Cairo Palaces Tour: Baron Empain, Abdeen and Manial

This Cairo palaces tour moves away from the pharaohs to show the city’s more recent history through three palaces built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. You travel by private car from your hotel in Cairo or Giza, adding a guide, entry tickets and lunch if you wish.

What you will see

• Baron Empain Palace: in Heliopolis, built in the early 20th century for the Belgian industrialist Édouard Empain, founder of the Heliopolis district. Its style is inspired by Hindu temple architecture, unlike anything else in Cairo.
• Abdeen Palace: in central Cairo, built in the 19th century under Khedive Ismail and used as an official residence of Egypt’s rulers. Part of the palace houses museum collections.
• Manial Palace: on Roda Island, the former residence of Prince Mohamed Ali Tewfik, known for its blend of Ottoman, Moorish and Persian styles and its gardens.

Good to know

The three palaces are in different parts of the city, so the day includes some driving through Cairo traffic. It is a relaxed tour with plenty of indoor time, which makes it a good choice on hot days or for travellers who have already seen the main ancient sites.

Choose between a private car with driver only, a car with guide, the guide plus entry tickets, or the full option with lunch. Photography rules can differ between palaces, so check at each entrance.