# Things to do in Alexandria: top sights and where to go

> Alexandria strings its sights along the Mediterranean: the Citadel of Qaitbay stands where the Pharos lighthouse once did, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina rises on the Eastern Harbour Corniche, and Pompey's Pillar and the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs are a ten-minute taxi ride inland. Give the centre one full day; keep the Montaza palace gardens and the Royal Jewelry Museum, out east, for a second.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Alexandria: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/in-1-day.md): Qaitbay Citadel on the site of the Pharos lighthouse, Abu al-Abbas Mosque, the Corniche, the new Library, the Roman theatre and the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs.

## All 10 places with the YesGo score

- [Citadel of Qaitbay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/qaitbay-citadel.md): YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 200 EGP, students 100 EGP. The Citadel of Qaitbay is a Mamluk sea fort built in 1477–1479 on the spot where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood, partly from its…
- [Bibliotheca Alexandrina](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/bibliotheca-alexandrina.md): YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 150 EGP, 300 EGP with museums. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a vast reading room under a tilted glass disc on Alexandria's seafront, with antiquities and manuscripts…
- [Alexandria Corniche](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/alexandria-corniche.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. The Corniche is Alexandria's seafront road, running about 17 km from the Citadel of Qaitbay east to Montaza. It is free and open around…
- [Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/abu-al-abbas-mosque.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free, between prayer times. Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque is Alexandria’s landmark mosque and the shrine of a 13th-century Andalusian Sufi saint, in Anfoushi about 1…
- [Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/kom-el-shoqafa.md): YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 200 EGP, students 100 EGP. The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are a 2nd-century necropolis cut into the rock under Alexandria's Karmouz district, where Egyptian gods…
- [Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka)](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/kom-el-dikka.md): YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · 200 EGP, students 100 EGP. The Roman Amphitheatre is Egypt's only known Roman theatre: 13 marble tiers from the 4th century in the Kom el-Dikka dig opposite Misr…
- [Pompey's Pillar](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/pompeys-pillar.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · 200 EGP, students 100 EGP. Pompey's Pillar is a 27-metre red granite column raised around AD 300 for Emperor Diocletian — Pompey had nothing to do with it. Around it…
- [Alexandria National Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/alexandria-national-museum.md): YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 220 EGP, students 110 EGP. The Alexandria National Museum tells the city's story from the pharaohs to the 20th century in a 1926 Italianate mansion: about 1,800…
- [Royal Jewelry Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/royal-jewelry-museum.md): YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 220 EGP, students 110. The Royal Jewelry Museum fills Princess Fatma al-Zahraa’s palace in Zizinia, begun in 1919, with jewels of the Muhammad Ali dynasty and…
- [Montaza Palace and Gardens](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/montaza-palace.md): YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ 50 EGP, gardens. Montaza is the former royal summer estate 15 km east of central Alexandria: the Turkish-Florentine Haramlik palace, huge seaside gardens…

## Alexandria travel guide

Before you go: Qaitbay on the lighthouse site, the Bibliotheca, the catacombs and Pompey’s Pillar, the Corniche, the trip from Cairo.

## Trip essentials

- How many days: 1–2 days; often a day trip from Cairo
- When to go: April–June and September–October
- Sea: Mediterranean: ≈ 26° in summer, rough in winter
- Visa: Depends on your passport — e-visa or on arrival
- Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP); cards in hotels and sights
- From Cairo: ≈ 210 km, 2.5–3 h by train or car
- Airport: Borg El Arab (HBE) ≈ 45 km from the centre
- Getting around: Vintage tram and ride-hailing apps
- Winter: Cool and rainy — unusual for Egypt
- Time zone: UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer

## Key facts

- **331 BC** — Alexander the Great founded the city on the Mediterranean (source: Wikipedia, “Alexandria”)
- **1477** — the Citadel of Qaitbay was built on the site of the Pharos lighthouse (source: Wikipedia, “Citadel of Qaitbay”)
- **2002** — the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened in memory of the ancient library (source: Bibliotheca Alexandrina — official website)
- **≈ 27 m** — height of Pompey’s Pillar, cut from red Aswan granite (source: Wikipedia, “Pompey’s Pillar (column)”)

## Things to do in Alexandria, Egypt

The best things to do in Alexandria are the Citadel of Qaitbay on the site of the Pharos lighthouse, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar and the Roman amphitheatre at Kom el-Dikka. The Corniche runs along the sea, with the Montaza palace gardens in the east. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.

| Where | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Eastern Harbour** | [Qaitbay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/qaitbay-citadel), [Abu al-Abbas](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/abu-al-abbas-mosque) | 1.5 h |
| **Shatby** | [Bibliotheca](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/bibliotheca-alexandrina) | 1.5 h |
| **Seafront** | [Corniche](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/alexandria-corniche) | sunset |
| **Karmouz** | [Catacombs](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/kom-el-shoqafa), [Pompey’s Pillar](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/pompeys-pillar) | 2 h |
| **Centre** | [Kom el-Dikka](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/kom-el-dikka), [museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/alexandria-national-museum) | 2 h |
| **East** | [Royal Jewelry](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/royal-jewelry-museum), [Montaza](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/montaza-palace) | ½ day |

Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order.

## Alexandria day trip from Cairo

Is Alexandria worth visiting from Cairo? Yes, even for a day: it is ≈ 210 km, about 2.5 hours by fast train from Ramses station or 2.5–3 hours by car or bus. Alexandria’s own Borg El Arab airport is ≈ 45 km from the centre.

| How | From | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Train** | Cairo, Ramses station | ≈ 2.5 h |
| **Bus** | Cairo | ≈ 3 h |
| **Car or tour** | Cairo hotel pickup | ≈ 2.5–3 h |
| **Taxi** | Borg El Arab airport | ≈ 1 h |

Leave Cairo early: a day fits Qaitbay, the library, the catacombs and a fish lunch on the Corniche.

## Alexandria weather by month

The best month to visit Alexandria is in April–June or September–October. The city is milder than Cairo: ≈ 29–31 °C with a sea breeze in summer, ≈ 18–20 °C, windy and sometimes rainy in winter. The swimming season runs June to October, with the sea at 24–27 °C.

- **January in Alexandria**: day ≈ 18°C, night ≈ 10°C, sea ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 6. About 18°, rain and storms.
- **February in Alexandria**: day ≈ 19°C, night ≈ 10°C, sea ≈ 17°C, rainy days: 4. Windy and cool.
- **March in Alexandria**: day ≈ 21°C, night ≈ 12°C, sea ≈ 17°C, rainy days: 2. About 21°, spring.
- **April in Alexandria** (best time): day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 14°C, sea ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 1. About 24° — a good time.
- **May in Alexandria** (best time): day ≈ 27°C, night ≈ 18°C, sea ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 0. About 27°, warm.
- **June in Alexandria** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 21°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 0. About 29°, swimming season.
- **July in Alexandria**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 23°C, sea ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 0. About 31°, sea breeze.
- **August in Alexandria**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 0. The warmest sea ≈ 27°.
- **September in Alexandria** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 0. About 30°, pleasant.
- **October in Alexandria** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 19°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 2. About 28° — an excellent time.
- **November in Alexandria**: day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 15°C, sea ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 4. About 24°, first rains.
- **December in Alexandria**: day ≈ 20°C, night ≈ 12°C, sea ≈ 19°C, rainy days: 6. About 20°, windy.

## Where to stay in Alexandria

Where to stay in Alexandria: around the Eastern Harbour and Raml Station for the sights, cafés and sea views, or in the east near Montaza and Stanley for newer hotels and beaches. The city stretches ≈ 20 km along the coast.

| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Raml Station** | Sights, cafés, trams | Busy and noisy |
| **Eastern Harbour** | Sea views, Qaitbay | Older hotels |
| **Stanley, Montaza** | Beaches, newer hotels | ≈ 30 min to the centre |

## What to eat in Alexandria

Alexandria is a fish city: on the Corniche and by the port you choose the catch and it is grilled on the spot. There are old patisseries and cafés from the Greek era, and street food — ful and ta’ameya — is cheaper than in Cairo.

- **Fish and seafood** — grilled, with sayadeya rice.
- **Ful and ta’ameya** — breakfast at street cafés.
- **Pastries** — at the old patisseries downtown.
- **Coffee on the Corniche** — with Eastern Harbour views.

## Alexandria ticket prices

The Corniche and Abu al-Abbas Mosque are free. You pay for Qaitbay, the Bibliotheca, the catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, Kom el-Dikka, the museums and the Montaza gardens; prices are lower than in Cairo.

- [Citadel of Qaitbay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/qaitbay-citadel) — 200 EGP, students 100 EGP
- [Bibliotheca Alexandrina](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/bibliotheca-alexandrina) — 150 EGP, 300 EGP with museums
- [Alexandria Corniche](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/alexandria-corniche) — Free
- [Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/abu-al-abbas-mosque) — Free, between prayer times
- [Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/kom-el-shoqafa) — 200 EGP, students 100 EGP
- [Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka)](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/kom-el-dikka) — 200 EGP, students 100 EGP
- [Pompey's Pillar](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/pompeys-pillar) — 200 EGP, students 100 EGP
- [Alexandria National Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/alexandria-national-museum) — 220 EGP, students 110 EGP
- [Royal Jewelry Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/royal-jewelry-museum) — 220 EGP, students 110
- [Montaza Palace and Gardens](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/montaza-palace) — ≈ 50 EGP, gardens

## Tips

- Photography is not allowed inside the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs — shoot the entrance and courtyard.
- Watch the sunset from the Corniche near Qaitbay — the sun sets over the sea.
- The Bibliotheca has museums and a planetarium — check what is open on your day.

## Questions

### Is Alexandria worth visiting?

Yes, for Greco-Roman history and the Mediterranean — it feels nothing like Cairo or the Red Sea resorts.

### What to do in Alexandria in one day?

Qaitbay and Abu al-Abbas Mosque in the morning, the catacombs and Pompey’s Pillar at midday, the Bibliotheca in the afternoon and the Corniche at sunset.

### How do I get from Cairo to Alexandria?

By train from Ramses station in about 2.5 hours, or by car or bus in 2.5–3 hours.

### Does the Lighthouse of Alexandria still exist?

No — earthquakes destroyed the Pharos; the Citadel of Qaitbay was built on its site in 1477, partly with its stones.

### Do I need a visa for Egypt?

It depends on your passport: many nationalities can get an e-visa online or a visa on arrival. Check the rules for your passport.

### Can you swim in Alexandria?

Yes, from June to October with the sea at 24–27 °C; winter seas are cold and rough. City beaches are crowded — Montaza or beaches outside town are better.

### What is the best month to visit Alexandria?

October or May: warm days around 27–28 °C, a swimmable sea and no rain.

### What is the weather like in Alexandria in winter?

About 18–20 °C by day and 10 °C at night, windy, with rain — the wettest city in Egypt.

### What ancient sites are in Alexandria?

The Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, the Roman amphitheatre at Kom el-Dikka and the National Museum with finds from the harbour floor.

### How do I get around Alexandria?

By ride-hailing app, the vintage tram, or on foot along the Corniche; the city runs ≈ 20 km along the sea.

## Sources

- Wikipedia, “Alexandria”; “Citadel of Qaitbay”; “Pompey’s Pillar (column)”; Alexandria climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina — official website
- Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — tickets

Facts checked: 09.11.2026

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