Manial Palace, on the southern tip of Rhoda Island, is one of Cairo's hidden pleasures — a complex of early 20th-century pavilions built by Prince Muhammad Ali in a fantastical blend of Ottoman, Moroccan, Persian, and European styles, set in gardens of exotic plants and rare trees.
The palace was built between 1899 and 1929 and is now a museum. The main reception hall, the throne room, and the harem quarters are all accessible, each in a different architectural style that reflects the prince's eclectic collecting. The tropical garden contains specimens brought from across the world — giant trees, rare palms, and flowering plants maintained by a staff who have tended the collection for generations. Allow two hours and arrive early to beat the heat.