Alexandria, Egypt: travel guide
Egypt's Mediterranean soul — a layered, cosmopolitan city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE that was once the ancient world's greatest city, home to the Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the Seven Wonders) and the Great Library of Alexandria. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (2002) is a stunning modern echo of that ancient institution. Alexandria's melancholic beauty lies in its peeling Italianate facades along the seafront Corniche, the extraordinary catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the Mediterranean light that suffuses everything golden. The city's Greek, Jewish, Italian and Arab layers make it unlike any other Egyptian city — closer to Istanbul than Cairo in spirit.
- Country
- Egypt
- Currency
- EGP
- Time zone
- Africa/Cairo
- Nearest airport
- HBE
Top places to visit in Alexandria
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry EGP 200
Stunning Snøhetta-designed cultural complex (2002) — modern echo of the ancient Great Library. Circular roof tilts toward the sea; exterior clad with 6,000 Aswan granite blocks inscribed in 120 writing systems. Four museums (Antiquities,…
Alexandria Corniche (Coastal Road)
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
The 20km coastal road running from Abu Qir in the east to Agami in the west — one of the longest sea promenades in the world. A morning jog or evening walk here with Mediterranean breezes and crashing waves is the quintessential Alexandria…
Qaitbay Citadel
Fort · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry EGP 100
Mamluk fortress (1477 CE) built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — using its very stones. 360° Mediterranean views from the promontory. The fishing harbour immediately…
Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry EGP 200
One of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages — a 2nd-century CE three-level underground necropolis blending Egyptian, Greek and Roman funerary iconography. Egyptian gods in Roman armour carved in Greco-Roman style — a unique Alexandrian…
Stanley Bridge & Stanley Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
The iconic 1930s Stanley Bridge arches over a beautiful turquoise bay — one of Alexandria's most photographed views. Stanley Beach below is the most popular public beach in the city, backed by belle-époque villas.
Montazah Palace & Gardens
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry EGP 50
The summer palace of Egypt's royal family (1892), surrounded by 150 acres of Mediterranean gardens on a sea promontory. The grounds (open to all) have pine forests, sandy beaches and the elegant Salamlek Hotel. The palace itself remains…
Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka)
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · entry EGP 200
The only Roman amphitheatre in Egypt — a 13-tier marble seating bowl unearthed in 1964 and beautifully restored. The adjacent excavation site reveals Roman-era houses, baths and streets of ancient Alexandria.
Pompey's Pillar & Serapeum
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · entry EGP 150
A 27m red granite Roman triumphal column (297 AD) — the tallest ancient column outside Rome. Stands above the ruins of the Serapeum (Temple of Serapis), once home to a branch of the Great Library. Two flanking Sphinxes remain.
Greek-Roman Museum Alexandria
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry EGP 200
The finest collection of Greco-Roman artefacts in Egypt — 40,000 objects from the 3rd century BC to 7th century AD. Recently renovated after 14 years of closure. Exhibits include the famous serapis head and Apis bull mummies.
Alexandria National Museum
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · entry EGP 200
Three floors of Egyptian history from pharaonic to Islamic periods in a restored Italian-style palace. Includes notable pieces from the Bahari (underwater) excavations of Alexandria's sunken ancient quarter.
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
Mosque · about 1 h
Landmark 20th-century mosque in the Anfushi district of Alexandria.
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
Cultural · about 1 h
Historic early-20th-century opera house in Alexandria.
Things to do
- Alexandria City Highlights Tour Cultural · 5 h · from EGP 1,000 per person
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina Guided Visit Cultural · 2 h · from EGP 440 per person
Day trips and tours
- Alexandria One-Day Highlights 8 h · from EGP 2,100
Where to stay in Alexandria
- Corniche & Stanley / Raml Station about EGP 3,800 per night
The seafront Corniche is Alexandria's identity. Stay here for sea views, easy access to the Bibliotheca, Citadel and the legendary seafood restaurants.
Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano 5-star · EGP 5,000 to EGP 15,000 per night
- Hilton Alexandria Corniche 5-star · EGP 2,500 to EGP 6,000 per night
- Steigenberger Cecil Hotel Alexandria
- Helnan Palestine Hotel Montazah
Where to eat
- Mohamed Ahmed Egyptian · about EGP 50 per person
- El Fish Seafood, Egyptian · about EGP 700 per person
- Fish Market Restaurant Alexandria Seafood · about EGP 235 per person
- Kadoura Seafood Restaurant Seafood · about EGP 235 per person
Getting around
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tram main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Corniche Taxi Over-pricing
Alexandria Corniche
Taxi drivers on the Corniche quote tourists EGP 200–400 for trips worth EGP 30–60. Foreign number plates are targeted.
How to avoid it: Use Uber or Careem. If hailing a street taxi, insist on the meter or agree fare upfront using local prices as reference.