Things to do in Alexandria
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Top 10 attractions in Alexandria
Qaitbay Citadel
For ancient sailors, the Egyptian coast was a nightmare: the flat coastline often blinded them to reefs and shoals. One night in the autumn of 280 BC, when the moon was dark and the wind was high, an Egyptian happy boat hit a reef and sank when it entered Alexandria. This tragedy shocked the Egyptian government and the opposition. After this, Ptolemy I ordered the construction of a high tower so that sailors could see it from a distance before they came to shore. After 12 years of construction, the Faros Lighthouse was finally completed in 283. Because of its grand scale and unique shape, the ancients named it one of the seven wonders of the world. The bunker's thick outer wall is matched with several semi-circular towers, and now it is a lookout for people to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. In 1882, the British artillery bombarded the Fort Quebe, and after two reconstructions, the bunker returned to its former glory. It is a delightful walk in this area, through the harbour, and the view behind is even more delightful: the colorful fishing boats bobbing up and down in the near, and the bright rotunda of the new library in the distance. There are many stalls selling shell jewelry on the edge of the castle, so choose one or two as a small witness of your trip to Alexandria.Alexandria · 3.5 km from downtown
Serapeum of Alexandria
The Serapeum of Alexandria stands on the elevated platform of the Serapeum temple ruins on the Rhakotis Hill in Alexandria, one of the very few ancient Roman landmarks still standing in its original location in the city. This area had been a settlement for ancient Egyptians long before the founding of Alexandria. The column is carved from a single block of Aswan red granite, with a diameter of nearly 3 m and weighing hundreds of tons. Together with its base and Corinthian capital, it reaches a total height of approx. 27 m, towering over the city. Despite being named after "Pompey," the column has no actual connection to the Roman general—medieval European travelers mistakenly believed the column housed Pompey's remains, leading to the misnomer that persists today. Greek inscriptions on the base indicate it was erected in the late 3rd century (approx. 297 AD) by the Roman prefect of Egypt to honor Emperor Diocletian for quelling rebellions and relieving disasters. Originally, a statue of the emperor stood atop the column, which is why it is called "Pillar of the Horseman" in Arabic. Ascend the steps to the temple platform, where you can circle around the columns for photos, and don't miss the pair of granite sphinxes beside them. Beneath the platform, the rock layer still preserves underground passageways: one leads to the sanctuary dedicated to Serapis, ending with a black statue of the sacred bull Apis; the other, a corridor dozens of m long, is said to have been a "branch" of the ancient Alexandria Library, used to store papyrus scrolls. The cult of Serapis was founded by Ptolemy I, blending traits of Egyptian and Greek deities, and the Ptolemaic dynasty subsequently built the Serapeum on this hill, making it a significant religious and academic center in the city. In 391 AD, the temple was destroyed in a conflict between church and state, leaving only the giant columns, sphinxes, and underground ruins for visitors to ponder.Alexandria · 2.9 km from downtown
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
This is the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt known so far. The architecture adopts the architectural style of the Egyptian Pharaoh period and the Greek style. The tomb consists of three layers of tombs with a depth of 35 meters. The ground floor is about 20 meters below the street, flooded by underground water seepage and inaccessible, but the upper area that can be visited is impressive enough. The tombs were built in the 2nd century AD, probably belonged to a family, and later developed into a cemetery with a capacity of 300 bodies. The dark spiral staircase in the tomb was the passageway for transporting the dead back then, where people used ropes to lower the dead bodies down the circular axis. The central patio can be used for lighting and ventilation. Go down to the 1st floor, and you will reach the rotunda after passing the corridor. The dining room on the left is where the mourners eat, and the stairs in front lead down to the main tomb on the 2nd floor. The reliefs on the inner wall of the tomb are rare in the world: the holy snake guarding the gate wears a red and white crown representing Upper and Lower Egypt, holding the pine cone scepter of the Greek god of wine Dionysus and the double serpent wand of Hermes, the messenger of Zeus. Wearing the round shield of the Greek banshee Medusa, Anubis, the patron saint of the Egyptian cemetery standing in the tomb, is dressed as a Roman legion. These peculiar reliefs made the burial chamber famous. Go through two paths from the reception room and enter a U-shaped aisle. There is a cave at the corner of the aisle, which is where the coffin of the owner of the tomb is buried.Alexandria · 3.4 km from downtown
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Bibliotheca Alexandrina is located on the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria, echoing the ancient Bibliotheca Alexandrina that housed ancient classics over 2,000 years ago and has long since vanished. It opened in 2002 and is now a cultural landmark of this port city. The entire building is a giant disk tilted toward the sea, resembling a sundial. The gray granite wall facing the plaza is engraved with characters from hundreds of writing systems, bringing together ancient and modern scripts on a single wall and intuitively expressing the library's openness to diverse cultures. The main reading hall beneath the slanted glass roof unfolds in tiered terraces, accommodating over 2,000 readers, with a designed book capacity of 8,000,000 volumes.Alexandria · 1.3 km from downtown
Montaza Palace
Montaza Palace is located at the eastern end of the Corniche in Alexandria. It was the former summer residence of the Egyptian royal family, which is why it is also known as the "Egyptian Summer Palace" or "Farouk Summer Palace". This palace complex was built at the end of the 19th century: Khedive Abbas II first built the Salamlek Palace, and King Fuad I later added the larger Haramlek Palace on the coastal highland, where King Farouk, the last king of the dynasty, spent many of his summer days. The Haramlek Palace is the landmark of the entire complex, blending Florentine and Turkish styles. Its towering turrets and arcades facing the sea layer by layer have distinct outlines, and the letter "F" motif that repeatedly appears on the exterior walls corresponds to the Fuad royal family's tradition of naming their descendants with names starting with F. The hundreds of hectares of gardens surrounding the palace extend to the Mediterranean Sea, where date palms, flower beds, and dense tree-lined paths weave together to form a rare expanse of greenery in Alexandria. Today, it is more like a seaside park, where locals and tourists stroll along the tree-lined paths, cool off in the water at the palm-fringed bay beach, and enjoy the restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the grounds.Alexandria · 13.5 km from downtown
Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandriais one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ruins are located on the island of Pharos at the entrance to the port of Alexandria, Egypt, which has since become connected to the city. The lighthouse was built by the Ptolemaic Kingdom in the 3rd century BC and is said to have been designed by the architect Sostratus. The tower stood over 100m tall and was a rare, towering structure in the ancient world. A fire burned at the top day and night to guide ships entering and leaving the port, and it is said that its light could be seen from the sea dozens of km away. The island's name, "Pharos," later became the origin of the word for "lighthouse" in languages such as French and Spanish. The lighthouse was damaged by multiple earthquakes and completely collapsed in the early 14th century, having stood for about 1,500 years. In the late 15th century, Sultan Qaitbay of the Mamluk dynasty used its remains to build a fortress on the original site. In the 1990s, archaeologists discovered giant stone blocks and statue fragments from the lighthouse underwater in the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria, providing physical evidence for this legend. Today, standing at the entrance to the harbor and looking out at the sea, one can still imagine the former grandeur of this ancient wonder.Alexandria · 3 km from downtown
Alexandria National Museum
Alexandria National Museumis located on Horreya Street in downtown Alexandria, Egypt. Housed in an old Italian-style mansion built in the 1920s, the building previously served as a wealthy merchant's residence and a consulate before being restored and converted into a museum. Its white facade and surrounding gardens make the building itself worth a close look. The collection contains nearly 2,000 artifacts, organized around the history of Alexandria. The basement displays Pharaonic-era artifacts, with mummies placed in a reconstructed tomb setting; the main floor features the Greco-Roman exhibition area; and the upper floor gathers Coptic, Islamic, and modern Alexandrian items, allowing visitors to trace the city's evolution as they move from the bottom to the top. The Greco-Roman exhibition area on the main floor is the highlight of the museum. The Medusa mosaic and the bust of the Roman Emperor Caracalla wearing a pharaonic headdress are among the exhibits here, and a statue believed to depict Alexander the Great is an exhibit that many visitors specifically come to find. The Sunken Artifacts Hall, specially designated within the exhibition area, is particularly unique. It displays underwater archaeological finds, such as statues salvaged from the waters of Abu Qir Bay near Alexandria. Such large-scale underwater exhibits are rare in other museums. Additionally, be sure to check out the Coin Hall, which features locally minted gold and silver coins, and the Ali family's jewelry collection. When visiting, we recommend starting from the basement and moving up through the eras. Also, leave enough time for the Sunken Artifacts Hall—it is located within the Greco-Roman exhibition area and is easily missed if you are just passing through.Alexandria · 531m from downtown
Kom el Dikka
Rome's representative architectural amphitheater, hidden in the excavation area of the KomEl-Dikka site, is not large in scale, but it is an Egyptian Roman amphitheater, which is also considered precious. This theater was discovered by Polish archaeologists in the 1960s. According to research, its history can be traced back to the 4th century. It is a typical building in the Greco-Roman period. It has 13 rows of European marble steps in a semicircle and can accommodate 600 people. audience. To the northeast of the theater, there is a "Villaofthebirds" consisting of 9 exquisite mosaic floors, which is worth seeing.Alexandria · 1.5 km from downtown
El Montaza Gardens
El Montaza Gardens are located at the end of the Corniche in the eastern part of Alexandria, Egypt, and were once a summer retreat for the Egyptian royal family, now serving as a charming public park on the Mediterranean coast. This 370-acre royal oasis blends garden art featuring Ottoman, Florentine, and Turkish architectural styles. Known as the Garden of Love, it attracts visitors from around the world with its romantic sea views and seasonal flower displays. El Montaza Gardens overlook Montaza Bay and are famous for their ancient trees and rare flower beds. The park features lush palm groves, where exotic flowers and meticulously manicured flower beds are intertwined. A 20-hectare rose garden, home to over 50,000 rose bushes, is a highlight of the park. The iconic Montaza Bridge (a red stone bridge) connects the mainland to Tea Palace Island and the lighthouse. From the bridge, you can get a close-up view of the shimmering Mediterranean, quiet beaches, and beautiful sunsets. The park offers rich seaside facilities and is a quiet, romantic spot suitable for walking and fishing.Alexandria · 13.1 km from downtown
Corniche
Seaside Boulevard, also known as July 26th Avenue, is a street with Alexandria characteristics, built in 1934. It stretches from Catba Castle in the west to Montazah Palace in the east, winding 26 kilometers along the Mediterranean coastline. This is also the bustling area of Alexandria, with hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars.Alexandria · 1.5 km from downtown
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What travelers say about Alexandria
Sadman AayanSeptember 23, 2025
5.0
Fort Qaitbay 🏰 is one of Alexandria’s most iconic landmarks, standing proudly on the Mediterranean coast. Built in the 15th century, this historic fortress not only protected the city but also preserved centuries of Egyptian heritage. 🌊⚓ The stone walls, towers, and sea views create a majestic atmosphere, perfect for exploring and capturing stunning photos. 📸 As you wander through its ancient halls, you’ll feel the spirit of history and the strength of its architecture. Whether you’re a history lover or just seeking a scenic spot, Fort Qaitbay offers an unforgettable journey back in time. ✨
Qaitbay Citadel
莲子99October 21, 2020
5.0
The remains of a historic building from the Hellenistic period in Egypt. The only thing left here is a small sphinx. The large platform of the foundation is still preserved, which makes the pillar look even more lonely. This is the remains of a landmark in Alexandria.
Serapeum of Alexandria
LiznBenjJuly 20, 2025
5.0
Much bigger than expected with some amazing scenes depicting Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures as a wonderful melting pot. The surrounding area is a bit bleak, but the tombs themselves are very well maintained and have only recently been discovered - by a donkey!!!! Take a local guide with you to get more historical detail.
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
喜欢猫的虎February 26, 2023
5.0
The ancient Library of Alexandria was built in the third century BC at the beginning of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. It was the largest library in the world at that time, with a collection of more than 500,000 volumes, covering literature, science and technology, art, philosophy and other fields, attracting famous people from all over the world. Scientists, philosophers, thinkers and artists come to visit, such as Archimedes, Euclid, etc. also come here to conduct research, lecture, write books and engage in other academic exchange activities. Alexandria therefore became the world's cultural and scientific research center at that time. The Ptolemaic dynasty also produced numerous talents, producing a group of astronomers, geographers, mathematicians, medical scientists and linguists who made outstanding contributions to world science and technology.
The new library is located next to the promenade of Alexandria on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, next to the large statue of the "Mediterranean Bride". It cost a total of US$225 million and is novel, unique and eye-catching. The new library is very comprehensive, including the main library, youth library, blind library, planetarium, manuscript exhibition hall, ancient books and rare book museum, cultural relics museum, science and history museum, and comprehensively considers children, blind people, and people with visual impairments. needs; the books included are also all-inclusive and have everything you need. The Library of Alexandria is an absolutely fantastic place for Alexandrians and visitors from around the world.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
小思文July 15, 2021
4.0
Montazah Palace is a famous summer palace and a holiday resort for kings and princes of all dynasties. The preserved buildings are very well preserved, and you can also see the unique historical characteristics of Egypt. You cannot enter this place for a visit, but you can look at the nearby buildings from the outside.
Montaza Palace
coo***anMarch 4, 2022
5.0
[Scenery] The Lighthouse of Alexandria near Sham el-Nessim can be seen from a distance. I had enough time so I walked over to take a look.
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Debs28April 16, 2023
5.0
the Alexandria national museum was a great find, definitely worth a visit if you are in Alexandria
Alexandria National Museum
juki235May 9, 2020
5.0
The Roman Amphitheatre of Alexandria is an ancient theater with a history of more than 2,000 years. Although it is very dilapidated and severely damaged, it can still be seen from the scale of the existing ruins that this Roman theater was very popular and huge at that time. It was definitely the center of the ancient city at that time. Everyone must come and visit.
Kom el Dikka
风筝爱旅行November 19, 2019
5.0
The blue sea breeze brushed over the old man's reed float, and a few seabirds flew by. A lazy cat poked its head out from behind the sun, and the children watched excitedly as a coconut shell was caught. It's so beautiful here. You'll love it.
Corniche
