Abdeen Palace
قصر عابدين
A palace built from 1874 as a royal residence and presidential palace, partly open as museums of weapons, silverware and presidential gifts.
Abdeen Palace was commissioned by Khedive Ismail, built between 1863 and 1874. It was the centre of Egyptian political life, serving as the royal palace until the 1952 revolution, and it remains part of the presidential complex. The open areas include several thematic museums: the Weapons Museum (historical swords and firearms, including jewelled ceremonial swords), the Silverware Museum, the Royal Family Museum and the Presidential Gifts Museum. A magnificent suite of halls can also be visited. Admission is about EGP 200–300, and it is generally open Saturday to Thursday, 09:00–15:00. The palace is on Abdeen Square in central Cairo, about 5 minutes by taxi from Tahrir Square. Entry requires a security check and your passport.
Opening hours
Sat–Thu approx. 09:00–15:00
Nearby sights
- Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo
- Bab Zuweila
- Al-Rifa'i Mosque
- Wikala of al-Ghuri (Tanoura Dance)
- Al-Muizz Street
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun
- Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
- Gayer-Anderson Museum