Alexandria Egypt Historical Sites: What to See & How to Visit

Location: Mediterranean coast, 225 km northwest of Cairo

Best Time to Visit: March-May or September-November (mild weather, fewer crowds)

How Long to Visit: 1 day minimum, 2 days ideal for all major sites

Getting There:

• Train from Cairo: 2.5-3 hours (most comfortable)

• Bus: 3-4 hours (budget option)

• Private car: 2.5 hours (best for families)

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes (lots of uneven ancient surfaces)

• Sun protection (Mediterranean sun reflects off water)

• Light jacket (coastal breeze, especially evening)

• Water bottle (limited vendors at some sites)

Most people visit Egypt for pharaonic history. Alexandria offers something else entirely.

This city was Greek before it was fully Egyptian. Roman before it was Christian. Christian before it was Islamic. Each civilization didn't destroy what came before; they built upon it, literally.

The result? You can see 2,300 years of architecture, religion, and culture in a single afternoon walk.

Here's what makes Alexandria unique:

Not Desert Egypt: This is a Mediterranean port city. Sea breezes. Coastal cafes. Fresh seafood. It feels completely different from Cairo or Luxor.

Underground History: The best Alexandria Egypt historical sites are below ground. Roman catacombs were carved into rock. Ptolemaic tombs with original paint. Entire neighborhoods are now submerged beneath the harbor.

Cultural Fusion: Alexandria's historical sites show what happens when civilizations mix. Egyptian gods with Greek faces. Roman theaters hosting Arabic plays. Medieval fortresses built from ancient wonders.

Literary Legacy: This was the city of the Great Library. Of Cleopatra's scholars. Of poets and philosophers from across the ancient world. That intellectual tradition still echoes.

Let's explore the sites that tell this story.

1. Citadel of Qaitbay (Qala'at Qaitbay)

Built: 1477 CE by Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay

Visit Time: 1-1.5 hours

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must-see

Why it matters:

You're standing on one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Sort of.

The Citadel of Qaitbay sits on the exact spot where the Pharos Lighthouse stood for 1,500 years. When earthquakes finally toppled the lighthouse in the 14th century, Sultan Qaitbay built this fortress using the fallen stones.

Walk through the citadel, and you're literally walking on pieces of one of history's most famous structures.

What you'll see:

The fortress walls offer 360-degree Mediterranean views. On clear days, you can see for miles across the Eastern Harbor, where Cleopatra's palace complex now lies underwater.

Inside, a small naval museum displays Alexandria's maritime history. But honestly, the architecture itself is the main attraction.

Mamluk military design at its finest: thick defensive walls, strategic towers, and narrow passages designed to trap invaders.

Look closely at the stones. Some have ancient Greek inscriptions. Others show wear patterns from 2,000+ years of Mediterranean waves.

Expert Insight:

"I've brought over 300 tour groups here. The moment that always gets people is when they realize they're walking on the actual stones from the ancient lighthouse.

Suddenly it's not just a medieval fortress; it's a bridge to one of the Seven Wonders." - Ahmed, Traviio Licensed Guide

Reality Check:

The museum inside is small and somewhat outdated. Don't come expecting world-class exhibits. Come for the location, the architecture, and the connection to ancient history.

Best time to visit: Late afternoon (4-5 PM) for golden hour photography and fewer tour groups.

2. Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

Period: 2nd century CE (Roman era)

Visit Time: 1.5-2 hours

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must-see

Why it matters:

This is the largest Roman burial site in Egypt. But what makes it extraordinary isn't the size; it's what the catacombs reveal about Alexandria's unique cultural fusion.

The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa show you something that didn't exist anywhere else in the ancient world: Egyptian religion, Roman architecture, and Greek artistic style all mixed together in one underground necropolis.

What you'll see:

You descend a spiral staircase 35 meters underground. The temperature drops. The air gets heavier. You're entering a Roman-era city of the dead.

The main burial chamber features Egyptian gods dressed in Roman armor. The falcon-headed Horus wears a Roman military cape. Anubis carries a Roman shield. It's cultural fusion carved in stone.

The Triclinium (banquet hall) is where families gathered to honor their dead with feasts. Stone couches line the walls where mourners reclined Roman-style while practicing Egyptian death rituals.

The Hall of Caracalla contains bones from a 3rd-century massacre, a darker history preserved underground.

Reality Check:

The catacombs are not wheelchair accessible. Lots of stairs, uneven floors, and narrow passages. Not recommended for anyone with mobility issues or claustrophobia.

Also, bring a light jacket. It's genuinely cold underground, even in summer.

Best time to visit: Early morning (9-10 AM) before tour groups arrive. The catacombs feel much more atmospheric with fewer people.

3. Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Opened: 2002 (tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria)

Visit Time: 2-3 hours

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly recommended

Why it matters:

The ancient Library of Alexandria was the intellectual heart of the classical world. It's gone now, burned, destroyed, lost to history.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina doesn't try to recreate it. Instead, it honors that legacy with a stunning modern library that's become one of Alexandria Egypt historical sites in its own right.

What you'll see:

The building itself is architectural art. A massive disc tilted toward the Mediterranean, designed to look like the sun rising from the sea.

The exterior walls are carved with letters, numbers, and symbols from every written language in human history.

Inside, the main reading room holds 8 million books across seven floors of open shelves. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light.

But the real treasures are in the specialized museums:

Manuscript Museum: Ancient texts, medieval Islamic manuscripts, and rare first editions. Some documents are 1,000+ years old.

Antiquities Museum: Artifacts from underwater excavations in Alexandria's harbor. These are pieces pulled from Cleopatra's palace complex: pottery, statues, and architectural fragments that spent 2,000 years beneath the Mediterranean.

Planetarium: State-of-the-art shows about astronomy. Fitting for a city where ancient scholars mapped the stars.

Expert Insight:

"The Bibliotheca Alexandrina proves that Alexandria Egypt historical sites aren't just about the past. This building opened in 2002, but it already feels historic, a modern monument to ancient intellectual tradition." - Dr. Layla, Cultural Historian

Reality Check:

This isn't an ancient site. If you're looking for only old ruins, you might find it less compelling. But if you appreciate modern architecture and the idea of libraries as cultural monuments, it's worth the visit.

The museums inside charge separate entry fees. Budget accordingly if you want to see everything.

Best time to visit: Weekday afternoons (2-4 PM) when the main library is open but museums are less crowded.

4. Pompey's Pillar (Amoud El-Sawari)

Built: 298 CE (Roman era)

Visit Time: 30-45 minutes

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐ Worth visiting if time allows

Why it matters:

At 26.85 meters tall, Pompey's Pillar is the largest ancient column still standing outside of Rome and Constantinople. It's a single piece of red Aswan granite that has survived 1,700+ years of earthquakes, invasions, and Mediterranean storms.

The name "Pompey's Pillar" is completely wrong, by the way. Medieval crusaders thought it honored the Roman general Pompey. Actually, it commemorates Emperor Diocletian. The Greek inscription at the base makes this clear.

What you'll see:

One massive red granite column rising from the ruins of the ancient Serapeum (Temple of Serapis). Two smaller pillars flank it. A few sphinx statues guard the area.

Underground galleries and storage chambers snake beneath the complex. These served as library annexes when Alexandria's Great Library needed more space.

The surrounding archaeological park shows the foundations of the destroyed temple complex.

Reality Check:

This site takes 30-45 minutes maximum. You walk around the pillar, appreciate its scale, explore the underground chambers, and you're done.

It's worth seeing; the sheer engineering of moving and erecting a 27-meter granite column is impressive. But this isn't a multi-hour site.

Expert Insight:

"I tell people to visit Pompey's Pillar on the way to or from the catacombs; they're only 2 km apart. See both in one morning, then move to the waterfront sites in the afternoon." - Hassan, Traviio Tour Coordinator

Best time to visit: Morning (9-11 AM) before heat peaks. There's minimal shade at this site.

5. Roman Amphitheater (Kom El-Dikka)

Built: 2nd century CE

Visit Time: 1 hour

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Recommended

Why it matters:

This is the only complete Roman theater ever found in Egypt. Not partially intact. Not reconstructed. Complete with original marble seating and stage area, and even the acoustic design is still functional.

Roman theaters were entertainment centers, yes, but also civic meeting spaces. This is where Alexandria's Roman community gathered for plays, speeches, public debates, and political announcements.

What you'll see:

Thirteen tiers of marble seating are arranged in a semicircle. The theater held about 800 people, small by Roman standards, which suggests this was for Alexandria's elite rather than mass entertainment.

The acoustic design still works. Stand on stage and whisper; someone in the top row can hear you clearly. No microphones, no amplification. Just 1,800-year-old engineering that understood sound waves.

The Villa of the Birds sits adjacent to the theater. These are Roman residential quarters with stunning mosaic floors. Each room features different birds rendered in colored stone: peacocks, ducks, doves, and exotic species from across the Mediterranean.

Roman baths complete the complex. You can see the hypocaust (underfloor heating system), the frigidarium (cold room), the caldarium (hot room), and the original plumbing systems.

Reality Check:

The site is well-maintained but entirely exposed. No shade, no covered areas. Summer visits can be brutal. Bring sun protection and water.

Also, this is called an "amphitheater," but it's technically a theater. True amphitheaters are circular (like the Colosseum). This is semicircular, designed for staged performances rather than gladiatorial combat.

Expert Insight:

"The Villa of the Birds mosaics are some of the finest I've seen in any Mediterranean site. They're incredibly detailed and beautifully preserved, and you can walk right up to them, no barriers, no glass. Just 1,800-year-old art at your feet." - Dr. Samira, Classical Archaeologist

Best time to visit: Early morning (9-10 AM) or late afternoon (4-5 PM) when the marble isn't blazing hot from direct sun.

6. Alexandria National Museum

Building: Restored Italian-style palace (early 1900s)

Collection: 1,800+ artifacts

Visit Time: 1.5-2 hours

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly recommended

Why it matters:

This museum does something essential: it tells Alexandria's complete story chronologically across three floors.

Basement = Ancient Egyptian period, Ground floor = Greco-Roman period First floor = Islamic/Modern period

It's the best introduction to understanding Alexandria Egypt's historical sites because it provides context for everything you'll see elsewhere in the city.

What you'll see:

Basement (Ancient Egypt): Pharaonic statues, mummies, and funerary equipment. This establishes that Alexandria sits on much older Egyptian settlements.

Ground Floor (Greco-Roman): This is the museum's strength. Hellenistic sculptures showing Greek artistic styles applied to Egyptian subjects. Roman mosaics from underwater excavations. Ptolemaic coins bearing Cleopatra's profile.

The star piece is a black granite statue of Isis from the 2nd century CE. She's carved in Egyptian style, but the artistic technique is pure Roman.

First Floor (Islamic/Modern): Ottoman artifacts, Muhammad Ali dynasty memorabilia, photographs of 19th-century Alexandria, and modern art. This floor shows how Alexandria evolved from an ancient port to a modern cosmopolitan city.

Reality Check:

The museum is excellent but small. Those 1,800 artifacts are spread across a three-story palace, so you're not seeing massive halls filled with treasures. It's intimate, focused, and educational.

English descriptions are good but sometimes brief. Consider hiring a guide or using an audio guide for deeper context.

Best time to visit: Weekday mornings (10 AM-noon) when school groups haven't arrived yet.

7. Montaza Palace Gardens

Built: 1892-1932

Area: 370 acres along the Mediterranean

Visit Time: 2-3 hours

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐ Nice break from ruins

Why it matters:

Montaza Palace represents a different layer of Alexandria Egypt historical sites, royal Egypt, not ancient Egypt.

Khedive Abbas II built this complex as a summer escape from Cairo's heat. Later, King Farouk (Egypt's last king) spent time here before his 1952 exile.

The palace architecture blends Ottoman traditions with Italian Renaissance elements. It's a visual reminder that 19th-20th century Egypt was looking toward Europe while maintaining Islamic roots.

What you'll see:

You can't enter the main palace (Haramlek), but you can explore 370 acres of Mediterranean gardens.

Walking paths wind through palm groves, flower gardens, and perfectly manicured lawns. The gardens slope down to private beaches with turquoise water and white sand.

The Salamlek Palace (former guest quarters) now operates as a hotel. You can walk around its exterior and appreciate the architecture.

Reality Check:

This isn't ancient history. If your Alexandria time is limited to one day, prioritize the archaeological sites over Montaza.

But if you have two days, or if you're feeling "ruined out" from too many catacombs and columns, Montaza offers a completely different experience. It's peaceful, green, beautiful, and right on the Mediterranean.

Egyptians love Montaza for weekend family picnics. You'll see local families more than international tourists here.

Best time to visit: Late afternoon (3-5 PM), when you can catch the sunset over the Mediterranean from the gardens. Absolutely beautiful.

8. Anfushi Tombs

Period: 3rd-1st century BCE (Ptolemaic)

Visit Time: 45 minutes

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐ For archaeology enthusiasts

Why it matters:

The Anfushi Tombs show how Alexandria's wealthy families buried their dead during the Ptolemaic period, after Alexander's death, when Greek dynasties ruled Egypt.

What makes these tombs special isn't grandeur (they're modest compared to the Valley of the Kings tombs). It's the incredible painted decorations that survive nearly intact after 2,200+ years.

What you'll see:

Five rock-cut tombs carved into limestone cliffs. The painted walls show an artistic technique called "trompe-l'oeil," paint that imitates other materials.

Stone walls are painted to look like marble panels. Other walls appear to be wood-paneled. Ceilings are decorated with fake architectural elements that create illusions of depth and structure.

The tomb paintings also show cultural fusion: Egyptian gods (Anubis, Osiris, and Horus) dressed in Greek clothing, striking Greek poses, but maintaining Egyptian religious symbolism.

Reality Check:

This is a niche site. If you love archaeology, Hellenistic art, and painted tombs, you'll find Anfushi fascinating.

If you're more interested in "big impressive sites," you might find these tombs underwhelming after Kom El Shoqafa's catacombs.

The tombs are small. You're looking at five modest burial chambers, not sprawling underground cities. The entire visit takes 30-45 minutes.

Location helps: The Anfushi Tombs sit very close to the Citadel of Qaitbay. Easy to combine both in one afternoon.

Best time to visit: Any time is fine; the tombs are underground, so the weather doesn't matter. Avoid midday Friday (prayer time) when nearby areas get crowded.

9. Ras El Tin Palace

Built: 1830s by Muhammad Ali Pasha

Visit Time: Exterior viewing only (30 minutes)

Priority: ⭐⭐ Historical interest only

Why it matters:

Ras El Tin Palace witnessed one of modern Egypt's most significant moments: King Farouk's departure into exile on July 26, 1952.

After the Free Officers' Revolution, Egypt's last king left from this palace's pier, ending 150 years of the Muhammad Ali dynasty and thousands of years of monarchical rule in Egypt.

The palace itself represents 19th-century Egyptian royalty's aspirations, European-style architecture, a Mediterranean location, and Ottoman grandeur.

What you'll see:

Only the exterior. Ras El Tin Palace now serves as the Egyptian Navy headquarters and is closed to the public.

You can walk along the Corniche (waterfront promenade) and view the palace from outside. The architecture is impressive, Ottoman design mixed with European neoclassical elements. The waterfront location is beautiful.

But that's it. No interior access, no guided tours, no museums.

Reality Check:

This is worth seeing only if:

• You're already walking along the Corniche.

• You have an interest in modern Egyptian history.

• You've already seen all the major ancient sites

Don't make a special trip for the Ras El Tin Palace. It's a "nice to see while passing by" site, not a destination.

Bonus sites (If You Have Extra Time)

El Shatby Necropolis

Period: 3rd century BCE (the earliest Greek cemetery in Alexandria)

Priority: ⭐⭐ Specialists only

Small Hellenistic tombs with Greek architectural elements. Interesting for archaeology students, skippable for most visitors.

Mahmoud Said Museum

Period: Modern (20th century)

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐ Art lovers

Former home of Egypt's pioneering modern artist. Shows how European and Egyptian artistic traditions merged in early 1900s Alexandria. Small but excellent collection.

Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque

Built: 1775 (rebuilt 1943)

Priority: ⭐⭐⭐ Architectural beauty

One of Alexandria's most beautiful mosques. Ottoman-style architecture with stunning interiors. Open to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times (modest dress required).

Let's be honest. Not every "famous" site deserves your limited time.

Skip these if time is short:

Ras El Tin Palace: You can't go inside. Just exterior viewing. Only worth it if you're already walking past.

El Shatby Necropolis: Small, less impressive than the Kom El Shoqafa catacombs. For archaeology specialists only.

Some "ancient" sites are modern reconstructions: Be aware that some Alexandria sites are 20th-century reconstructions of ancient structures. They're historically interesting but not authentic ancient monuments.

Alexandria's ancient harbor contains submerged ruins, palace complexes, the Lighthouse foundation, and Roman-era buildings; approximately 25% of the ancient city is underwater.

Can You See It?

Yes, but with realistic expectations:

1.Diving Tours: Experienced divers can join archaeological diving tours. Limited availability; requires booking and a dive certification.

2.Glass-Bottom Boats: Tourist boats offer views of some underwater ruins. The water clarity varies, and you're seeing vague shapes, not clear structures.

This is the actual tour Traviio runs, refined across 2,500+ trips to show you the best Alexandria Egypt historical sites, plus something most tours skip: Rosetta, where the Rosetta Stone was discovered.

Tour: 5-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour | Traviio Tours

Includes: Transportation, hotel, entrance fees (except Library interior), meals, expert guide

Alexandria Egypt Historical Sites

Morning Departure from Cairo

Drive 2.5 hours to Alexandria's Mediterranean coast.

Citadel of Qaitbay

Built on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the Seven Wonders). The fortress was constructed using stones from the collapsed lighthouse. Walk through 15th-century corridors built from 2,000-year-old wonder stones while enjoying stunning Mediterranean views.

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

Descend 35 meters into Egypt's largest Roman burial site. See Egyptian gods wearing Roman armor, cultural fusion carved in stone 1,800 years ago.

Pompey's Pillar

One of the largest ancient monoliths ever erected from a single piece of stone. The 27-meter granite column has stood for 1,700+ years among the ruins of the ancient Serapeum temple.

Library of Alexandria

Photo stop at the modern library's stunning architecture, exterior walls carved with symbols from every written language in human history. (Interior visit available for an additional fee.)

Lunch

Fresh Mediterranean seafood along the Corniche.

AFTERNOON: ROSETTA

Drive to Rosetta

Most tours skip Rosetta. We include it because it's only 65 km away and offers Ottoman architecture, plus the actual Rosetta Stone discovery site.

Rosetta Fortress

Where French soldiers discovered the Rosetta Stone in 1799. See a replica and explore the fortress where Napoleon's scholars worked to decode hieroglyphs.

Nile Boat Ride

Peaceful felucca ride where the Nile meets the Mediterranean. Watch the sunset over the delta, and see fishermen working traditional nets.

Best Times to Visit Alexandria

Spring (March-May):

• Temperature: 18-25°C

• Weather: Perfect, mild, low humidity, minimal rain

• Crowds: Moderate • Best for: Everything

Summer (June-August):

• Temperature: 25-31°C

• Weather: Hot but Mediterranean breeze helps

• Crowds: High (Egyptian summer vacation season)

• Best for: Beach + ruins combination, underwater tours

Fall (September-November):

• Temperature: 22-28°C

• Weather: Ideal, comfortable warmth, calm seas

• Crowds: Low to moderate

• Best for: Photography (great light), comfortable exploration

Winter (December-February):

• Temperature: 12-18°C

• Weather: Cool, occasional rain, rough seas

• Crowds: Very low

• Best for: Museums, indoor sites, budget travel

Getting to Alexandria

From Cairo (225 km):

Train (Best Option):

• Departs from Ramses Station (Cairo)

• Duration: 2.5-3 hours

• Cost: 70-150 EGP (second class) / 180-250 EGP (first class)

• Comfortable, scenic, reliable

• Book tickets online or at the station the day before.

Bus: • Departs from Cairo Gateway Terminal

• Duration: 3-4 hours (depends on traffic)

• Cost: 50-100 EGP

• Budget option, less comfortable

• Go Egypt Bus and Super Jet are reliable companies

Private Car/Taxi:

• Duration: 2.5 hours via Desert Road

• Cost: 800-1,200 EGP (private car) / 400-600 EGP (shared taxi)

• Best for families or groups

• Book through your hotel or Traviio

Organized Day Tour:

• Includes: Transportation + guide + entry fees (usually)

• Most convenient, especially for first-time visitors

Where to Eat in Alexandria

Seafood (Alexandria's Specialty):

1.Fish Market Restaurant (Corniche)

• Fresh fish grilled Mediterranean-style

• Pick your fish, and they cook it

2.Kadoura (Multiple locations)

• Famous since 1967

• Alexandrian-style seafood

Local Egyptian Food:

3.Mohamed Ahmed (Multiple locations)

• Best ful and ta'meya (falafel) in Egypt

• Breakfast institution since 1950

4.Sobhy Kaber (Downtown)

• Traditional Alexandrian liver sandwiches

• Street food, quick, authentic

International/Upscale:

Balbaa Village (Montaza area)

• Lebanese and Mediterranean

• Beautiful harbor views

Dress Code & Etiquette

For Historical Sites:

• Comfortable, modest casual clothing

• Walking shoes (lots of uneven ancient surfaces)

• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)

For Mosques (if visiting):

• Cover shoulders and knees (both men and women).

• Women: headscarf required

• Remove shoes before entering

For Beach Areas:

• Standard beachwear acceptable at tourist beaches

• More conservative at local beaches

Alexandria Egypt historical sites offer something you won't find in Cairo or Luxor: 2,300 years of civilizations layered within a single Mediterranean city.

You won't see massive pharaonic temples here. You won't find pyramids. What you will find is Greco-Roman Egypt, early Christian Egypt, Islamic Egypt, and modern Egypt, all existing simultaneously.

The best sites are underground. The most fascinating artifacts are underwater. The most impressive fortress was built from one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Best for travelers who:

• Appreciate Greco-Roman history

• Love archaeological sites with cultural fusion

• Want to experience coastal Egypt, not just desert Egypt

• Enjoy fewer crowds than Cairo/Luxor. Have an interest in ancient libraries, philosophy, and intellectual history

Alexandria Egypt historical sites aren't for everyone. But for travelers who appreciate layered history, cultural synthesis, and Mediterranean beauty, this city offers something genuinely unique in Egypt.

Start planning your Alexandria visit. The ancient library scholars, the Roman engineers, and the medieval sultans left something worth discovering.