Alexandria Day Trip from Cairo Hotels to Historic Sites

Your full-day private tour to Alexandria begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel in Cairo by your personal guide and driver. Your first stop is the legendary Fort Qaitbay.
This stunning 15th-century fortress, built by Sultan Qaitbey, stands guard at the entrance to Alexandria's Eastern Harbor on a narrow peninsula. It was constructed on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Explore the formidable walls and towers of this picturesque citadel, originally built to defend the city from the Ottoman Empire, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Your next stop is a site of profound historical and religious significance: St. Mark's Church, widely regarded as the first Christian church established on the African continent.
The journey itself is a visual treat. As you drive through the old downtown, you'll be transported to a bygone era. Admire the elegant architecture that defines the cityscape, where Baroque flourishes blend seamlessly with grand Italianate facades and classic French design, reflecting Alexandria's rich and diverse history.

Your journey through history continues at the modern marvel of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a rebirth of the ancient library and a major center of culture on the Mediterranean.
Before entering, take a moment in the open court to admire statues of the city's legendary founders: Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I Soter.
Then, step inside to explore the library's brilliant museums. Your visit includes entry to the Sadat Museum, dedicated to the life of the former Egyptian president, and the fascinating Impressions of Alexandria Museum, which showcases the city's history through a unique collection of artworks, maps, and artifacts. Bibliotheca Alexandria is closed on Friday and Saturday and works until 02:00 pm.

Venture beneath the city to explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a hauntingly beautiful necropolis and one of the last great constructions of the ancient Egyptian funerary cult. This sprawling underground network is the largest Roman cemetery in the country and an architectural marvel where pharaonic imagery is carved in a classical Roman style.
The catacombs' modern discovery was straight out of an adventure tale. In 1900, the ground gave way beneath a donkey, plunging it into a hidden shaft and revealing this lost world of burial chambers, statues, and spiral staircases. You'll see firsthand the stunning syncretic art and hieroglyphic inscriptions that have survived for centuries.

Stand in the shadow of Pompey's Pillar, a monumental 25-meter red granite column that has towered over Alexandria since the Roman era. This single, majestic pillar is one of the largest of its kind ever constructed and the only remaining structure from the legendary Serapeum temple complex.

The Roman Amphitheater of Kom El Dekka was discovered entirely by chance in 1960. While workers were preparing the site for a new government building, they uncovered the remains of a solid column. An excavation team was immediately dispatched to the site, leading to one of the most important archaeological discoveries of 20th-century Egypt.
This well-preserved theater was built in the 4th century A.D. and remained in use for over 300 years, serving communities through the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic eras. After that, we will return you to your hotel.