Family · Alexandria
Montaza Palace and Gardens
A royal palace on a low plateau above the Mediterranean in eastern Alexandria, set within wide public gardens of mature trees and sea views.
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The story
The story of Montaza begins in 1892, when Khedive Abbas II Hilmi had the Salamlek built as a hunting lodge and private retreat. Under King Fuad I the larger Haramlek was added as the royal family's summer residence, though sources differ on its date, placing it anywhere from the 1920s to 1932. Its style blends Ottoman character with Florentine Italian influence, and it is crowned by two towers, one of them strikingly tall. After 1952 the estate passed to the state and the gardens were opened to the public, and they remain a public park today. The Haramlek serves as a museum of the Muhammad Ali dynasty, while the Salamlek now operates as a hotel.
Good to know
- The Salamlek was built in 1892 under Khedive Abbas II Hilmi and is the oldest building of the complex.
- The Haramlek mixes Ottoman and Florentine Italian styles and is topped by two towers.
- The former royal gardens around the palace are now a public landscape park and wooded reserve overlooking the beach.
- The grounds also include the seaside tea kiosk, alongside the lighthouse and the bridge to the tea island.
Visiting tips
The gardens are a public park with a modest entry fee, but sources disagree on current hours and prices, and access inside the palaces is limited. Please check hours, prices and what is open to visitors before going, as they can change by season.