Alexandria
Egypt’s Mediterranean city: the new Bibliotheca, the citadel on the site of the Pharos and Greco-Roman Alexandria underground.
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria was the capital of the Ptolemies and the city of the ancient Library and the Pharos lighthouse. Today the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002, revives that library on the waterfront, and the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel stands on the site of the Pharos.
Underground, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa mix Egyptian and Roman styles; Pompey’s Pillar rises over the ancient Serapeum. Seafood on the Corniche and the gardens of Montaza complete the day. Alexandria is a long but easy day trip from Cairo or a relaxed weekend.
- Best time
- All year; spring and autumn are mildest, summer is the local beach season.
- Getting there
- About 220 km from Cairo — roughly three hours by road, or by train. Borg El Arab Airport serves the city.
- Where to stay
- On the Corniche or near Montaza for a weekend.
Top sights
- 1
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
A landmark library and cultural centre with museums and exhibitions inside.
- 2
Qaitbay Citadel
A Mamluk fortress at the end of the Eastern Harbour, built where the Pharos once stood.
- 3
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
Roman-era tombs carved into the rock, among the most unusual sites in Egypt.
- 4
Montaza and the Corniche
Royal gardens and the long seafront road — the classic end to an Alexandrian day.
Places in this region
Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Qaitbay Citadel · Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa · Pompey’s Pillar · Montaza gardens · El Alamein memorials · Rosetta (Rashid)
Programs that visit Alexandria
14 daysGrand Egypt in 14 days
Everything in one journey: Cairo, Saqqara, Alexandria, Aswan and Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise, a Luxor balloon at sunrise and the Red Sea.
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1 dayAlexandria day trip: catacombs, library and Qaitbay Citadel
A full day on the Mediterranean from Cairo: the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Qaitbay Citadel on the harbour.
Alexandria
2 daysAlexandria weekend — the Mediterranean in 2 days
Two unhurried days in Alexandria: the catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar and the Qaitbay Citadel, then the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Montaza gardens and the Corniche.
Alexandria
21 daysEgypt in 21 days — Nile, desert and Red Sea
Three weeks across Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria, Fayoum and the White Desert, Aswan and Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise, Luxor, Dendera and Abydos, and the Red Sea.
Cairo & Giza · Alexandria · Desert & oases · Aswan & Abu Simbel · Luxor · Red Sea
30 daysThe grand journey: Egypt in 30 days
A month across Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria and El Alamein, Siwa, Fayoum, the White Desert, Middle Egypt, Abydos and Dendera, Luxor, a Nile cruise, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea.
Cairo & Giza · Alexandria · Desert & oases · Luxor · Aswan & Abu Simbel · Red Sea
Other destinations
Useful for this trip
Questions travellers ask
Is Alexandria a good day trip from Cairo?
Yes. Leaving early, you can see the catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, the Bibliotheca and Qaitbay and return to Cairo in the evening.
Can Alexandria be combined with El Alamein?
Yes, as a two-day trip with the war cemeteries and museum at El Alamein on the North Coast.
Is the Bibliotheca open every day?
Opening days and hours change; we check them for your date and plan the visit around them.
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