Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Alexandria was the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt for almost 1000 years.
With its legendary lighthouse and great Library the city was renowned as a centre for culture and learning. Today the ancient library is replaced by a modern wonder, the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Carved into the exterior of the Bibliotheca are hieroglyphs, symbols and letters from ancient scripts. The eerie Catacombs of Kom El Shouqafa are the largest-known Roman burial site in Egypt. Modern Alexandria reflects much of its 19th century cosmopolitan heritage, and although just 220 kilometres from Cairo, seems more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern.
Inclusions
- Full day tour of Alexandria including
Highlights
- Pomepy’s Pillar
- Catacombs of Kom El Shouqafa
- Montazah Palace and Gardens
- National Museum
Optional add ons
- Full day Alamein tour with lunch
Sample Itinerary
Alexandria
3 days/2 nights
Day 1
Alexandria
Transfer by road from Cairo to your hotel for 2 nights. The journey takes 3 hours.
Day 2
Alexandria
Today enjoy a full day tour of Alexandria. Visit Pompey’s Pillar a column of red Aswan granite. Explore the ancient Catacombs of Kom El Shouqafa, visit the archaeological treasures of the National Museum and wander through the 114 acre El Montazah Gardens once owned by Egypt’s royal family. A highlight of the tour is the new Alexandria Library, a huge tilted disc reminiscent of a rising sun on the edge of the Mediterranean. BL
Day 3
Tour ends, Cairo
This morning transfer back to Cairo. Tour ends. B
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner