This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. Originally published April 28, 2022 Ahh, Egypt. Atop many a traveler’s bucket list. But when one thinks of Egypt, what comes to mind? The beautiful chaos of Cairo. Certainly, images of the ancient pyramids of Giza. Daydreams of a nile river cruise to magical Luxor. Or perhaps visions of the colossal temples of Abu Simbel in Aswan. Often, the beautiful seaside town of Alexandria gets over looked. But let me tell you: you shouldn’t overlook it. Here are 7 spectacular things to do in Alexandria Egypt, that you shouldn’t miss. In case you didn’t know – there are 7 wonders of the Medieval World. Or, alternatively, known as 7 wonders of the Middle Ages. Basically, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa is one of them. This is definitely one of things you should do in Alexandria Egypt because… it is so cool. Oh, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, too. Kom El Shoqafa, which literally translates to The Mount of Shards, is significantly old. Like, 2nd century ancient. Upon arrival, you go through a ticket booth area and from there it’s a short walk to the entrance to the Catacombs. Lastly, an ancient, winding staircase takes you three levels underground. It is widely thought that this Catacomb originally started as a family tomb but over the course of hundreds of years became the final resting place for hundreds more. Besides, the catacombs are three levels of mazes, passageways, statues and ornate decorations. Visiting the remains of the Ancient Roman Amphitheater, baths and villa is a must do thing in Alexandria Egypt. My favorite part of this historical landmark was the intricate, beautiful mosaics that are still in tact after hundreds and hundreds of years. What used to go on here, you may ask? Musical concerts. Theater shows. Artistic Events. Our guide actually asked me to sing in the center of the amphitheater so we could hear the amazing acoustics that still remain in the space until this day. I graciously obliged and the acoustics are astounding! Founded by ‘Alexander the Great,’ the Library of Alexandria was at one time the largest library in the entire world. Additionally, it housed many historical scripts, scrolls and works from some of the greatest thinkers and writers from the ancient world. Until it tragically burned down in a fire… all of the magnificent knowledge and works, lost. What’s rather interesting is that apparently no archaeological finds or architectural remains have ever been found or recovered. It’s led some to question… did the Library of Alexandria ever really exist? In any case, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina that stands today is a modern interpretation of what once, established in 2002. One of my favorite meals I had in Egypt was in Alexandria. Our guide took us for a walk in the Corniche, which is Alexandria’s bustling waterfront promenade. This area channels a bit of the Cairo hustle and bustle, but with fresh air in a beautiful seaport setting. There is a lot of traffic, like Cairo, except the traffic here has a gorgeous view of boats floating across the Mediterranean Sea. The waterfront restaurant our guide took us to had a mesmerizing view of the water and delicious traditional Egyptian fare. The popular restaurant along the water’s edge, Fish Market Marina, sits perched above the shoreline. If you take the tour I took, lunch is included in your ticket price, excluding beverages. On a small area of land that extends out into Alexandria’s harbor, sits an ancient fortress known as Fort Qaitbey. Named after the sultan that had this magnificent structure built, Fort Qaitbey is not entirely in its original form. It’s undergone lots of reconstruction after many earthquakes. As majestic as this medieval fortress is, the real significance of this area is that it is where the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood. Sometimes referred to as the Pharos of Alexandria. The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Despite surviving many conflicts and standing tall for hundreds and hundreds of years, a catastrophic earthquake destroyed it. In 1994, divers found the remains of the lighthouse on the sea floor of the Alexandria harbor. There has been mention of turning its remains into an underwater museum. Would you go see this? I definitely would! Out of the fleet of attractions I saw while in Alexandria, I did find Pompey’s Pillar to be a bit underwhelming, albeit pleasant to visit. But when you understand that this towering pillar made of red granite from Aswan is thousands of years old and weights 285 tons, it’s fascinating. Today, the significance of the Pillar is the land it sits on. It marks the site of what was once a grand and elaborate temple. There are still some tunnels that remain for tourist viewing and exploration. At this time, to see the incredible sunken palace of Cleopatra you must be a certified diver. Despite being a PADI certified advanced open water diver, I wasn’t able to see this extraordinary site. Not a lot of dive companies were operating at the time and I wasn’t able to find a guide to take me. This will have to remain on the dive bucket list! How did Cleopatra’s Palace end up at the bottom of the sea? Similar to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a disastrous earthquake caused the island it sat on to sink into the ocean, destroying the palace and scattering it throughout the bay. If you’d like to see the remains for yourself, it is only about 10 meters or just a little over 30 feet down in the harbor. But be advised that the waters have been reported to often be murky, cold with limited visibility. Despite this, I consider this to be one of the most unique and interesting things to do in Alexandria Egypt and next time I’m in there, I am in! As I mention in What no one tells you about Egypt – Tips for first timers – you need to be mindful of the potential to get sick in Egypt (particularly in Cairo). One safety precaution you can take is to seek travel protection through SafetyWing. This is reliable travel medical insurance in the event of emergencies. For just two dollars a day, you can get coverage from SafetyWing‘s Nomad Essential medical insurance which will cover you for unexpected illness and injury abroad. Firstly, like anywhere else in Egypt, I absolutely recommend having a guide and a driver. Unlike many destinations, Egypt is not an easy place to get around. There is lots of traffic, potential for getting ripped off, a language barrier in certain instances and not enough context for attractions without a guide. I would not recommend traveling to sites without at least a driver, but it would enhance your experience to have a guide as well. If you take the tour I took, you will have a professional driver, English speaking Egyptologist tour guide and it includes an Egyptian lunch (no beverages). All of the sites listed above will be visited sans Cleopatra’s Sunken Palace. You can book the Guided Tour to Alexandria from Cairo here! Tip: I recommend reviewing all the sites that will be visited and deciding which attractions you are the most interested in. Due to this being a day tour (although a long day, indeed), you’ll want to make sure you have enough time at the places you’re passionate about. Communicate to your guide at the start of your day which sites are a priority to you. Will Alexandria make your itinerary? Further, please feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments, below! Check these out: Want to know how I travel so frequently? By booking jaw-dropping flight deals that are often so low you’d have to see ’em to believe it. The best part? They’re sent right to my inbox. You can try it out for free: here. I exclusively use this site to book all my stays. I get 20% off on all my stays plus additional perks from their loyalty program. Check it out! Get reliable travel medical insurance for your trip, for just $2 a day – here Looking for a flight on a specific date? Use this search engine and start earning rewards! Need to book your excursions and tours? This company is my favorite. This is another marketplace for tours, that is especially great for Europe. Renting a car for your adventure? Discover the right car for your journey: here. Do you love train travel as much as I do? Get your train tickets here! Want to travel in comfort and have lounge access around the world? Get that right here. You know what I love to do when I visit a new city? This!7 Spectacular Things to do in Alexandria Egypt
1) Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa – a Must of Things to do in Alexandria Egypt
One of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages
2) Visit the Ancient Roman Amphitheater
Landmark dating back to the 4th century AD
3) Peruse the Bibliotheca Alexandrina – The Library of Alexandria
Famous library, with the vastest collection of human knowledge in the ancient world
4) Enjoy Lunch by the Water near Fort Qaitbey
Seafood, boats and views
5) Stroll the Cornish and Citadel of Fort Qaitbey
Where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood
6) Check out Pompey’s Pillar
Ancient Column since 232 AD
7) Dive to Cleopatra’s Underwater Palace
Attraction for certified Scuba Divers
Know Before You Go
See the best Things to do in Alexandria Egypt With limited time
Headed to Egypt?
What no one tells you about Egypt – Tips for first timers
Discover Amazing Things to Do in EGYPT – Cairo Edition
The Fairmont Nile City Hotel Cairo – a GREAT Place to Stay
How to See Magical Luxor in One Day
Here is the truth about glamorous Djorff Palace in Luxor
Marsa Alam Egypt: Diving with Dolphins in the Epic Red Sea
Glamping at Marsa Nakari – a unique, unforgettable Experience
Travel resources for YOU to plan an epic trip!
Everything looks so beautiful! Egypt is on my bucket list so I’m so glad I found this
Alexandria is definitely one of the more relaxing and scenic places I visited in Egypt. But everything in Egypt is so bucket list worthy. Let me know when you plan to visit, I have many more recommendations!
I LOVE EGYPT! I unfortunately didn’t go out to Alexandria, but this is making me want to book another trip there!
Hi Ali! I really liked Alexandria… but I also need to return to Egypt to visit Aswan and some other places I missed last year!
My grandmother has traveled to Egypt multiple times and always mentions how amazing many of these locations are – you paint them in such a vibrant and interesting way!
Thank you so much, Hannah! That’s so incredible that your grandma has been to Egypt several times. I’d love to return and explore the parts of Egypt I didn’t get to like Aswan or Sharm el-Sheikh.
Very Good！不错呀！
Thank you. I hope you enjoy your visit to Alexandria!