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Alexandria
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Alexandria, Egypt blends Mediterranean seafronts, ancient history, Greco-Roman landmarks, seafood traditions and lively cultural life for curious travellers.

A Mediterranean Capital of Culture

Alexandria stretches along Egypt’s northern coast, where the Mediterranean gives the city a broad horizon and a distinctive atmosphere unlike that of the Nile Valley. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, it became a centre of learning, commerce and political power under the Ptolemies and later developed through Roman, Arab, Ottoman and modern Egyptian eras. Today, its corniche, cafés, fishing boats and busy streets convey a lived-in coastal character rather than the feel of an open-air archaeological site.
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Ancient Alexandria in the Modern City

The city’s celebrated ancient institutions have largely disappeared, but their legacy remains central to its identity. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002 near the site traditionally associated with the ancient Library of Alexandria, is both a major cultural institution and an arresting piece of contemporary architecture. Nearby, the Roman theatre at Kom El-Dikka, the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the Serapeum’s surviving column at Pompey’s Pillar reveal the scale and complexity of Graeco-Roman Alexandria. At the eastern harbour, the Citadel of Qaitbay occupies the area traditionally linked with the Pharos lighthouse.

Seafront Streets and Local Life

Alexandria is best understood through contrasts: grand waterfront views beside crowded markets, Italianate and Ottoman-era buildings beside concrete apartment blocks, and seafood restaurants alongside small shops serving koshari, falafel and fresh bread. The districts of Anfushi, Mansheya and the central streets around Saad Zaghloul Square offer glimpses of the city’s working port culture, while Montaza’s gardens provide a more spacious setting east of the centre. Museums, bookshops, cafés and evening promenades add a cultural rhythm shaped by the sea, Alexandria’s cosmopolitan past and its enduring importance to Egypt.

When is the best time to visit Alexandria?

Best: April–May, November · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January173
February183
March212
April (best)241
May (best)280
June320
July340
August340
September330
October300
November (best)261
December202

Getting to and around Alexandria

How to get there

Alexandria is served primarily by Borg El Arab International Airport, west of the city, while Alexandria International Airport has a more limited role. Borg El Arab connects the region with domestic and international destinations, and onward travel into Alexandria is normally by taxi or pre-arranged road transport. Trains from Cairo arrive at Misr Station in the city centre, with rail services forming one of the most practical links between the two cities; schedules and service levels vary. Long-distance buses and private cars also use the Cairo–Alexandria road corridor. There is no regular passenger ferry service that functions as a principal international gateway to Alexandria.

Transportation

Central Alexandria can be explored on foot, particularly along sections of the Corniche and around Mansheya, Saad Zaghloul Square and the older commercial streets. The city has local buses, minibuses and the Alexandria tram network, although routes and vehicles can be difficult for first-time visitors to navigate. Taxis are widely used, and ride-hailing applications may offer a more transparent way to arrange journeys. Traffic is often heavy, especially on the Corniche and major central roads, so allow extra time between archaeological sites. Trams can be useful for orientation but are not a comprehensive sightseeing system, while cycling requires confidence in dense traffic.

Best attractions in Alexandria

Alexandria’s attractions reflect several distinct chapters of its history. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, with its vast sloping roof and sea-facing site, provides galleries, exhibitions and a modern interpretation of the city’s ancient intellectual reputation. At Kom El-Dikka, a Roman theatre, bath complex and civic buildings reveal the scale of late antique urban life, while the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa combine Egyptian, Greek and Roman funerary imagery beneath the modern streets. Pompey’s Pillar stands amid the remains of the Serapeum, and the Alexandria National Museum presents artefacts from Pharaonic, Hellenistic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic periods. At the eastern harbour, the Citadel of Qaitbay offers views across the water and occupies the traditional site associated with the Pharos lighthouse. Montaza Palace gardens provide a contrasting experience, with landscaped grounds and a coastal setting away from the central traffic.

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Best landmarks in Alexandria

The Citadel of Qaitbay is Alexandria’s most recognisable historic structure, a fifteenth-century Mamluk fortress built on the harbour site traditionally associated with the Pharos lighthouse. Its stone walls and coastal position express the city’s long defensive relationship with the Mediterranean. Pompey’s Pillar, a red Aswan-granite column rising from the Serapeum complex, is a surviving monument of Roman Alexandria, although its name reflects a later association rather than its original purpose. The catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are significant for their fusion of Egyptian, Greek and Roman funerary forms, while the Roman theatre at Kom El-Dikka provides evidence of civic and cultural life under Roman rule. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is the city’s major modern landmark, its circular form and vast inclined roof creating a contemporary architectural statement beside the ancient harbour landscape.

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Explore Alexandria on the map

Plan your Alexandria trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in Alexandria

Best restaurants in Alexandria

Alexandria’s food culture is closely tied to the Mediterranean and the city’s working harbour. Seafood is the defining speciality, with fish, prawns, calamari and mussels often selected by weight or from the day’s catch and prepared simply with rice, salad, bread or spicy sauces. Local restaurants range from informal fish cafés around the port districts to more polished dining rooms along the Corniche. Egyptian staples such as koshari, ful medames, taamiya, grilled meats and liver sandwiches are widely available, while bakeries and small cafés provide flatbreads, pastries, tea and strong coffee. In Anfushi, Mansheya and central commercial streets, busy establishments can offer a more distinctly Alexandrian atmosphere than restaurants designed primarily for visitors. Menus and payment practices vary, so checking the bill and asking about service charges is sensible.

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Best bars in Alexandria

Alexandria’s evenings are shaped more by seaside promenades, cafés and family social life than by a concentrated club scene. The Corniche fills with walkers and groups meeting for tea, coffee, juice and shisha, while central cafés around Saad Zaghloul Square and older commercial districts remain important places to sit and watch the city after dark. Hotel bars provide the most consistent setting for wine, cocktails and international drinks, as alcohol is not served in every local establishment. Cultural evenings may include cinema, theatre, concerts or events at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, depending on the programme. Anfushi and the harbour area can be atmospheric at night, but visitors should favour well-used streets and arranged transport when returning to accommodation.

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Best nightclubs in Alexandria

Alexandria’s evenings are shaped more by seaside promenades, cafés and family social life than by a concentrated club scene. The Corniche fills with walkers and groups meeting for tea, coffee, juice and shisha, while central cafés around Saad Zaghloul Square and older commercial districts remain important places to sit and watch the city after dark. Hotel bars provide the most consistent setting for wine, cocktails and international drinks, as alcohol is not served in every local establishment. Cultural evenings may include cinema, theatre, concerts or events at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, depending on the programme. Anfushi and the harbour area can be atmospheric at night, but visitors should favour well-used streets and arranged transport when returning to accommodation.

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Best shops in Alexandria

Shopping in Alexandria ranges from dense traditional markets to modern malls and practical local commerce. The central districts around Mansheya and Attarine contain crowded streets of clothing shops, household goods, spices, jewellery, books and everyday Egyptian products, while markets near the port offer a more local and sometimes noisy experience. Visitors can look for spices, sweets, dates, Egyptian cotton goods, leather items and small decorative objects, though quality and provenance should be checked carefully. Attarine is also associated with antiques and second-hand goods, but genuine antiquities cannot be exported without official documentation and should not be purchased casually. Contemporary retail is more visible in large shopping centres and hotel districts, while small bakeries, delicatessens and seafood sellers provide edible alternatives to standard souvenirs.

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Alexandria essentials

Currency and Payment
Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian pound, written as EGP or often shown locally as LE. Banks, hotels, larger restaurants and established shops commonly accept international cards, but smaller cafés, market stalls, taxis and inexpensive local eateries may require cash. ATMs are available in central districts and near major hotels, although international cards can occasionally be declined or incur exchange fees. Carrying modest Egyptian-pound notes is useful for short taxi journeys, refreshments and small admissions. Travellers should use reputable exchange offices or banks and keep some cash separately from cards and essential documents.
Safety
Visitors should take ordinary urban precautions in Alexandria, including keeping phones and wallets secure in crowded markets, on public transport and around busy stations. Traffic is a more immediate practical concern than in many compact European cities, so take care when crossing wide roads and avoid assuming that vehicles will yield. Use established taxis or ride-hailing services where possible, particularly after dark or for longer journeys. Keep valuables discreet, follow current official advice regarding demonstrations and avoid photographing sensitive government, military or port facilities. At the coast, observe local advice about swimming conditions and do not assume every stretch of waterfront is suitable for bathing.
Emergency Situations
In Egypt, the principal emergency numbers are 123 for ambulance services, 122 for police and 180 for fire services; 112 may also connect callers to general emergency assistance from mobile phones. Visitors should state their location clearly and, where possible, ask hotel staff, a trusted local contact or a nearby police officer to help communicate in Arabic. Carry travel insurance details and information about existing medical conditions. For non-urgent treatment, established hospitals and private clinics in Alexandria can assist, but standards and payment arrangements vary, so confirm coverage before receiving care whenever circumstances permit.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when entering mosques, churches and conservative neighbourhoods, and cover shoulders and knees where local custom or site rules require it. Remove shoes when instructed in mosques and ask before photographing people, especially workers, children or religious ceremonies. Public displays of affection should remain discreet. Bargaining is common in some markets and with informal sellers but is not appropriate everywhere, and a service charge does not always replace a small tip. Do not touch archaeological remains, climb monuments or photograph prohibited facilities. During Ramadan, continue to show consideration around daytime eating and drinking in public, while recognising that practices differ between settings.
Local Tips
The Corniche is useful for understanding Alexandria’s geography, but the city’s historic core is best explored through shorter walks linked by taxi. Combine Kom El-Dikka with nearby central streets, and plan the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and Pompey’s Pillar as a separate visit because they are farther west. Anfushi and Mansheya reveal the port city’s working character, while Montaza offers gardens and open space east of the centre. Museums and archaeological sites may have changing opening arrangements, so check locally before setting out. A few Arabic phrases, small notes and patience with traffic make everyday encounters easier.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloمرحبا[marhaba]
Goodbyeوداعا[wada'an]
Yesنعم[na'am]
Noلا[la]
Please/You're welcomeمن فضلك[min fadlak]
Thank youشكرا[shukran]
Excuse me/Sorryعذرا[a'dhran]
How are you?أزيك؟[ezayak?]
Fine. And you?تمام. وأنت؟[tamam. wa-ant?]
Do you speak English?بتتكلم إنجليزي؟[betetkalem ingilizi?]
I don't understandمش فاهم[mesh fahem]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseعايز أشوف القائمة، من فضلك[ayiz ashuf elqa'ema, min fadlak]
I don't eat meatأنا مش بآكل لحم[ana mesh ba'akol lahme]
Cheers!في صحتك![fi sahtak!]
I would like to pay, pleaseعايز أدفع، من فضلك[ayiz adfa', min fadlak]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!مساعدة![mosa'ada!]
Go away!روح بعيد![ruh ba'id!]
Call the Police!اتصل بالشرطة![etssel baleshurta!]
Call a doctor!اتصل بطبيب![etssel betebib!]
I'm lostانا ضايع[ana daye']
I'm illانا مريض[ana mareed]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...عايز أشتري...[ayiz ashtari...]
I'm just lookingأنا بس بشوف[ana bas beshuf]
How much is it?بكام؟[bikam?]
That's too expensiveده غالي أوي[da ghali awe]
Can you lower the price?ممكن تنزل السعر؟[momken tenzel elsa'er?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?كام الساعة؟[kam elsa'a?]
It's one o'clockالساعة واحدة[elsa'a wahda]
Half past (10)العاشر والنص[ela'asher wannes]
Morningصباح[sabah]
Afternoonبعد الظهر[ba'd elzohor]
Eveningمساء[masa']
Yesterdayأمس[ams]
Todayاليوم[alyoum]
Tomorrowغدا[ghadan]
1واحد[wahid]
2اتنين[etneen]
3تلاتة[talata]
4أربعة[arba'a]
5خمسة[khamsa]
6ستة[sitta]
7سبعة[saba'a]
8ثمانية[thamania]
9تسعة[tes'a]
10عشرة[ashara]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?وين في...؟[wein fi...?]
What's the address?إيه العنوان؟[eh el'anoan?]
Can you show me (on the map)?تقدر توريني (على الخريطة)؟[takdar tawrini (ala elkhareta)?]
When's the next (bus)?إمتى القادم (أتوبيس)؟[emta el'adim (otobis)?]
A ticket (to ....)تذكرة (إلى...)[tazkira (ila...)]

History of Alexandria

Foundation by Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great founded Alexandria in 331 BC on the Mediterranean coast, choosing a site near the Egyptian settlement of Rhakotis and opposite the island of Pharos. Planned by the architect Dinocrates, the new city was laid out with broad streets, harbours and a grid that reflected Hellenistic urban ideals. Its position linked Egypt with the Aegean, the eastern Mediterranean and wider trading networks. After Alexander’s death, the city passed to Ptolemy I, who established a dynasty that ruled Egypt for nearly three centuries. From its beginning, Alexandria was both a royal capital and a port shaped by the movement of merchants, scholars, soldiers and migrants.

The Ptolemaic Age of Scholarship

Under the Ptolemies, Alexandria became one of the ancient Mediterranean’s leading centres of scholarship. The Mouseion, a research institution associated with the royal court, attracted mathematicians, astronomers, physicians, poets and philosophers, while the Library of Alexandria became a powerful symbol of organised learning and the collection of texts. The Pharos lighthouse, constructed on the island of Pharos in the third century BC, guided ships into the harbour and later became one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Alexandria was also marked by cultural complexity, with Greek, Egyptian and Jewish communities living within a politically powerful but sometimes tense urban society.

Roman Alexandria and Early Christianity

Alexandria became part of the Roman world after the defeat of Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony by Octavian in 31 BC. As a major grain-exporting port, it supplied Rome and remained one of the empire’s most important cities. Roman construction and administration left traces in the theatre complex at Kom El-Dikka, underground tombs such as the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the Serapeum associated with the cult of Serapis. The city was also a major centre of early Christianity, producing influential theological traditions. Religious conflict and political change altered Alexandria’s institutions, though its commercial importance continued into late antiquity.

Arab Conquest and Medieval Port Life

Arab forces conquered Alexandria in 641 AD during the expansion of the early Islamic state, after which Egypt’s political centre gradually shifted towards the new foundation of Fustat and later Cairo. Alexandria nevertheless remained a significant Mediterranean port, connected to trade across the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Its population, religious institutions and built environment changed through successive Islamic periods, including the Tulunid, Fatimid, Ayyubid and Mamluk eras. The Pharos lighthouse survived in altered form until earthquakes damaged it in the fourteenth century. Sultan Qaitbay later built the fortress that now occupies the strategic harbour site in the late fifteenth century.

Ottoman Rule and European Commerce

The Ottoman conquest of Egypt in 1517 reduced Alexandria’s political prominence but did not erase its importance as a maritime gateway. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, commercial links with European powers intensified, and merchants, consuls and migrant communities contributed to a cosmopolitan urban society. The city’s fortunes changed decisively under Muhammad Ali and his successors, whose reforms strengthened Egypt’s military, agricultural and commercial infrastructure. The Mahmoudiyah Canal connected Alexandria more effectively with the Nile and inland markets, while improvements to the harbour and transport links supported renewed growth.

Modernisation, War and Egyptian Identity

Alexandria expanded rapidly during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, acquiring new boulevards, villas, apartment buildings, tramways and commercial districts. Its cosmopolitan population included Greeks, Italians, Jews, Levantines and other communities alongside Egyptian residents, a social mixture reflected in literature and architecture. The city suffered damage and disruption during the world wars and the political changes surrounding the 1952 Egyptian Revolution. Many foreign communities later departed, while nationalisation reshaped property and commerce. Contemporary Alexandria retains fragments of its layered urban past, from colonial-era façades and older port quarters to archaeological sites and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Alexandria in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Alexandria, Egypt

Discover Alexandria like never before with Evendo, the 100% free app-based travel guide offering insights into landmarks, attractions, eateries, and more.

  • Detailed information on top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
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Evendo is your all-in-one travel guide to Alexandria, Egypt. Explore landmarks, book tours, and experience the city like a local with our free app.

  • Historical insights and travel essentials for Alexandria
  • Local advice to enhance your visit
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature
  • Curated tips to experience the city like a local
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Planning a trip to Alexandria, Egypt? Make the most out of your visit with Evendo, your ultimate app-based travel guide. From the ancient charm of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina to the stunning Montaza Palace, Evendo covers all the famous landmarks and hidden gems. Dive into the rich history with detailed information about the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, and enjoy the Mediterranean breeze at the Alexandria Corniche.

Looking for the best places to eat and drink? Evendo has you covered with recommendations for top restaurants like the Fish Market and Athineos. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy café or an upscale dining experience, our app provides local tips and contact details to make your dining experience delightful.

But that’s not all. Evendo makes it simple to book hotels, tours, tickets, and unique experiences right from the app. No more endless searching – everything you need is in one place. The app offers an easy-to-navigate interface and a 'Near Me' feature to help you find the best attractions, shops, bars, and nightclubs around you. Plus, enjoy curated local tips to experience Alexandria like a true local.

Download Evendo now and start your adventure in Alexandria, Egypt. It's 100% free with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. Plus, with coverage of over 7,000 other destinations worldwide, Evendo is your perfect travel companion wherever you go.

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