One day in Alexandria: an itinerary in the best order
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 2 of 6 free; 4 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 8 h · 09:30–17:33
- Start and finish
- Citadel of Qaitbay → Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
- On foot
- ≈ 48 min in total
- Transport
- 2 rides, ≈ 40 min
- Lunch
- around 12:25
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- Spring and autumn. Summer is cooler than Cairo, but the seafront is crowded.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Alexandria09:30–17:33 · 6 places · 8 h
Citadel of Qaitbay
· 1 h · 200 EGP, students 100 EGP
- 15 min on foot
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
· 20 min · Free
- 20 min · transport or taxi
Alexandria Corniche
· 1 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 18 min on foot
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
· 1 h 30 min · 150 EGP, 300 EGP with museums
- 20 min · transport or taxi
Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka)
· 45 min · 200 EGP, students 100 EGP
- 15 min on foot
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
· 1 h · 200 EGP, students 100 EGP
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
2 of 6 are free; 4 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Citadel of Qaitbay | 45 | 1 h | 200 EGP, students 100 EGP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque | 43 | 20 min | Free |
| 3 | Alexandria Corniche | 44 | 1 h | Free |
| 4 | Bibliotheca Alexandrina | 45 | 1 h 30 min | 150 EGP, 300 EGP with museums |
| 5 | Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka) | 38 | 45 min | 200 EGP, students 100 EGP |
| 6 | Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa | 42 | 1 h | 200 EGP, students 100 EGP |
| Total | 5 h 40 min | 2 of 6 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Citadel of Qaitbay. A Mamluk fort of 1477–1479 on the tip of the Eastern Harbour, where the Pharos lighthouse stood. 200 EGP, from 9:00.
- 2
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque. Alexandria's main mosque with a tall minaret. Free between prayers; dress modestly.
- 3
Alexandria Corniche. The seafront along the Eastern Harbour: about 3 km from the Library to Qaitbay. Free; best before sunset.
- 4
Bibliotheca Alexandrina. A reading hall under a tilted disc roof, the successor to the ancient library, opened in 2002. 150 EGP, 300 EGP with the museums; closed on Fridays.
- 5
Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka). Egypt's only Roman theatre: 13 marble rows from the 4th century, with baths and mosaics nearby. 200 EGP.
- 6
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa. A 2nd-century rock-cut necropolis where Egyptian gods wear Roman dress. 200 EGP; the lowest level is flooded.
Who this route is for
- A day trip from Cairo
- Classical history
- On foot and by taxi
- No swimming in the centre — beaches are further east
- Fridays: the Library is closed
Spring and autumn. Summer is cooler than Cairo, but the seafront is crowded.
Alexandria day trip itinerary
The route runs west to east along the sea, then turns inland into the old city south of the seafront. Qaitbay, the mosque and the Corniche are on the water, the Library at the end of the promenade, the theatre by Misr station and the catacombs in Karmouz.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Getting there from Cairo
Trains from Ramses station reach Misr station in Alexandria in about 2.5–3 hours; the Roman theatre is a 5-minute walk from Misr. Alexandria's tram is closed for reconstruction — get around by taxi, Uber or seafront minibuses.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The ancient library vanished long ago; today's opened in 2002. 150 EGP, 300 EGP with the antiquities and manuscripts museums. Open Sun–Thu 10:00–19:00, Saturday until 14:00, closed Friday. Children under 4 are not admitted.
More to see
Pompey's Pillar, 27 m of red granite, is 10 minutes from the catacombs. The Alexandria National Museum shows finds from the seabed. The Royal Jewelry Museum and the gardens of Montaza are in the east of the city.
How to do it right
- Avoid Fridays: the Library is closed and the mosque holds midday prayers.
- Winter sunset on the Corniche is around 17:00.
- Tickets for museums and sites are sold on Egymonuments, the Experience Egypt app and at the gate; they are dated and non-refundable. Under-6s go free.
- Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). Museum and monument tickets take Visa and Mastercard; bazaars, taxis, ferries and tips need cash in small notes.
- Mosques want shoulders and knees covered and a headscarf for women; shoes come off at the door. Temples and museums have no strict dress code, but cover up in town.
Questions
What to see in Alexandria in one day?
Qaitbay Citadel, Abu al-Abbas Mosque, the Corniche, the Library, the Roman theatre and the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs.
How do I get from Cairo to Alexandria?
By train from Ramses station, about 2.5–3 hours.
How much is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina?
150 EGP, 300 EGP with the museums. Closed on Fridays.
Where was the Pharos lighthouse?
Where Qaitbay Citadel stands: the fort was built in the 15th century from its stones.
Can you swim in Alexandria?
Not in the centre; beaches are further east, with paid entry in summer.
Is the tram running?
No, it is closed for reconstruction. Use taxis and minibuses.
How much does the day cost?
Qaitbay, the theatre and the catacombs are 200 EGP each, the Library 150 EGP; the mosque and seafront are free.
Is it good with kids?
Yes; under-6s are free at the sites, and the Library admits children from 4.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn, not on a Friday.
What currency is used in Egypt?
Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). Museum and monument tickets take Visa and Mastercard; bazaars, taxis, ferries and tips need cash in small notes.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: Egymonuments
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina: hours and tickets
- Wikipedia: Alexandria
