Six styles, one vision
The prince personally directed a fusion of architectural traditions across the complex — rococo ceilings beside Ottoman tilework, Persian throne rooms and Andalusian courtyards.
Cairo · Rhoda Island
Manial Palace: Prince Mohamed Ali's Royal Residence
A serene, often-overlooked royal palace on the Nile — six architectural styles, a 14-hall private museum, an ornate mosque and botanical gardens, all minutes from central Cairo.
Manial Palace & Cairo Tours
Guided tours that visit Manial Palace and the best of historic Cairo — live prices, real reviews and instant confirmation. Filter by type or sort to find your fit.
A Hidden Royal Gem on the Nile
One of Cairo's most beautiful — and quietest — landmarks
Manial Palace is the early-20th-century home of Prince Mohamed Ali Tewfik, set in gardens on Rhoda Island where the Nile splits central Cairo. Unlike the crowded Pyramids or the Egyptian Museum, it remains a peaceful retreat — a complex of palaces, a mosque, a hunting museum and a private collection that together showcase Islamic, Ottoman, Persian, Mamluk, Moorish and European design.
Restored and run by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, it is one of the finest surviving examples of Egyptian royal taste from the era before the 1952 revolution — and an easy, rewarding half-day stop on any Cairo itinerary.
Gardens on the river
Rare trees and tropical plants collected from around the world fill the riverside gardens — a cool, shaded escape from the noise of the city.
Why visitors love it
- Rarely crowded — easy photos and unhurried halls
- Central location, minutes from Old Cairo and the Nilometer
- Six architectural styles under one roof
- Shaded Nile-side gardens, ideal in any season
What's Inside Manial Palace
The complex is made up of several distinct buildings set among the gardens. Click each one for details.
Reception Palace & Clock TowerArabesque halls and ornate ceilings
The first building most visitors enter, the Reception Palace dazzles with Arabesque woodwork, painted ceilings, coloured glass and chandeliers. Its tiled façade and clock tower set the tone for the whole estate.
The MosqueRococo ceiling and Ottoman tilework
The private mosque combines an Ottoman-style exterior with an unexpectedly elaborate rococo painted ceiling. Its mihrab and tilework are among the most photographed details in the palace.
Throne Hall & Golden HallPersian-inspired ceremonial rooms
The Throne Hall holds the prince's ceremonial throne beneath painted portraits of the royal family, while the adjoining Golden Hall gleams with gilded decoration used to receive distinguished guests.
Hunting MuseumTrophies and rare specimens
Added later to the estate, the Hunting Museum displays mounted animals, antique weapons and natural-history specimens — including pieces from King Farouk's collection. It is a favourite with children.
Private Museum — 14 HallsManuscripts, carpets, silver and crystal
Built in 1938, the Private Museum spreads across 14 halls filled with the prince's collection: illuminated manuscripts, rare carpets and textiles, silver and crystal, glassware, calligraphy and oil paintings — one of Cairo's most refined decorative-arts collections.
Residence & Botanical GardensLiving quarters and riverside greenery
The Residence preserves the prince's private living quarters with period furniture, while the surrounding botanical gardens — planted with rare and tropical species — wrap the buildings in shade and birdsong beside the Nile.
History of Manial Palace
Prince Mohamed Ali Tewfik (1875–1955)
Son of Khedive Tewfik and brother of Khedive Abbas Helmy II, Prince Mohamed Ali Tewfik was twice heir presumptive to the Egyptian throne. A passionate patron of Islamic art and architecture, he designed Manial Palace as both a private home and a deliberate showcase of Egypt's artistic heritage.
Construction ran from roughly 1900 to 1929, building up the complex piece by piece. In 1955 the palace and its collections passed to the state and were opened to the public as a museum, preserved today by the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
A timeline at a glance
- 1875 — Prince Mohamed Ali Tewfik is born
- 1900–1929 — the palace complex is built in stages
- 1938 — the 14-hall Private Museum is added
- 1955 — handed to the state and opened as a public museum
Visitor Information
Everything you need to plan your visit. Ticket prices are set by the government and change periodically — please confirm the current rate on arrival.
Opening Hours
Open daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry around 4:15 PM). Hours may shift during Ramadan and public holidays.
Tickets
Approx. 100 EGP for foreign adults, 50 EGP for students, plus about 50 EGP for a camera. Card payment at the gate. Prices subject to change.
Getting There
Al-Saray Street, El-Manial, Rhoda Island. Nearest metro: El-Sayeda Zeinab (~15-min walk). Taxis and ride-hailing reach the main gate.
How Long to Allow
Plan for 1.5–2 hours across the palaces, mosque, museum and gardens — up to half a day with a guide.
Best Time to Visit
Cooler months (October–April) and early mornings just after opening are quietest, with the best light for the gardens.
Photography
Allowed for a small fee; professional sessions cost more. Tripods and flash may be restricted inside the museum halls.
Good to know
Some older guides list a Monday or Tuesday closure, but the official Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lists the museum as open daily. Aggregator sites also quote higher ticket prices (120–220 EGP) — always treat the price on the official board as authoritative.
Combine With Nearby Cairo Highlights
Manial Palace pairs perfectly into a half-day on and around Rhoda Island and Old Cairo.
The Nilometer
At the southern tip of the same island stands the 9th-century Nilometer, once used to measure the Nile's flood — a short ride from the palace and the classic pairing.
Old & Coptic Cairo
Just across the river, the lanes of Coptic Cairo — the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Coptic Museum — make a natural next stop.
Cairo Tower
On neighbouring Gezira Island, the Cairo Tower offers the city's best panoramic views — an easy add-on to round off the afternoon.
Inside the Palace — Gallery
A glimpse of the halls, collections and gardens that await.
Manial Palace — Fast Facts
1900–29Built over three decades
14Private museum halls
6+Architectural styles
4.7From 1,247 reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything visitors ask before planning a trip to Manial Palace.
Is Manial Palace worth visiting?
Yes. Manial Palace is one of Cairo's hidden gems — a beautifully preserved early-20th-century royal residence with Islamic, Ottoman, Persian and European architecture, a private museum of 14 halls, a mosque, a hunting museum and lush Nile-side gardens. It is far less crowded than the Pyramids or the Egyptian Museum, making it a peaceful, rewarding half-day stop.
How much are Manial Palace tickets?
As of 2026 the foreign-visitor ticket is around 100 EGP for adults and 50 EGP for students, with a separate fee of about 50 EGP for photography. Prices are set by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and change periodically, so confirm the current rate before you visit. Payment at the gate is usually by card.
What are Manial Palace opening hours?
Manial Palace Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry around 4:15 PM. Hours can change during Ramadan and on public holidays.
Is photography allowed at Manial Palace?
Yes, photography is permitted for a small additional fee (around 50 EGP for a standard camera). Professional photo sessions cost more, and tripods or flash may be restricted inside the museum halls.
How do I get to Manial Palace?
Manial Palace is on Rhoda (Roda) Island in the El-Manial district of Cairo, on the Nile. The nearest metro station is El-Sayeda Zeinab, about a 15-minute walk away, and taxis or ride-hailing apps drop you at the main gate on Al-Saray Street.
Can I combine Manial Palace with the Nilometer?
Yes — the historic Nilometer sits at the southern tip of the same Rhoda Island, only a short ride away. Many visitors pair the two, and a half-day Cairo tour can easily combine Manial Palace, the Nilometer and Old (Coptic) Cairo.
Is Manial Palace open on Mondays?
Yes. Despite some older guides listing a Monday or Tuesday closure, the official Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lists Manial Palace Museum as open daily, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Always check current notices before visiting.
How long does a visit to Manial Palace take?
Most visitors spend about 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the palace buildings, mosque, museum halls and gardens. With a guide and time in the gardens, allow up to half a day.
Who was Prince Mohamed Ali Tewfik?
Prince Mohamed Ali Tewfik (1875–1955) was a son of Khedive Tewfik, brother of Khedive Abbas Helmy II and heir presumptive to the Egyptian throne. He built Manial Palace between roughly 1900 and 1929 as his private residence and a showcase of Islamic art and architecture.
When is the best time to visit Manial Palace?
The cooler months from October to April are most comfortable. Arriving early in the morning, soon after the 9:00 AM opening, means quieter halls and the best light for photographs in the gardens.
Is there a guided tour of Manial Palace?
Yes. Egyptra offers guided Cairo tours that include Manial Palace, often combined with the Nilometer, Old Cairo or Cairo Tower. A licensed Egyptologist guide brings the palace's history and collections to life. See the tours listed above to book.
How much does a Manial Palace tour cost?
Guided Cairo tours that feature Manial Palace vary by itinerary, group size and inclusions. Browse the live tour list above for current prices and instant confirmation, or contact us for a private customized tour.
Need more information?
Our team is happy to help — reach out via WhatsApp, email, or call +20 101 195 7868.