The main sightsالمعالم
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina — the modern library on the site of the ancient one, a striking disc tilted towards the sea, with galleries and a manuscript museum inside.
- Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa — second-century tombs cut three levels into the rock, with a bizarre and wonderful fusion of Egyptian, Greek and Roman funerary art. The best thing in the city.
- Qaitbay Citadel — a fifteenth-century fort on the foundations of the Pharos lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
- Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum — a 25-metre granite column that has nothing to do with Pompey, above the remains of a major temple.
- Roman Amphitheatre at Kom el-Dikka — the only one in Egypt, with adjoining baths and villas.
- Montaza Palace gardens — royal grounds at the eastern end of the Corniche.
The city itselfالمدينة نفسها
| The Corniche | The long seafront curve. Walk it in the late afternoon. |
|---|---|
| Seafood | Alexandria's real speciality — choose your fish at the counter and have it grilled. The old fish market restaurants near Anfoushi are the classic. |
| Cafés | Cecil Hotel, Trianon, and the surviving Greek and Levantine cafés of the old cosmopolitan city. |
| Antoniadis and the Royal Jewellery Museum | Quiet and rewarding if you have a second day. |
| El Alamein | Two hours west — Commonwealth, German and Italian war cemeteries and museums. |
Getting there and how longالوصول والمدة
Alexandria is about three hours from Cairo by road, or two to two and a half by train — the train is comfortable, cheap and the better option. It works as a long day trip, and much better as an overnight. See the day trip page.
The climate is Mediterranean rather than desert: wetter and cooler than Cairo, with actual winter rain, and pleasantly mild in summer when Upper Egypt is unbearable.
Common questionsأسئلة شائعة
Is Alexandria worth visiting?
Yes, particularly for the catacombs, the library and the seafood. It's a different Egypt — Mediterranean, Greco-Roman and cooler than Cairo.
What is Alexandria famous for?
Being founded by Alexander the Great, the ancient Library, and the Pharos lighthouse — one of the seven wonders, whose foundations now carry Qaitbay Citadel.
How do you get from Cairo to Alexandria?
By train in roughly two to two and a half hours, which is the most comfortable option, or about three hours by road.
How long should you spend in Alexandria?
A full day covers the catacombs, citadel, library and a seafood lunch. An overnight lets you add the Roman amphitheatre, the museums and an evening on the Corniche.