Few buildings in Egypt look as unlike a temple. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a bold, round structure of granite and glass, set between the city and the sea. It is also a working library, with readers, conferences and exhibitions going on throughout the year.
The idea behind it
In ancient times, Alexandria held a famous library that gathered texts from across the known world. How and when it declined is debated, and it was not lost in one dramatic fire. The modern library, built with international support, was created to revive that spirit of learning in a new building.
The building
The outer wall is covered in letters and symbols from many writing systems. The roof is tilted like a rising sun. Inside, the reading hall steps down in terraces, with space for a great number of readers. Standing at the top gives a sense of scale that photographs do not capture.
The museums
On the site there is an antiquities museum with pieces found in and around the city, and other collections on manuscripts and science. Opening arrangements and tickets vary, and some halls charge separately. The private tours include the main library ticket, and your guide can advise on the extras.
- Reading hall: about 30 minutes to look and take photographs.
- Antiquities museum: about 30 minutes.
- Exterior walk and harbour view: about 20 minutes.
- Cafés and the plaza: as long as you like.
Fitting it into your day
It is on the half-day and full-day private tours, usually towards the end, as a cool and quiet contrast to the fort and the Catacombs. The library is on the Eastern Harbour, close to the centre, so it pairs well with a seafront walk.
What makes the architecture unusual
The circular building leans towards the sea like a sun rising from the ground. The granite wall outside is carved with letters and signs from many languages, which makes the point that knowledge belongs to every culture. A pool surrounds part of the building, and a pedestrian bridge links it to the university area. Look up inside the hall to see how the roof lets in light without heat.
Other things to see
Beyond the reading hall and the antiquities museum, the site has a planetarium, a manuscripts collection and temporary exhibitions. Some of these need separate tickets or timed entry. If you are short of time, choose one museum and spend the rest of the visit looking at the building itself. The café outside gives views over the Eastern Harbour, which makes a pleasant end to the stop.
The library is a working institution, so some areas close for events, exams or maintenance. Museums may open on different days and times. Because we do not rely on a fixed schedule, our guides check the day's arrangements and adapt the visit. If a particular room matters to you, tell us in advance and we will check.
After the noise of the city, the library hall is cool and hushed. Many visitors use the stop to sit, drink water and go through their photographs. If you travel with children or older relatives, it is a good place to rest before the drive back. Take your time, as the building rewards slow looking.
Open the tour pages to see how it fits with the other stops, what is included and how to book.
Plan with us
Inside the Bibliotheca Alexandrina: a library that remembers an older one
A visitor guide to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina: the reading hall, the museums, its link to the ancient library and how to fit it into your day.