Egypt Discovery
From per person£4
AttractionAlexandria

A visit to the Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs, Alexandria

Admission to Kom El Shoqafa’s Roman-period burial chambers and carved funerary monuments; opening hours vary seasonally, so check before visiting.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Kom El Shoqafa Entry Ticket grants admission to the underground necropolis and burial chambers in Alexandria, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Time to allow
Self-paced
Travel style
Self-Guided Entry
Arranged by
Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Kom El Shoqafa, Alexandria
Includes
Single-entry admission to Kom El Shoqafa · Access to the stepped shaft · Access to the descending passageways · Access to the main burial chambers · Access to on-site funerary monuments · PDF ticket by email after booking
Best for
Independent visitors · Roman-period history enthusiasts · Architecture and archaeology enthusiasts

Best time to go

October to April is generally more comfortable, with typical daytime temperatures in Alexandria around 15–25°C; summer days are often around 25–31°C. The underground setting offers some shelter from the heat, but an early arrival can help avoid busier periods. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening hours or last admission may change, so check the official site before visiting.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The ticket PDF is sent by email after booking confirmation.
  • The listed ticket does not include a guided visit or transport.

02Overview

A first look

Kom El Shoqafa lies beneath modern Alexandria and dates to the 2nd century AD. The complex includes a central shaft, a triclinium and funerary sculptures that mix Egyptian and Roman motifs.

Background

The facts

Kom El Shoqafa, also called the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, is an underground necropolis in Alexandria, Egypt. It is a Roman-period burial site cut into bedrock, with a stepped shaft, descending passageways and chambers below ground level.

The site dates mainly to the 2nd century CE. Its funerary reliefs, sarcophagi and architectural details combine Egyptian imagery with Greek and Roman forms, reflecting Alexandria’s mixed cultural life under Roman rule.

A single-entry ticket grants access to the stepped shaft, passageways and main burial chambers. The underground route includes stairs and uneven surfaces, so visitors move more slowly than at a surface-level monument.

Opening hours and last admission can change by season and local policy. Check current details before travelling. Photography rules may vary, so confirm them at the entrance. Tickets are sent as PDF attachments by email after booking; print the ticket if unsure whether screen display is accepted.

Named in this entry

Kom El Shoqafa·Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa·Alexandria·Egypt·Roman Empire·Roman Egypt·Hellenistic world·Pharaonic Egypt·Mediterranean Sea

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This ticket suits adults, students and history-focused travellers who want to explore Kom El Shoqafa independently. It is a good fit for visitors interested in Roman-period funerary art and comfortable using stairs in dim underground spaces.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose another Alexandria attraction if you need step-free access or are uncomfortable with uneven surfaces and underground passageways. The site is also a less practical choice with a stroller.

What lingers

  • 01Kom El Shoqafa catacombs in Alexandria: 2nd-century AD funerary complex combining Egyptian, Greek and Roman architectural motifs.
  • 02Three levels accessed via steep stone stairs and a central shaft; expect uneven surfaces and low ceilings.
  • 03Noted motifs include sphinxes, funerary reliefs and a Roman-style triclinium chamber used for burial banquets.
  • 04Visits typically last 30–45 minutes; small footprint, limited shade and early-afternoon heat can make interiors stifling.
  • 05We recommend an early-morning visit; most larger tours arrive after 10:00 and the catacombs grow busy.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most ticket listings bundle access with a guided visit or transport. This is admission only, with no guided visit or transport included. Check whether you need a printed ticket, as some sites do not accept mobile display.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Single-entry ticket to Kom El Shoqafa
  • Admission to the on-site chambers and monuments
  • PDF ticket sent by email after booking

Not included

  • Professional-led visit, available to book separately if required
  • Transport to and from the site
  • Meals and personal expenses
  • Photography permit, if required by the venue
  • Printed ticket, if required by the venue; print your PDF if in doubt

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Wear shoes with a firm grip for the stairs and uneven surfaces below ground.

  2. 02

    Check opening hours and last admission on the official site on the day before visiting.

  3. 03

    Ask at the entrance about current photography rules before taking out a camera.

  4. 04

    Print the emailed PDF if you cannot confirm that screen display is accepted.

Tailor it

Make it yours

  • This is an entry ticket for independent access
  • no guided visit, transport or meal option is included. You can arrange other Alexandria admissions separately, but no add-ons or ticket upgrades are specified for this ticket.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

– Kom El Shoqafa fits into a wider Alexandria visit alongside Pompey's Pillar and the Roman Amphitheatre. It can also be paired with time in Cairo, around 220 km to the south by road.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Pompey's Pillar30 min walk
  • Roman Amphitheatre, Alexandria3 km
  • Alexandria National Museum4 km
  • Citadel of Qaitbay6 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    One ticket covers the main chambers and monuments

  2. 02

    PDF ticket sent by email after booking

  3. 03

    Entry arranged without adding transport or a guided visit

·In summary

Kom El Shoqafa is an underground necropolis in Alexandria dating mainly to the 2nd century CE. Its bedrock chambers contain funerary art combining Egyptian, Greek and Roman forms; access involves stairs and uneven surfaces.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What is Kom El Shoqafa?
    Kom El Shoqafa is a Roman-period necropolis in Alexandria dating to the 2nd century CE. It combines Egyptian, Greek and Roman architectural and decorative motifs. Key features include a circular central shaft, a spiral ramp and a funerary banquet chamber with carved reliefs and statues. The site illustrates Alexandria’s multicultural funerary art during the Roman imperial period.
  2. 02What are the opening hours for Kom El Shoqafa?
    Opening hours vary seasonally and with local holidays; the site is normally open during daytime. Times can change during Ramadan and national holidays, so confirm with the ticket office or your guide on the day. Morning visits reduce heat exposure and typically avoid the largest cruise-ship crowds.
  3. 03Can wheelchair users visit Kom El Shoqafa?
    Kom El Shoqafa is not wheelchair-accessible because access requires descending steep ancient steps. Visitors must negotiate uneven stone steps, low ceilings and narrow passages, so pushchairs are not practical below ground. If mobility is limited, you can view the entrance level and nearby surface remains; ask us for alternative Alexandria options.
  4. 04How long should I allow to visit Kom El Shoqafa?
    Allow 30–45 minutes to see the main chambers and inscriptions at Kom El Shoqafa. Specialists or those studying the reliefs may take longer. Unlike cruise-ship shore-excursions that often rush Alexandria, we advise a half-day if you also plan to visit Pompey’s Pillar or the Serapeum remains for fuller context.
  5. 05Do I need to buy tickets in advance for Kom El Shoqafa?
    An entrance ticket is required for Kom El Shoqafa; onsite purchase is usually possible. During peak cruise periods and public holidays queues can form, so pre-booking gives timetable certainty if you are on a tight schedule. Standard site fees and local rules apply unless we state otherwise on your booking.
  6. 06Can I take photographs inside Kom El Shoqafa?
    Photography is generally permitted inside Kom El Shoqafa, but flash and tripods are commonly restricted. Guards often ask visitors to avoid flash to protect pigments and fragile surfaces; large commercial equipment is usually prohibited. Check the signage or ask staff on arrival and be mindful of conservation rules.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, Senior Egyptologist·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: TKT-ALX-512376

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