Alexandria Travel Guide: What to See & How to Plan

Alexandria is Egypt's Mediterranean city, founded by Alexander the Great, and a good way to see it is to pick four or five sights: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, and the Roman Theater at Kom el Dikka, linked by a walk on the Corniche. A long day trip from Cairo covers the highlights; one night lets you enjoy the city at an easier pace.

Alexandria feels different from the Nile cities. The air is softer, the sea is always close, and the history you see is mostly Greek, Roman, and later rather than pharaonic. The great Library and the Pharos lighthouse are long gone, but their story still shapes the city, and the sites that survive reward a visitor who comes with a little context.

This guide explains what to prioritize, how to group the sights by area, how long to stay, when to go and how Alexandria fits into a wider Egypt itinerary.

Alexandria in brief

Alexander founded the city in 331 BC, and after his death it became the capital of the Ptolemies, the Greek-speaking dynasty that ruled Egypt until Cleopatra VII and the Roman conquest in 30 BC. For centuries it was a major city of the Mediterranean, famous for its Library, its scholars, and its lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Much of the ancient city now lies beneath the modern one or under the waters of the harbor, which is why Alexandria's archaeology appears in pockets rather than in one great site. Later layers matter too: Roman catacombs, early Christian history, a 15th-century Mamluk fort, and the cosmopolitan port of the 19th and early 20th centuries, whose cafés, old buildings, and tram lines you still see today.

The sights worth your time

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The modern library opened in 2002 near the probable site of the ancient Library. Its tilted, disk-shaped roof and granite wall carved with scripts from around the world make it a striking building, and inside you will find a vast reading room and several small museums, including antiquities and manuscripts collections. Even a short visit gives you a sense of how the city still identifies with learning. Check current visiting hours and which sections are open before you go.

Citadel of Qaitbay

Built by the Mamluk sultan Qaitbay in the late 15th century, this fort stands at the tip of the Eastern Harbor, on or very near the site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse. Stones from the ruined lighthouse are believed to have been reused in its construction. Walk the outer walls for views back across the harbor, then explore the interior halls. The approach along the Corniche, with fishing boats moored below, is half the pleasure.

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

This multi-level underground tomb complex, dating mainly to the 2nd century AD, is a memorable site in Alexandria. A spiral staircase leads down to burial chambers where Egyptian gods appear in Roman dress and classical and pharaonic styles mix in the carvings. That blending of traditions is exactly what makes Alexandria distinctive. Expect stairs and cooler, sometimes damp air underground.

Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum

Despite the name, the tall granite column has nothing to do with Pompey; it was erected in honor of the Roman emperor Diocletian around AD 300. It stands on the hill of the ancient Serapeum, a great temple to the god Serapis, and the site includes sphinxes and underground galleries. It sits close to Kom el Shoqafa, so the two are usually visited together.

Roman Theater at Kom el Dikka

A small, well-preserved Roman theater with marble seating, set in an excavated area that also includes remains of baths and lecture halls. It is in the city center and makes an easy stop between other sights.

Alexandria National Museum

Housed in an elegant early 20th-century mansion, this museum walks you through the city's history from pharaonic times to the modern era, including finds recovered from the harbor. It is compact, well laid out, and a good place to start if you want context before visiting the sites.

Montaza Palace Gardens

At the eastern end of the city, the gardens of the former royal palace offer shade, sea views, and a quieter atmosphere. The palace buildings themselves are generally not open inside, but the grounds are popular with local families, especially on weekends.

How to plan your route

Alexandria stretches along the coast for many kilometers, so grouping sights by area saves time in traffic.

• West and south: Kom el Shoqafa and Pompey's Pillar sit close together in the older Karmouz district.
• Center: Kom el Dikka, the National Museum, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina are all reachable within a short drive of each other.
• Harbor: Qaitbay Citadel at the end of the Eastern Harbor, reached along the Corniche.
• East: Montaza, best left for an overnight stay or skipped on a day trip.

A practical day order is the catacombs and Pompey's Pillar in the morning, the Roman Theater and the library around midday, then lunch by the sea and Qaitbay in the afternoon light. If you dislike underground spaces or stairs, swap the catacombs for extra time in the museum.

Day trip or overnight stay?

The day trip from Cairo

A day trip is the most common choice. You leave Cairo early, drive about three hours each way, and fit in four or five sights with a seafood lunch. It works well for travelers short on time, but it is a long day, and the return drive often runs into evening traffic. Keep the list selective, and do not try to add Montaza or a long city walk. Our day tours include this kind of trip.

One night or more

An overnight stay lets you split the sights over two relaxed half-days, walk the Corniche at sunset, sit in one of the historic cafés, and enjoy dinner by the water. It also lets you continue westward to El Alamein, whose World War II cemeteries and military museum sit along the coast, or simply rest after the busier Nile cities.

When to visit

Alexandria has a Mediterranean climate, milder than Cairo or Upper Egypt. Summers are warm and humid but cooled by sea breezes, and the city fills with Egyptian vacationers, especially in July and August. Winters are cool, often windy, and bring most of the year's rain, which can occasionally cause flooding in low-lying streets. Spring and fall are generally pleasant times for sightseeing.

Friday is the weekly day of rest, and some museums and sites keep shorter hours. Check current opening times through official sources before you finalize the plan.

Eating and walking in Alexandria

Food is a real reason to visit. The city is known for fresh fish and seafood, often chosen by weight and grilled or fried to order, along with Alexandrian-style liver sandwiches and sweets from long-established patisseries. A meal facing the sea is part of the experience.

Leave time for the Corniche, the waterfront road that curves around the Eastern Harbor. Walk a section of it, watch fishermen and families, and look at the faded grandeur of the buildings facing the sea. The area around Raml Station and Saad Zaghloul Square, with its trams and old cafés, gives a feel for the cosmopolitan city of a century ago.

Fitting Alexandria into your Egypt trip

Most travelers add Alexandria to a Cairo stay, either as a day trip between Giza and the flight south, or as a two-day extension at the end of a trip. It pairs well with an itinerary that already includes the pyramids at Giza and a Nile cruise, offering a complete change of scenery before you fly home.

If time is tight, prioritize Cairo, Giza, and Upper Egypt first; Alexandria is a wonderful addition, but it should not squeeze out time you wanted elsewhere. See our Alexandria destination page and our Egypt tours for routes that already combine the coast with the Nile.

Frequently asked questions

Is Alexandria worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you want to see a different side of Egypt. Its Greek and Roman heritage, Mediterranean setting, and food culture contrast with the pharaonic sites of the Nile Valley. Travelers interested in history and city life usually enjoy it most.

Can you visit Alexandria from Cairo in one day?

Yes, a day trip is very common. Expect about three hours each way by road, which leaves time for four or five main sights and lunch. Keep the list selective so the day stays enjoyable.

What should first-time visitors see in Alexandria?

Start with the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, the Roman Theater, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Citadel of Qaitbay. Add the National Museum if you want more context, and the Corniche if you have time for a walk.

Can you see the ancient Lighthouse or Library?

No, neither survives. The lighthouse collapsed after earthquakes in the medieval period, and the Citadel of Qaitbay now stands on or near its site. The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina was built to recall the ancient Library, not to reconstruct it.

Is Alexandria suitable for families and travelers with limited mobility?

Families usually enjoy the sea, Qaitbay, and Montaza's gardens. Travelers with limited mobility should note that the catacombs involve many stairs; a route built around the museum, the library and the Corniche is easier.

Plan it with Nourbelle

Tell us whether you want a single day by the sea or a slower overnight stay through plan your trip, and we will shape Alexandria around the rest of your Egypt itinerary.