Alexandria Travel Guide - Egypt's Mediterranean Pearl

Welcome to Alexandria

The Pearl of the Mediterranean

Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, was once the intellectual and cultural capital of the ancient world. Home to the legendary Library of Alexandria and the Pharos Lighthouse (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the city served as Egypt's capital for nearly 1,000 years during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

Today, Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city and main seaport, stretching 40km along the Mediterranean coast. While most ancient monuments are gone, the city retains a unique Mediterranean character distinct from the rest of Egypt, with Greek and Italian influences, coastal breezes, and a more relaxed cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Quick Facts

Population: ~5.5 million (Egypt's 2nd largest city)
Founded: 331 BCE by Alexander the Great
Location: Mediterranean coast, 220km northwest of Cairo
Climate: Mediterranean - mild winter 10-18°C, warm summer 24-30°C
Best Time: April-October (beach season), year-round pleasant
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Getting There: Train from Cairo (2.5 hours), bus, or drive

🏛️ Top Attractions in Alexandria

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Built: 2002 (commemorating ancient Library of Alexandria)
Capacity: 8 million books, 2,000 reading seats
Features: Main library, museums, planetarium, exhibitions
Fee: EGP 70-200 depending on sections visited
Architecture: Stunning modern design by Snøhetta
Allow: 2-3 hours

Citadel of Qaitbay

Built: 1477 CE by Sultan Qaitbay
Location: Eastern harbor, site of ancient Pharos Lighthouse
Architecture: Mamluk-era fortress
Fee: EGP 100 ($3 USD)
Views: Spectacular Mediterranean panoramas
Highlights: Maritime museum, ancient columns reused in walls

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

Period: 2nd century CE (Roman period)
Significance: Largest Roman burial site in Egypt
Style: Unique blend of Egyptian, Greek, Roman art
Fee: EGP 140 ($5 USD)
Levels: Three underground levels
Highlights: Hall of Caracalla, sculptures, burial chambers

Montaza Palace & Gardens

Built: 1892 by Khedive Abbas II
Location: Eastern Alexandria, waterfront
Grounds: 150 acres of beautiful gardens and beaches
Fee: Gardens EGP 25, Palace EGP 50
Experience: Royal summer residence, peaceful seaside walks
Best For: Relaxing, picnics, sea views

Roman Amphitheatre (Kom El Dikka)

Period: 2nd century CE
Discovery: Excavated in 1960s
Features: Well-preserved amphitheater, Roman baths, villa mosaics
Fee: EGP 140 ($5 USD)
Capacity: Originally seated 800
Allow: 45-60 minutes

Corniche & Coastal Promenade

Length: 15km waterfront promenade
Experience: Seafood restaurants, cafes, sea breezes, local life
Best Time: Sunset walks
Free: No entry fee
Highlights: Stanley Bridge, beaches, fishing boats
Vibe: Mediterranean relaxation

Alexandria National Museum

Location: Former Italian palace
Collection: 1,800 artifacts spanning pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, Islamic periods
Highlights: Underwater discoveries, royal jewelry, mummies
Fee: EGP 140 ($5 USD)
Perfect For: Understanding Alexandria's layered history
Allow: 1-2 hours

Pompey's Pillar & Serapeum

Built: 297 CE (Roman period)
Height: 25 meters - Alexandria's tallest ancient monument
Name: Misnomer (not related to Pompey)
Fee: EGP 140 ($5 USD)
Site: Ruins of Serapeum temple complex
Allow: 30-45 minutes

Royal Jewelry Museum

Location: Glym neighborhood
Building: Beautiful palace of Princess Fatma El-Zahra
Collection: Royal family jewelry, crowns, precious gems
Fee: EGP 140 ($5 USD)
Highlights: Muhammad Ali Dynasty treasures
Worth: Art Deco architecture alone worth visit

🎯 What to Do in Alexandria

Must-Do Experiences

Walk the Corniche at sunset with sea breeze
Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina - architectural marvel
Explore Citadel of Qaitbay at harbor entrance
Eat fresh seafood at Fish Market or Qadoura
Discover underground Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
Relax at Montaza Palace gardens and beaches
Sip coffee at historic Delices Cafe or Brazilian Coffee Stores
Visit Stanley Bridge for photos
Shop at Souk District for local flavor

Recommended Duration

Day Trip from Cairo: Possible but rushed
Ideal: 2 days (main sites + relaxed Mediterranean vibe)
Extended: 3 days (add El Alamein WWII sites)

Where to Stay

Luxury: Four Seasons San Stefano, Hilton Alexandria Corniche
Historic: Steigenberger Cecil, Windsor Palace
Mid-Range: Paradise Inn Le Metropole, Tolip Hotel
Budget: Union Hotel, Alexander The Great
Area: Stay on Corniche for best atmosphere

Getting Around

Tram: Historic tram system (cheap, atmospheric)
Uber/Careem: Convenient and affordable
Taxi: Abundant, negotiate or use meter
Walking: Corniche areas pleasant for walking
From Cairo: Train (2.5h, EGP 60-150), bus, or hire driver

What to Eat

Qadoura: Famous fresh seafood since 1950
Fish Market: Choose your fish, they cook it
Mohamed Ahmed: Best ful & ta'meya (falafel)
Brazilian Coffee Stores: Historic cafe since 1929
Must Try: Alexandrian-style seafood, ful, liver sandwiches

ℹ️ Alexandria Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

April-October: Beach season, warm 25-30°C
November-March: Mild & pleasant 12-20°C, some rain
Summer: Cooler than Cairo, popular with Egyptian tourists
Year-Round: Generally pleasant compared to rest of Egypt

Alexandria Character

More European/Mediterranean feel than rest of Egypt
More liberal, relaxed atmosphere
Greek, Italian heritage visible in architecture & cafes
Famous for intellectual & artistic culture
Lawrence Durrell's "Alexandria Quartet" capture city's romance

Day Trip from Cairo

Feasible: Yes, but better to stay overnight
Early Train: Depart Cairo 7-8 AM
Priority Sites: Bibliotheca, Qaitbay, Catacombs, Corniche
Return: Evening train back to Cairo
Organized Tours: Available from Cairo hotels

Practical Information

Less touristy = fewer hassles than Cairo/Luxor
English less common than Cairo (learn basic Arabic phrases)
Summer gets very crowded with Egyptian tourists
Beaches public but can be crowded; hotels have private beaches
Friday mornings quieter (prayer time)
ATMs and exchange offices readily available

Alexandria - الإسكندرية