Gayer-Anderson Museum
Quick answer
Gayer-Anderson Museum in Cairo, Egypt — major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson lived in the joined seventeenth-century houses adjacent to the Ibn Tulun Mosque from 1935 to 1942. Open daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: EGP 100 standard admission. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Gayer-Anderson Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | EGP 100 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 1–1.5 hours |
| Best time to visit | Morning at 9 AM opening — the rooftop terrace is cooler and the mosque next door is quiet. |
| Getting there | Metro: Sayyida Zeinab metro (Line 1) — 10-minute walk through Islamic Cairo |
| Address | 4 Mohamed Abd El-Hady Bek, Sayyida Zeinab, Cairo, Egypt |
| Official website | egymonuments.gov.eg |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Gayer-Anderson Museum known for?
Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson lived in the joined seventeenth-century houses adjacent to the Ibn Tulun Mosque from 1935 to 1942. He bequeathed them and his eclectic collection to Egypt on his departure, and the museum opened in 1944.
The two houses — Bayt al-Kritliyya and Bayt Amna bint Salim — are among the finest surviving examples of Ottoman-era domestic architecture in Cairo, with mashrabiya screens, painted ceilings, and a rooftop terrace with views over the mosque.
Gayer-Anderson filled the rooms with Pharaonic antiquities, Islamic crafts, Persian furniture, and English colonial pieces, creating one of the most atmospheric house museums in the Middle East.
The museum is directly adjacent to the Ibn Tulun Mosque — Cairo's oldest surviving mosque — and the two are almost always visited together.
Best for: Architecture Enthusiasts · History Enthusiasts · Art Lovers
How long do you need at Gayer-Anderson Museum?
Allow 1–1.5 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Gayer-Anderson Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Persian Room
📍 Upper floor, Bayt al-Kritliyya
A room decorated with Persian painted niches, mirrored inlays, and a ceiling of geometric star patterns — Gayer-Anderson's most exotic interior.
- 2
Mashrabiya Windows of Bayt al-Kritliyya
📍 Courtyard facade
Elaborately carved wooden lattice screens filtering light into the inner courtyard — among the finest mashrabiya in Cairo.
- 3
Pharaonic Cat Statue
📍 Ground floor collection room
A bronze cat sacred to Bastet, part of Gayer-Anderson's personal antiquities collection displayed in the house he once lived in.
- 4
Roof Terrace Reception Hall
📍 Rooftop
An open-air reception hall on the roof with views over the Ibn Tulun minaret — used by Gayer-Anderson for entertaining.
What are the must-see works at Gayer-Anderson Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Persian Room, Mashrabiya Windows of Bayt al-Kritliyya, Pharaonic Cat Statue and more.
Persian Room
17th-century interior · restored
📍 Upper floor, Bayt al-Kritliyya
A room decorated with Persian painted niches, mirrored inlays, and a ceiling of geometric star patterns — Gayer-Anderson's most exotic interior.
Mashrabiya Windows of Bayt al-Kritliyya
Ottoman craftsmen · 17th century
📍 Courtyard facade
Elaborately carved wooden lattice screens filtering light into the inner courtyard — among the finest mashrabiya in Cairo.
Pharaonic Cat Statue
Late Period · c. 664–332 BCE
📍 Ground floor collection room
A bronze cat sacred to Bastet, part of Gayer-Anderson's personal antiquities collection displayed in the house he once lived in.
Roof Terrace Reception Hall
Ottoman domestic architecture · 17th century
📍 Rooftop
An open-air reception hall on the roof with views over the Ibn Tulun minaret — used by Gayer-Anderson for entertaining.
Collections and highlights
- • Mashrabiya windows of the Bayt al-Kritliyya
- • Persian Room with painted niches
- • Roof terrace and reception hall
- • Adjacent Ibn Tulun Mosque
- • Gayer-Anderson's eclectic antiquities collection
Tips for visiting Gayer-Anderson Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Morning at 9 AM opening — the rooftop terrace is cooler and the mosque next door is quiet.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Light to moderate; popular with small tour groups visiting Ibn Tulun.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
EGP 100 for foreign adults; combined ticket with Ibn Tulun Mosque recommended.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Street food in Sayyida Zeinab district; cafés near Sultan Hassan Mosque.
- 5.
Accessibility
Historic house with stairs between floors; no elevator.
How do you get to Gayer-Anderson Museum?
- metro Sayyida Zeinab metro (Line 1) — 10-minute walk through Islamic Cairo
- taxi Taxi to 'Ibn Tulun Mosque' from downtown Cairo (15 minutes)
- walk 15 minutes from Sultan Hassan Mosque through Islamic Cairo streets
Address: 4 Mohamed Abd El-Hady Bek, Sayyida Zeinab, Cairo, Egypt
Gayer-Anderson Museum: frequently asked questions
Is the Ibn Tulun Mosque next door?
Yes — visitors usually combine the two.
Is the museum air-conditioned?
No — but the thick stone walls and shaded courtyards keep it cool.
How long should I spend at Gayer-Anderson Museum?
Plan 1–1.5 hours for the highlights of Gayer-Anderson Museum. Our 4-stop route — Persian Room, Mashrabiya Windows of Bayt al-Kritliyya, Pharaonic Cat Statue and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Gayer-Anderson Museum best known for?
Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson lived in the joined seventeenth-century houses adjacent to the Ibn Tulun Mosque from 1935 to 1942. He bequeathed them and his collection to Egypt on his departure. Key highlights include Mashrabiya windows of the Bayt al-Kritliyya, Persian Room with painted niches, Roof terrace and reception hall.
How do I get tickets for Gayer-Anderson Museum?
Admission: EGP 100 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/museums/gayer-anderson-museum/
Who was Gayer-Anderson?
Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson was a British army doctor and Orientalist who lived in the house from 1935 to 1942 and amassed the collection displayed throughout the rooms.
Is Gayer-Anderson Museum open on Mondays?
Yes — Gayer-Anderson 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 Gayer-Anderson Museum's opening hours?
Gayer-Anderson 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 Gayer-Anderson Museum free to visit?
No — standard admission is EGP 100 standard admission.
