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Alexandria Tours

🏛️ Qaitbay Citadel · Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Mediterranean

Alexandria Tours
Egypt's Mediterranean Queen

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, Alexandria was the ancient world's greatest city of knowledge. Today its 15th-century citadel, modern great library, and Greco-Roman catacombs make it Egypt's most layered coastal destination.

★★★★★ 4.9 · 156 verified Alexandria tour reviews
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🏰 Qaitbay Citadel — site of 7 Wonders
📚 Bibliotheca Alexandrina
🏛️ Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa
🦞 Corniche seafood restaurants
🚗 2.5 hours from Cairo
Three Civilisations in One City

Where Greece, Rome and Egypt Converge

Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE and became one of the most extraordinary cities in human history — home to the Great Library (the ancient world's greatest collection of knowledge), the Pharos Lighthouse (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), Cleopatra's court, and the most sophisticated scientific minds of the ancient world. Almost nothing of the original city survives above ground — but what does survive is extraordinary.

The Citadel of Qaitbay (1477 CE) stands on the exact site of the Pharos Lighthouse, built from its fallen stones. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (2002), a modern architectural masterpiece, honours the spirit of the ancient library. The Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa — considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages — contain the most remarkable fusion of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art anywhere in the ancient world.

At Egypt Tours by Locals, Alexandria is typically offered as a day trip from Cairo (220km, 2.5–3 hours) with a private certified Egyptologist guide. Since 2012 we have guided 300+ Alexandria visits.

220km
From Cairo — 2.5h drive
331 BCE
Founded by Alexander the Great
4.8★
Average Alexandria rating

\"Alexandria is Egypt's most underrated destination. Most travellers skip it in favour of the monuments of Luxor and Aswan. But the catacombs at Kom El-Shoqafa — where Anubis wears Roman armour and the Egyptian death god holds a Greek caduceus — are unlike anything else in the ancient world. That synthesis tells you everything about what Alexandria was.\"

👨‍🏫
Magdy Fattouh
Senior Egyptologist · Cairo University, History & Archaeology
20+ yrs experience Cairo University Alexandria Tours specialist 1,000+ tours designed
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Our Alexandria Tours & Day Trips

Alexandria is typically done as a private day trip from Cairo — all tours include a certified Egyptologist guide, private transport, and entrance fees.

A great shot of a tourist taking pictures of the Stanley Bridge

Day Tour to Alexandria City from Cairo by Car

From$60
10 hours
Availability : Everyday
Embark on a captivating journey to Alexandria, starting with a pick-up from a comfortable hotel in Cairo or Giza. Travel in comfort to this historic city, with your first stop being the Roman Theater in the Kom el-Dikka neighborhood, showcasing Alexandria’s rich archaeological heritage. Next, explore the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, a unique necropolis that blends Pharaonic and Hellenistic influences. Discover the legendary Great Library of Alexandria, a symbol of ancient knowledge, and take photos from the outside, as it is closed on Fridays. Visit the magnificent Citadel of Qaitbay, built on the site of the ancient lighthouse, before concluding your tour at the beautiful Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque. After a day filled with history, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cairo.
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A great picture of the boats in front of Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria

4 Days Cairo and Alexandria Tour Package

From$500
4 Days
Availability : Everyday
Discover the very best of Egypt’s past and present on this 4 Days Cairo and Alexandria Tour Package, a carefully designed private journey that blends ancient wonders, Mediterranean charm, and authentic local insight. Ideal for first-time visitors and short-stay travelers, this tour allows you to experience Egypt’s most iconic landmarks without rushing or overload.
(12 Reviews)
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Top Sites & Experiences

The Best of Alexandria Tours

Eight essential experiences for every alexandria visitor — with insider guidance on timing, context, and what your Egyptologist guide can show you that no itinerary can replace.

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Citadel of Qaitbay

Built in 1477 CE by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay on the exact site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The fortress was built using the fallen stones of the lighthouse, destroyed by earthquakes. Offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean from its battlements.

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Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Opened in 2002 as a modern tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria — an architectural masterpiece designed by Norwegian firm Snøhetta. Houses millions of books, a planetarium, museums, art galleries, and a research centre. One of the most important intellectual institutions in the Middle East.

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Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa

The most remarkable funerary site in the ancient Mediterranean world — descending three storeys underground into tombs decorated with a unique fusion of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art. Anubis appears wearing Roman armour. Created in the 2nd century CE. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

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Pompey's Pillar

A 27-metre red granite column — the largest of its kind outside the imperial capitals of Rome and Constantinople, and one of the largest ever erected in antiquity. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with Pompey; it was erected to honour Emperor Diocletian in 300 CE. Stands in the ruins of the ancient Serapeum temple.

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Roman Amphitheatre — Kom El-Dikka

The only remaining Roman theatre in Egypt — 13 tiers of white marble seating discovered in excavations in the 1960s. The surrounding Kom El-Dikka archaeological park also contains Roman-era villas with stunning mosaic floors.

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Alexandria Corniche & Seafood

The waterfront promenade stretching 15km along the Mediterranean — lined with cafés, restaurants, and the salt air of the sea. Alexandria's seafood restaurants are legendary in Egypt. A lunch stop on the Corniche with fresh grilled fish is an essential part of any Alexandria day trip.

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Alexandria National Museum

Opened in 2003 in a historic villa, housing a carefully curated journey through Alexandria's history — including extraordinary underwater archaeological finds from the submerged ancient city, Greco-Roman discoveries, and pharaonic artefacts from around Egypt.

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Montazah Palace Gardens

A 150-acre royal park on the eastern edge of Alexandria — the summer palace of the royal family until 1952. Beautiful Mediterranean gardens, a private beach, and the elegant Montazah Palace overlooking the sea. The perfect end to an Alexandria day.

Planning Your Visit

Practical Tips for Alexandria Tours

Timing, logistics, and insider knowledge from our Egyptologists and local specialists.

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Getting to Alexandria from Cairo

Alexandria is 220km from Cairo — approximately 2.5 hours by private car on the desert highway. All Egypt Tours by Locals Alexandria day trips include comfortable private transport from your Cairo hotel. The drive itself is pleasant through the Western Desert.

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How Long Do You Need

One long day (9am–7pm) is sufficient to cover Qaitbay Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Catacombs, and Pompey's Pillar with time for a Corniche seafood lunch. Two days allows Montazah Palace, the Roman Theatre, the National Museum, and a genuinely relaxed pace.

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Best Time to Visit Alexandria

October through April is ideal — 14–22°C with the Mediterranean breeze. April is particularly beautiful. Summer (June–August) is popular with Egyptians escaping Cairo's heat — the sea temperature is warm but it gets crowded.

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Don't Skip the Seafood

Alexandria's fresh seafood restaurants on the Corniche are genuinely exceptional — grilled fish, shrimp, and calamari from the Mediterranean. A lunch stop near the sea is included in our day trip itinerary. This is one of the most enjoyable meals of any Egypt trip.

Traveller Reviews

What Guests Say About Our Alexandria Tours

Real reviews from real guests — verified on TripAdvisor and Google.

★★★★★

We almost skipped Alexandria thinking we had enough with Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Our guide strongly recommended it and he was right. The Catacombs were unlike anything I had seen anywhere in the world — Anubis in Roman armour was genuinely astonishing. The seafood lunch on the Corniche overlooking the Mediterranean was an unexpected pleasure. Alexandria is completely different from the rest of Egypt and completely worth the day.

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Michael & Susan T.
New York, USA · Day Trip from Cairo
★★★★★

We had one spare day in Cairo and used it for Alexandria. The Qaitbay Citadel — knowing you're standing on the actual site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — was extraordinary. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been inside. Our guide's knowledge of the historical layering of the city (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Arab) was fascinating. A perfect day.

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Anna & Lukas B.
Hamburg, DE · Alexandria Day Tour
★★★★★

We spent 2 days in Alexandria (overnight) rather than as a day trip and it was the right decision. The second day added Montazah Palace Gardens, the National Museum's underwater archaeology exhibition, and a much more relaxed walk along the Corniche. Alexandria has a completely different energy from Cairo — more European, more coastal, more relaxed. Our Egyptologist guide was exceptional on the Greco-Roman material.

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James & Rachel P.
Bristol, UK · 2-Day Alexandria Visit
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs — Alexandria Tours

The essential Alexandria experiences are: (1) Qaitbay Citadel — on the exact site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse. (2) Bibliotheca Alexandrina — modern architectural masterpiece. (3) Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa — extraordinary Egyptian-Greek-Roman fusion. (4) Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum. (5) Roman Amphitheatre. (6) Seafood lunch on the Corniche. All can be covered in one long day with a private Egyptologist guide.
Alexandria is 220 kilometres from Cairo — approximately 2.5–3 hours by private car via the desert highway. Egypt Tours by Locals provides comfortable private transport from your Cairo hotel for all Alexandria day trips. Alexandria is also accessible by train from Cairo's Ramses Station (2–3 hours), but the private car option is more efficient for a day trip.
Yes — Alexandria is the ideal day trip from Cairo. One long day (approximately 10–12 hours including travel) is sufficient to visit all major sites: Qaitbay Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs, and Pompey's Pillar, plus a seafood lunch on the Corniche. The experience is completely different from pharaonic Egypt — Mediterranean, cosmopolitan, and historically fascinating.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a modern library and cultural centre opened in 2002 as a tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria — once the greatest repository of knowledge in the ancient world. Designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, it features a distinctive circular building with a slanted roof carved with 120 writing scripts. Inside: millions of books, museums, art galleries, a planetarium, and an international research centre. Entry is free to the main reading hall.
The Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa are an underground burial complex from the 2nd century CE, descending three storeys into the bedrock beneath Alexandria. They are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. The decoration is unique in the ancient world: Egyptian gods (Anubis, Sobek) are depicted wearing Roman military armour and holding Greek caducei — a perfect visual metaphor for Alexandria's fusion of three civilisations.

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