Montaza Palace 🇪🇬

Located on a low plateau east of central Alexandria overlooking a Mediterranean Sea beach, Montaza Palace offers you a fascinating look into Egypt's royal past and expansive coastal beauty. The complex originated in 1892 when Khedive Abbas II built the Salamlek Palace to serve as a hunting lodge and residence. Later, in 1932, King Fuad I added the larger El-Haramlek Palace as a summer residence, combining Ottoman and Florentine architectural styles.

As you explore, you will notice El-Haramlek's two distinct towers, including one soaring tower adorned with elaborate Italian Renaissance design details, as well as long open arcades that face the sea along every floor. Today, the site provides a wonderful blend of history, architecture, and nature. You can visit the El-Haramlek Palace museum to admire objects d'art and trace the family history of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty.

Surrounding the buildings is El-Montaza Park, a sprawling 300-acre public landscape park and forest reserve perfect for a tranquil outdoor stroll. Meanwhile, the historic Salamlek Palace, once renovated by President Anwar El-Sadat as an official presidential residence and most recently used by Hosni Mubarak, now operates as an adjacent hotel right on the grounds.

What to see at Montaza Palace

• El-Haramlek Palace featuring Ottoman and Florentine architecture with Italian Renaissance tower details
• The El-Haramlek museum showcasing Muhammad Ali Dynasty family history and fine objects d'art
• El-Montaza Park, a 300-acre public landscape park and forest reserve along the Mediterranean
• The historic 1892 Salamlek Palace, formerly a royal hunting lodge and presidential residence, now a hotel
• Sea-facing open arcades spanning each floor of the El-Haramlek Palace

Visiting tips

Be sure to explore both the museum inside El-Haramlek Palace and the surrounding 300-acre public grounds overlooking the sea.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Montaza Palace is easy to reach on Alexandria’s public transport, and pairs naturally with El-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque and Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Alexandria travel guide.