Gayer-Anderson Museum (Bayt al-Kiritliya)
Gayer-Anderson Museum (Bayt al-Kiritliya)
4.5
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
This museum features the items of antiquity collected by John Gayer-Anderson, a British member of the Egyptian civil service in the 1930s and ‘40s, who restored two adjacent 16th- and 17th-century houses decorated with mashrabiyya screens and marble inlays.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Gayer-Anderson Museum (Bayt al-Kiritliya)
The area
Address
How to get there
- AlSayyeda Zeinab • 5 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
752 within 3 miles
Attractions
225 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
221 reviews
Excellent
164
Very good
42
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
MRichardson2014
Lake of Bays, Canada1,001 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
This museum is a very good example of 16th and 17th century Egyptian housing for the wealthy. It contains artifacts that Gayer Anderson collected in his travels in the early 1900s in the line of duty as a British officer. These are displayed over several rooms in both houses. The museum features the men’s rooms, the ladys’ rooms and the shared rooms. The problem was twofold. - this small museum had several large tour groups, making it difficult to move about; and the museum guide rushed us through the displays and only showed courtesy and attention at the end of the tour when he was looking for additional tips. We were disappointed.
Written December 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jazzumbo
Romania2,190 contributions
Dec 2021
This Islamic architectural masterpiece was the home of a family originally from Crete. There are actually two medieval houses, joined together, restored and refurnished by Major Gayer-Anderson, an Englishman who lived in them from 1935 to 1942.
The houses are well preserved and give a good idea about the level of luxury and comfort that could be attained by wealthy people of Cairo about three hundred years ago.
Major Gayer Anderson was a great collector of Oriental art and the main pieces of his collection are on display in various thematic rooms, named according to the origin of the exposed artifacts: Persian, Byzantine, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Syrian (or Damascus Room) and so on.
The light, filtered through mashrabiya windows, creates a magic ambiance all over the place. The polychrome fountain, Ottoman tiles, alcoves, multicolor cushions, richly decorated ceiling beams and coffee tables give visitors the feeling of Oriental movie stage.
Even a few scenes from a James Bond series movie were shoot here.
The houses are well preserved and give a good idea about the level of luxury and comfort that could be attained by wealthy people of Cairo about three hundred years ago.
Major Gayer Anderson was a great collector of Oriental art and the main pieces of his collection are on display in various thematic rooms, named according to the origin of the exposed artifacts: Persian, Byzantine, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Syrian (or Damascus Room) and so on.
The light, filtered through mashrabiya windows, creates a magic ambiance all over the place. The polychrome fountain, Ottoman tiles, alcoves, multicolor cushions, richly decorated ceiling beams and coffee tables give visitors the feeling of Oriental movie stage.
Even a few scenes from a James Bond series movie were shoot here.
Written January 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnD
8 contributions
Feb 2020
This is a brilliant museum built around the collection of one man all in the house where he used to live. Note - it can be a little difficult to find as you need to go into the outer courtyard of the adjacent mosque. We were told about it and just turned up and had an excellent tour by a staff member, it is Egypt so obviously for a little tip.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bgtoca
Vancouver, Canada129 contributions
Sep 2022
This museum is a bit off the tourist beaten path. Our local tour guide took us there after we visited the Ibn Tulun mosque. The museum is a bit hard to find, its adjacent to the mosque. It consists of 2 beautifully restored houses that are joined together. They are exquisitely decorated with period pieces of the private collection of Dr Gayner-Anderson. Despite his scandalous personal life, he did an outstanding job preserving the houses, so that future generations can see how the wealthy in Cairo lived many years ago. There were very few visitors when we visited which was lovely as the stairwells can be a bit claustrophobic and it can be hard to take photos when there are crowds. There is no air conditioning, so brace yourself for a sweaty experience unless you're visiting in the cooler winter months.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laczkozsu
Debrecen, Hungary2,326 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We bougth one ticket for both places: Mosque of Ibn Tulun and this museum. A guide accompanied us and showed this rich collection of the British officer. The building itself is also very interesting with inner yards, fountains, winding corridors, secret rooms, etc. Originally there were two buildings (from 16. century) connected by a covered bridge. We enjoyed the visit, this place was fabulous. A James Bond movie was filmed here in 1977.
Written April 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swisstraveller
Berne664 contributions
Oct 2022
This is my favorite place in Cairo. The museum is off the beaten path, which is good. I would totally recommend to visit it after or before visiting the next door beautiful Ibn al Tulun Mosque. Come there in the morning (the mosque opens at 9am). The museum is full of beautiful furniture, rooms, views and very private. Take your time to enjoy it and dont get rushed by your tour guide (our tour guide tried to rush us). The roof top terrace is great, you get very nice views of the Ibn Tulun mosque, and James Bond was also here ;-) (in the movie "The spy who loved me".
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJim60
3,589 contributions
Feb 2022
Two traditional Cairo houses (17th Century CE) nicely restored/decorated by a British army officer who was "transferred" to service in the Egyptian Army in the early 1900s.
This is an excellent opportunity to see the inside of a traditional Cairo house. 17th Century C.E.
Along with G-A's collection of various artifacts and antiques organized into a series of rooms.
Generally, there is a resident guide (who you should tip) who will explain the construction of the houses and function of the rooms, including those features designed to allow women to view what was going on in the street or in the house without "exposing" themselves.
One illustration of those features is the "secret" room where women could congregate to chat and watch the goings on in the house.
See the pictures I've posted of the entrance to this chamber.
Be sure to ask about the design features to provide relief from the heat in the days before air conditioning.
The museum is around the corner from the Ahmad Ibn Tulun Mosque. So you can combine a visit to both.
This is an excellent opportunity to see the inside of a traditional Cairo house. 17th Century C.E.
Along with G-A's collection of various artifacts and antiques organized into a series of rooms.
Generally, there is a resident guide (who you should tip) who will explain the construction of the houses and function of the rooms, including those features designed to allow women to view what was going on in the street or in the house without "exposing" themselves.
One illustration of those features is the "secret" room where women could congregate to chat and watch the goings on in the house.
See the pictures I've posted of the entrance to this chamber.
Be sure to ask about the design features to provide relief from the heat in the days before air conditioning.
The museum is around the corner from the Ahmad Ibn Tulun Mosque. So you can combine a visit to both.
Written October 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suzanne w
3 contributions
Nov 2022
This is a beautiful house with a fascinating story and lots of collections to explore. The best way, ever, to imagine private life in Cairo centuries ago, as well as the British experience in the early 20th century.
We went there with our Djed tour guide as part of a walking tour of medieval Cairo.
We went there with our Djed tour guide as part of a walking tour of medieval Cairo.
Written December 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudine D
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium1,392 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Glad we were also allowed to view this house.
The many beautiful rooms with fine details, such as the ceiling and walls, but also the furniture is beautiful. It has the atmosphere of that time very well.
The hidden door with a view for the women, but where they themselves were not seen, is also a special space.
One of the top places to visit in Cairo if you want to do something different than ancient Egypt.
The many beautiful rooms with fine details, such as the ceiling and walls, but also the furniture is beautiful. It has the atmosphere of that time very well.
The hidden door with a view for the women, but where they themselves were not seen, is also a special space.
One of the top places to visit in Cairo if you want to do something different than ancient Egypt.
Written December 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoPlaces10118
London, UK2 contributions
This was an absolute gem we saw on our last day in Cairo. It was once 2 houses (built in the 16th and 17th centuries) which was converted into a single house, restored and decorated by a British Major, John Gayer-Anderson, who lived there for 7 years in the 1930s and 40s.
The house has the most wonderful feel to it: grand rooms with huge vaulted ceilings and a gracious balcony, as well as narrow screened walkways, courtyards, fountains and even a secret room where women from the harem in centuries past could sit and watch the men below through an ornately carved wooden screen without being observed.
The house is filled with wonderful mosaics, fabrics, stained glass, carved wooden screens, furnishings and works of art that the Major collected from Egypt, the Middle East and Asia.
It was cool and secluded inside, but with just the wooden screens covering the windows, the delightful breeze and wonderful sounds of the street outside (children laughing and chattering, people going about their everyday business, caged chickens squawking and the sound of cars and donkey carts) wafted in and filled the house.
We were escorted around by a very kind guide (make sure you have 10 LE or so on hand for a tip) who showed which areas of the house would have originally been designated for the men, and those which were used solely by the harem, as well as the secret room, which we would never have found otherwise, giving a fascinating insight into Egyptian life from a previous age. Its other claim to fame was being used as a location in the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me"
After we left (it only takes around 45 minutes to view the museum) we wandered the nearby streets for a while, and found ourselves the only westerners around, much to the fascination of the local children who surrounded us, wanting to practice their English. It gave us a rare glimpse of everyday residential Cairo, away from the tourists and the never-ending hassle of the touts, and was a magical note on which to finish our Egyptian trip.
One piece of advice, take the address or a map showing the location. It is not well-known, and we found neither the concierge at our hotel or our taxi driver had ever heard of it, but found it easily from the directions in our Lonely Planet guidebook. It might help to mention it's adjacent to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun.
The house has the most wonderful feel to it: grand rooms with huge vaulted ceilings and a gracious balcony, as well as narrow screened walkways, courtyards, fountains and even a secret room where women from the harem in centuries past could sit and watch the men below through an ornately carved wooden screen without being observed.
The house is filled with wonderful mosaics, fabrics, stained glass, carved wooden screens, furnishings and works of art that the Major collected from Egypt, the Middle East and Asia.
It was cool and secluded inside, but with just the wooden screens covering the windows, the delightful breeze and wonderful sounds of the street outside (children laughing and chattering, people going about their everyday business, caged chickens squawking and the sound of cars and donkey carts) wafted in and filled the house.
We were escorted around by a very kind guide (make sure you have 10 LE or so on hand for a tip) who showed which areas of the house would have originally been designated for the men, and those which were used solely by the harem, as well as the secret room, which we would never have found otherwise, giving a fascinating insight into Egyptian life from a previous age. Its other claim to fame was being used as a location in the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me"
After we left (it only takes around 45 minutes to view the museum) we wandered the nearby streets for a while, and found ourselves the only westerners around, much to the fascination of the local children who surrounded us, wanting to practice their English. It gave us a rare glimpse of everyday residential Cairo, away from the tourists and the never-ending hassle of the touts, and was a magical note on which to finish our Egyptian trip.
One piece of advice, take the address or a map showing the location. It is not well-known, and we found neither the concierge at our hotel or our taxi driver had ever heard of it, but found it easily from the directions in our Lonely Planet guidebook. It might help to mention it's adjacent to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun.
Written February 14, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
" My name is Amr I have a good car | can go any place inside Egypt And any tourist place Like Giza pyramids and Saqqara archaeological area , the pyramids of Dahshur , the Red Pyramid , the Memphis Museum , the Egyptian Museum , Khan El - Khalili , the Citadel of Salah al - Din , Alexandria , Hurghada , Sharm El - Sheikh and any other places you want to go and also there is a reception service at the airport . . . For inquiries you can contact me on WhatsApp + "plus two zero one zero six six seven zero seven zero one three
Written November 2, 2019
Tenemos previsto un crucero con parada en Alejandría unas doce horas de estancia más o menos como podríamos ir hasta el Cairo visitar el Museo Anderson, la Mezquita de IBM Tulum y como no la Meseta de Guiza visitar las Pirámides y la Esfinge toda la información que me podáis facilitar os lo agradecería un saludo Joaquin
Written May 12, 2019
Hola, disculpa por la demora, pero he estado (no muy lejos) pero sin acceso a la red, parece mentira, pero es cierto que a menos de un centenar de kilometros de la capital de un pais europeo,existan tan notable deficiencias de comunicacion, pero es cierto.
La mejor comunicación entre Alejandria y El Cairo, es el ferrocarril, aunque mis ultimas experiencias no han sido del todo buenas, Lento, parando, en resumen varias horas. Hace tan solo unos años ( 4-5) eran muy fiables y cumplian horario, pero parece que los cambios van en sentido contrario.
Para Piramides, pasada por Cairo islamico e Ibem Tulun, no dá tiempo desde Alejandría, al menos serian precisos dos dias.
Hay tambien autobuses, pero lo mismo, lentos y el recorrido no es despreciable, en 12 horas no se va y vuelve a Alejandria. Recomiendo dejar esta aventura para mejor momento y disfrutar de la lejendaria Alejandría que esconde muchos secretos y enigmas y siempre los tratamos de pasada, pero bien merecen la pena.
Written May 19, 2019
Hello! What language do you use during the visit? Thank you!
Written April 16, 2018
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing