Alexandria rewards curiosity over spectacle. The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are one of the ancient world's quiet marvels – three subterranean levels where Roman and Egyptian styles collide. The Citadel of Qaitbay stands where the ancient lighthouse once rose. And the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern revival of antiquity's greatest library, is worth an hour of anyone's afternoon.
Excursions to Alexandria
Alexandria Excursions
Catacombs, Citadel of Qaitbay, Bibliotheca Alexandrina & the Corniche
LengthFull & half day
From£60 / person
PickupHotel included
GuideEgyptologist
The best excursion in Alexandria is the one you don't have to organise yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988
What you'll see
Alexandria, in the order that makes sense
A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.
01
Citadel of Qaitbay
A 15th-century fortress on the Mediterranean, built on the exact spot – and partly from the fallen stones – of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders. The sea air, the ramparts and the harbour views make it Alexandria's signature stop.
02
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The modern reincarnation of the ancient Library of Alexandria – a vast sun-disc of a building tilted toward the sea, opened in 2002. Inside: the main reading room, museums and changing exhibitions. A striking counterpoint to the city's ancient layers.
03
Montaza Palace Gardens
The royal gardens of Egypt's last dynasty, sprawling along the coast with the Florentine-style Al-Haramlik palace at their centre. A green, breezy place to walk between the historic sites – and a glimpse of Alexandria's belle-époque heyday.
04
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
A three-level Roman necropolis spiralling underground, where Egyptian, Greek and Roman funerary art fuse like nowhere else – one of the medieval world's 'Seven Wonders' of the Middle Ages. Cool, atmospheric, and a complete change of register from the seafront.
05
Pompey's Pillar
A single 27-metre column of red Aswan granite, raised around 298 AD – the largest of its kind ever erected outside the imperial capitals – beside the ruins of the Serapeum temple and two granite sphinxes. A quick, photogenic stop with deep Roman-Egypt history.
Every Alexandria excursions
Ways to spend the day
Every private, fully-guided excursion we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included, priced in GBP, all-in.
Know before you go
The practical bits
What to wear
Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.
Tipping
Around £2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your excursion price is complete.
Heat & water
Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.
Cameras & fees
A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.
Questions we hear most
Alexandria excursions, answered
- Can I do Alexandria as a day trip from Cairo?
- Yes – Alexandria is about three hours from Cairo by road, so a long full-day private tour comfortably takes in the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, returning to Cairo the same evening. An overnight stay lets you slow the pace.
- What is Alexandria known for?
- Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria is Egypt's Mediterranean city – once home to the ancient Lighthouse and the Great Library, two wonders of the classical world. Today it blends Greco-Roman ruins, the seafront Qaitbay fortress, belle-époque palaces and the striking modern library.
- How much does a Alexandria excursion cost?
- Pricing depends on the itinerary, group size and season – tell us your dates and we'll send an exact, all-in quote. Every Discovery Tours Egypt excursion is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.
- Are your Alexandria excursions private?
- Yes. Every excursion we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Alexandria hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the excursion can adjust it on the day.
- When is the best time to visit Alexandria?
- October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so excursions start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run excursions in Alexandria year-round.
- Is it safe, and are families welcome?
- Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and excursions run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.
Plan your day in Alexandria Tell us your dates.
Tell us your dates.
We'll build the day.
Private Egyptologist guide, hotel pickup, clear pricing in GBP. We've arranged Egypt excursions for British travellers since 1988, with 24/7 in-country support from offices.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup* · we reply within 30 minutes in Cairo office hours
*Excludes trips with pre-issued flight or train tickets.