Al Musafir Khana Palace

Al Musafir Khana is an Ottoman palace in the heart of Islamic Cairo, showing features of that architecture such as grand halls and traditional design elements. It stands on Shari' al-Jamaliyya street, one of the main roads through the historic quarter.

A wealthy merchant named Mahmud Muharram built the palace between 1779 and 1788. Later, Muhammad Ali Pasha acquired it and used it as a royal guesthouse in the early 1800s.

The name means Palace of Travelers and recalls how it hosted distinguished guests and officials. Visitors can still see the rooms that were arranged for such important visitors.

The palace lies in the old quarters of Cairo and is best reached on foot, as the narrow lanes of the district are difficult for cars. Plan your visit for the cooler morning or evening hours, as it can become very hot during the day.

The place was the birthplace of the later ruler Khedive Ismaʿil. A large fire in 1998 damaged the building severely, with traces of that event still visible today.

Location: Cairo Governorate

Part of: Islamic Cairo

GPS coordinates: 30.05720,31.26580

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:22