Triangle. On the third floor, there is a large-scale optical illusion where adults can appear to be children and vice versa. Audio tours and guided tours are available and there are additional temporary exhibitions taking place on occasion.

This giant panoramic work of art spans forty metres in circumference and reaches fourteen metres in height, capturing the small fishing village of Scheveningen as it was in the late nineteenth century in a cyclorama. It creates the illusion that the observer is atop a large sand dune looking down upon the village, an illusion which is complemented by the foreground within the artwork that is made up of artificial terrain. The museum is dedicated to the single work of art from Hendrik Willem Mesdag and there are lots of ways to experience it including a guided tour, lectures and even children’s treasure hunts.

Just behind the ruins of Memphis, this 8-metre-long statue was carved from a single block of alabaster. It’s smaller than the Giza Sphinx but still impressive up close. No one’s entirely sure who it represents — maybe Hatshepsut or Amenhotep II — which just adds to the mystery. It’s a quick stop, but worth it if you’re already in the area.