City of Alexandria Egypt: Complete Alexandria Travel Guide

The City of Alexandria Egypt is located on the Mediterranean coast about three hours north of Cairo and has a unique charm. The city was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and has a rich history. The Library of Alexandria and the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, are ancient treasures that can still be seen today, and many other relics of the Greco-Roman civilization are preserved in the city. Today, Alexandria Egypt is a special place for many tourists who want to explore it as a full-day trip or a place to stay overnight. It is often included as an optional destination in many Egypt Travel Packages from the capital of Egypt.

This article will provide information about the peculiarities of the city, its geographical location, and its popularity as a travel destination. Besides, since the topic of this article concerns the main sights and travel tips, a separate guide called Things to Do in Alexandria Egypt introduces the most popular places and things to do in Alexandria.

The city of Alexandria spreads along a long, winding strip of Mediterranean coastline, where the Corniche, or coastal road, defines the shape of the city and where most visitors see and experience Alexandria. The eastern part of Alexandria, the harbor district, is a place where history is closest at hand, centered on the remains of the ancient lighthouse.

The lighthouse was partly used as a foundation for the Qaitbay Citadel, which has been excavated. Further inland and slightly more modern, Downtown Alexandria was the city’s commercial hub, where early twentieth-century buildings and a mixture of ethnic restaurants and shops line the street. To the west of the city center is Montaza Palace, from where the family enjoys royal gardens and views of the sea. It is a less-developed district compared to the harbor area, where Alexandria has become a favorite destination for excursions for families who want to enjoy the local cuisine and attractions.

It is most common for people to include Alexandria as a stop on a longer tour, which may also include Cairo and a cruise up the Nile. Taking the “Cairo and Nile Cruise Package – 8 Day Egypt Tour,” which includes an overnight stay in Cairo and a day-trip to Alexandria, is the way to see both cities.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modernist library and cultural center located near the site of the ancient original, is yet another attraction that has become a recognizable symbol of the city. The architectural complex has a unique circular design, and it represents Alexandria's status as a major cultural and intellectual center, both locally and internationally. The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, an ancient multi-level hall tomb which incorporates elements of Egyptian, Greek and Roman architecture, is another popular local attraction.

The Roman Amphitheatre at Kom El Dikka, partly excavated in the mid-twentieth century, is Egypt's only Roman theater. Located in a short walk from the city's center, it is complemented by the Citadel of Qaitbay at the harbor. Both landmarks are used to distinguish Alexandria from the other, historically rich cities of southern Egypt, such as Luxor and Aswan.

Alexandria's National Museum houses artifacts spanning the city's Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic periods, offering a condensed overview of the layered history found throughout the wider region. For travelers interested in how Egypt's museums fit together as part of a trip, our upcoming Egyptian Museums Guide covers this topic in more depth across several cities.

Alexandria is most often accessed from Cairo, either by train (a frequent service taking around 2.5 hours) or a private transfer hired for a day. Borg El Arab airport to the west of the city handles a few domestic and regional flights, but most people arrive from the capital via road.

Within Alexandria, taxis and the metro (one of Africa's oldest tram systems) make for easy transport, mainly along the Corniche and into the city. Due to the coastal location, a lot of sightseeing in Alexandria involves getting from one place to another along the water, so leaving some leeway in your itinerary is advised.

A single full day is enough to cover the main harbor-area sites, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and a stretch of the Corniche, which is why many travelers visit as a day trip from Cairo. Those with more time sometimes add an overnight stay to include the catacombs, the Roman Amphitheatre, and a slower walk through downtown without rushing between sites. For travelers weighing how Alexandria fits into a longer trip, the Egypt Vacation Package is a common way to combine a coastal stop with Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan across a single itinerary.

For further reading on planning around Alexandria and Cairo, see our guides on Things to Do in Cairo Egypt and, for a broader look at the rest of the country, Things to Do in Egypt.

1- How many days do you need in Alexandria?

As long as you spend a day, you can go through the most remarkable points of interest at the Harbor Area, but if you want to explore the catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, and Downtown, you should spend at least two days in Alexandria.

2- Is Alexandria worth visiting as a day trip from Cairo?

Definitely yes, Alexandria is only 2.5 hours by train from Cairo, making it a popular day trip destination for Cairenes.

3- What makes Alexandria different from Egypt's other major cities?

Unlike other Egyptian cities that are more pyramidal and hot, Alexandria combines a long and beautiful Mediterranean coastline with ancient Greek and Roman buildings and Egyptian and Ottoman-style structures. It is distinguished from other cities such as Luxor and Aswan because of its historical significance and the absence of ancient temples.

4- How do you get from Cairo to Alexandria?

The most common way to get from Cairo to Alexandria is by taking the train, which runs several times a day and takes about 2.5 hours, but you can also hire a driver for a more comfortable transfer.

5- Can Alexandria be combined with a longer Egypt itinerary?

It is possible to combine Alexandria with a longer trip to Egypt to discover all four of its unique cultures, including the ancient civilization of Egypt back to the time of pyramids and pharaohs, and also Greek and Roman artifacts and architecture, and Mamluk buildings and carvings.