Egypt Discovery
AttractionAlexandria

Pompey's Pillar Entry Ticket

Single-entry admission to Alexandria’s Roman-era granite column and monument plaza; your PDF ticket arrives by email after booking.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Pompey's Pillar Entry Ticket grants single-entry admission to the Roman-era monument in Alexandria, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Cultural
  • Archaeology & history

Snapshot

Good to know

Time to allow
Self-paced
Travel style
Self-Guided Entry
Arranged by
Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Pompey's Pillar, Alexandria
Includes
Single-entry access to Pompey's Pillar and the immediate site · PDF e-ticket delivered by email
Best for
Independent visitors · Roman history enthusiasts · Architecture enthusiasts · Visitors to Alexandria

Best time to go

October to April is generally more comfortable for outdoor sightseeing in Alexandria; summer is hotter and more humid, so an early morning or late afternoon visit may be easier. Temperatures and opening hours vary by season, and Ramadan or major public holidays may affect timings and visitor numbers, so check the official site before travelling.

  • The product includes single-entry access to the monument area and immediate site.
  • The ticket is delivered as a PDF by email after booking confirmation.
  • The site authority controls opening hours, last admission, security procedures, photography rules and temporary closures.
  • The ticket does not include a guide, transport, meals or drinks.
  • Any photography permit or special-access supplement required by the site authority is excluded.

02Overview

A first look

A single column of polished red Aswan granite, almost 27 metres tall, is what remains above the mound of the Serapeum — once Alexandria's great temple of Serapis with an annexe of the ancient Library. It was raised around AD 300 for the emperor Diocletian; the "Pompey" attribution is a mediaeval muddle. Sphinxes and underground galleries survive around its base.

Your entry ticket is emailed as a PDF. The site sits a short walk from the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, and an Egyptologist can be organised separately.

Background

The facts

Pompey's Pillar is a Roman-era column in Alexandria, Egypt. Erected in the 3rd century AD, it stands about 29.6 metres tall including its base and is among the largest ancient monolithic columns still standing outside Rome.

The column stands within an archaeological precinct associated with Rhakotis, the ancient Egyptian settlement, and later Roman Alexandria. The site includes the red granite shaft, its Corinthian capital and adjacent archaeological remains. The entry ticket grants single-entry access to the monument area and the immediate site around the column.

Admission is self-guided and limited to the areas included with the ticket. Opening hours and last-admission times vary seasonally; check official site information before travelling. The outdoor setting is generally more comfortable earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. Security procedures, temporary closures and photography rules are set by the site authority.

Named in this entry

Pompey's Pillar·Alexandria·Rhakotis·Roman Alexandria·Rome·Roman Empire·Egypt·Mediterranean Sea

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This entry ticket suits solo travellers, couples and families with school-age children or teenagers interested in Roman Alexandria. It is a straightforward, self-guided stop for visitors who want to see the granite column without a scheduled programme.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose another visit if you need confirmed step-free access or a fully guided experience. This is an outdoor site, and shade may be limited.

What lingers

  • 01Single-entry access to Pompey's Pillar and the immediate site around it
  • 02See the granite shaft and surviving capital at close range
  • 03Visit a Roman monument dating to the 3rd century AD
  • 04View the column in its Alexandria setting at your own pace

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most monument visits sold as tours include a scheduled programme; this product is an entry ticket for self-guided access. Unlike a guided visit, it does not include a guide, transport or meals.

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Entry ticket to Pompey's Pillar
  • PDF e-ticket sent by email after booking

Not included

  • Professional Egyptologist or guide, available to book separately
  • Transport to and from Pompey's Pillar
  • Food and drink
  • Photography permit, if required by the site authority
  • Optional site fees or special-access supplements charged at the entrance

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Check official opening information shortly before travelling, as seasonal hours and last admission can change.

  2. 02

    Print the PDF if you are unsure whether the entrance accepts tickets shown on a mobile screen.

  3. 03

    Ask at the entrance whether photography permits are required before taking photographs.

  4. 04

    Read the onsite panels before leaving the plaza; no guided programme is included.

Tailor it

Make it yours

No private or group format is involved: this is a standalone entry ticket with a self-guided visit. A professional Egyptologist or guide and transport are not included; check separately whether these can be arranged.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

Pompey's Pillar fits into a half-day exploring Alexandria's Roman and ancient sites. It can be paired with the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa and the Roman Amphitheatre.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa17 min walk
  • Roman Amphitheatre of Alexandria3 km
  • The National Museum of Alexandria5 km
  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina6 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Single-entry ticket arranged for Pompey's Pillar

  2. 02

    PDF ticket sent by email after booking

  3. 03

    Visit the column and surrounding site at your own pace

·In summary

Pompey's Pillar stands about 29.6 metres tall, including its base, and dates to the 3rd century AD. The outdoor archaeological site in Alexandria includes the granite column, its Corinthian capital and adjacent remains associated with ancient Rhakotis and Roman Alexandria.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What's included with admission to Pompey's Pillar?
    The ticket provides single admission to Pompey's Pillar and the immediate monument site. It is sent as a PDF attachment by email after booking confirmation. Transport, food and drinks are not included. Check whether the entrance accepts a mobile ticket; print the PDF if you are unsure.
  2. 02How do I use my Pompey's Pillar ticket?
    Show your confirmed ticket at the entrance gate for admission to Pompey's Pillar. Your PDF is sent by email after booking. Check whether the site accepts a phone screen, as entry rules can vary, and print the ticket if you cannot confirm this before travelling.
  3. 03What are Pompey's Pillar opening hours?
    Opening hours and last admission at Pompey's Pillar can change by season. Check the official site shortly before your visit for current times, and consider arriving early to allow time for entry checks. Temporary closures or other changes are set by the site authority.
  4. 04When is the best time to visit Pompey's Pillar?
    An early visit can help you avoid the strongest midday sun at Pompey's Pillar. Alexandria is generally milder in winter than in summer, but conditions vary by date. Check opening hours before setting out, as seasonal changes may affect when visitors can enter.
  5. 05How can I reach Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria?
    Pompey's Pillar is in Alexandria, and transport to the site is not included with the ticket. You can take a taxi to the monument; confirm the destination with the driver before setting off. Allow extra time for city traffic and security checks at the entrance.
  6. 06Can I take photographs at Pompey's Pillar?
    Photography rules at Pompey's Pillar are set by the site authority and may change. Check the signs or ask staff at the entrance before taking pictures. A photography permit may be required, and any such permit is not included with the entry ticket.
  7. 07What should I wear to Pompey's Pillar?
    Wear comfortable shoes with a firm sole, as the monument site may involve uneven ground. Choose clothing suited to the weather and bring sun protection, especially in warmer months. There is no dress code stated for this ticket, but follow any instructions displayed by site staff.
  8. 08Can visitors with limited mobility access Pompey's Pillar?
    The monument grounds may include uneven surfaces, which can make movement difficult. We'll confirm the entrance route and current conditions before your visit.
  9. 09Can children visit Pompey's Pillar, and is there a child ticket?
    Children can visit Pompey's Pillar. Adults should supervise children around the ancient stonework and uneven ground.
  10. 10What is the history behind the name Pompey's Pillar?
    The column was raised in Alexandria around 300 AD in honour of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Its traditional name is misleading: the pillar is not a monument to Pompey. It stands within the area of the Serapeum, the ancient sanctuary dedicated to Serapis.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: TKT-ALX-523090

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