Top places to visit in Alexandria

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina

  cultural complex and library · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Stunning Snøhetta-designed cultural complex (2002) — modern echo of the ancient Great Library. Circular roof tilts toward the sea; exterior clad with 6,000 Aswan granite blocks inscribed in 120 writing systems. Four museums (Antiquities,…

• Alexandria Corniche (Coastal Road)

  Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The 20km coastal road running from Abu Qir in the east to Agami in the west — one of the longest sea promenades in the world. A morning jog or evening walk here with Mediterranean breezes and crashing waves is the quintessential Alexandria…

• Qaitbay Citadel

  medieval sea fortress · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Mamluk fortress (1477 CE) built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — using its very stones. 360° Mediterranean views from the promontory. The fishing harbour immediately…

• Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa

  Roman catacombs · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages — a 2nd-century CE three-level underground necropolis blending Egyptian, Greek and Roman funerary iconography. Egyptian gods in Roman armour carved in Greco-Roman style — a unique Alexandrian…

• Stanley Bridge & Stanley Beach

  Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The iconic 1930s Stanley Bridge arches over a beautiful turquoise bay — one of Alexandria's most photographed views. Stanley Beach below is the most popular public beach in the city, backed by belle-époque villas.

• Montazah Palace & Gardens

  Nature · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The summer palace of Egypt's royal family (1892), surrounded by 150 acres of Mediterranean gardens on a sea promontory. The grounds (open to all) have pine forests, sandy beaches and the elegant Salamlek Hotel. The palace itself remains…

• Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka)

  Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The only Roman amphitheatre in Egypt — a 13-tier marble seating bowl unearthed in 1964 and beautifully restored. The adjacent excavation site reveals Roman-era houses, baths and streets of ancient Alexandria.

• Pompey's Pillar & Serapeum

  Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 27m red granite Roman triumphal column (297 AD) — the tallest ancient column outside Rome. Stands above the ruins of the Serapeum (Temple of Serapis), once home to a branch of the Great Library. Two flanking Sphinxes remain.

• Greek-Roman Museum Alexandria

  Museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The finest collection of Greco-Roman artefacts in Egypt — 40,000 objects from the 3rd century BC to 7th century AD. Recently renovated after 14 years of closure. Exhibits include the famous serapis head and Apis bull mummies.

• Alexandria National Museum

  Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Three floors of Egyptian history from pharaonic to Islamic periods in a restored Italian-style palace. Includes notable pieces from the Bahari (underwater) excavations of Alexandria's sunken ancient quarter.

• Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque

  Mosque · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Landmark 20th-century mosque in the Anfushi district of Alexandria.

• Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)

  Cultural · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Historic early-20th-century opera house in Alexandria.

Things to do

• Alexandria City Highlights Tour Cultural · 5 h · from EGP 1,000 per person
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina Guided Visit Cultural · 2 h · from EGP 440 per person

Day trips and tours

• Alexandria One-Day Highlights 8 h · from EGP 2,100

Where to stay in Alexandria

• Corniche & Stanley / Raml Station about EGP 3,800 per night

  The seafront Corniche is Alexandria's identity. Stay here for sea views, easy access to the Bibliotheca, Citadel and the legendary seafood restaurants.

Hotels

• Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano 5-star · EGP 5,000 to EGP 15,000 per night
• Hilton Alexandria Corniche 5-star · EGP 2,500 to EGP 6,000 per night
• Steigenberger Cecil Hotel Alexandria
• Helnan Palestine Hotel Montazah

Where to eat

• Mohamed Ahmed Egyptian · about EGP 50 per person
• El Fish Seafood, Egyptian · about EGP 700 per person
• Fish Market Restaurant Alexandria Seafood · about EGP 235 per person
• Kadoura Seafood Restaurant Seafood · about EGP 235 per person

Getting to Alexandria

Airport: Alexandria (HBE)

Getting around

• Ride Hail
• Tram
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Corniche Taxi Over-pricing

  Alexandria Corniche

  Taxi drivers on the Corniche quote tourists EGP 200–400 for trips worth EGP 30–60. Foreign number plates are targeted.

  How to avoid it: Use Uber or Careem. If hailing a street taxi, insist on the meter or agree fare upfront using local prices as reference.

More in Egypt

• Cairo
• Luxor
• Sharm El-Sheikh
• Hurghada
• Aswan
• Dahab

Frequently asked questions about Alexandria

What are the top-rated places to visit in Alexandria?

The highest-rated places in our Alexandria guide are Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel, Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa, Alexandria Corniche (Coastal Road), Montazah Palace & Gardens.

Where should I stay in Alexandria?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Alexandria: Corniche & Stanley / Raml Station.

How do I get around Alexandria?

Ways to get around Alexandria covered in our guide: Ride-hailing app, Tram, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Alexandria?

Scams reported to us for Alexandria include Corniche Taxi Over-pricing. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

Which airport is nearest to Alexandria?

The nearest airport to Alexandria has the code HBE.