Things to do in Alexandria, Egypt

Get ready to discover the historical treasures, culture and beauty of Alexandria. The city was founded more than 2,000 years ago by Charlemagne, and thanks to its port and the Western influences coming in from the Mediterranean, it became one of the most developed cities in the country. You can notice it in the impressive monuments that pervade its streets. Some of the essential must-sees in Alexandria are the Library of Alexandria, the Palace of Montanza and the Lighthouse of Alexandria, but in this post we will tell you much more about this wonderful city.

Below we tell you in detail the must-visit attractions in Alexandria, and we have also prepared recommendations on where to eat and stay in the city. We want you to enjoy your trip to the fullest, so we have also prepared a section with travel tips to help you get around the country. We know you’re looking forward to your trip, so read on and let the adventure begin.

What are the best places to visit in Alexandria

1. National Museum, a must-see in Alexandria

The National Museum of Alexandria was opened in 2003 and is housed in a modern building facing the sea, in the historic area of the city. Its main purpose is to preserve, study and exhibit the archaeological and artistic treasures that reflect the history of Alexandria and its surroundings.

The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts ranging from the Pharaonic era to the Greco-Roman period. Highlights include the submerged remains of the ancient city of Heracleion and treasures found at the famous archaeological site of Abu Qir.

The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and admission costs 4€ or 100 Egyptian pounds.

2. The Library of Alexandria, the best of the city

The Library of Alexandria, founded in the 3rd century BC, was designed as a center of learning and knowledge with the aim of gathering all the literary and scientific works of the known world at that time. In addition, it was a meeting place for great thinkers, scientists and scholars who came to its halls in search of knowledge and to exchange ideas.

The library in Alexandria today has nothing to do with the ancient one, which was damaged and deteriorated over the years. It is now a modern building where in addition to having a public library you can enter museums that tell the story of the original library. The entrance fee for tourists is 60 Egyptian pounds.

 3. Pompey’s Pillar

The Pompey Pilar (or Column) dates back to 297 BC and is a commemoration the victory of Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. This imposing column, that originally was in the temple of Serapis, reaches a height of more than 20 meters and is carved in red granite. Throughout its existence, the Pompey Column has undergone different transformations and historical events. During Roman times, a bronze statue of Pompey was built at the top of the column, but unfortunately it disappeared over time.

Access to the enclosure costs 80 pounds per person. We also recommend to stroll around the surrounding neighborhood, one of the most curious things to do in Alexandria.

4. The Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi

The Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque is an Islamic place of worship of great importance and beauty located in the city of Alexandria. The mosque, the largest in the city, is striking for its white facade, the combination of Moorish and Ottoman styles, and its two minaret towers that make it recognizable from afar.

The mosque also houses a library containing a collection of Islamic books and manuscripts. There is also a school where religious teachings are taught and sacred texts are studied.

5. The Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa, another amazing place in Alexandria

There is a lot to see in Alexandria, but the catatombs of Kom El – Shoqafa are one place you can’t miss. There you will learn about the history of the city and the influence that different religions have had on this historic enclave, which is more than 2,000 years old.

The catatombs are a bit remote, so you’ll have to take a cab to get there. Once there you’ll have to pay the entrance fee which costs £80. You can pay by card.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Things to do around Alexandria

1. Montaza Park and its palace

Montaza Park is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a peaceful place surrounded by nature. This extensive coastal park has beautiful gardens, palm trees, lakes and areas to relax. It is also home to the Montaza Palace. It’s a former royal palace that became a luxury hotel, but you can still admire it from the outside.

From Alexandria you can get there by cab for less than 3€. The journey takes just 20 minutes.

2. Submerged city of Heracleion

Also known as Thonis, this ancient city lies submerged beneath the waters of Abukir Bay, near Alexandria. It was recently rediscovered and offers a unique experience for lovers of underwater archaeology. You can dive or snorkel there to explore the archaeological remains and discover the secrets of this ancient city.

3. Cairo, the beginning of your route through Egypt

Although Cairo is not technically close to Alexandria, it is probably the beginning of your trip. That’s why we recommend you spend a few days there to see all it has to offer before heading to Alexandria.

Cairo is a bustling city, full of history, culture and life. There you can see its majestic mosques, colorful souks, museums filled with ancient treasures and busy streets. From Cairo you can also arrange excursions to see the famous Pyramids of Giza.

In this post you can read more about what to see in Cairo: Things to see and do in Cairo

What to see in 1 day in Alexandria

A day is enough to get to know the charms of the city. Many tourists choose to make the visit on an organized tour, but you can also do it on your own. Keep in mind, that the main points of interest in Alexandria are not very close, so it will be necessary to take cabs or Ubers (which are quite cheap) to move around the city.

Here is a recommendation regarding the order of the visit according to the location of the points of interest:

• The Library of Alexandria
• The Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa
• The Pilar of Pompey
• The Fort of Qaitbay
• Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi
• The Souk of Mansheya
• The Cathedrals of Saint Catherine and Saint Mark

Where and what to eat in Alexandria?

The gastronomy in Alexandria is famous for being very varied and having international influences. Its cuisine is sure to remind you of Greek, Lebanese and Turkish. Some of the specialties of the region are the ‘Fool’, a bean paste with condiments or the ‘Kushar’, which is a mixture of stewed rice, chickpeas, lentils and pasta. These are some of the best restaurants to try authentic Egyptian food.

1. Balbaa Village: This restaurant is known for its authentic Egyptian cuisine and serves traditional dishes such as kebabs, kofta and mezze in a cozy atmosphere on an open-air terrace. You can eat in luxury for less than €15.
2. Fish Market: This is the best place in Alexandria to eat fish and seafood with the best views. The only drawback is that in high season it’s full of tourists.
3. Gad: is a restaurant with a long tradition in Alexandria. Gad is famous for its delicious fresh fish and seafood dishes. They also offer many other options to suit all tastes.

Where to stay in Alexandria

Alexandria is a very touristy city, so there is a lot of choice when it comes to accommodation. Some of the best neighborhoods to stay are Corniche, for its sea views and beaches, the Old City in the historic center of the city or Montaza, another central area surrounded by palaces and gardens. Here are some of our favorite accommodations in the city.

• Ithaka Hostel: is a simple hostel very close to Anfoushi beach. All rooms have shared bathroom, towels and bed linen and air conditioning. Some also have a balcony. The price per night starts from 10€ and includes breakfast.
• Downtown Sea View Suites: This aparthotel with a view is just 700 meters from Anfoushi Beach and offers apartments with flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms with bidets, showers and free toiletries, and kitchens with refrigerators, microwaves and stovetops. In addition, all accommodations include a lounge-dining area. The rooms are for couples or families and the price per night starts at 65€
• Le Metropole Luxury Heritage Hotel: it is a 4-star hotel decorated in classic French style with all the luxuries. It is located in the city center, just two minutes from the train station and the price per night starts at 100€ (breakfast included).

How to get to Alexandria

Alexandria is one of the largest cities in Egypt, so it is relatively easy to get to from other cities in the country, considering that the country is not particularly well–connected. These are all the options available for getting to Alexandria.

• Airplane: from Cairo airport or from some countries you can fly to Alexandria International Airport. It is one of the most expensive options, but also the fastest.
• Bus: in Cairo you can take a bus to Alexandria from the airport or the Liberation Square. The journey takes 3h and the ticket costs between 4€ and 64€.
• Train: Every morning there is a train to Alexandria from Cairo station which takes only 2 hours and costs less than 5€.
• Taxi: a cab from Cairo to Alexandria costs about 30€ and takes 2h to get there.
• Rental car: if you rent a car it will also take you 2h to get there, and gas will cost you about 10€.

What should I consider before traveling to Alexandria

• The official currency is the Egyptian pound.
• It is advisable to bring mosquito repellent.
• At tourist attractions you will have to pay if you want to take photos.
• It’s normal to bargain in Egypt.
• Many stores close on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Try to always drink bottled water and avoid ice. 
• A visa is required to enter Egypt. The price is 25€ and it is valid for 90 days.
• Best to carry small bills as it is difficult to get change.
• The best time to travel to Egypt is from mid-March to mid-May, and from September to November.
• It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as their prices are high.
• Arabic is spoken in Egypt, but in the tourist areas you will be able to communicate in English.
• Be covered in case of medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Alexandria

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend things to see and do in Alexandria to other travelers.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Alexandria