Montazah palace and gardens, Alexandria

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Muntaza is the western-most part of the city that lies along the coast. It has a number of hotels and restaurants, and benefits from the fact that it is close to the former King’s palace. The district is not a historic one and, although you will find a number of interesting churches and mosques in it, it is largely built up with grimy apartment blocks and shops. Those interested in the development of the modern Middle East might find it interesting in its confusing array of neighbourhoods, overpasses and half-finished construction projects, but if you are looking for somewhere to go out for an evening, or to enjoy a bit more of a touristy feel, you are best placed to avoid wandering around the neighbourhood.

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While visitors may not have full access to the King’s Palace, they do have the opportunity to wander about the grounds of what was once has royal compound. The park is still well-maintained, at least by Egyptian standards, and there are many green spots in which you will find young couples and groups of friends. There are a few remnants of the royal design, but for the most part this is either just parkland and a few restaurants and hotels. The views of the city in the park are actually the best part (in my humble opinion) and merit a fair bit of time for pictures, if you can squeeze yourself in between the young couples.

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King Farouk ruled Egypt from 1936 until the revolution that brough Gamal Abdel Nasser to power in 1952. The King, of course, was intended to be like his counterparts in countries such as Iraq and Jordan, where royal families installed after the withdrawal of British colonial administration would help to rule the countries according to Arab and Islamic tradition, while still providing support to Western policy in the region. The King, obviously, had a home in Egypt’s second-largest city. Today, that home is still part of government property, but the surrounding park can be visited for a small fee, and tourists are permitted to get fairly close to the palace in order to take pictures. The palace is typically gaudy, done in a fake Rococo style that, perhaps, emphasizes the King’s dreams of Venetian grandeur, built on the mercantile base of the city. This is most evident in the F’s built into the gates and façade of the structure. You can get a fairly good view of the building from the various parts of the park, but don’t try to get too close, otherwise you will be warned away by the guards.

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Montazah Palace and Gardens is one of the amazing summer place in Alexandria. It is situated on a rocky bluff overlooking the sea.

You will spend most of your time in the Montazah Gardens enjoying the pine and palms and so with the flowers. I have seen too many Date trees and fruits when I last visited the place.
Come and enjoy. Let's have a picnic!

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The Palace was supposed to be divided into 2 buildings. The bigger one was for the wives of King Farouk and the other smaller one was for gentlemen purposes. But for now, the big building is the only one that still in use to welcoming guess of Egypt President.

It so well preserve, the garden is beautiful and has mediteran oceanic view.
There are some chalets that can be rent for a cost about US$2000/ night.

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Its no wonder world leader decide to hold talks here at this private park. There is an entrance fee but its worth it. Mark this as the park with the greatest number of palm tree enclosed. Its beautiful! locals would drive up the long driveway inside the park, getting closer to ocean. I walked. even better seeing all the flowers, well maintained hedges, and parkly goodness.

A favourite leisure activity for Arab families, this park is a perfect setting for a picnic, an afternoon of enjoying the outdoors mother nature and chit chat, lovers spending quality time, and with the children out on a trip. Actually locals even can rent cottages on the beaches! lucky!

there are many sights in this park. Notably the architecture on the bridge featured in the photo, a resort Hilton within, the historic palace and nearby amazing jagged rock style landscape and gazebo. There are many spots here where you can sit down and watch the waves crash onto the shore. Overall this park is an enclosure of privilege sheltered from the barbarous outside. Egypt has much poverty, and this park is a shelter, which is why world leaders come here. BUT I spent like three hours out of 7 in this place that i had on a day trip in alexandria, and it was worth it. A MUST DO!

TIP: Spend a night in the hotel, or in the resort houses if you can arrange to spend a few nights. its beautiful here, and the people are more friendly so you can meet egyptians easier.

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El-Muntaza area is situated along the coast about 20 kilometers east of Alexandrias old district. We reached it while driving along the Corniche where many of the modern Alexandrian hotels are located. The magnificent Muntaza Palace and Park is certainly a highlight of Alexandria.

This complex is surrounded by great walls from the south, east and west, and with the beach on its north side. This area used to belong to the Mohamed Ali family, which ruled Egypt from the mid XIXth century until 1952. The construction was started in 1892 by King Abbas II, who built a large palace inside the complex called the Salamlek. In 1932 King Fuad built a larger palace and called it the Haramlik.

Park Open 7.00-23.00. Ticket LE3 ($0.75).

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The Park of Muntaza Palace is a former royal summer residence and now partly a museum (mementos of the monarchy). King Farouk built a beautiful bridge to the sea. The rest of the area is occupied by beautiful gardens. Palm trees and gazelles cover the area. The wonderful pavilion in classic style is located in the Park. This is a wonderful spot to enjoy the beauty of Alexandria. There were a lot of locals who spent their week-end there.

You may watch my VIDEO-Clip on my personal YouTube channel: 2 min 11 sec Egypt Alexandria Sea at Montaza Park 2007

You may watch my high resolution photos on Google Earth in Alexandria Muntaza Park according to the following coordinates: 31º 17' 24.50" N 30º 1' 20.62" E

or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo 1 , Photo 2 , Photo 3 , Photo 4 , Photo 5

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As it is, Alexandria already represents a welcome escape from pharaonic fatigue. Within Alexandria, there are still some green spaces where one could escape its concrete jungle and the toxic (but pleasant smelling) sheesha (waterpipe) 'fumes'. Foremost of these green spaces is Montazah palace and its surrounding gardens.

The palace, built along the lines of Florentine architecture (so says the guide book), is off limits to the public and the lesser mortals (it is still an official building used by Egypt's president). But the surrounding gardens - well-tended and filled with beautiful flowers and plants - are open to the public, and are a favorite picnic place for the locals.

There is a good vantage point to see the grandeur of the place from a gazebo at the waterfront. To get there, turn right once you approach the palace, and keep walking on a counter clockwise direction. The gazebo is at the other side of the palace (facing the sea). There, you could marvel at the palace's architecture and take in all that good stuff from the cool Mediterranean breeze. The guards are very friendly and will help you find your way.

Entrance fee as of May 2007: EGP 4.

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I was lucky. Ahmed's best friend has a year pass that gave us free entry into Montazah Palace, Gardens & Beach.

Montazah Palace was the last residence for King Faruk I before he abdicated in 1952. The Palace was once opened to the public, but as of recent, it's not.