Alexandria
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At a glance
- Country
- Egypt
- Region
- Alexandria Governorate
- Population
- 5 million
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to November
- Main airport
- Borg El Arab (HBE)
- Coordinates
- 31.20°N, 29.92°E
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Overview
Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was once the greatest city of the ancient world, home to the Pharos lighthouse and the famous library. Little of that survives above ground, but its long seafront still has a faded cosmopolitan charm.
It feels quite different from Cairo: breezier, more Mediterranean and focused on the sea. Come for seafood, old cafés, Roman remains and a walk along the Corniche at sunset.
Things to see
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Photo: Shivani Singh04, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bibliotheca Alexandrina
A striking modern library and cultural centre recalling the ancient one, with museums inside.
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Photo: Hmkree, CC BY-SA 4.0 Citadel of Qaitbay
A 15th-century fortress on the site of the ancient lighthouse, at the tip of the eastern harbour.
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Photo: Bilal Detailz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
A multi-level Roman burial complex with carvings mixing Egyptian and Greco-Roman styles.
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Photo: Roland Unger, CC BY-SA 3.0 Pompey's Pillar
A single giant granite column from the Roman era, rising above the ruins of the Serapeum.
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Photo: Néfermaât, CC BY-SA 2.5 Alexandria National Museum
A compact, well-presented museum covering the city's long history in an Italianate villa.
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Photo: Ashraf f. bakry, CC BY-SA 4.0 Montaza Palace gardens
Royal gardens and beaches around a former palace on the eastern edge of the city.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Wing045, CC BY-SA 3.0 Walk the Corniche
The seafront road curves for miles around the bay; stroll it at sunset.
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Photo: Turnopoems, CC BY-SA 4.0 Eat fresh seafood
Choose your fish from the ice at a harbourside restaurant and have it grilled or fried.
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Photo: Ian Rose, CC BY 2.5 Day trip to El Alamein
Visit the Second World War battlefield, cemeteries and museum, a couple of hours west.
Where to stay
Downtown
Historic hotels and old cafés near Raml Station, close to the main sights.
Hotels in DowntownStanley and the central Corniche
Sea views and modern hotels by the landmark Stanley Bridge.
Hotels in Stanley and the central CornicheMontaza
Quieter resort hotels near the gardens, further from the centre.
Hotels in Montaza
Getting around
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are easiest; the historic trams are slow but fun.
Borg El Arab airport is about an hour south-west of the city by taxi, and trains from Cairo take around two and a half hours.
When to go
Spring and autumn are warm and sunny. Summer is hot and busy with Egyptian holidaymakers, while winter is mild but can be stormy and wet.
Plan your trip to Alexandria
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.