Alexandria Travel Guide and Library of Alexandria

One of the most special points of my Egypt trip was undoubtedly Alexandria. I spent a few days in this ancient city, which was home to the Library of Alexandria, one of the most important libraries in history. What you wonder about Alexandria, suggestions for places to visit in Alexandria, food, transportation, accommodation and much more in Alexandria are waiting for you in this Alexandria travel guide. Happy reading!

Alexandria Travel Video

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About Alexandria

Alexandria is Egypt's second largest city and the largest settlement on the Mediterranean coast with a population of 4,5 million. Located on the edge of the Nile delta, the city has had an important place throughout history due to its location.

Just as those living in Istanbul always dream of moving to Izmir, those living in Cairo also have a dream of moving to Alexandria.

Although I have read articles about Alexandria as a more conservative city than Cairo, I have not had any negative experience with it. On the contrary, I traveled much more comfortably in Alexandria.

Due to its port city, Alexandria has always been a stop for foreigners, and it has been influenced by these foreign cultures. This culture is also reflected in the city architecture and the attitude of the people, in a positive sense.

How Many Days Should You Take to Visit Alexandria?

“How many days do you need to set aside to visit Alexandria?” I can hear you asking the question. There are many daily tours from Cairo to Alexandria. Since I did not come with a tour, I do not know the tour routes. However, my suggestion is to spend at least 2 days in order to feel the texture of the city and see the important places to see. If you have the time, of course, you can spend more time.

You need at least 2 full days to see the points on the list of places to visit in Alexandria. You will need time to see the highlights, sit somewhere to sip your tea and watch the sunset. Attractions in Alexandria are not close to each other or within walking distance. Since the traffic is quite chaotic, even if the distances seem short, it is useful to plan considering that it will take time.

Another important point is that if you come in a hot period, it will be very burning to see the places where there are historical ruins in the middle of the day, it is best to plan your trip to stay indoors in the middle of the day.

Where is Alexandria and How to Go?

Alexandria is one of the important port cities on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. How far is it from Alexandria to Cairo? If you ask, only 220 km.

Getting to Alexandria by Bus

It takes 3-3,5 hours by bus from Alexandria to Cairo. Although the journey by car seems like 2,5 hours on Google map, the bus takes longer.

As in all my travels in Egypt, I used the company Gobus on my way from Cairo to Alexandria. The bus departed from Cairo with a delay of 1 hour. Be prepared for such delays in Egypt, try to be flexible when planning your itinerary.

In Egypt, when you get on the bus, if you give your bag in the trunk, there is a tradition of tipping the people who pack your luggage. When I was asked for the first tip, I thought he was trying to extort money from me because I'm a foreigner, but I found out that all the locals tip. Just give 5-10 Egyptian Pounds (LE). For the bus ticket, I paid 155 LE on the way out and 100 LE on the way back. Ticket prices vary according to bus standards. However, the train ticket was much cheaper.

Another note about bus travel in Egypt; They do not ask for gender when buying tickets, so you can sit mixed between men and women.

Getting to Alexandria by Train

I wanted to come from Cairo to Alexandria by train, but recently I could not find a place in the time zone I wanted. train ticket Egyptian National Railways websiteYou can get it from (ENR).

It takes 3 hours by train from Alexandria to Cairo. The train station is at a more central point. From here you can walk to the promenade.

Getting to Alexandria by Tour

Another way to come to Alexandria is to take tours from Cairo. Tours come in the morning and return in the evening.

Best Time to Go to Alexandria

Since Alexandria is located on the Mediterranean coastline, it has a cooler climate than the south of the country. However, it is worth remembering that it is very hot in the summer months. In addition, in the summer months, it is very crowded because Egyptians prefer this region for vacation. The best time to go to Alexandria is March-April or October-November. Both the weather will not be excessively hot and the crowd of local tourists will decrease.

Unfortunately, I went at the beginning of September and the temperatures were too high to travel during the day.

Egypt travel route suggestions You may also be interested in my article.

Alexandria Attractions

There are many places to visit and see in Alexandria. There are also long beaches where you can relax in the summer, but the beaches are not the subject of this article.

While planning my trip in Alexandria, I first stopped by the tourist information office in the city center. I got your recommendations for must-see places. A very concerned female employee, thanks to her, marked me on the map and told me the places to be seen in detail. He recommended places to see: Pompey's Column, Catacombs, Kayitbay Castle, Montaza Palace and the National Museum.

Downtown District

The most beautiful place in the city; I can say that the square and its surroundings where the statue of Muhammed Ali Pasha is located. Unfortunately, this beautiful square smells heavily of piss. The streets parallel to the square and perpendicular to the square from the sea to the inside of the city are full of cafes, restaurants and shops. This place is lively at all hours of the day.

Qaitbay Castle

You can reach Kayitbay Castle from the city center with a half-hour coastal walk, or you can easily come with options such as minibus and taxi.

The castle, named after him because it was built by the Mamluk Sultan Kayitbay, was recently restored and the landscaping still continues. There is an entrance to the castle, but it is worth paying attention to the visiting hours. It is open to visitors between 08:00-17:00.

Another feature of this castle is that the famous Alexandria Lighthouse is where the castle is located. It is said that the restoration was made with the remains of the lighthouse.

If you are going to see Kayitbay Castle, plan towards lunch time. You can eat seafood at many restaurants in the fish market located in the immediate vicinity of the castle. Don't miss the meal with the castle and harbor view.

Pompey's Column

When it comes to places to visit in Alexandria, another place you will see at the top of the list is Pompey's Column. This column, built in the pre-Roman period, is considered among the tallest monuments in the world with its 27 meters length and body made of red marble.

The easiest way to get to Pompey's Column from the city center is by taxi or tram.

Pompey's Column entrance fee is 80 Egyptian Pounds. If you are a student, you can enter at a discount.

Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa

With a short 10-minute walk from Pompey's Column, you reach the Kom El Shouqafa catacombs. Along the way you walk, you will have the chance to see the real Alexandria. You may feel a little uneasy on these streets, but I walked as a single woman and it was fine.

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Catacombs are considered among the most important works of Egyptian history. When you go down 3 floors underground, the tombs greet you. If you have seen the underground cities in Cappadocia, these tombs are quite simple compared to them. However, we are in Egypt and it is necessary to see important works of Egyptian history.

It is forbidden to take photos in the tombs, if you have a large machine, you have to leave it in the safe at the entrance, but of course, the Egyptian security guard allows you to take photos to get a tip.

The Kom El Shuqafa Catacombs entrance fee is 80 Egyptian Pounds.

Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque

Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque is on the way while walking towards Qaitbay Fortress. It's impossible to miss. This is a large complex where two mosques are side by side. The architecture is very beautiful, you can take great photos if you get good light.

Alexandria National Museum

Since Alexandria is in a very important historical location, its museum is one of the must-see places.

Alexandria National Museum Entrance 100 Egyptian Pounds (LE).

King's Jewels Museum

The woman at the tourist information office raved about this place. I didn't go to this museum because I didn't have enough time and because I wasn't very interested in jewellery. If you are interested, you can add Alexandria to your itinerary.

Roman Theater

Right next to the Alexandria train station, there is a large archaeological site from the Roman period. There is a Roman theater and many ruins here.

Alexandria Port

Alexandria Port has been of great importance throughout history. The fact that Alexandria was an important and strategic stop in the Mediterranean increased its importance. Although the port of Alexandria is no longer living its former glory, it is still a place where tourists and locals enjoy visiting.

Kordon

Do you know the Izmir cordon? The Alexandria cordon is reminiscent of it. Life in Alexandria seems to flow here, with people walking by the sea, fencing seeds and cafes.

If you want to watch the sunset in Kordon, there is a beautiful sunset. It is a nice alternative to end the day by sitting in one of the cafes and restaurants on the beach.

Little Venice

This is a part that we cannot separate from Kordon. The buildings got this name because of their architectural styles, otherwise don't expect canals. The building, built by Italian Venetian architects, was awarded the Best Municipal Honorary Award in 1929 in the field of best architectural facades.

Unknown Soldier Monument

The Unknown Soldier Monument, which you will see on the way to Kayitbay Castle, was built in memory of the soldiers who died in the naval wars.

Montaza Palace and Garden

Photo found online, not mine.

Montaza Palace is one of the must-see places in Alexandria. Built in 1892 by the last Ottoman Khedive, Abbas Hilmi Pasha, Montaza Palace makes a name for itself with its large and well-kept garden. The palace now serves as a museum. I couldn't fit this palace in my time in Alexandria, maybe next time.

Library of Alexandria

The place I went to Alexandria for: The Library of Alexandria.

According to ancient sources, the Historical Library of Alexandria has hosted more than 150 manuscripts and has the most important works in the world. Founding of the library early 3rd century.

Founded by Alexander the Great, the city of Alexandria, with the disintegration of the empire, the Ptolemaic dynasty began to rule here. Ptolemy, who disliked war and was interested in science and literature rather than war, adopted the traditions and even religion of the Egyptians. He even went a little further and took the title of Pharaoh.

Ptolemy, who made Alexandria the most important city of its time, established a museum and a library attached to that museum. All plant and animal species known at that time, a botanical garden and an observatory were in the museum.

In the library part, the books were written on papyrus and stored in the form of rolls. It also operated as a publishing house and also functioned as a copy of books.

"The director of the library had the authority to purchase any written work he could find. Every book that entered Egypt had to be brought here. A copy of the book was taken out and given to its owner, while the original was kept in the library. On the other hand, the officials sent abroad would buy and bring the books they found in other countries. Thus, works belonging to many sciences, which were scattered and doomed to disappear until then, were gathered in a safe place.” This section is taken from wikipedia.

Who Burned the Library of Alexandria?

It is thought that the Library of Alexandria was burned by fanatical Christians, who burned all the pagan temples and places of worship. It is thought that a part of the library was damaged when Caesar besieged the city.

It is known that the existence of the library continued until the 4th century AD. It is thought that the library was destroyed in the clashes after the conflict between the pagans and the Christians in the city, and the books were distributed to the baths in the city and burned.

Library of Alexandria Entrance Fee

The entrance fee to the Library of Alexandria is 70 Egyptian Pounds. If you are a student, you can get discounted tickets. Much much cheaper entrance ticket if you are Egyptian like everywhere else.

Library of Alexandria Visiting Hours

The Library of Alexandria is open to visitors every day of the week.

• Open from 10:00 to 19:00 from Sunday to Thursday,
• Open on Fridays from 14:00 to 19:00,
• Open on Saturdays from 12:00 to 16:00.

Public holidays in Egypt are Friday-Saturday, so the library provides half-day service on those days.

What to Eat in Alexandria?

Let me start this part by saying that you will not go hungry in Egypt. In addition to having a cuisine very similar to ours in terms of food culture, Alexandria is also home to many international chain restaurants. If you don't like local food, you can try international cuisine.

Mohammed Ahmed Restaurant

The place I would definitely recommend to eat in Alexandria is Muhammed Ahmed restaurant. Here you can find only local food. Although it is served in small portions on metal plates, the food is very tasty and the prices are very reasonable. Hummus, black bean dish called ful, falafel were my favourites. In fact, people come here mostly for breakfast, options such as eggs and potato salad are also on the menu.

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Alcoholic Place?

There aren't many alcoholic places in Cairo and Alexandria. Beachside restaurants are non-alcoholic. If you want to have a beer against the sunset, it is a little difficult to find a place. For this, you should choose the restaurants or bars of chain hotels or resort-style hotels.

Street Food

You will not go hungry in Alexandria, but if you want to eat something while walking on the road, you can taste the chickpea-like peas you see in the photo below. You can eat it with lime and hot sauce. Enjoy your meal.

In addition, it is possible to find many tastes as street food, from doner kebab to falafel.

Coffee Break at Cilantro Kafe

When you exit the Alexandria Library and turn towards the city center, you will immediately see a cafeteria. Cilantro. This is a European style coffee shop. From cold coffees to frappes, we have whatever you want from coffee and its derivatives. It's also a nice spot to watch the sunset.

I gave 60 Egyptian Pounds to the coffee you see in the photo below, that is about 20 TL.

In addition, it is possible to come across the Costa Coffee coffee chain frequently, the prices are at similar levels there.

Breakfast at Delices Patisserie

If you are looking for a luxurious place in the city center, Delices may be for you. This is actually a well-known French patisserie chain. You can find simple breakfast items such as croissants and toast, or you can have a hearty breakfast with different omelets and eggs.

I gave 82 Egyptian Pounds for the breakfast which includes coffee and omelette, that is about 29 TL.

Meal at the Fish Market

When you go to Kayitbay Castle, you will see many fish restaurants on the way. The ritual of this place was to go to Kayitbay and then eat at one of the fish restaurants. I didn't try because I couldn't keep the time, but take this into account while you plan.

Transportation in Alexandria

There are many options for urban transportation in Alexandria. Below you will find the transportation options I have tried or seen during my stay in Alexandria.

Uber or Taxi

Since Uber is very common in Alexandria, I mainly used Uber for transportation in Alexandria as well as in Cairo. While Uber vehicles are new model vehicles, taxis from yellow-black old model vehicles are also very common in the city.

Trams

Alexandria has an extensive tram network. In fact, it is possible to reach almost anywhere with these trams. However, I never used the tram as the tourist information office said they don't pass very often and it would be faster if I took a taxi. If you don't have a time problem, the tram is definitely a good option.

Minibus

To go to Montaza Palace or Kayitbay Castle, you can use the minibuses that go along the promenade. These minibuses are like our minibuses, they stop when the customer sees them, you can get off wherever you want. Plus it's pretty cheap. You can go anywhere you want with prices between 2 – 5 LE.

Red Bus – Hop-on Hop-off

Another option is the tourist bus. These red-colored hop-on-hop-off buses also use the coastline. Don't expect a hop-on hop-off that goes through all the landmarks in the city we're usually used to seeing.

Tuk tuk

In the back quarters of the city, tuktuks, which we are accustomed to seeing in the Far East, are used for transportation. I've never tried these, but they're probably cheaper than a taxi.

Accommodation in Alexandria, Where to Stay

If you want to make a cultural trip to Alexandria, I would definitely recommend you to stay in the city center. But if you have come for a sea vacation, then you can book a place in the hotels located in the east or west of the city.

Ben is located in the city center and is located on the top floor of an old Alexandria building. Triomphe HostelI stayed in. I chose this place because it is both in the city center and the most affordable place. However, the rooms are quite old and there is no air conditioning, so I wouldn't recommend it if you're going in the hot season.

Alexandria is a very important city in terms of Egyptian culture and history, so I recommend it to be included in your Egypt trip. Even for the new library, which was built only in memory of the old library.

before making a decision Egypt travel writingsTake a look too.

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