Alexandria Archaeological Sites Full-Day City Tour

Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum

Pompey's Pillar is the best-known ancient monument in Alexandria and the natural first stop on a full-day Alexandria city tour. The red Aswan granite column rises about 25 metres and was raised in 297 AD in honour of the emperor Diocletian; its name comes from a medieval misunderstanding rather than from the Roman general. It stands on the hill of the Serapeum, once the great temple of the god Serapis.

Around the base you can still see two granite sphinxes, underground galleries with niches thought to have held scrolls, and the foundations of the temple. Most visitors spend about 30 minutes here, enough for photos and your guide's explanation of how Greek, Roman and Egyptian beliefs blended in this city. It is close to the centre, so our driver takes you there straight after hotel pickup.

Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa

The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are the largest Roman burial site in Egypt. Dating from the 2nd century AD, they were rediscovered in 1900, when a donkey is said to have fallen through the ground. A spiral staircase leads down to a rotunda and then to chambers cut into the rock on three levels, although the lowest level is flooded.

The main tomb mixes styles in a way that sums up Alexandria: Egyptian gods such as Anubis are carved in Greek and Roman dress. Allow about 40 minutes. The stairs are narrow and the air is cool, a welcome break from the midday heat. If you are asking whether the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are worth visiting, the answer is yes, especially with a guide who can read the carvings for you.

Roman Amphitheatre of Kom el-Dikka

The Roman Amphitheatre was found by chance around 1960, when workers digging foundations for a new building struck marble. Excavations revealed a horseshoe of white and grey marble terraces, the only structure of its kind found in Egypt, together with Roman baths, a villa and lecture halls from the Byzantine period.

The terraces were probably used for lectures and small performances rather than gladiator games, and they give a clear picture of daily life in late Roman Alexandria. You can climb the seating, look down on the arena and see mosaic floors nearby. A visit takes about 30 to 40 minutes, and the site is very photogenic in morning light.

Qaitbay Citadel on the Eastern Harbour

Qaitbay Citadel stands on the tip of the peninsula that guards the Eastern Harbour. The Mamluk sultan Qaitbay built it in 1477 using stone from the ancient Pharos lighthouse, which had stood on this very spot and was brought down by earthquakes in the 14th century. For centuries the fort protected the coast.

Walls, towers and a central keep give you views over fishing boats, the harbour and the city skyline, and a small maritime exhibition is inside. This is the stop most people photograph first, and it is where the story of the lost lighthouse becomes real. Plan around 45 minutes and bring sun protection, as the open ramparts have little shade.

The Corniche and the Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi

The Corniche is the curving coast road that gives Alexandria its seaside character, and the drive along it is part of the day. The Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi in the Anfushi district honours a 13th-century Sufi scholar. The present building dates from the 1940s, with a tall minaret and four domes in Mamluk-inspired style.

Visitors dress modestly and remove shoes; women should bring a scarf. Your guide explains the building and its role in local life. On the Corniche you also pass the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library opened in 2002 near the site of the ancient one, and your guide can tell you whether time allows a photo stop.

Montaza Palace Gardens

The Montaza Palace was built in 1892 for Khedive Abbas II in a blend of Ottoman and Florentine styles, with a tall tower that you can see from far along the coast. The royal residence itself is used by the state and is closed to visitors, but the surrounding gardens are open to everyone.

Palm avenues, flower beds, pine trees and small beaches make this the calm end of a busy sightseeing day, and many guests use the stop for a gentle stroll and photos of the sea. It is a good answer to the question of what to see in Alexandria besides ruins. Expect around 45 minutes before your drive back to the hotel.