Alexandria · Matrouh · Egypt

Alexandria and El Alamein

The city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean: the Library of Alexandria, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Kom el‑Shoqafa catacombs and the Corniche, and on the west coast the El Alamein memorials.

Alexandria and the Mediterranean Coast

In the photo: The eastern harbour and Alexandria’s Corniche, seen from above near the Citadel of Qaitbay.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Alexandria lies on the Mediterranean coast, west of the Delta, about 220 km from Cairo. It was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and was the capital of Ptolemaic Egypt, Cleopatra’s dynasty, home to the Lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the Library.

The city stretches along the Corniche, the seaside avenue, between the fortress built on the site of the old Lighthouse and the royal gardens to the east. Temples, tombs and theatres from the Greco‑Roman period appear amid the neighbourhoods.

To the west, about 105 km along the coast, El Alamein preserves cemeteries and war memorials in the desert, and the North Coast has clear‑water beaches that are crowded in summer.

Alexandria also has a tradition of cafés, patisseries and fish restaurants, and it is Egypt’s second city.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Alexandria, El Alamein.

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The cities on this trip

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Where Alexandria and El Alamein is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Alexandria and El Alamein

✈ Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE), in Borg el-Arab · 45 km to Alexandria

The arrival city is Alexandria, served by Borg el‑Arab Airport (HBE) to the southwest, and, farther away, by Cairo Airport (CAI). Trains link Cairo to Misr station in the centre in two and a half to three hours. El Alamein has its own airport (DBB).

Suggested arrival point: Alexandria

Alexandria · Alexandria and El Alamein Capital Suggested arrival point

Alexandria

Capital of Alexandria Governorate and Egypt’s main port, on a narrow strip between the Mediterranean and Lake Mariout. The Corniche skirts the eastern harbour and runs east for kilometres among 19th‑century buildings, cafés and patisseries, and the centre preserves the ruins of the Greco‑Roman city.

Matrouh · Alexandria and El Alamein

El Alamein

City on the Mediterranean coast, about 105 km west of Alexandria, in Matrouh Governorate. It was the scene of the 1942 battles between the Allies and the Axis in North Africa, remembered by the Commonwealth cemetery, the German and Italian memorials, and the military museum. The surrounding North Coast has resorts that open mainly in summer.

The local experience

Things to do in Alexandria and El Alamein

Alexandria · Alexandria · Library

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Library and cultural centre on the edge of the eastern harbour, in a circular glass and granite building with letters from many alphabets, in tribute to the ancient library.

El Alamein · Matrouh · Cemetery

El Alamein War Cemetery

Commonwealth cemetery with more than 7,000 graves of soldiers killed in the North African campaign of World War II, and the memorial to the missing.

Alexandria · Alexandria · Fortress

Qaitbay Citadel

Fortress of the Mamluk sultan Qaitbay, from the 15th century, on the tip of the eastern harbor, built on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, with walls over the sea.

El Alamein · Matrouh · Museum

El Alamein War Museum

Museum about the El Alamein battles of World War II, with maps, uniforms, weapons and tanks displayed in the courtyard.

See 8 more places in Alexandria and El Alamein

Alexandria · Alexandria · Necropolis

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Rock-cut catacombs from the 1st and 2nd centuries, with three levels of galleries and tombs that blend Egyptian, Greek and Roman art.

El Alamein · Matrouh · Memorial

German War Memorial El Alamein

Memorial shaped like an octagonal fortress on a hill by the sea, west of El Alamein, with the remains of German soldiers killed in the North African campaign.

Alexandria · Alexandria · Monument

Pompey's Pillar

A red granite column about 27 meters tall, raised in the 3rd century in honor of Emperor Diocletian, on the site of the Serapeum temple.

El Alamein · Matrouh · Memorial

Italian War Memorial

White-stone memorial with a tall tower and a chapel, on the coast west of El Alamein, where Italian soldiers are buried.

Alexandria · Alexandria · Archaeological site

Roman Amphitheatre of Kom el-Dikka

A Roman marble theater in central Alexandria, with 13 rows of seats, baths, classrooms and houses with mosaics.

Alexandria · Alexandria · Garden

Montaza Palace

Gardens of a royal palace in eastern Alexandria, by the sea, with a palace in Florentine and Turkish styles, beaches and pine groves.

Alexandria · Alexandria · Museum

Alexandria National Museum

Museum in an Italian-style palace in central Alexandria, with pieces from the city’s prehistory to the Islamic period, including objects recovered from the seabed.

Alexandria · Alexandria · Mosque

Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque

Mosque near Alexandria’s eastern harbor, built in light-colored stone with domes and a tall minaret, constructed over the tomb of a 13th-century Sufi mystic.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

The months from April to June and September to November are the most pleasant. Summer, from June to September, is hot and humid and is the beach season on the North Coast. In winter, from December to February, there are rainy days and rough seas.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two to three days in Alexandria and one day in El Alamein, leaving from Alexandria or stopping en route to Marsa Matruh.

Which city to stay in

In Alexandria, the Corniche concentrates sea‑view hotels; the old centre, near Saad Zaghloul Square, Stanley and Montazah in the east. The centre has historic hotels and is within walking distance of the sites. On the North Coast, near El Alamein, there are beach resorts open mainly in summer.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Alexandria and El Alamein

How many days should you stay in Alexandria?

Two to three days for the Library, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, the Roman amphitheatre and the Corniche, and one day for El Alamein.

Can you do Cairo to Alexandria as a day trip?

Yes, by train, in two and a half to three hours each way. The day becomes rushed: choose the sites beforehand.

Do you need a car in Alexandria?

Not for the city, which has taxis, ride‑hailing cars and trams. For El Alamein, the most practical option is to go with a driver or on an organized tour.

When is the best time to visit Alexandria?

In spring and autumn. Summer is hot and humid; in winter there are rainy days.

How to get from Alexandria to El Alamein?

By the coastal highway, a trip of about an hour and a half.

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Alexandria and El Alamein

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip