Haramlek Palace
An Ottoman-Florentine tower.
Alberto-g-rovi — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Noornenay — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mahmoud Zakaria — CC BY-SA 4.0 · لا روسا — CC BY-SA 4.0 · youssef_alam — CC BY 3.0
Broad royal gardens on a low plateau above the sea in eastern Alexandria, surrounding the two Montaza palaces built by the last rulers of the Muhammad Ali dynasty: the Salamlek, built by Khedive Abbas II in 1892, and the larger Haramlek, built by King Fuad I in 1932 as a royal summer palace. The Haramlek blends Ottoman and Florentine styles, crowned by a soaring tower with Italian Renaissance ornament, its open arcades facing the sea on every floor. The palace itself is generally not open to visitors, but the gardens around it are, with palms and pines, lawns and paths above small beaches, and a wooden bridge running out to a tiny island. Townspeople come to stroll here at weekends, and you can explore on foot, by electric cart or on a hired bicycle. Entry fees have changed in recent years; for foreigners they are about ten US dollars or the equivalent according to the latest guides, so check at the gate. It lies at the far east of the city, so allow half a day, ideally arriving in the afternoon and staying for sunset over the sea.
An Ottoman-Florentine tower.
Palms, pines and coves.
A wooden walk over the water.
Montaza district, east Alexandria, about fifteen kilometres from the centre
The Haramlek is generally not open to visitors, as it is a presidential property, while the surrounding gardens are open to the public for an entry fee.