Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, Alexandria was the intellectual lighthouse of the ancient world—home to the fabled Library and the 120‑meter Pharos that guided ships for centuries. Today, the city’s layered past glows in catacombs, Roman theaters, Ottoman forts, and Belle Époque mansions lining a windswept Corniche.

Expect a Mediterranean rhythm: long seaside strolls, grilled fish fresh from Anfushi, and strong coffee in century‑old cafés. Book lovers make pilgrimages to the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina; history fans drift from Pompey’s Pillar to the Qaitbey Citadel; sunset seekers cross Stanley Bridge as the surf roars below.

Practical notes: Alexandria is pleasant most of the year (sea breeze helps), though summers are warm. Dress modestly at religious sites. Card acceptance is improving; cash remains handy. During Ramadan (dates vary each year; spring 2025), some opening hours shift—check schedules the day before. Monitor current travel advisories and local guidance.

Alexandria

Alexandria’s personality blends ancient grandeur with 19th‑ and 20th‑century cosmopolitan flair. Greek, Italian, Armenian, and Egyptian influences linger in bakeries and balconies along Fouad Street and Saad Zaghloul Square.

• Top sights: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Citadel of Qaitbey, Catacombs of Kom el‑Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar (Serapeum), Roman Amphitheatre at Kom el‑Dikka, Montaza Palace & Gardens, Royal Jewelry Museum, Stanley Bridge.
• Local flavor: Try baladi breakfast (foul, ta‘meya) at Mohamed Ahmed, seafood at the Greek Club “White & Blue,” and rose‑water desserts from heritage patisseries like Délices and Trianon.
• Fun fact: The Qaitbey Citadel sits where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood—stone from the fallen Pharos likely reinforced the fort’s walls.

Where to stay. For sea views and easy Corniche access, look in Raml Station, Sidi Gaber–Stanley, or San Stefano. For Belle Époque vibes, consider central heritage hotels; for beach clubs, look east near Montaza. Browse stays on Hotels.com or apartment‑style options on VRBO.

Getting in. Fly to Alexandria’s Borg El Arab (HBE) or via Cairo (CAI), then transfer. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From Cairo to Alexandria, figure 2.5–3 hours by private car (roughly $70–120 one way) or about 2–3 hours by rail (standard fares are budget‑friendly; buy at the station). Taxis/Careem within Alex are plentiful; traffic eases outside rush hours.

Day 1: Arrival, Corniche Stroll, and Sunset Over the Sea

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the travel day with a gentle walk along the Corniche, pausing on Stanley Bridge to watch fishermen cast lines into the foam. Coffee and a sweet pick‑me‑up at Délices Patisserie (since 1922)—order the mille‑feuille or pistachio tart plus a Turkish coffee.

Evening: Head to the Greek Club “White & Blue” near the Citadel for panoramic harbor views. Share grilled octopus, red mullet, and Greek salad with briny local feta; pair with fresh lemon and tahini dips. For dessert, stroll to Trianon by Saad Zaghloul Square for classic cakes in a salon that whispers Belle Époque stories.

Night: Cap the night at Skyroof (Windsor Palace Hotel rooftop) for sea‑breeze cocktails and a bird’s‑eye view of the tramlines. Prefer something old‑school? Cap D’Or (Sheikh Ali) is one of Egypt’s most storied bars—tiny, atmospheric, and beloved by artists.

Day 2: Alexandria’s Ancient Layers with a Private Guide

Dedicate the day to the city’s greatest hits with a licensed Egyptologist—efficient, illuminating, and perfect for first‑timers. This full‑day tour typically covers the Catacombs of Kom el‑Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar (the Serapeum), the Roman Amphitheatre at Kom el‑Dikka, the Citadel of Qaitbey, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Expect insightful context on Ptolemaic rituals, Roman theatre acoustics, and how the modern Library nods to its storied ancestor.

Book: Private Alexandria Highlights Guided Day Tour

Pre/post eats: Start with a baladi breakfast at Mohamed Ahmed (since 1957): foul drizzled with tahini, ta‘meya hot from the fryer, and pickles. After the tour, celebrate with seafood on the water at Fish Market—choose your catch (sea bass, shrimp, calamari), then ask for it sayadeyah‑style with caramelized onion rice. For an evening sweet, try Gelati Azza (mango or mistika) while strolling the promenade.

Alternative for archaeology lovers: Alexandria Full Day Trip covers similar classics with an archaeological lens.

Day 3: Cairo Day Trip — Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and Museum Masterpieces

This is a big day—and absolutely worth it. Depart early for Cairo to gaze up at the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx; add the panoramic viewpoint for sweeping photos of all three pyramids. Your guide will then steer you to a museum visit (the historic Egyptian Museum or new galleries as available), where royal mummies, gilded sarcophagi, and treasures reveal the pharaohs’ world. Expect 10–12 hours total, with 2.5–3 hours each way.

Book: Day Tour to Cairo from Alexandria Port & Alexandria Hotels

Fuel and food: Grab a quick espresso and croissant at Athineos before departure. In Cairo, your guide will suggest reliable lunch options near the Giza Plateau (classic mixed grill or koshary). Back in Alex, reward the miles with a late dinner at Balbaa Village (Smouha): sizzling kofta, shish tawouk, and lamb chops, plus mezze and fresh bread.

Day 4: Montaza Gardens, Royal Jewelry, and a Farewell Lunch

Morning: Breakfast with a view at Trianon (try the omelette with tomatoes and a side of feta). Then head to the Montaza Palace & Gardens, a landscaped retreat of palms and sea coves. Walk the bridges and pine‑lined paths; on warmer days, consider a quick beach stop at Maamoura nearby.

Afternoon: Visit the Royal Jewelry Museum in Zizenia, a jewel box of Art Deco interiors and the opulent pieces of Egypt’s last royal family. Lunch at the Greek Club “White & Blue” or Byblos (Lebanese, refined mezze and grills) in San Stefano if you want a polished send‑off. If you prefer a casual seafood finale, ask at Abu Ashraf for fried shrimp and calamari served hot and crisp.

Evening (departure day): Pick up last‑minute sweets at Délices or nougat at local confectioners, then transfer to HBE or the train/car back to Cairo for your flight. If time allows, take a short wander along Fouad Street to admire balconies and bookstores—Alexandria’s quiet poetry in architecture.

Optional add‑on from the port: If you’re cruising in or out, pyramid‑focused shore excursions depart directly from Alexandria. Consider Tour to Giza Pyramids and Camel Ride from Alexandria Port for a classic desert photo‑op.

Logistics recap: Compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com into Alexandria (HBE) or Cairo (CAI). Private transfers CAI↔Alexandria run ~2.5–3 hours; trains take a similar time and are budget‑friendly. For stays, explore seaside hotels and apartments via Hotels.com and VRBO.

In four days, you’ll read the coastline like a palimpsest—Greek, Roman, Islamic, and modern chapters all legible in stone and sea spray. With smart guiding, unrushed meals, and time at the water’s edge, Alexandria reveals its scholarly heart and its relaxed, salt‑kissed soul.