Fodor's Expert Review Montazah Gardens

When the descendants of Mohammed Ali became khedives (princes) of Egypt in the mid-18th century, they began to surround themselves with the trappings of a royal lifestyle, and this included the lavish El Montazah palace, built outside Alexandria in the 1890s by Khedive Abbas Hilmi Pasha. During the era of Egyptian Royalty (1922–1952) the palace, enlarged in ornate Italianate style by King Faoud and surrounded by acres of lush gardens, played host to lavish parties. It was from here that Faoud's son King Farouk made his last journey on Egyptian soil after his abdication in 1952. He went into exile in Rome and died there in 1965. Today the palace is part of the presidential property portfolio. The formal gardens, with their flower beds, lawns, and beaches, offer a shady place to stroll or picnic and are very popular with local families.

At the time of writing, the majority of the grounds are under renovation and unable to be visited but they are expected to re-open in 2024.