Ras el-Tin Palace

Welcome to Ras el-Tin Palace, a majestic witness to the modern history of Egypt, standing at the tip of Alexandria’s western harbor. This is the oldest royal palace in the country, commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the founder…

We begin at the only surviving part of the original 1834 palace: the magnificent East Gate. This gate is a masterpiece of symbolic architecture, featuring heavy granite columns and intricate metalwork that bears the name of…

As we move into the palace's main floor, we are greeted by the sheer 'Pharaonic luxury' of the interior, largely redesigned during the reign of King Fuad I in the 1920s. The center of this floor is the grand lobby, a space…

One of the most unique spaces in Ras el-Tin is the Gothic Hall, added during the reign of Khedive Ismail in the late 19th century. Khedive Ismail was famous for his desire to make Egypt a 'piece of Europe,' and this hall is a…

In stark contrast to the Gothic Hall, the Throne Hall is a spectacular celebration of Arab-Islamic style. Built under King Fuad I, this was the most formal room in the palace, used for signing international agreements, issuing…

We now move to the private quarters of the monarch: the King’s Wing. This area is more intimate but no less opulent than the public halls. …

The Queen’s Wing offers a different aesthetic, focusing on elegance and, in some areas, surprising modernity. The wing is divided into three distinct parts. …

Our final stop is the spectacular Round Hall, the palace’s grand ballroom. In its heyday under King Fuad and King Farouk, this hall was the setting for legendary parties and state balls that made headlines around the world. …

As you leave the perimeter of Ras el-Tin Palace and head back into the bustling streets of Alexandria's Al-Anfoushi district, take a final look at the white facade reflecting the Mediterranean sun. This palace has been a silent…