Montaza Palace Gardens

What is Montaza Palace?

It is a royal estate created by Khedive Abbas II Hilmi in the 1890s and expanded by King Fuad I, whose main palace, the Haramlik, was completed in the early 1930s. Abbas II first built the Salamlek, a hunting lodge in a Central European style, beside a small bay at the far eastern edge of the city. Fuad later added the Haramlik, a large palace mixing Italianate and Ottoman features with a tall Florentine-style tower that is visible from far along the coast.

The royal family spent summers here until the 1952 revolution. Since then the Haramlik has served as a state guest palace and presidential residence and is closed to the public, and the Salamlek has been run as a hotel. The gardens have been open to visitors for decades and are a favourite with Alexandrian families.

What can you see in the gardens?

Shady avenues of palms, pines and flowering trees, lawns that slope down to the sea, and views of the palace and its tower from the gardens.

• The Haramlik exterior: photograph it from the gardens; guards keep visitors back from the building itself.
• The bay and the bridge: a small bay protected by a breakwater, with a decorative bridge out to a tiny island and a lighthouse at the end of the breakwater.
• The Salamlek: the older lodge, with its turrets and wooden balconies, near the bay.
• The groves: quieter walks in the inland parts of the estate, where families picnic on Fridays.

There is no museum or formal route; it is a place to stroll, sit by the water and see how Alexandrians relax. Cafes and kiosks near the bay sell tea, juice and snacks, and on weekend evenings you will see newlyweds posing for wedding photographs under the palms, a long Alexandrian tradition. For a sense of scale, a slow loop of the main paths takes around an hour. Bring sunscreen and water in warmer months, as the paths near the sea are exposed, and a light jacket in winter, when the wind off the Mediterranean can be surprisingly cold.

Can you swim at Montaza?

Yes, in summer: several small beaches inside the estate charge for entry, sun loungers and umbrellas, and the sheltered bay is calmer than the open coast. The swimming season runs roughly from June to September, when the Mediterranean is around 24–27°C. Outside summer the beaches are quiet and some facilities close. Expect conservative swimwear among local families; a one-piece or modest swimwear with a cover-up for walking around is a comfortable choice, as our guide on what to wear in Egypt explains. If a beach holiday is the main aim, the Red Sea is far better; see our Red Sea guide.

When is the best time to visit?

Weekday mornings and late afternoons from October to May are most pleasant; Fridays, Eid holidays and summer weekends are very crowded. In July and August, when much of Cairo moves to the coast, the estate and the roads around it fill up, and entry queues can be long. A late-afternoon visit in spring or autumn, when temperatures are in the mid-20s, is ideal. See our guide to Egypt in August for what Alexandria's summer season is like.

How do you get to Montaza?

Montaza is about 18–20 km east of downtown along the Corniche, which takes 30 minutes in light traffic and an hour or more at peak times. On a private tour your driver takes you to the main gate; taxis and ride-hailing apps also work well. Entry is by a modest ticket bought at the gate, with prices set locally and changed from time to time, so check on arrival. Cars may pay extra to enter.

Montaza is a long way from the ancient sites in the west of the city, so combine it with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on the way back, or visit on your way out of the city if you are heading east towards the Delta or Cairo by the agricultural road.

Is it worth staying near Montaza?

It suits travellers who want quiet, gardens and a sea view more than easy access to the sights. Several hotels sit within or beside the estate, which makes evenings peaceful but means 30–60 minutes in traffic to the centre each day. For most first-time visitors on one or two nights, staying downtown on the Corniche is more practical; our guide to where to stay in Alexandria compares the areas.