Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
1 city
Province · Alexandria and the Mediterranean Coast
Alexandria
Alexandria, the city of Alexander on the Mediterranean: the Library of Alexandria, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs and the seaside Corniche.
In the photo: The granite façade and the sloping roof of the Library of Alexandria.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know Alexandria
Alexandria lies on the Mediterranean coast, west of the Delta, on a narrow strip between the sea and Lake Mariout. It was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and was the capital of Ptolemaic Egypt, the dynasty of Cleopatra. It is the country’s second city and its main port.
On the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, stands the Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century fortress at the tip of the eastern harbor. The Corniche, a seaside avenue, follows the bay for kilometers, passing cafés, fishermen and 19th- and early 20th-century buildings.
The Library of Alexandria, a circular glass-and-granite building overlooking the harbor, commemorates the ancient library and hosts museums and exhibitions. From the ancient city remain the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, which blend Egyptian and Roman art, Pompey’s Pillar at the site of the Serapis temple, and the Roman amphitheater of Kom el-Dikka. The National Museum of Alexandria summarizes the city’s history.
To the east, the Montazah Palace has gardens on the sea, and the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque is close to the harbor. The seafood at the Corniche’s restaurants and the fish markets are part of the experience. To the west, the coast continues to El Alamein, about 105 km away, already in the Matrouh governorate.
Destinations
1 destination in Alexandria
Cities
1 cities in Alexandria in the guide
When to go
From April to June and from September to November the days are usually mild. Summer, from June to September, is hot and humid, and the city receives many Egyptian holidaymakers on the beaches. In winter, from December to February, there are rainy days and rough seas.
Getting there
Borg el-Arab Airport (HBE) is about 45 km southwest of the center, with taxis and buses. From Cairo, trains depart from Ramses station and arrive at Misr station in the center in about two and a half to three hours; the desert road connects the two cities by roughly 220 km.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Alexandria
How many days should you set aside for Alexandria?
One day allows you to see the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Library of Alexandria, the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs and the Corniche. With the National Museum, the Roman amphitheater, Montazah and El Alamein, the visit requires two or three days.
Can you do a day trip from Cairo to Alexandria?
Yes. By train the trip takes two and a half to three hours each way; by car, about three hours via the desert road. The day will be rushed: choose the attractions beforehand.
Where was the Lighthouse of Alexandria located?
On the island of Pharos, at the entrance of the eastern harbor, where the Citadel of Qaitbay now stands, built in the 15th century using some of the lighthouse’s stones. Remains of the lighthouse and ancient statues lie on the seabed in front of the citadel.
What is the Library of Alexandria?
It is a modern library and cultural center, built on the edge of the eastern harbor in tribute to the ancient library. In addition to reading rooms, it houses museums of antiquities and manuscripts, a planetarium and exhibitions.