20 Worth Visiting Attractions and Things to Do in Alexandria for Tourist

June 24, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 6793 Views

Alexandria is a city in Egypt. It faces the Mediterranean Sea and flourished as a major port city. The city was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great of Macedonia and is named after him. Some of the top things to do in Alexandria, Egypt are exploring ancient history, archaeology and ancient architecture while enjoying beaches, boat cruises and water sports.

The city was a major center for the Hellenic Civilization and it replaces Memphis for the spot. Many of the best places to visit in Alexandria, Egypt hail from this culture and time period. It was one of the largest cities in the ancient world before being outsized by Rome. The city was under the rule of Pharaohs, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Islamic Caliphs and Arabs. You will see the influence of all these cultures in various tourist places in Alexandria.

The city was once home to the famed Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Library of Alexandria. The former of these is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world and both of these holds a legendary status among ancient monuments. Sadly, you won’t come across them during Alexandria sightseeing today as they have been long gone.

But, you do get to see their recreated blueprints, models, estimations and artistic interpretations at several histories and archaeological museums in the city. These are some of the most wonderful things to see in Alexandria. The famed Library has also been recreated into a modern monument housing many of the manuscripts held by its ancient predecessor. It is one of the most popular Alexandria tourist attractions. This library also contains several museums outlining the city’s history, heritage and culture.

Another one of the major historical site in Alexandria, Egypt is the Qaitbay Citadel hailing from the 15th century. The locals call it the Bride of the Mediterranean. This citadel has been the guardian of the port city and was integral to trade in the region. Though the most memorable experience from Alexandria travel would be scuba diving to explore the ruins of the ancient submerged city of Heracleion Thonis. This experience is a blend of magic, adventure and discovery that should not be missed out on when you visit Alexandria.

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Table of Contents

The Top 20 Tourist Places to Visit in Alexandria, Egypt

1. Citadel of Qaitbay

This defensive fortress was built in 1477 under the reign of Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa’it Bay. The citadel guards the Eastern Harbour on the northern tip of the Pharos islands. It is included among the best things to do in Alexandria Egypt for its role in the protection, development and politics of the city. You will need about an hour to tour this historical fort.

I suggest you should take a Guided Tour of Citadel of Qaitbay.

2. Mustafa Kamel Hellenistic Necropolis

This necropolis dates back to the 2nd century BCE. The necropolis was discovered when the ground was leveled to make a football field. It is one of the best places to visit in Alexandria Egypt to learn about ancient Egypt. There are 4 tombs in this cemetery and several intricate carvings and frescoes. You would need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this place.

3. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

These catacombs hail from the 2nd century A.D. and exhibit a fusion of Egyptian and Graeco-Roman styles of architecture. Its elaborate structure and interior decor make it one of the most interesting historical sites in Alexandria Egypt. Some of the highlight areas of these catacombs include the central rotunda, spiral staircase, burial chamber, sepulchral chapel and triclinium funebre. You will need about 1 hour to explore these catacombs.

4. Pompey’s Pillar

This 25-meter-high pillar is made from granite and was built in 297 A.D. and was dedicated to Emperor Diocletian. The pillar is part of the Temple of Serapis, which was once used to store manuscripts of the Great Library of Alexandria. It is one of the most popular historical Alexandria tourist attractions. You would need 30 to 45 minutes for this place.

5. Roman Amphitheater

Also known as Kom el-Dikka, meaning the Mound of Rubble, these ruins of the ancient roman amphitheater were discovered when clearing rubble to build a housing society. It is one of the biggest Alexandria attractions hailing from the Roman culture in the region. You will also see ruins of a Ptolemaic temple, a bathhouse and villas. You would need 2 hours to explore these ruins.

6. Montazah Palace

The palace was built in 1892 by Abbas II, the last Khedive of Egypt. It was used primarily as a hunting lodge for the ruler and his family. The palace contains a luxury hotel, a casino and a museum of royal relics. The gardens of the palace are also quite popular. You would need about 2 hours to tour this palace during Alexandria sightseeing.

7. The Alexandria Naval Unknown Soldier Memorial

This monument is dedicated to soldiers who have lost their lives in naval battles. The memorial is one of the most elaborate modern monuments in the city. You won’t need more than a few minutes from Alexandria to travel to see this monument.

8. Ras el Tin Palace

This palace serves as one of the official residences of the president of Egypt. Historically, this palace has been home or summer retreat for numerous rulers of Egypt. The architecture of this palace sees a blend of several styles including Italian Renaissance, Baroque and Moorish. Though you can’t explore all parts of the palace, the facade is still an interesting site to behold when you visit Alexandria and it won’t take more than a few minutes of your time.

9. Alexandria National Museum

Housed in Italian-style palace, this museum tells the story of Alexandria and that of Egypt starting from ancient times. It is one of the most fascinating places to go in Alexandria, Egypt to learn about history and culture. The exhibits are divided into several sections based on time periods such as Pharaonic Epoch, Hellenistic, Roman, Islamic Period and so on. You will need 2 hours at least to tour this museum.

10. Graeco-Roman Museum

This archaeological museum focuses on the roman rule of Alexandria. The collection in the museum spans from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century AD. It is among the best tourist places in Alexandria to learn about the time of the Roman Empire and the legacy left behind by it in the region. You will need an hour or so to tour this museum.

11. Museum of Fine Arts

The museum focuses on Egyptian and Middle Eastern works of fine arts. You will come across some of the most beautiful things to see in Alexandria while exploring this museum. Though the primary focus is on Egyptian art, the museum also has a selective collection of works of different European styles including Baroque, Rococo, Orientalism and Romanticism. You would need about an hour and a half to tour this museum.

12. Alexandria Aquarium

The museum has several marine animals hailing from the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. It is one of the top things to do in Alexandria for family tourists. The aquarium also has a few freshwater animals from Nile and Amazon rivers. You will need about an hour to tour this place.

13. Royal Jewelry Museum

This museum is housed in the former palace of Princess Fatma al Zahra. The museum exhibits jewels, jewelry and decorative accessory items from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty. The palace is itself among the best places to visit in Alexandria Egypt known for its history, architecture and interior decor. You will need an hour or so to tour this museum.

14. Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque

This mosque was built in 1796 and was built upon the tomb of 13th-century saint Abu Abbas el Mursi. Architecturally, it is one of the most beautiful things to see in Alexandria. You get to see wonderful swirling Islamic calligraphy designs, intricate carvings and mosaics. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this mosque.

15. Bibliotheca Alexandria

This building is a modern re-imagination of the great library of Alexandria. It is renowned for its beautiful and futuristic-looking architecture. It is one of the most popular Alexandria tourist attractions and also the cultural heart of the city. This grand complex houses several museums which explore different aspects of the city’s history and heritage. You will need 2 hours at least to explore this place.

I suggest you should book your Tour of Bibliotheca Alexandria.

16. Alexandria Beaches

Being a coastal city, beaches are one of the biggest Alexandria attractions. Some of the most popular beaches in Alexandria are Al Mamurah, Cleopatra, Abu Qir, Aida, Bianchi, Mersa Matrouh, El Maamoura and Helnan Palestine Beach. Though the liveliest coastal part of the city is the Corniche. You can enjoy a variety of beach activities and water sports at these beaches. They are also great places for shopping, dining, nightlife and leisure. You can easily a couple of hours or more at any of these beaches when you visit Alexandria.

17. Underwater City of Heracleion / Underwater Ruins of Alexandria

A visit to this historical site will take you on an adventure and make you feel like you are part of a fantasy film. The ancient port city of Heracleion Thonis sits at the bottom of the ocean in the bay of Aboukir. You will have to go scuba diving to explore this site. You will get to see several aspects of the sunken city. The very experience of exploring history underwater makes this the most interesting among historical sites in Alexandria Egypt. You will need 2 to 3 hours for this experience.

18. Souq Market

The old market of Alexandria is a labyrinth of lanes. You will find all kinds of things being sold here from handicraft items to electronics. It is also one of the best places to go in Alexandria to try out some interesting street food items. You would need an hour or so to explore this old market.

19. Cavafy Museum

This museum is dedicated to the life and works of Constantine Cavafy, an Alexandrian Greek poet. The museum is housed in his former residence and exhibits many aspects of his personal and artistic life. You will need about 30 to 45 minutes from Alexandria sightseeing to explore this small museum.

20. The Cathedral of St. Mark

The church is built upon the site of the ancient church of St. Mark the Evangelist from 42 AD. This site has seen churches being built and destroyed several times over. This church is known for its beautiful facade and for exhibiting relics of St. Mark. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this church.

If you are looking for more tourist places in Alexandria, check out the sections below. We have put together an exhaustive list of attractions and activities to explore in and around the city.

Things to do in Alexandria

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Alexandria

Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Citadel of Qaitbay
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Montaza Palace
Serapeum
Pompey’s Pillar
Alexandria National Museum
Royal Jewellery Museum
Sidi Morsi Abu Abbas Mosque
Ancient Rome Theatre
Greco Roman Museum
Ras el Tin Palace
Museum of Fine Arts
Cavafy Museum
Antoniades Palace
Mahmoud Said Museum
Eliahu Hanavi Synagogue
St. Takla Church
Mustafa Kamel Hellenistic Necropolis
Cathedral of St. Mark
Al Qaaed Ibrahim Basha Mosque
Saint Catherine Cathedral
Planetarium Science Center
Ras Soda Temple
Kom el Nadura
Elharamlik Palace
El Nabi Daniel Mosque
Princess Aziza Fahmy Palace
El Attarine Mosque
Kik Cajon Memorial
Arabic Calligraphy Museum
Villa of Birds
Heracleion Thonis
El Hakaneia Palace
Tabia Cosa Pasha
Mohamed Ali Pasha Statue
The Archeological Society of Alexandria
National Maritime Museum
Kom al Dikka
Mozaieque Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Alexandria

Abu Qir Bay
Nelson’s Island
Lake Maryut

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Alexandria

Alexandria Zoo
Alexandria Aquarium
Al Shalalat Park
Antoniades Gardens
Kouta Park
El Montaza Garden
Sir Allenby Garden

Shopping in Alexandria

Souq District
City Center Alexandria
Green Plaza Mall
Deeb Mall
Attareen Antique Market
Designia Mall
City Light Mall
San Stefano Grand Plaza
Zahran Mall
Matajer Mall
Souq Ibrahimia

Beaches & Island in Alexandria

Cleopatra Beach
Abu Qir, Aida Beach
Bianchi Beach
Mersa Matrouh Beach
El Maamoura Beach
Helnan Palestine Beach
Al Mamurah Beach
Montaza Beach
Stanli beach
Tolip Beach
Glime Beach
San Stifanu Beach
Shati al Anfushi Beach
Honeymoon Beach
Miyami Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Activities to Do in Alexandria

Hiking
Desert Safari
Scuba Diving
Water Sports
Boat Cruise
Yacht Cruise

Sightseeing in Alexandria

Corniche Waterfront
Stanley Bridge
Eastern Harbour
El Montaza Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Alexandria

White and Blue
Asmak Shaaban
Kadoura
Stefano’s
Mohamed Ahmed
Abd el Wahab
Malek es Seman
Byblos
El Lol
Tikka Grill
Chez Gaby
Samakmak
Farag Abou Khaled
Sea Gull
Teatro Eskendria
Potasta

Where to Stay in Alexandria?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Alexandria. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Alexandria.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Alexandria

How to Reach Alexandria?

By Air

The best option for Alexandria travel is the Borg el Arab airport. You can get direct flights from cities in Africa, Middle East, Asia and Europe. Some of the major destinations include Athens, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Riyadh, Sharjah, Doha, Benghazi, Cairo, Dubai, Medina, Bahrain, Muscat, Istanbul, Paris, Milan and Rome.

You can get buses and cabs to get to places to go in Alexandria from the airport. The airport is situated 45 kms away from the city, so this journey will not be cheap.

By Road

You can get trains to visit Alexandria from Cairo. There are regular and rapid trains available connecting Ramses Station to Misr Station. There are also several buses running between Cairo and Alexandria. You can also get buses from Heliopolis, Midan Tahrir and Giza.

If you are planning to reach Alexandria by road, you should head for route 40 or 75.

By Water

You can get passenger boats for Alexandria from Venice in Italy and Tartus in Syria.

Image Reference

Citadel of Qaitbay – Moody Man / Flickr
Mustafa Kamel Hellenistic Necropolis – Dan Diffendale / Flickr
Catacombs of Kom el Shouqafa – Rüdiger Stehn / Flickr
Pompey’s Pillar – Elias Rovielo / Flickr
Roman Amphitheatre – kmf164 / Flickr
Montazah Palace – ASaber91 / Flickr
The Alexandria Naval Unknown Soldier Memorial – Moro 2088 / Wikimedia Commons
Ras el Tin Palace – Omer Bozkurt / Flickr
Alexandria National Museum – Néfermaât / Wikimedia Commons
Graeco-Roman Museum – Allan Gluck / Wikimedia Commons
Museum of Fine Arts – Roland Unger / Wikimedia Commons
Alexandria Aquarium – Hatem Moushir / Wikimedia Commons
Royal Jewelry Museum – Elias Rovielo / Flickr
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque – shady shaker / PixaBay
Bibliotheca Alexandria – Dan Lundberg / Flickr
Alexandria Beaches – Elias Rovielo / Flickr
Underwater City of Heracleion / Underwater Ruins of Alexandria –
Souq Market – MatHelium / Flickr
Cavafy Museum – DIMSFIKAS / Wikimedia Commons
The Cathedral of St. Mark – Dan Lundberg / Flickr