Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great, is Egypt’s Mediterranean city. Its main attractions are the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Roman catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the seaside Corniche.

It makes an easy day trip from Cairo or a stop on a longer tour.

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What is special in Alexandria Egypt?

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; the Great Library was the most extensive in antiquity; and the Necropolis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

Throughout the late 19th century and into the 1950s, Alexandria hosted a who’s who of writers, poets, and artists, garnering a rep as a hippy haven for tourists. One of the most incredible places to visit in Egypt to get a feel for the grandeur of yesteryear is Alexandria, despite the fact that, in contrast to Cairo and Luxor, there are very few actual ancient sites and things to do there.

 

  • The Citadel of Qaitbay

The Mamluke Sultan Qaitaibay constructed the Citadel of Qaitbay to protect this strategic Egyptian port from other assaults; he used rubble from the collapsed lighthouse in its foundation. As early as 1480, this short fort was keeping watch over Alexandria.

Several rooms with stone walls may be explored, and you can get a great view of the Mediterranean from the top, making it one of the main Alexandria tourist attractions.

  • The Library of Alexandria

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is the city’s cultural hub and one of the top Alexandria tourist destinations. At its heart sits one of the world’s largest libraries and other museums devoted to preserving Alexandria’s rich history and culture.
Including the reading room, the main library’s interior can house eight million volumes.

  • The Roman Amphitheatre

The Roman Amphitheatre remains from the Greco-Roman era can be seen here, as the area is home to a small archaeological park. Apart from the theatre, other Roman-era buildings unearthed include baths and many villas.

  • The Pompey’s Pillar

The Pompey’s Pillar is one of the main Alexandria attractions; it is a nearly 27-meter-tall column of red Aswan granite with a Corinthian capital that was not erected in honor of Pompey but in 292 CE to commemorate Diocletian for providing food to the city’s starving populace following the siege.

  • Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa

The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa can be found in the Carmous district, carved into the rock on the southern slopes of a hill. Dating back to the 2nd century CE, they are a great illustration of the unique blend of Egyptian and Greco-Roman styles characteristic of Alexandria attractions.
They were discovered in 1900 and consist of multiple tiers of sarcophagi and loculi (shelf tomb) chambers.

  • Montaza Palace

A visit to Montaza can do wonders for your sanity before you head back into the hustle and bustle of the city.