If you are a fan of Alexandria and are planning to spend your vacation there and want to know the most important things to do in Alexandria, Egypt, here is this guide.
Here you will find information about the most important tourist areas to visit, various activities, the most important restaurants, places to stay, and some travel tips.
Why you should visit Alexandria Egypt
Alexandria has a fantastic ancient heritage, and it has the Library of Alexandria, Qaitbay’s Citadel, Stanley Bridge, and Montazah Gardens.
It has Islamic architecture, such as Abu Abbas al-Mursi Mosque.
Also, seafood is the main dish of Alexandria Egypt.
The best thing to do in Alexandria Egypt stroll all the heritage places.
Reasons why you should visit Alexandria Egypt
- In comparison to Cairo, it is pretty tranquil.
- It’s a beautiful city on the Mediterranean Sea’s shore.
- One of the world’s largest and most renowned libraries there.
- There is a lot of street art to keep you entertained.
- You may stroll along the Alexandria Corniche with the residents.
- Alexandria has a fantastic café scene.
- A boat trip across Alexandria’s harbor is a must-do.
- The views from Alexandria’s rooftop bars are breathtaking.
- Fresh fish may be found in Alexandria’s Fish Market.
Book an Alexandria day tour to discover this fabulous city!
What to see and visit in Alexandria Egypt:
1- The National Museum of Alexandria
The best things to do in Alexandria Egypt visits National Museum.
There was a lot of information to learn, but the museum focused on showing items from different times and telling tales about them.
Although there was a lot of stuff to learn, the museum was more like an art museum.
The museum is located in the former home of Governor Al-Saad Bassili, which was constructed in 1926. This white house in the Italian style was formerly a popular gathering spot for Alexandria’s upper-class Egyptians.
By examining these 1,800 items, you can acquire knowledge of the city’s history and country. One particular time is covered on each museum’s three floors.
2- Library of Alexandria
The Bibliotheca Alexandria is one of the most famous things to do in Alexandria Egypt.
It is one of Egypt’s most important contemporary landmarks and might be called the city’s cultural hub, according to Alexandria’s best things to do.
It has one of the world’s largest libraries and various museums dedicated to studying Alexandria’s history and culture.
Its design is based on a massive sun disc that sits above the seaside Corniche.
The main library and its reading area can house eight million books on the inside.
3-Roman Amphitheater
It is a lesser-known destination among Alexandria’s best things to do in Egypt.
Excavation of a Greek-Roman neighborhood is now underway. There may be a small theatre, spas, cisterns, and possibly a few villas in this district’s pit.
It would be best if you stood in the center of the theatre and converse to experience its acoustics.
4- Pompey’s Pillar
Added to best things to do in Alexandria Egypt.
What about a column in Alexandria that hasn’t thrilled you yet? The column may be seen at the archaeological park of Alexandria.
The temple of Serapio, a Serapis cult sanctuary, was formerly located here.
Ptolemy I made Serapis, an Egyptian-Greek deity, the patron saint of Alexandria, and the god of Egypt and Greece.
The red granite columns of Aswan are roughly 30 feet tall.
What is the significance of the term ‘Pompey’s column?’ The origins of this column have been a source of contention among several individuals.
They are as follows:
- The Crusaders mistook the column for a marker leading to Pompey’s tomb.
- The column is considered part of an entryway in Alexandria’s library.
- According to an inscription on the base, it was built in honor of Emperor Diocletian.
- As far as we can tell, this is the essential theory on where our spine comes from, and multiple scholars in the late 1800s suggested it.
Don’t miss to check our full article about the Pompey’s Pillar
5- Qaitbay’s Citadel
The 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay was constructed as a fortification to defend the area (relatively recent if we compare it to all the monuments we are talking about).
Located in the port, it is near the lighthouse island. Furthermore, although the citadel was significant, the Alexandria Lighthouse, one of the ancient world’s seven wonders, was far more so.
Even after the Arab takeover, the lighthouse continued to serve its purpose.
Multiple earthquakes seriously damaged the lighthouse’s construction until it was destroyed in the 14th century by still another quake.
Since the Ottoman Empire was a danger to the nation, Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa’it Bay ordered the construction of this citadel in 1477, named after the last portion name.
Various restorations of the citadel in the 20th century contain the Naval History Museum and Alexandria’s Oceanographic Museum and allow visitors to see the entire fort.
adding to top things to do in Alexandria Egypt.
6- Qaitbay Maritime Museum
The Qaitbay Maritime Museum in Alexandria features a variety of marine species and scenes.
They gathered information from the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Natural coral reefs may be seen at the Qaitbay Maritime Museum in Alexandria.
It also has a variety of species, including the Picasso fish, as well as several seashells.
The Qaitbay Maritime Museum Alexandria’s next exhibit includes a collection of skates and rays.
These creatures may grow to be over three meters long.
Some of them have a terrifying appearance, while others have beautiful patterns and colors seen in nature on their backs.
Then there’s a massive collection of Mediterranean sea sponges.
7- The Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa
The Catacombs of Kom El-Shuqqafa is one of the Greek-Roman tombs of Alexandria
Best things to do in Alexandria Egypt
Both the layout of the Catacombs of Kom El Shuqqafa, which date back to the second century A.D., and its décor, a combination of Egyptian and Greco-Roman elements, is one of a kind.
The rock has been carved into three stories for the tomb, but the lowest level is constantly flooded with groundwater; as a result, the majority of the space within has been filled with sand.
8- Montazah Palace and Gardens
Is one of the top things to do in Alexandria Egypt visit Montazah Palace
In the Montaza district of Alexandria Egypt, you’ll find a palace with a museum and huge gardens.
It was constructed on a low plateau to the east of the city center of Alexandria, with a view of a beach on the Mediterranean Sea.
When you enter, you’ll find a lot of information about the royal family and how they used to live, among other things.
9- Ras el-Tin Palace
The Palace was built as a Roman fort by Mohamed Ali himself in 1834 to serve as a second governing headquarters, equivalent to Salah El-Din Citadel’s purposes.
The Palace’s design and construction were given to architect Yezi Bek.
King Farouk acquired the building so the Queen and princesses could spend the summer at Alexandria’s Ras El Tin Palace to travel with the family from Cairo to Alexandria and vice versa.
10- Abu Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
Added to the best things to do in Alexandria Egypt, The Al Mursi Abu Al-Abbas Mosque was mainly constructed around 1775, and it was erected on top of the grave of a Spanish scholar and saint.
Furthermore, it is located on Mosque Square, which overlooks the eastern port. Visit the mosque is one of the best things to do.
Abu Al-Abbas Al Mursi was born into a wealthy family. In 1219, it happened in Spain’s Andalusia area. In addition, he and his family fled to Tunisia in 1242 as the Christian authority of Spain became stronger.
He also traveled to Alexandria, a prominent destination for Muslim academics at the time. In reality, Al Mursi Abu Al-Abbas spent 43 years in Alexandria. Until his death in 1286, he worked as a scholar and teacher.
11- Cavafy Museum
Constantine Cavafy owns it. He was born in Alexandria Egypt, in 1863 and spent most of his life there; and he lived the final 35 years in a “Sharm El Sheikh” flat.
Cavafy’s flat became an inexpensive hostel after his death in 1933.
On the top level of the Greek Consulate General, a type of museum was afterward built, and it is located in Alexandria’s Hellenic Quarter.
His heirs auctioned the poet’s furnishings, but his library was retained as the best thing to do in Alexandria, Egypt.
12- Stanley Bridge
It is the first bridge in Egypt to be built into the water, and it has four towers constructed in the Islamic style.
These towers were built to complement the royal Palace in Al Montazah, among the top things to do in Alexandria Egypt.
13- The Royal Jewelry Museum
Adding to the top things to do in Alexandria, Egypt, It is located in the Zizenia area of Alexandria. In reality, the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria is one of Egypt’s most significant museums. Moreover.
The most precious exhibits are kept in the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria.
They include the jewelry and decorations worn by Egypt’s last royal family’s queens and princesses.
Furthermore, the Royal Jewelry Museum Alexandria is a genuinely magnificent structure. In actuality, it was stored in Princess Fatema El Zahraa’s castle.
It is, without a doubt, a unique work of architectural art from the nineteenth century.
Some of the museum’s exhibits date back to Mohamed Ali Pasha’s reign, and it was in 1805 when he became Egypt’s Khedive.
14- Sacred Heart Church
Adding to the best things to do in Alexandria Egypt.
Sacred Heart Church is a Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart Alexandria is a Catholic city with a Catholic church, and Alexandria’s Latin Catholics frequented it. St. Francis was the patron saint of the town.
In addition to being an Italian monk, he was born in 1181. He also gave his name to the various Franciscan schools that may be found throughout the globe.
Sacred Heart Church Alexandria is well worth visiting for its stunning religious art.
You’ll also witness icons, murals, miniatures, and some of the most beautiful stained glass artwork. Images from the life of Christ may be seen within the Sacred Heart Church Alexandria.
On one side of the church’s walls, they painted. On the other wall are pictures depicting the life of St. Francis. St. Clara, the founder of the Franciscan Order for Girls, is also shown on the church’s glass icons. There are multiple altars as well as a lovely pulpit.
15- Planetarium Science Center
Planetarium Scientific Center is devoted to advancing science culture, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
Three components make up the Planetarium Science Center. The Planetarium, the History of Science Museum, and the “ALEXploratorium” are, in reality, the three.
The Planetarium Science Center Alexandria is a 3D projection theatre in a dome shape.
Furthermore, it is here that one may experience the sensation of soaring across space.
A daily engaging and thorough live-like presentation was provided to visitors. The exhibition depicts the development of the cosmos throughout time.
It’s even better when one of the center’s resident astronomers hosts the presentation.
Top activities and things to do in Alexandria Egypt:
- Stroll the Corniche You may get a genuine sense of the age of cosmopolitan elegance and decadence that defined this city by taking a stroll along the Corniche, especially the portion that runs from the large shorefront plaza of Midan Saad Zaghloul to Fort Qaitbey on the western edge of the Eastern Harbor.
- While strolling Azza, the best thing to do in Alexandria is a great place to eat a scoop of ice cream.
- Taste the corn.
- Enjoy a stroll in the afternoon.
- At al-sheik Wafik, indulge in delicious desserts.
- At Fish Market Marina, you may have a seafood lunch.
- At Tivoli Dome Alexandria, Gleem bay enjoys a great cup of coffee.
- Dive the Underwater Ruins of Alexandria dives in Alexandria aren’t all about the vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life. Instead, the Eastern Harbor area’s diving spots are all about old underwater ruins, and they were added to the top things to do in Alexandria Egypt.
Alexandria offers divers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to dive among the ancient city’s fallen monuments and columns. Be warned that diving in Alexandria has poor underwater visibility. Cleopatra’s Palace in the Eastern Harbour is the most incredible dive in the region. - Take in the breathtaking view of the sunset from atop Stanley Bridge.
- Take a photo that will last a lifetime with the stunning building and the ocean in the background.
Shopping Areas and Markets in Alexandria:
- City Centre Alexandria
- Green Plaza Mall
- Libya Market
- Designia Mall
- Zahran Mall Smouha
- San Stefano Grand Plaza
- Alexa Tower
- Fathalla Gomal Market
- Souk El-Attarine
Alexandria’s Best Places to Stay:
- Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria
- Hilton Alexandria Corniche
- Steigenberger Cecil Hotel
- Paradise Inn Windsor Palace Hotel
- Romance Alexandria Corniche
- Alexander the Great Hotel
- Tolip Hotel Alexandria
- Jewel San Stefano Hotel
- Plaza Hotel Alexandria
- Helnan Royal Hotel – Palestine
Best Restaurants and Nightlife in Alexandria:
- Balbaa Grill Village
- White & Blue – Greek Nautical Club
- Teatro Eskendria
- Negro
- El Lol
- Farag Abou Khaled
- Mohamed Ahmed
- Santa Lucia
- Stefano’s
- Samakmak
- Izoya Restaurant
- El sheikh Wafik
- Byblos
- Ibn el-Balad
- Kushari Bondok
The following is a collection of travel tips for Alexandria:
- Check the holiday schedule to make sure you’re up to date. Don’t let it happen to you.
The Alexandria library was closed for Ramadan. The Alexandria Library’s official website is a better bet than Google. - For your vacation, hire a tour operator or a guide. There are no audio guides, posters, or excursions at the sites and museums of Alexandria, Egypt, and elsewhere. Honestly, it’s a shame to go by such locations without knowing what they’re saying or reading the Internet for information.
- Even if it’s supposed to be cloudy, make sure you wear a hat.
- Go to Alexandria, where many attractions are hardly visible in the dark. If you improve your performance, Alexandria will become your new favorite spot!
How to get around Alexandria:
Best things to do in Alexandria Egypt to do a stroll around the city by Public Transportation or Taxi- Uber- Careem or Car.
It’s a good idea to go for a walk around the city. For long-distance transport, Uber or Careem are excellent choices.
Alexandria, on the other hand, is a charming city with a flourishing street market culture. Take a walk down the Alexandria boardwalk to get some fresh air.
Summary:
Alexandria is the second capital of Egypt and its ancient capital is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Alexandria is a city on the Mediterranean Sea’s shore in Egypt’s north-central region.
Many visitors come to Alexandria for a day trip from Cairo, but it may also be a terrific destination to stay for a few days.
Dressing modesty is considered a sign of respect for the local culture, as well as a way to avoid angry looks and remarks from locals.
Alexandria Egypt while a beach town is much more conservative than the Red Sea resorts that appeal to foreign visitors.
Visitors must dress modestly to access mosques or other religious places, and ladies should carry a scarf or shawl with them.
We show you how to get around Alexandria, what to visit and see, Shopping Areas, hotels to stay and top activities and best things to do in Alexandria Egypt.
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