The Cavafy Museum occupies the former apartment of Greek poet Constantine P. Cavafy on Sharm El Sheikh Street in downtown Alexandria, where he lived and wrote for the last decades of his life until his death in 1933. The museum preserves rooms furnished in period style, alongside manuscripts, personal photographs, letters, and first editions documenting Cavafy's life in Alexandria's Greek community and his influence on modern poetry. Visitors walk through the apartment's small number of rooms, including a recreation of the poet's bedroom and study, with English and Greek translations of his poems displayed alongside biographical material. A visit typically takes 30 to 45 minutes given the museum's intimate scale. Weekday afternoons are a quiet time to visit, since the museum draws a modest, largely literary-minded audience rather than large tour groups. The apartment's atmosphere, largely unchanged from Cavafy's own description of his rooms, is part of the appeal for visitors familiar with his poetry. The museum sits in downtown Alexandria near Nabi Daniel Street, within walking distance of the Graeco-Roman Museum.
| Admission | Adult EGP 20 (~$0.38) · Child EGP 10 (~$0.19) students with valid ID |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily except Monday, 9:00AM-4:00PM |
| Typical visit | 30-45 minutes |
| Best time | Weekday afternoons |
| Getting there | Downtown, near Nabi Daniel Street |
| Address | 4 Sharm El Sheikh Street, Alexandria, Egypt |
Location
4 Sharm El Sheikh Street, Alexandria, Egypt
31.1969, 29.9037 View on map
Highlights
- Former apartment of Greek poet Constantine P. Cavafy
- Period-furnished rooms including a recreated study and bedroom
- Manuscripts, letters, and first editions of Cavafy's poetry
- Located near the Graeco-Roman Museum in downtown Alexandria
Tips for visiting
- Read a few of Cavafy's poems beforehand to appreciate the setting
- Visit on a weekday afternoon for a quiet, uncrowded experience
- Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the small apartment
- Combine with a visit to the nearby Graeco-Roman Museum
- Museum is closed on Mondays, so plan visits on other days of the week
When to visit
Weekday afternoons are quiet, since the museum draws modest visitor numbers rather than large tour groups.
Accessibility
The museum occupies an apartment within an older building, and access may involve stairs with no elevator, limiting suitability for wheelchair users.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Cavafy Museum take?
Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes given the museum's small apartment setting.
Is the Cavafy Museum worth visiting for non-poetry readers?
It appeals most to visitors with some familiarity with Cavafy's poetry, though the period-furnished rooms offer a glimpse of early 20th-century Alexandrian life regardless.
Is photography allowed inside the museum?
Photography is generally allowed in the apartment rooms, though visitors should avoid flash near fragile manuscripts.