Alexandria, Egypt
Palace in Alexandria, Egypt
On the western end of the old Pharos island, overlooking Alexandria's Western Harbour, stands Ras el-Tin Palace, the oldest Egyptian royal palace still in use. Muhammad Ali Pasha began it in 1834 as a fortress-like residence; as it grew it took on a blend of Ottoman and European styles across some 22 feddans, and it was extensively rebuilt under King Fuad I. It bookends the Muhammad Ali dynasty: it was the family's summer seat in Alexandria, had Egypt's first telephone in 1879, and it was from here that King Farouk left for exile in Italy aboard the royal yacht el-Mahrousa on 26 July 1952 after signing his abdication. The palace was registered as a historic monument in 2015 and is now one of the official presidential residences, inside a naval military zone, so it is not open to visitors. Its story is still part of the identity of the Ras el-Tin and Anfushi quarters.
It is not open to visitors and sits inside a military area, so do not approach or photograph the gates. Get the feel of the area with a walk through Anfushi and Ras el-Tin, then visit the Citadel of Qaitbay and the el-Mursi Abul-Abbas Mosque nearby.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: en.wikipedia.org
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