Villa Zorayda Museum

Villa Zorayda Museum was a unique visit on our trip to St. Augustine. The Moorish-inspired architecture is absolutely stunning, it feels like a tiny piece of Spain right in the heart of Florida. Inside, the self-guided audio tour takes you through fascinating history, unique antiques and beautiful design details that you won’t find anywhere else. The collection mixes art, antiques and quirky artifacts (including some truly unexpected pieces) in a way that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The staff was friendly and ready to answer questions, and the whole visit felt both educational and enjoyable. Highly recommend it if you love history, architecture, or just want something a little different and special on your St. Augustine itinerary. ✨

What a great stop. Self guided tour, you ensure the display # into the phone and hear the recording. The phones are on a lanyard and easy enough to use. They even tell you which direction to head to next before you leave one room to the next. So much to take in, enjoy that it wasn’t crowded and there was no rush, we took our time. Not sure how the experience would be different if crowded day or if they only permit so many inside. Enjoyed our visit, recommend if you like house museums.

An exceptional peek into the gilded age of the late 19th century. The artifacts collected by the family are unusual and fascinating, reflecting the collector's love of antiquities and Moorish architecture. A helpful, self-guided audio tour is provided with the admission fee.

There are lots of beautiful interesting things to see here including an Egyptian rug made from cat hair. The rug was originally made to wrap a mummified foot in. If you are in St Augustine take the time to visit this museum you won’t be disappointed.

Was very interesting and historical. Not sure how I feel about Egyptian artifacts as part of the Spanish settlement. Seems more like a display of what a rich and wealthy person might put together to demonstrate how exotic they could be at the turn of the last century.

What an eclectic place to visit. We did the holiday tour. There are some very unique pieces and stories throughout that describe the story behind Villa Zorayda. And yes, the cat rug was the highlight for us.

Villa Zorayda Museum is delightfully quirky and packed with interesting history. The highlight for me was the Egyptian Cat Rug—yes, over 2,000 years old and made from cat hair. It’s one of those unforgettable, “did I really just see that?” artifacts that makes the visit totally unique. The museum is located in the heart of downtown, which makes it easy to add to a day of exploring. Even better, parking is available onsite for museum visitors, so getting in and out was simple despite the busy area. If you enjoy offbeat collections, unusual stories, and a glimpse into a fascinating past, this place is a must-visit. Quirky in the best way—and absolutely worth your time.

I LOVE the aesthetic of this place! The decor & architecture are gorgeous! And the collection is fascinating. From cigar cutters to stained glass light fixtures and a princess staircase... who would have known from the outside? I also love the fact that this location served as a speakeasy during prohibition. Kind of puts things into perspective... you really feel the environment the cast of characters played in back then.

This family owned museum has so many treasures inside and outside. If you are interested in Arabic and Asian architure and accessories, then you definitely need to visit this amazing 2 story museum. There are no elevators. I tried to pick the best photos that I could but there is so much there to photograph that you will just need to visit to see it all for yourself. The audio tours average between 45 and 60 minutes depending on the pace that you are comfortable with. Touring the Villa Zorayda Museum requires standing and walking for the length of your visit. Limited seating is available in certain areas. The tickets are $15 with a discount for seniors. The family members,are there to answer any questions. There is parking nearby. This place is located across from the Lightner Museum. Make this a priority if you love all things Arabic and Asian.

I was humbled by this beautiful museum as i enjoyed the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the spectacular Villa Zorayda. This is a family owned and operated museum and there were members of the family working this evening. They are there to answer any questions and to help you have an enjoyable visit. This is a lovely Gilded Age museum filled with beautiful visions in antiques of the time. Superbly maintained, full of knowledge... just waiting for you to absorb! I will not go into a detailed review of this museum, but instead, will leave you with a collage of fantastic photos for your enjoyment. The pictures speak volumes. There is too much information to put in a single review. Instead, go online and purchase a ticket for the beautiful Christmas tree lighting ceremony each Christmas season! There is a video of the tree lighting itself included. It is a beautiful humbling experience that is perfect for the holiday season located in the gorgeous Christmas town of Saint Augustine beach downtown historic district. The museum is also open throughout the year for regular viewing. For more information, the website is below. Enjoy! villazorayda.com

Beautiful and unique museum. The architecture and history was incredible. Would have loved to see/hear more about to Villa as a restaurant and speakeasy.

If you have the time in St Augustine , Villa Zorayda is a interesting place to spend an hour or so . Parking is free while at the museum . You can pay $15 to park all day . The museum is also a hop on /hop off spot on the St Augustine tourist train route . Of all the oddities in St. Augustine, the Moorish, Alhambra Palace-inspired Villa Zorayda may possess the oddest : a large rug woven entirely from cat hair . The rug depicts a large cat and it is believed the Egyptian rug is more than 2400 years old . Worth a stop if you have time :)

I live locally and this is the second time I've come at Christmas time. I don't know that that many people realize what a cool place this is with so much Asian and Arabic focused art pieces if you're really into Arabic architecture, design and art. This is the place to go in Saint Augustine's Saint Augustine has a lot of Moorish influence in their architecture after viewing this museum I would walk over to the Cassa Monica and go inside and maybe have a drink at the bar or even dinner, so you can get the full vision of Franklin Smith who built the Villa and Casa Monica. Is really beautiful inside the hotel. Back to the museum. Ali love that they have head sets to loan with your admission because without them you will not grasp the stories behind the countless pieces inside. Allow at least 90 minutes if you are really into Arab and Asian themes.

I've been to Saint Augustine quiet a few times but this was my first time visiting this museum and I loved it! Parking is free when visiting the museum but also can pay $15 for the day if you plan to walk around. I choose to pay $15 as this museum is centrally located. Considering it was a Friday afternoon there was no crowd. Entry fee is $14 which included an audio device for self guided tour. Since I was traveling alone being here was quite peaceful. I loved learning about each room and it's details. The lions den or center of the house was stunning. So many pieces to admire. Many pieces and artwork date back 1800s and earlier. Anyone that likes history would love it here. You are allowed to take non flash pictures throughout the tour expect for room 10. Overall great experience for a good price. If you haven't visited, you must the next time you visit the area.

Was a wonderful museum learned a lot of stuff could be better with a tour guide instead of ear phones

It was a speakeasy, a casino, but it's an interesting part of St Augustine's history. To say more would be give away its secrets. When you look it up in the tourist brochures, it seems strange. It's surprising and worth the trip. As someone experienced with odd places like The House On The Rock, you'll find this to be as fun and strange. If you're into amazing woodworking, Moorish/Middle Eastern culture, or the lore of the St Augustine area, you'll find something interesting. You'll need to be able to climb stairs. Not recommended for young children. Not handicapped accessible. Amazingly, it's privately-owned by a descendant of the Bostonian original builder/designer. If you have the time and interest, it's pretty cool.

I've been to St. Augustine many times and for some reason have never toured the museum. The history and art artifacts are one of a kind. It is a self directed tour with a handheld remote. Everyone is very well explained. This museum is a must see in my opinion.

This is a small private museum that has very few visitors. The interior of the large villa is extravagantly and lavishly furnished with Spanish antiques plus some from North Africa and the Middle East. Pictures aren't allowed inside, but an excellent portable audio device that you hold to your ear nicely describes all the furnishings and artifacts as one moves from room to room in the 2 story building. This is an entertaining one-hour diversion while in St. Augustine.

Front desk was very dry and quiet. She cleaned the audio tour devices before handing it out. The villa is small and very Cramped. Everything is very close to each other. I think the coolest room was the Egyptian room but I'm not sure of the authenticity of the items . The princess tower was off limits. I do wish that the audio or the rooms had more detailed labels. You can do the tour in about 20 minutes. Paid $36 for 2 adults, and 2 children ages 11-12 and 6 and under are free. It was not awful but not worth the price, in my opinion. No pictures allowed inside for some reason.

I really enjoyed visiting Villa Zorayda! Unfortunately, photos are not allowed inside, so I don't have any interior shots to share on here. I had recently been to the Olana Estate in Hudson, NY, which has some similar design elements, but in a more muted fashion. If you have been there and enjoyed it, this is worth checking out too. I've been especially intrigued by Middle Eastern/Islamic architecture and tile work since visiting Turkey in 2013. I was excited when we walked in to see the beautiful enclosed interior courtyard. There is SO much to see at this attraction, lots of interesting trinkets and artwork. The architectural elements in this home are impressive, I liked the harem room upstairs Yes, there is a guided audio tour, which is not my ideal. It was still interesting though! I'd say we were here roughly 1 hour. I believe we paid $10 each for admission. To me personally, this was much more enjoyable than the Flagler College tour (which is located across the street). This type of building is so unique and different, I'd highly recommend it to any architecture or Middle Eastern buffs.

Weird and wonderful. Only in America could a late 1800s rich guy see the Alhambra in Spain and decide to build a house along those same architectural lines in some half-abandoned former Spanish settlement in Florida. Echoes of the Moors in Spain, I reckon. In any event, here it is, in all its glory. Now a museum (second owner was an Arabist and antique dealer), filled with middle eastern and other chatychkes, to include the "famous" cat hair rug. In any event, if you have any love for Moorish/north African/Middle Eastern stuff it is worth a visit. Museum itself is run well enough and the audio tour gets the job done (my favorite, station 16: "more cork whips!"). If you ask nicely, there is a lovely bathroom.

Very interesting, so many furnishings, artwork, etc. from the past. Self-guided audio tour so one can take time and really look at all the memorabilia. The Villa itself is a work of art.

The most important part of your St. Augustine trip should either start or end here. Yes, this area is thriving with endless choices of museums and historical sites to see; but this one tops them all. You'll recognize the exterior immediately because it stands out from the rest of the city. It was built as a replica from the original castle in Grenada, Spain and contains tons of intriguing historical items in pristine condition. There is no photography allowed inside which is unfortunate but the website does have a few pictures to showcase it's beauty. A very inexpensive fee is charged to enter the museum and you will be given an audio tour so divided by room with a brief description of the antiquity and origin of the items displayed. Divided into twenty chapters, you'll start your audio tour which should last about 45-60 minutes from beginning to completion. The intricate moorish details, the architectural innovations, Sacred Cat Rug, and all the glitz and glamour associated with the last few centuries culture and spectacles of history will keep you in awe of such a special place. Put it this way, I did my research and KNEW I needs to come here based on the grounds that I could keep an iPad-addicted 9 year old content for at least an hour. Even she was thrilled and paying attention to all the artifacts and historical correlation to the items and their origins. Even if all you have time for is a few museums, this should be at the top of your list. It's got lots of gusto with a fascinating story alongside it. I personally guarantee that if you don't find this place to be the coolest place on earth, then you ain't cool booboo.

Neat museum but their parking lot attendant has gotta be the biggest jerk in St. Augustine. Even when we're going to the awesome record store that shares the parking lot which isn't under his jurisdiction he will give us such a hard time that I'm hesitant to come anywhere near here. He hides in his car and then comes Out and yells at you in your way in to the retail places. Is this the kind of people Zorayda wants representing them? Because I tell people to stay away just because of this jerk. It's not worth dealing with him.

I actually really liked this little stop on our trip to St. Augustine. It's an old historic house turned into a really cool museum. There a little audio tour that is included with the ticket and it's very informative and easy to use. This is a great little place to get out of the heat for a bit and learn about a house that actually ended up shaping the way St. Augustine developed. My favorite piece that was in the museum was towards the end of the tour, titled "Ha, I Like Not That" the story that goes with it is great and it was fun to see in person. If your trip isn't already packed full I would say this place is worth a visit.

Completely gorgeous and compelling wedding venue. Guests watched the wedding at both ground level and from the 4-sided balcony above. The ceremony lighting was purely celestial and completely lit up the bride like never before. The Zorayda is full of curiosities and priceless treasures. It's absolutely the best museum the average St. Augustine tourist maybe doesn't know about (and you'd be doing yourself an amazing disservice if you neglect to walk amongst all of its nooks and crannies)!

Fortune brought me to the Villa Zorayda by way of Groupon. An ancient Egyptian rug made out of cat fur? Yes, please! We spent the afternoon in St. Augustine while road-tripping from Orlando to Savannah. I had no idea what to expect from this place (the website isn't terribly helpful), but my husband and I are always down for an adventure. After we pulled into the parking lot we knew we were in for another one. Originally a home that was modeled after a Spanish palace, the Villa has gone through many changes including housing a restaurant and casino. The detail in architecture is amazing and the Villa is filled with furniture, vases, hookahs, menus, roulette wheels, art, etc etc to showcase its colorful past. There is an audio tour which is a must- otherwise you'll wander around the house and go "why the crap is that in here?" about every 13 seconds. The audio tour is very informative without getting too long and drawn out. Allow yourself at least 45 minutes, but I can see someone easily spending 2 hours if they were to take their time. My favorite rooms were the Sultan's Den, whatever room that was next to it- the name of which escapes me now (the Harem room??), and of course, the room with the ancient Egyptian cat rug. It was more fantastically crazy than I could have imagined. And pretty creepy too. I'm giving it 5 stars because I love museums and history and can spend plenty of time looking at every detail of a menu from the 1930's. There is plenty to see and it's funny how such an eclectic collection of "stuff" can all make sense here. If museums aren't your thing or you don't find old furniture interesting you might want to think twice. But if a 2000 year old cat rug with a curse sounds exciting to you, then you should definitely make the Villa a stop while in St. Augustine.

Driving through Saint Augustine, you cannot help but notice the incredibly zany, yet colorful, building as you enter the city. Perhaps you were touring Flagler College, and this colorful, Moorish building caught your eye, or perhaps you read or heard about this place or the cursed rug. In my case, I had read about it when researching attractions in Saint Augustine on TripAdvisor.com, and when my friend and I drove through town, that was one of the first things we came across, apart from Flagler College. After seeing it, I just knew I had to keep that on my list of sights to see. If you cannot afford to see the real deal in Spain, then this is a good introduction, at least until you can save up to see the place this home was inspired by: the Alhambra Palace in Granada. The villa contains luxurious interior details, including most notably cast plaster work matching that of the Alhambra in Spain. It is gorgeous, and contains a lot of different relics of other eras and countries of origin. Unfortunately, photography is NOT allowed, hence the reason for not seeing any photos of the interior on Yelp (and yes, there are surveillance cameras throughout, sure to catch you if you try...I wouldn't risk it unless you don't mind perhaps being kicked out). Being unable to photograph the lavish interior was a big downer for me. There is no guided tour, but there is an audio tour, for no extra charge. It is incredible how detailed it is on the inside! The most popular item on display, of course, is the "Sacred Cat Rug," which has been featured on Ripley's Believe It Or Not. It is over 2400 years old, was made from the hair of ancient Egyptian cats and was taken from a pyramid in Egypt. Like most things taken from the pyramids, it is said to possess a curse. The curse only takes effect if you walk on the rug, and it is safely kept away from anyone, so don't worry, you won't suddenly have any more bad luck than you already do! One of the main features of the building is the variation of the windows. Each window is a different shape and size because, according to superstition, the spirits could leave the house but would have trouble finding their way back in. Apart from being an easily recognizable building, this building is very important in the fact that it pioneered the use of mixed concrete and coquina, which then inspired Henry Flagler to use these materials in his own construction. Franklin W. Smith, the original owner and builder of Villa Zorayda, built the Casa Monica Hotel in the Moorish Revival style to complement Flagler's Ponce de Leon and Alcazar Hotels. Villa Zorayda set a precedence for St. Augustine in beginning the Moorish Spanish revival of architecture that is seen throughout the city today. Villa Zorayda was not only a house, but a casino, a speakeasy, and a movie set. Considering its history and its exotic, unique nature, Villa Zorayda should definitely not be passed up!

It was an amazing tour and visit there as an Islamic and Arabic experience Thank you

This is a very unique activity. It is an interesting building to walk around. The staff is delightful and very helpful. The museum consists of an audio tour (complimentary with ticket purchase) that tells you about the rooms and many antiques and bric a brac that are in the building. You are not allowed to take pictures and asked not to use your phone at all. The cat rug is a must see in the museum. Such an intriguing piece. Also, the I learned a lot about fire extinguishing systems from the history. Definitely an unusual way to learn about a few famous Augustinians. There is no real gift shop, just a few postcard and magnets so don't save your money for that.

2000-year-old cat rug with a curse?! Ok, I'll bite. I would have easily passed over this little gem were it not for the insistence of my travel companion and cruise director, JP. The residence is a scaled reproduction of the Alhambra palace. This much is obvious from various tourism propaganda. Once inside, though, the (sometimes cheesy) audio tour transports you to the turn of the last century, the land boom in St. Augustine, and roaring 20's culture. Cursed cat rug aside, there are fantastic stories about the residence's time as a casino and club (complete with some pretty cool original guest checks, menus and china), and a fabulous collection of hand-carved antique furniture. The inside if the home is also a feast for the eye of the historic home buff as many turn-of-the-century architectural features were blended into moorish culture. We look very much forward to a candlelight tour at the holidays and the gift shop(pe?) reopening.

This place is very cool place to add to your St Augustine plans. There is a 2300 year old rug made of cat hair in the Egyptian room! Beautiful antiques you can't see anywhere else.

One of the most disappointing museums I've been to. I saw pictures on line which looked really cool but after we were sold the tickets was informed that it's impermissible to take photos inside... That's such bs, really. Like why not?? All those pictures are out there anyway, what's a big deal? Without taking pictures, the place was worthless to me.

Gorgeous! Would go back in a heartbeat!

Took candlelight tour 1/1. So very special having family members conduct the tour. Lots of personal insight into the house's history. Beautifully restored mansion filled with facinating and PRICELESS pieces. A touch of Spain in FL. Would not recommend for younger than teenagers....but everyone else should add to their must see list.

My kids (15,15,14, & 6) and I really enjoyed the home. I was worried that my six-year-old would get bored but she had her own audio players and was fine. They especially loved the cat rug and mummy toe. As long as you are into architect and designs from different countries you'll love this.

A must see its amazing eye dropping building artifacts the self tour was awesome what can I say we'll worth the time spent history was amazing a good learning lesson for the kids and anyone else who would visit

Villa Zorayda is just one of those super random site you pass and can't help but check it out. I'm certainly glad I did. Apparently built by some mega rich dude, it's modeled after the Moorish designed Alhambra of Granada, Spain. Although I was slightly more impressed with the real Alhambra, Villa Zorayda is definitely worth the visiting and taking the time to listen to the entire audio tour. It takes about an hour but informs you of all the unique pieces of art and history of the City and its development. A can't be missed for history geeks and general curious like myself.

Nothing special to us.$20 for a cell tour through those little cell type guides they give u to listen in your ear and no much to see that they worth the time or the money.in 10 minutes max u see a double floor museum..lol..and no pictures allowed! !!!

Stopped in at 3:30. Museum is open until 4. Decided better to come back tomorrow. Asked if I could use restroom. Marcia refused. I am disabled. Offered to pay admission in order to use restroom. Marcia refused. Really??

Really cool place. Good parking with helpful and friendly staff. Building has many great architectural features and its a great place to check out if you are in the area.

Amazing! Highly recommend. I've going to St. Augustine for many years. For the first time we toured the villa. Absolutely extraordinary! Amazing building and beautiful antiques. Family owned and operated. Marsha and her husband are great. I hope you enjoy as much as we did.

Amazing museum! Went there not expecting to need the audio tour but it turned out to be incredibly informative and managed to really bring this wonderful place alive during my visit. So happy I took the time to really look around, so many interesting pieces here to see.

Great tour of history and the passion of men to acquire history for us to all enjoy. The audio tour was just the perfect amount of information to keep you in awe. A must see while in St. Augustine.

This museum is unbelievable! Be aware that pictures for most of the contents of Villa Zorayda (most of which is original to the structure) are not on their website. Wonderfully friendly people, too, and very accommodating to my handicapped husband. I have lived in the area 17 years now, and wasn't aware it existed, so I surmise it is not as well known as it should be. Not to be missed!