The Vorontsov Palace was built using new architectural principles that differ from classicism. One of its key features is its successful placement in accordance with the mountainous terrain, allowing the palace to harmoniously blend into the surrounding landscape and acquire a unique artistic appearance.

The palace was erected in the spirit of English architecture, with elements from various eras up to the 16th century. The style of the building changes from the western gate, becoming more modern as one moves away from it.

The English style harmoniously combines with neo-Moorish elements. For example, the gothic chimneys resemble the minarets of a mosque, while the southern entrance is adorned with eastern opulence. The horseshoe arch, the two-tiered vault, and the plaster carvings in the niche combine motifs of the Tudor rose and the lotus, culminating in a sixfold Arabic inscription: "And there is no victor but Allah."

Construction of the palace began in 1828 and continued until 1848 as a summer residence for Count M. S. Vorontsov, the governor-general of the Novorossiysk region. The project was developed by English architect Edward Blore, who, although he never visited Alupka, was well-informed about the local terrain. Initially, construction was carried out according to the designs of Francesco Boffo and Thomas Harrison, and the foundations of the central building had already been laid.

The construction involved archers from Vladimir and Moscow provinces, as well as experienced stonecutters and masons. All work was done manually, using primitive tools.

Construction began with the dining wing in 1830 and 1834. The central building was erected in 1831 and 1837. In 1841 and 1842, a billiard room was added to the dining area. In 1838 and 1844, the guest wing, eastern wings, palace towers, pentagon of utility buildings, and the Parade Courtyard were constructed. The last to be built was the library wing in 1842 and 1846.

From 1840 to 1848, soldiers from the sapper battalion carried out extensive earthworks, creating terraces in the park in front of the southern facade of the palace. In the summer of 1848, sculptures of lions, made in the workshop of Italian sculptor Giovanni Bonanni, were installed on the central staircase, completing the decoration of the palace and park ensemble.

Before the October Revolution, the palace belonged to the Vorontsov family. After the arrival of Soviet power, it was nationalized and opened as a museum in 1921.

In 1941, with the onset of the Great Patriotic War, the museum's exhibits could not be evacuated in time. The museum was twice threatened with destruction, but it was saved by senior researcher S. G. Shchekol'din. Occupants took many exhibits, and in 1944, Shchekol'din provided the NKVD with an inventory of the stolen items, estimating the damage at 4,980,000 rubles.

From February 4 to 11, 1945, during the Yalta Conference, the palace became the residence of the English delegation led by Winston Churchill. From 1945 to 1955, it was used as a state dacha, and in 1956 it became a museum again.

Since 1990, the palace has been part of the Alupka Palace and Park Museum-Reserve. The ceremonial interiors have almost completely preserved their original decoration, with each room having its unique style reflected in names: Chinese Cabinet, Calico Room, Winter Garden, Blue Drawing Room. The ceremonial dining room is designed in the style of knightly halls of medieval castles, adorned with wood carvings and panels by Hubert Robert.

Alupka Park, created by gardener Karl Antonovich Kebakh, is a monument of national significance and part of the museum territory covering 361,913 m².

The museum offers several permanent exhibitions. Nine ceremonial halls introduce visitors to the life of the first owners and the interior of the palace in the 19th century. In the former guest wing, there is an exhibition "The Family Gallery of the Vorontsovs." In separate halls, exhibits include "The Gift of Professor V. N. Golubev," paintings by Y. A. Basov, and art exhibitions "Ukrainian Painting," "Inhaling the Aroma of Roses." In the park pavilion "Tea House," exhibitions "Maps of the Crimean Peninsula," "Vorontsovs and Russian Admirals," "Naval Battles of the 18th and 19th Centuries" are held.

In 2007, an exhibition "The House of Count A. P. Shuvalov" was opened in the Shuvalov wing, featuring previously unexhibited items of decor and personal belongings of the Vorontsovs, Shuvalovs, and Vorontsovs-Dashkovs. Works of art reflecting the stylistic features of the living quarters of 18th-century palaces are presented.

The museum-reserve's collection includes nearly 27,000 exhibits, and the memorial library of M. S. Vorontsov contains over 10,000 books. Among the exhibits is the painting "Portrait of Prince Grigory Potemkin" by Levitsky, gifted by Baron Faltz-Feyn.