Montaza Palaceقصر المنتزه

The Montaza grounds were developed by Egypt's royal family as a seaside summer residence. Its grand main palace, the Haramlik, was built in the early 20th century in a distinctive style blending Florentine and Turkish influences, complete with a tall ornamental tower. An earlier, smaller palace, the Salamlik, also stands in the grounds. For decades the royal family summered here beside the Mediterranean, and the palace remains a symbol of the elegant world of Egypt's former monarchy.

Surrounding the palace are extensive gardens and pine woods covering a large stretch of the eastern shore — a rare expanse of greenery in the busy city. Pathways wind among trees, lawns, and flowerbeds down to quiet beaches and coves, and a picturesque bridge reaches out to a small island, a favourite spot for photographs. With sea breezes, shade, and views over the Mediterranean, the gardens are a cherished place for families and couples to relax and unwind.

Today the beautiful gardens are open as a public park, a much-loved retreat on the eastern edge of Alexandria, reached easily along the seafront Corniche. Visitors come to walk, picnic, and enjoy the sea air, while the palace itself stands as a graceful landmark above the grounds. For a gentle, scenic break from the city's monuments and museums, Montaza offers green calm and Mediterranean beauty in equal measure.

• What it is: a former royal palace and gardens on Alexandria's eastern shore.
• Arabic name: قصر المنتزه (Montaza Palace).
• Main palace: the Haramlik, in a Florentine-Turkish style.
• Grounds: extensive seaside gardens, pine woods, and beaches.
• Highlight: the scenic bridge to a small island.
• Today: the gardens are a beloved public park.

Sources include standard guides to Alexandria. Some details are approximate.