Alexandria, Egypt
The second-largest city in Egypt and a major economic center, with a large seaport that contains nearly 80 percent of Egypt’s imports and exports, Alexandria is also a popular tourist destination. With an extraordinary history, founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was an important center of the Hellenistic civilization. If you are planning to visit this amazing city, check out our guide on its most important landmarks and activities.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Top choice museum in Alexandria
Built-in 2002 as a memorial to one of the largest and most important libraries in antiquity, the Royal Library of Alexandria. The old library was burnt down and with the fire, many of its books were destroyed. The modern library may not be as important and rich as the previous one, yet it’s still a large library and a major cultural center including three museums, four art galleries, a planetary and a laboratory where they rescue and fix old manuscripts. They also have a good section of children’s books which can be fun to explore if you’re on holiday with your kids.
The exterior of the library resembles a slanted, white disk, a unique piece of architecture that is almost impossible to miss. For such an iconic building, it is indeed a must-see for visitors heading to Alexandria!
Below the main library, visitors can explore a range of beautifully curated exhibitions. The Manuscript Museum, with its magnificent collection of ancient texts and scrolls, and the Antiquities Museum, with its Greco-Roman antiquities and statuary found during underwater exploration in the harbour, are the two prime attractions. But there are also rotating art exhibitions, a permanent Egyptian folk art collection, and a Science Museum and Planetarium that are aimed squarely at children.
Alexandria National Museum
The National Museum of Alexandria is located on El Horreya Street, and it is the former headquarters of a businessman for timber trade Asaad Bassili. He built his villa in Italian style and extends over an area of 3,480 meters. The palace was a popular gathering place for many high-ranking people in the last century, especially in the 1930s and 1940s. The National Museum of Alexandria opened to the public in 2003.
The museum documents the history of Alexandria from the Pharaonic era through the 19th century. Its 1,800 objects include statues recovered from under the waters of Alexandria’s bay, Coptic icons, weapons, and chinaware. Labels are in Arabic and English. Alexandria National Museum nicely sums up the history of Alexandria on three floors.
The museum’s ground floor is dedicated to the Greco-Roman era, and highlights include the Sphinx and other sculptures found during underwater excavations at Abu Qir.
The cellar covers the Pharaonic period with discoveries from all over Egypt. Note the false doors, which were the link between the living and the dead, and the backup heads that were placed near the corpse as a replacement for the head in the afterlife.
The upper floor displays artifacts from Byzantine, Islamic and modern times, including coins, Ottoman weapons and jewellery. Don’t miss the cool silver shield. The early coexistence of Alexandria’s major religions is a carved wooden cross surrounded by a crescent.
Hours: The museum is open from 9 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon. Please note that cameras are not allowed inside!
Fort Qaitbey
The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean sea coast, in Alexandria, Egypt. It was established in 1477 AD (882 AH) by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa’it Bay. The Citadel is situated on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos Island at the mouth of the Eastern Harbour. The citadel of Alexandria was named after Sultan Ashraf Qaitbay who wanted to protect Alexandria city from the Ottoman Empire's direct threats.
The fortress’ current form is not the original. It was heavily damaged during the British bombardment of Alexandria during a nationalist uprising against British hegemony in 1882 and rebuilt around the turn of the 20th century.
The Interior Design of the Citadel
The castle is square-shaped with 150 meter area surrounded by the middle sea from each side. The first floor contains a mosque and defence hall that allow soldiers to pass easily and defend the walls during wars; the second floor contains chambers and halls while the third floor consist of a huge throne chamber where Qaitbay Sultan used to watch the sailing ships towards Alexandria shores, also has an oven for making wheat bread for the soldiers living in the citadel.
The Qaitbay Citadel throughout History
Since the Qaitbay Fortress is one of the most important establishments in Egypt, many kings and rulers who ruled the country have given special attention to this amazing piece of Islamic architecture in Alexandria Egypt.
The Citadel During the Mamluk Era
Qaitbay Citadel has an important position on the white sea coast, that’s why many sultans and kings took care of it through the ages during the Mamluk period. Beginning with Sultan El Ghory, the last Burji Mamluk to rule Egypt, in the 16th century from 1501 till 1516, as he renovated many sections of the Qaitbay Fortress, provided the citadel with more weapons and soldiers, and renewed some parts that needed restorations.
The Citadel During the Ottoman Empire
When the Ottomans ruled Egypt, they took the castle as an important stronghold to protect the northern coast of Egypt. They added ranks and classes to Alexandria’s fortress soldiers and divided them into infantry, horsemen, and artillery. Moreover, when the French army invaded Egypt in 1798, they took control of the castle as a starting point for their rule over Egypt.
Mohammed Ali Pasha Period
Mohamed Ali, the builder of modern Egypt, recognized the importance of the citadel of Alexandria when he renovated the citadel walls, towers and devolved the defending line to match the military development of the 19th century and added more modern canons in order to preserve this important part of the land of the Nile.
In 1882, the revolution of Ahmed Oraby started then the English occupation which one of its results was destroying the castle leading to in many cracks in the walls of the citadel which remained like this for more than 25 years through Egypt’s history.
In 1904, the Islamic Monuments Preserve Committee made many renovations and restorations in the Qaitbay Citadel of Alexandria based on the studies carried out by the French scientists and scholars during their occupation of Egypt.
Today, the Qaitbay Citadel has become one of the most popular historical sites in Alexandria which is often visited by Egyptians and also the travellers who enjoy their tours in Alexandria city.
Kom el-Dikka
Archaeological site in Alexandria
Nobody thought much of the ancient rubble mound in central Alexandria until, in 1947, they decided to vacate the site to make way for new housing. Instead, the area, known as Kom al-Dikka (“the hill of rubble”), revealed a large collection of ancient monuments, including the Little Roman Theater. Excavations began, and today, this park area includes the remains of a Ptolemaic Temple and mosaic flooring for rich Roman era dwellings now known as the Villa of Birds.
Roman Amphitheatre
The theatre consists of thirteen terraces and was built in the traditional Greek style, with a flat platform in the center at the lowest level and high rows that rise in steps surrounding three-quarters of the stage. All bench seating is carved in white or grey marble except for the first row, which is red granite.
It is the only ancient “university” that has been discovered so far in the entire Mediterranean region. No wonder that ancient Alexandria, at that time was one of the leading centres for teaching and learning, is nowadays called “Oxford” in late antiquity.
Public Bath
To the north of the Roman theatre, there are remains of a public bath that may date from the fourth century. This site remained in continuous use until the seventh century, similar to the traditional Roman baths in design, and the original structure was built of red brick ideal for retaining heat and had a row of rooms. In its initial design, the bathrooms include hot and cold water baths.
Kom Al-Dekka Villas and Houses
During the first and second centuries BC, this site contains villas and homes for the richest citizens of Alexandria, and the site also contains small houses and workshops dating back to the Roman era.
The best-preserved villa is the Bird Villa, and the name is derived from the colourful mosaic that contained a variety of birds. He decorates the floor of one of his rooms. Only part of this villa has been discovered by archaeologists, including the dining room, with a black and white carpet like a mosaic that runs along three walls. Other discoveries include a variety of containers and amphora that stored wine, water, and food.
Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa
Discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey disappeared through the ground, these catacombs make up the largest-known Roman burial site in Egypt and one of the last major works of construction dedicated to the religion of ancient Egypt. Demonstrating Alexandria’s hallmark fusion of Pharaonic and Greek styles, the architects used a Graeco-Roman approach. The catacombs consist of three tiers of tombs and chambers cut into bedrock to a depth of 35m (the bottom level is flooded and inaccessible).
Entry is through a spiral staircase leading down into the ground to the main rotunda. To the right, you can enter the main burial chamber and also the Sepulchral Chapel with 91 loculi, each large enough to accommodate three or four mummies. To the left is a large room known as the Triclinium Funebre, which would have been used for banquets in honour of the dead.
Hall of Caracalla or Nebengrab
The so-called Hall of Caracalla or Nebengrab was discovered adjacent to the Great Catacomb. It is composed of a court with an altar at its center. From the court, there is access into the corridors that contain burial chambers. There were several horse skeletons found, and thus the place was set to perform ritual animal sacrifices. The horses were most probably related to sports.
The Tomb of Tigrane
The Tomb of Tigrane is situated a few meters away from the main entrance to the catacombs. It was discovered in 1952 at Tigrane Pasha Street (Now Port Said Street). It was then transported to Kom El Shoqafa near the main entrance of the Catacombs. The colourfully painted tomb bears a variety of Egyptian and Greek motifs which would have appealed to the diverse inhabitants of the cosmopolitan city.
The Tomb of Wardian
Located a few meters away from the Tomb of Tigrane, is the Tomb of Wardian. The tomb got its name from the district of Wardian in Alexandria, in the western necropolis complex. The Tomb was reconstructed in its present location and it consists of a small painted chapel that once hosted a marvellous statue of an ancient Egyptian goddess Isis.
The Sarcophagi Displayed in the Garden
Outside in the garden, several sarcophagi are displayed, reflecting the fine masonry and craftsmanship of the artisans during that period. On the sides of these sarcophagi, are depictions of legendary figures and ancient gods in a variety of forms and motifs.
Pompey's Pillar
The Memorial of Diocletian (Pompey's Pillar)
The so-called “Pompey Pillar” is the biggest memorial column in Egypt. It is a huge column of red granite, with a total height of about 28 meters and a base diameter of 2.7m. On the upper part at the western side is an inscription in Greek, which reads: “to the most just Emperor, tutelary of Alexandria Diocletian, the invincible, Postumus, the Prefect of Egypt (who erected this monument).”
The column was named by travellers who remembered the murder of the Roman General Pompey by Cleopatra’s brother, but an inscription on the base (presumably once covered with rubble) announces that it was erected in AD 291 to support a statue of the emperor Diocletian.
Underneath the column, steps lead down to the ruins of the great temple of Serapis, the hybrid Greek and Egyptian god of Alexandria. Also here was the ‘daughter library’ of the Great Library of Alexandria, which was said to have contained copies and overflow of texts. These scrolls could be consulted by anyone using the temple, making it one of the most important intellectual and religious centres in the Mediterranean.
Royal Jewelry Museum
The Royal Jewelry Museum of Egypt is located in Alexandria’s Zizenia neighbourhood and is one of the largest museums in Egypt with a surface area of around 4,185 meters. Moreover, the Royal Jewelry Museum hosts the most valuable displays including the jewellery and the ornaments that the queens and the princesses of the last royal family of Egypt have worn for a considerable period of time.
The palace of Princess Fatma El Zahraa (1903-1983) was chosen to be an art museum to house and display the personal jewellery collection of the ‘Mohamed Ali’ Royal Dynasty. The collection reflects the richness and luxury of the royal family. Princess Fatima was well known for her deep love for art. Besides jewellery, the museum houses 11,000 artifacts, which are considered valuable pieces of heritage in both artistic and historical terms.
Montazah Gardens
The eccentrically designed Montazah Palace, with its ornate Florentine-inspired towers and Rococo flourishes, is not open to the public, but everyone is welcome to stroll within the sprawling gardens, which can be a welcome slice of nature after a day spent within Alexandria’s hustle. On the coastal end of the park is a small beach with a peculiarly whimsical bridge to a small island. The complex also contains five beaches for swimming: Aida, Cleopatra, Vanessa, Semiramis, and the private beach of Helnan Palestine Hotel.
There are all sorts of fun to be had in Montaza. One great option is to take a boat ride and see the gardens from the water. Other awesome marine activities are waterskiing, diving, snorkelling, or even just chilling out in front of the ocean.
Day Trip to the El Alamein War Memorials
The hardscrabble township of El Alamein, about 112 kilometres west of Alexandria, holds a fascinating place in modern world history. It was across this parched piece of nondescript desert that the Allies’ first decisive victory in World War II’s North Africa campaign was won. The bloody battles that took place here in October 1942 killed or wounded more than 80,000 soldiers from countries as varied as Australia, New Zealand, India, and Great Britain (Allies), as well as Germany and Italy (Axis Forces).
Diving in Alexandria
While the Red Sea may steal divers’ hearts, Alexandria offers a strange alternative in Egypt. Visitors can explore ancient artifacts that everyone left from pharmacies to WWII pilots.
You won’t find colourful corals and clear water here like in the Red Sea but what you will find is some of the most interesting dives in the world. From underwater cities to palaces and wrecks, there are an estimated 7000 artefacts and monuments from the Pharaonic and Roman eras that are preserved underwater here.
To the east of the city is Abu Quir Bay and the battle of the Nile was fought here so there are a couple of wrecks. You need to be an advanced diver to do any wreck dives in the area. Beginners can enjoy diving around some ruins and a shallow wreck of an airplane from World War II, Faros Island or Lighthouse with headless statues and the ruins of an ancient lighthouse.
The best dive in the area is Cleopatra’s Palace in the Eastern Harbour. The city was built by Alexander the Great in 300 BC and collapsed into the sea after an earthquake. There’s a statue of Mark Anthony, Cleopatra’s royal districts and sun boat and a plane wreck. Another great ruins site is Pharos Lighthouse.
*It’s very important that you contact the dive centre two days before you want to dive and provide them with a copy of your passport so that they can prepare all the permissions for you.
*Enjoy this amazing diving experience and be sure to let us know what your favourite dive is in Alexandria.