Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo
The Pearl of the Mediterranean — Ancient City of Alexander
About this tour
A full-day trip to Alexandria covering the Catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, Qaitbay Citadel, and the scenic Mediterranean Corniche. Lunch included. Optional beach visit available — enquire for fee.
What you'll see in Alexandria
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of the Ptolemaic kingdom and one of the great cities of the ancient Mediterranean. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, dug around the second century AD, are a multi-level underground cemetery whose carvings blend Egyptian gods with Greek and Roman styles. The Roman Amphitheatre at Kom el-Dikka, with its curved marble tiers, is the only structure of its type found in Egypt. The Citadel of Qaitbay was built in the 1470s by the Mamluk sultan Qaitbay on the site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse, reportedly reusing some of its fallen stone. You also drive along the curving Corniche.
How the day runs
This is a long day of about twelve hours, so pickup from your Cairo or Giza hotel is early. The drive north via the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road takes roughly two and a half to three hours each way, with a rest stop along the way. In Alexandria, visits typically begin at the Catacombs, followed by the Roman Amphitheatre in the city center. Lunch is included, and afterward you head to Qaitbay Citadel on the harbor and drive along the Corniche for views of the Mediterranean before starting the return to Cairo in the late afternoon.
Good to know
Alexandria is usually cooler and breezier than Cairo, which makes it a good escape in summer; winter brings occasional rain, so pack a light jacket. Photography is not always permitted inside the catacombs, and your guide will confirm the current rules. Wear comfortable shoes for the catacomb stairs and the uneven stone of the citadel. Carry your passport, since police checkpoints on intercity highways sometimes ask for ID. If you want to add a stop such as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina or time on the beach, ask us when booking whether it fits your day; the beach visit has an extra fee.
Alexandria's ancient reputation
In antiquity Alexandria was famous for two landmarks that no longer stand. The Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, guided ships into the harbor for centuries before earthquakes brought it down in the Middle Ages. The Great Library made the city a center of learning under the Ptolemies, the Greek-speaking dynasty that ruled Egypt until Cleopatra VII's death in 30 BC. Neither survives, but the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002, commemorates the library, and Qaitbay Citadel stands where the lighthouse once rose, so the city's history is still visible on the waterfront.
What's Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch
Not Included
- Entry tickets to sites
- Beach visit (optional, fee applies)
Pricing
- 1 Person: USD 120 total
- 2 Persons: USD 140 total
- 3+ Persons: USD 160 total
Prices marked per person are per person; all others are the total for that group size.
Beach option available — enquire via WhatsApp for fee
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Cairo to Alexandria?
Roughly two and a half to three hours each way on the Desert Road, depending on traffic and where in Cairo or Giza you start. That is why the tour runs to about twelve hours in total. The vehicle is private and air-conditioned, and we stop for breaks on request.
Are entry tickets included?
No. Entry tickets to the Catacombs, the Roman Amphitheatre and Qaitbay Citadel are not included and are paid at each site. Prices are set by the authorities and change from time to time, so we confirm them when you book.
Can we spend time at the beach?
Yes, as an option. A beach visit is not included in the standard price and carries an extra fee. Message us on WhatsApp before your trip and we will confirm the cost and how much time it would add to the day.
What does the price include?
A private air-conditioned vehicle for the round trip, an English-speaking guide and lunch. The price is a group total: $120 for one traveler, $140 for two, and $160 for three or more.
Other Day Tours
- Giza Pyramids, from USD 70
- Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshour, from USD 70
- Cairo City Tour, from USD 70
- Bike Tour to the Pyramids, from USD 30 per person