Egypt Discovery
ExcursionAlexandria

Private Half-Day Alexandria Excursion: Citadel, Roman Theatre and Library

About 5 hours, private car and Egyptologist guide, three main sites and an easy pace.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A private half-day excursion in Alexandria of about five hours: the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Roman Theatre at Kom el-Dikka and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, with an Egyptologist guide and a private car.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Alexandria · Citadel of Qaitbay · Kom el-Dikka Roman Theatre · Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Includes
Transfers from and back to your Alexandria hotel or the cruise port · A private air-conditioned car and driver · An English-speaking Egyptologist for your party only · Tickets for Qaitbay Citadel, the Roman Theatre and the Library · Bottled water in the car
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is cooler. In winter, take a jacket for the harbour wind.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator, founded in 1988
  • Six offices across Egypt, run by Discovery Tours Egypt

02Overview

A first look

This is a private half-day excursion in Alexandria, built for a free morning or a short stop in port. Your guide collects you at 09:00 from your hotel or the cruise port. You visit the Citadel of Qaitbay beside the harbour, walk through the Roman Theatre at Kom el-Dikka and see the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. You are back by about 14:00. Your party has its own car and guide, so the programme can be eased or stretched to suit you.

Background

The facts

Alexandria is Egypt's main Mediterranean city. Its Eastern Harbour, the Citadel, the Roman remains at Kom el-Dikka and the Library are all close together in the centre.

Named in this entry

Alexandria Eastern Harbour·Kom el-Dikka Roman Theatre·Villa of the Birds mosaics·Alexandria Corniche

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Cruise passengers and visitors with a free morning who want a guided look at central Alexandria.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suitable for wheelchair users, because of steps and uneven ground at two of the three sites.

What lingers

  • 01The Citadel of Qaitbay and its view across the Eastern Harbour
  • 02The Roman Theatre at Kom el-Dikka, the only one of its kind found in Egypt
  • 03The mosaic floors of the Villa of the Birds
  • 04The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, including the reading hall and antiquities museum
  • 05A private Egyptologist guide who speaks English
  • 06A short, well-paced programme that suits a port call

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Short, easy programme
  • Sites are close together, so little time is lost in the car
  • Suits a port call

Things to Consider

  • You buy your own lunch
  • The Catacombs and Pompey's Pillar are not part of this half day

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Transfers from and back to your Alexandria hotel or the cruise port
  • A private air-conditioned car and driver
  • An English-speaking Egyptologist for your party only
  • Tickets for Qaitbay Citadel, the Roman Theatre and the Library
  • Bottled water in the car

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • Lunch or any meal
  • Anything you buy for yourself

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Tell your guide your ship's sailing time before you set off

  2. 02

    Ask to see the Villa of the Birds mosaics up close

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children can join and are counted in your party size. The programme is short and has little hard walking, which suits most children. Please give their ages when you book.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01Where does this excursion begin?
    In Alexandria itself. Your guide collects you from your Alexandria hotel or the cruise port at about 09:00. It does not start in Cairo.
  2. 02Is this a good option for cruise passengers?
    Yes. It takes about five hours and finishes at about 14:00, so it fits most port calls. If your ship has an early departure, tell us when you book and we will plan around it.
  3. 03Is it private or in a group?
    It is private. Only your party travels with the guide and driver, and you can choose how long to spend at each stop.
  4. 04Does the price cover lunch?
    No, lunch is not part of this half-day excursion. Your guide can suggest a good place near the harbour if you would like to eat afterwards.
  5. 05How many people can come?
    Up to 12 people can travel in one party. Tell us your numbers and the ages of any children when you book.
  6. 06How does cancelling work?
    Give us more than 72 hours' notice and you can keep 100% as credit towards a future holiday or have 100% refunded, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand, keep 100% as credit or have 50% back. Within 24 hours, or if you don't turn up, nothing can be refunded or credited. Should we have to cancel, you won't lose a penny.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-ALX-313284

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