Alexandria
Plan Alexandria with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
Walk the Corniche in Alexandria at dusk and the Mediterranean turns the colour of old silver. Waves break against the sea wall, the lights of the old harbour come on along the curve of the bay, fishermen cast lines from the rocks, and the smell of grilled fish drifts from the restaurants. Behind the sea front, grand old buildings with balconies and arcades look out over the water, and the city hums with trams, cafés and sea wind.
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Alexandria at first sight
Alexandria was founded in 331 BC and grew into a great city of the ancient world, where the Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the wonders of antiquity, guided ships, and where the greatest library of its age gathered the knowledge of the known world. Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and later communities from around the Mediterranean shaped its streets, and the city still feels more cosmopolitan and breezy than anywhere else in Egypt. It is a city of the sea, of history and of long, unhurried meals.
Why include Alexandria in your itinerary?
- Ancient history by the sea. Roman catacombs, a Roman amphitheatre, the Greco-Roman Museum and a fort built on the site of the Lighthouse of Pharos layer the centuries along a single Mediterranean shore.
- A library for the modern age. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a striking circular building on the waterfront, revives the spirit of the ancient library with reading halls, museums, galleries and a planetarium.
- Seafood, cafés and sea air. Alexandria is Egypt's Mediterranean city of fish restaurants, old coffee houses and pastry shops, and in summer a breezy escape from the heat of Cairo and Upper Egypt.
Signature experiences in Alexandria
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Opened in 2002, this vast circular library rises from the sea front like a tilted sun disc, its granite wall carved with letters from many alphabets. Inside are enormous reading rooms, a manuscripts museum, an antiquities museum, galleries and a planetarium. Our guided day tours allow time to explore it without rushing.
Qaitbay Citadel and the Eastern Harbour
The fifteenth-century Qaitbay Citadel stands on the point where the Lighthouse of Pharos once rose, and was built partly from its fallen stones. Climb the ramparts for views over the harbour, then stroll the sea wall as the fishing boats come in. Fish restaurants nearby serve the day's catch.
Kom El Shoqafa and Pompey's Pillar
Descend a spiral staircase into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a Roman-era tomb where Egyptian, Greek and Roman styles blend in carved figures. Nearby, the towering Pompey's Pillar and the ruins of the Serapeum mark one of the city's ancient temple sites. Both fit comfortably into a morning with our guided day tours.
Montaza Palace Gardens
On the eastern edge of the city, the Montaza gardens spread over a headland of palm groves, flower beds and quiet beaches, with the palace towers rising above the trees. It is a green retreat for a stroll or a picnic, and a pleasant contrast to the busy centre.
Cafés, Pastries and Seafood
No visit to Alexandria is complete without a long meal. Choose a restaurant near the Eastern Harbour, order grilled fish, calamari and prawns, and finish with tea and pastries in an old café where the mirrors and marble tables recall another era. We can recommend trusted places and reserve a table.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Alexandria
Downtown and Raml Station
The centre of the city is a busy mix of shops, cafés, tram lines and old arcades, close to the Corniche and to Misr Station. It is the most convenient base for first-time visitors, with plenty to see on foot and a good choice of restaurants.
Anfushi and the Eastern Harbour
The old fishing quarter around Qaitbay Citadel is the most local part of the city, with narrow streets, fish markets and harbour-side restaurants. It feels authentic and atmospheric, ideal for travellers who want sea views and a real taste of Alexandria.
Shatby and the Library
Along the Corniche near the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, this area combines sea views, university life, cafés and the city's cultural heart. It is a lively but calmer base, within easy reach of the main museums and the sea front.
Montaza and the Eastern Seafront
The eastern end of the city, around half an hour from the centre, has gardens, beaches and hotels facing the sea. It is quiet, green and relaxed, and it suits travellers who want space, sea air and a slower pace.
How long to stay in Alexandria and how to pair it
Recommended stay
We recommend two to three nights in Alexandria. One day for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Greco-Roman Museum and the Corniche, one for Qaitbay Citadel, the catacombs and Pompey's Pillar, and an evening of seafood by the harbour. With a third day, add Montaza or a trip west to El Alamein.
How to pair it
Alexandria pairs naturally with Cairo, about three hours away by road or express train, for the pyramids and the Egyptian Museum. A seven-day loop can combine Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor by a short flight. In ten days, add Aswan for the Nile and Abu Simbel, and for a longer journey finish with a week of Red Sea sun in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh.
Best time to visit Alexandria and the rhythm of the day
Best months
The best time to visit Alexandria is from April to June and from September to November, when days are warm and bright, the sea is pleasant and the city is comfortable on foot. July and August are hot and humid and busy with holidaymakers from across Egypt. December to February is cool, windy and often rainy, with dramatic seas, and has its own charm for cafés and museums.
The daily rhythm
Alexandria's day starts gently. Mornings are for museums, the library and the sites, before the summer heat rises. Lunch is long, usually fish by the sea. In the afternoon people stroll the Corniche, stop in a café or ride the tram, and the evening belongs to the sea front, with ice cream, tea and the breeze.
On-the-ground logistics in Alexandria
Arrival
Borg El Arab Airport lies about fifty to sixty kilometres southwest of the city centre, usually around forty-five minutes to an hour by road. Cairo is about three hours away by road, and express trains from Cairo reach Misr Station in the centre in about two and a half to three hours. We issue train tickets, and our private airport transfers meet you on arrival and take you straight to your hotel.
Getting around
Downtown, the Corniche and the Anfushi harbour area are pleasant on foot, and the city's old trams run through the centre for a slow, scenic ride. Taxis are plentiful. The main sites lie in different parts of a long, narrow city, so a private car with driver arranged by our team is the most comfortable way to link them, especially in summer.
Local etiquette tip
Alexandria is cosmopolitan but traditional. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, especially in older neighbourhoods and near mosques, and keep beachwear for the beach. Ask before photographing people, observe the photography rules inside museums and catacombs, and expect to tip modestly, baksheesh, for small services. A smile and a few words of greeting are warmly received.
Must-do things in Alexandria
- Explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Climb the ramparts of Qaitbay Citadel
- Descend into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
- See Pompey's Pillar and the ruins of the Serapeum
- Stroll the Corniche at sunset
- Eat grilled fish at a harbour-side restaurant
- Sit in an old café over tea and pastries
- Ride the historic tram through the city
- Wander the gardens of Montaza Palace
- Visit the Roman Amphitheatre at Kom El Dikka
Do’s and don’ts in Alexandria
Do
- Do bring a light jacket for sea winds in winter
- Do dress modestly away from the beach
- Do try the fresh fish and seafood near the harbour
- Do allow real time for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Do carry small change for tips and tram fares
Don’t
- Don't plan a full day outdoors at midday in summer
- Don't swim where waves are strong or warning flags are up
- Don't use flash or photograph where it is forbidden
- Don't photograph local people without asking first
- Don't try to fit Alexandria and the pyramids into one single day
Alexandria at a glance
Plan Alexandria with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Alexandria.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Alexandria?
First-time visitors usually stay along the Corniche in Downtown or Shatby, close to the sea, the library and cafés. For a quiet, green setting, Montaza on the eastern side is lovely. Our team can suggest a hotel to suit your plans and arrange your private airport transfer.
Can Alexandria be done as a day trip from Cairo, or does it need an overnight stay?
A day trip from Cairo is possible, since the journey takes about three hours each way, but it leaves little time. Alexandria deserves at least one night so you can enjoy the sites and an evening by the sea. We arrange train tickets, private transfers and guided day tours.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Alexandria?
Dress modestly in Alexandria: light, loose clothing covering shoulders and knees is respectful and comfortable. Women may wish to carry a scarf for mosques. Ask before photographing people, respect photography rules inside museums and catacombs, and expect to tip modestly for small services. Our guides explain local customs on the way.
Is Alexandria tourist friendly?
Yes. Alexandria has welcomed visitors from around the Mediterranean for centuries, and it feels open and easygoing. Hotels, guides and restaurants are used to travellers from everywhere. Vendors can be persistent, but a calm, polite reply works well, and our guided day tours make everything easier.
Is it safe to travel to Alexandria now?
Alexandria is generally considered safe for visitors, with a visible tourist police presence at major sites and hotels. Use licensed transport, keep valuables secure and follow your guide's advice. Before departure, check your own government's official travel advice, and keep our WhatsApp line handy throughout your stay.
What are the must-do things in Alexandria?
The must-do things in Alexandria include the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, a seafood meal by the harbour and a sunset on the Corniche. Our guided day tours combine these in the best order and timing.
How many days do you need in Alexandria?
Two to three days is ideal for Alexandria: one for the library and museums, one for the citadel, catacombs and Pompey's Pillar, and one for Montaza or a trip to El Alamein. One night covers the highlights at a quicker rhythm.
What can I book in Alexandria with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours and private airport transfers, including Alexandria Archaeological Sites Full-Day City Tour. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Alexandria?
Borg El Arab Airport (HBE) is about 45 km south-west of central Alexandria, 45 to 60 minutes by car; Cairo is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours away on the Desert Road and El Alamein about an hour along the North Coast. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Alexandria?
Alexandria has a main railway station at Misr Station and trains to Cairo take about 2.5 hours, but the airport has no rail link; taxis and shared vans reach the centre in 45 to 60 minutes. A private car is the simplest choice with luggage, for a late flight or for a direct run to Cairo on the Desert Road or to El Alamein on the North Coast. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Alexandria?
Among them: Alexandria Archaeological Sites Full-Day City Tour. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Alexandria?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.