Montazah Palace Gardens is a group of gardens rich in trees and flowers with an area of 370 acres in the Montaza neighborhood in the east of the city of Alexandria in Egypt and overlooks a bay known as Montaza Bay and was owned by the former royal Alawite family in Egypt and has 5 swimming beaches, including two private beaches in addition to the main Royal Montazah Palace built in the Italian Florentine style and also the Salalak Palace, which turned into a luxury hotel (Salalak Palace) and Montaza Gardens is characterized by its ancient trees and rare flower beds.
These Montazah Palace gardens were established more than a hundred years ago when Khedive Abbas Helmy II ordered their construction. Within Montaza Gardens, there are tourist facilities established after the Egyptian revolution to serve the public visitors to the gardens, including restaurants, an integrated tourist center, playgrounds and chalets, and Montaza Gardens overlooks five beaches: Aida, Cleopatra, Phoenicia, and Samir Amis, in addition to a private beach for the Helnan Palestine Hotel
The initial complex was built by order of Khedive Abbas II, the last member of the dynasty founded by Muhammad Ali to exercise sovereignty over the territory that now constitutes Egypt and Sudan, in 1892, and included the Salamlek palace and gardens that were used as a private hunting ground.
In 1932 King Fuad ordered the construction of another large palace known as Haramlik, which served as his summer residence and has a mixture of Ottoman and Florentine styles, and two towers, one of them with a great profusion of decorative details of the Italian Renaissance.
President Anwar Sadat had the Samalek palace restored to become one of the official residences of the presidency, so it is now closed to the public.
Currently, the Al-Haramlik Palace (the largest building in the complex) serves as a presidential residence and museum. While the interior is often closed for official use or renovations, visitors are free to explore the extensive gardens and view the stunning exterior architecture.
The spring months (March to May) and early autumn (September to October) offer the most pleasant weather for walking through the gardens. During summer, it is a popular spot for locals to catch the Mediterranean breeze, though it can become quite crowded on weekends.
Yes, there is a per-person entrance fee to access the royal gardens. Prices may vary for tourists and Egyptian nationals, and there is typically an additional fee if you are entering with a private vehicle.
Beyond the Al-Haramlik Palace, you should visit the Salamlek Palace (now a luxury hotel), the iconic Montazah Bridge that connects to a small island, and the Victorian-style clock tower. The diverse botanical collection in the gardens is also a highlight.
Yes, the complex houses several cafes and restaurants ranging from casual spots for tea and snacks to high-end dining within the Salamlek Palace hotel, many of which offer panoramic views of the sea.
Build your own private tour to Egypt — one detail at a time.