Location: Alexandria
Top Things to do in Alexandria
10 Things to Do in Alexandria That You Shouldn't Miss
The Pearl of the Mediterranean has an ambiance more in keeping with its neighbors to the north than with those in the Middle East. Site of Pharos lighthouse, one of the Wonders of the World, and of Anthony and Cleopatra’s tempestuous romance, the city was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE. Today, Alexandria offers fascinating insights into its proud Greek past, as well as interesting mosques, the casino strip of the Corniche, some lovely gardens and both modern and traditional hotels. (Editor's note: Our list was compiled before political unrest prompted many countries to issue travel warnings for Egypt. If you're currently planning a trip to Egypt, please consider the risks and monitor your government's travel alerts.)
Restaurants in Alexandria
1. Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Located near the site of the ancient library of Alexandria, this modern version is an eleven-story, cylindrical-shaped building that houses more than eight million books. A re-imagining of Alexandria's ancient Great Library, this gorgeously designed cultural center contains a host of museums as well as one of the modern world's most ambitious Libraries. Its architecture - a giant sun disk - presides over the waterfront Corniche, while inside, a huge Reading room can hold eight million volumes. Below themain library, visitors can explore a range of beautifully curated Exhibitions. TheManuscript Museum with its magnificent collection of ancient texts and scrolls and the Antiquities Museum with its Graeco-Roman antiquities and statuary found during underwater exploration in the harbor are the two prime attractions. But there are also rotating art Exhibitions, a permanent Egyptian folk art collection, and a Science Museum and Planetarium that are aimed squarely at children.
Reviewed By WardenRon - Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
This excellent piece of modern architecture really does compete in its impressiveness with the ancient wonders of Egypt - and although it is, of course, primarily a library, the permanent and temporary Exhibitions that it houses cater well of occasional visitors. And what's more there is a whopping discount on the normal entry fee for retired foreigners like ourselves.
2. Royal Jewelry Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
Reviewed By chocolate.boxes - Da Nang, Vietnam
I like visiting jewelry collections when I travel and found this one mediocre. Sure some of the history is somewhat interesting, and the villa is kinda nice, but nothing impressive or even memorable. The jewelry is actually quite disappointing for a royal collection.
3. Montazah Palace Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 688 reviews
Royal Gardens of King Faruk. The king was the last Egyptian monarch.
Reviewed By SurfingWild - Bandung, Indonesia
We visited the Montaza Palace Gardens before returning to Cairo after a long visit to Alexandria. The Gardens are themselves quite beautiful and we walked on the
Montaza Gardens Bridge which were actually very crowded since it was approaching sunset. Unfortunately time was running out and we had to make this visit quite brief.
4. Fort Qaitbey
Overall Ratings
4 based on 716 reviews
Resembling an imposing castle fortress, this Citadel was built in the 1480s by Sultan Qaitbey on the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, to protect the city from the crusaders who used to attack the city by sea.
Reviewed By Nilmini D - Colombo, Sri Lanka
The Citadel of Qaitbey was built on the base of the famous Alexandria Light house which was destroyed by an earthquake. The views of Mediterranean Sea from the fort is simply stunning. Lot of souvenir shops are around. We have visited just before lunch, but I am pretty sure it would have been great if you can visit in morning or evening. Do not miss if you are in Alexandria.
5. Alexandria National Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 212 reviews
More than 1800 archaeological pieces are exhibited chronologically from one floor to the next: the basement is devoted to Prehistoric and Pharonic times; first floor to the Graeco-Roman period; second floor to the Coptic and Islamic era that highlights artifacts raised during recent underwater excavations.
Reviewed By Z9657 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nice museum. It separates the era according to ancient Egypt, graeco roman and Islam. There is also a basement that houses sarcophagus and a mummy. I don't quite remember whether cameras are not allowed or are allowed with a fee. We didn't take any photo anyway.
6. Stanley Bridge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 417 reviews
Reviewed By Jeffry B - Melbourne, Australia
Stanley Bridge is a magnificent bridge over Stanley Bay. It runs 400 metres over the margins of the Mediterranean Sea, along Alexandria's main road. It has six spans and encloses the cove, where families can swim or paddle. Stanley Bridge is Egypt's first bridge over the sea. It's a great place to take a pic..
7. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 437 reviews
An ancient circular staircase leads down into these tombs that were tunneled into the bedrock during the age of the Antonine emporers (2nd century AD).
Reviewed By SRJ2212 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
A must visit if you are in Alexandria. Different from the Catacombs of European countries. The sculptures, paintings, inscriptions are a beautiful blend of Greek Roman and Egyptian era.
A tour guide is definitely needed if you wish to understand the history behind the architecture. You will have to descend steps and the path is not flat, so wear comfortable shoes.
8. Corniche
Overall Ratings
4 based on 484 reviews
The Corniche is a glorious 3km walkway along the harbour dotted with restaurants, markets and historic sights.
Reviewed By SurfingWild - Bandung, Indonesia
I really loved our visit to Alexandria because the weather was brilliant and the sea was a beautiful colour. The Corniche reminded me of the Mediterranean resorts of the south of France being so colourful and interesting. There are sandy Beaches and cafes where you can just sit under parasols sipping drinks and watching the boats in the bay. Alexandria was once a vibrant resort for the rich and it can be seen everywhere. With such great weather you can only be awed by the location.
9. Roman Amphitheatre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 280 reviews
Built in the 2nd century AD, this Roman Amphitheater has 13 semicircular tiers made of white and gray marble.
Reviewed By ReviewBen
There is very little to see here. It cost us 180Le for two people. Most of the things you can see from behind the fence on the road. There is a lot of garbage and just seems very unkept. Might be interesting if you are super into Alexandria's history.
10. King Farouk Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
This sprawling property was the summer home of controversial King Farouk who assumed power at the age of 16 in 1936.
Reviewed By Sofi N - Athens, Greece
The palace is not accessible for the public. In this sense is not really a tourist attraction. You get a glance outside the fence and then you can walk in the Gardens below, which themselves are nothing spectacular since the flora is rather limited.
I would say stop for 10 min take a couple of shots and move on. Also the toilets for the visitors are accessible for a small fee but the sanitation is questionable.
TAGS
