Montaza Palace Gardens
Nature
Alexandria's largest green space, a former royal estate of palms, pines and lawns overlooking private bays and the Montaza Palace.
- Arabic name
- حدائق المنتزه
- Type
- Park and garden
- Governorate
- Alexandria
- Area
- approx. 1.5
- Protected since
- Royal estate from 1892; public park
- Nearest city guide
- Alexandria
The Montaza gardens surround the former summer palace of Egypt’s royal family at the eastern end of Alexandria’s seafront. Khedive Abbas Helmi II began the estate in the 1890s, and King Fouad added the Italianate-Ottoman Haramlik palace in the 1930s. The gardens are now one of the city’s favourite places for families to escape the crowds.
What to see
Avenues of palms and pine trees lead between lawns and flowerbeds to the shore, where small sheltered coves and the old royal bridge, which leads out to a little island pavilion, look across the sea. The palace itself can be admired from outside. In recent years the estate has been redeveloped, with new cafes, restaurants and hotel areas alongside the historic landscape.
What to do
- Walk or cycle along the seafront paths and the old royal bridge.
- Picnic under the trees or have a drink at a seaside cafe.
- Visit at sunset, when the bays are at their most beautiful.
Getting there and best time
Montaza is around 30 to 40 minutes by taxi from central Alexandria along the Corniche. Weekdays are quieter than Fridays and holidays. Spring and autumn are most pleasant; in summer the gardens are a cool retreat in the early evening.
Entry fee: a gate fee in Egyptian pounds, with extra charges for beaches and some facilities; check on arrival (last checked October 2026).
Last checked October 2026. Entry fees and access rules change; check with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency or a local operator before you go. Sources: en.wikipedia.org.
Frequently asked questions
What can I see at Montaza?
Avenues of palms and pines lead through lawns to sheltered coves and the old royal bridge, which runs out to a small island pavilion. The former royal palace, the Haramlik, can be admired from outside.
What is there to do in the gardens?
Walk or cycle the seafront paths and the royal bridge, picnic under the trees or have a drink at a seaside café. The estate has been redeveloped in recent years with new cafés, restaurants and hotel areas.
How do I get there and what does it cost?
Montaza is at the eastern end of Alexandria's seafront, about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi along the Corniche from the centre. There is a gate fee in Egyptian pounds, with extra charges for beaches and some facilities.
When is the best time to visit?
Weekdays are quieter than Fridays and holidays. Spring and autumn are most pleasant, summer evenings are cool, and sunset over the bays is the highlight.
