Alexandria extends about 20 miles (32 km) along the coast of the Mediterranean sea in north-central Egypt. It is home to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the New Library of Alexandria, and is an important industrial centre because of its natural gas and oil pipelines from Suez.
In ancient times, the city was known for the Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the Library of Alexandria (the largest library in the ancient world) and the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa (one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages). Ongoing maritime archaeology in the harbour of Alexandria (which began in 1994) is revealing details of Alexandria both before the arrival of Alexander, when a city named Rhakotis existed there, and during the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Duration: 11 hours (approx.)

Cultural sites

Montazah Palace
Fortress of Qaitbay
Column of Pompei
Kom El Shokafa's catacombs
Library of Alexandria

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean", has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 140 miles (225 kilometers) from Cairo.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world. But ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed, he found a sparsely populated fishing village.

Visit Pompey's pillar, an 82 foot (25 meter) tall red Aswan granite column, which was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletain. Continue to the nearby Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa. This area along the coast about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of Alexandria's old district along the Corniche is where many of the modern Alexandrian hotels are located, and also the magnificent Montaza Palace.


Tour departs from centrally located Cairo hotels. Please include the details of your hotel at the time of booking.