Can I do Alexandria as a day trip from Cairo?

Yes – Alexandria is about three hours from Cairo by road, so a long full-day private tour comfortably takes in the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, returning to Cairo the same evening. An overnight stay lets you slow the pace.

What is Alexandria known for?

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria is Egypt's Mediterranean city – once home to the ancient Lighthouse and the Great Library, two wonders of the classical world. Today it blends Greco-Roman ruins, the seafront Qaitbay fortress, belle-époque palaces and the striking modern library.

How much does a Alexandria excursion cost?

Private excursions in Alexandria start from £93 per person, with the exact rate depending on the itinerary, group size and season. Every Discovery Tours Egypt excursion is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.

Are your Alexandria excursions private?

Yes. Every excursion we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Alexandria hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the excursion can adjust it on the day.

When is the best time to visit Alexandria?

October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so excursions start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run excursions in Alexandria year-round.

Is it safe, and are families welcome?

Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and excursions run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.

Excursions to Alexandria

Alexandria Excursions

Catacombs, Citadel of Qaitbay, Bibliotheca Alexandrina & the Corniche

LengthFull & half day

From£60 / person

PickupHotel included

GuideEgyptologist

By the Discovery Tours Egypt desk

Alexandria rewards curiosity over spectacle. The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are one of the ancient world's quiet marvels – three subterranean levels where Roman and Egyptian styles collide. The Citadel of Qaitbay stands where the ancient lighthouse once rose. And the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern revival of antiquity's greatest library, is worth an hour of anyone's afternoon.

The best excursion in Alexandria is the one you don't have to organise yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.

Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988

What you'll see

Alexandria, in the order that makes sense

A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.

Citadel of Qaitbay

A 15th-century fortress on the Mediterranean, built on the exact spot – and partly from the fallen stones – of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders. The sea air, the ramparts and the harbour views make it Alexandria's signature stop.

~1.5 hrsEastern Harbour

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The modern reincarnation of the ancient Library of Alexandria – a vast sun-disc of a building tilted toward the sea, opened in 2002. Inside: the main reading room, museums and changing exhibitions. A striking counterpoint to the city's ancient layers.

~1.5 hrsClosed Fridays am

Montaza Palace Gardens

The royal gardens of Egypt's last dynasty, sprawling along the coast with the Florentine-style Al-Haramlik palace at their centre. A green, breezy place to walk between the historic sites – and a glimpse of Alexandria's belle-époque heyday.

~1 hrCoastal gardens

Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa

A three-level Roman necropolis spiralling underground, where Egyptian, Greek and Roman funerary art fuse like nowhere else – one of the medieval world's 'Seven Wonders' of the Middle Ages. Cool, atmospheric, and a complete change of register from the seafront.

~1 hrUnderground · cool

Pompey's Pillar

A single 27-metre column of red Aswan granite, raised around 298 AD – the largest of its kind ever erected outside the imperial capitals – beside the ruins of the Serapeum temple and two granite sphinxes. A quick, photogenic stop with deep Roman-Egypt history.

~40 minRoman Alexandria

Every Alexandria excursions

Ways to spend the day

Every private, fully-guided excursion we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included, priced in GBP, all-in.

Alexandria 2 Nights from Cairo – Wad Natrun & Pompey's Pillar

Two-night private itinerary from Cairo to Alexandria, visiting Wad Natrun monasteries, Pompey's Pillar, the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Roman Museum. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange private transfers and an Egyptologist to accompany key visits. Cairo to Alexandria is about 220 km (roughly 2.5–3 hours by car). Unlike rushed one-day coach excursions, this itinerary gives you two nights and a full day in Alexandria to see the main sites at a steady pace. Trade-offs: expect early starts, a long road transfer each way and limited shade at several outdoor sites.

From £179

Alexandria Overnight Tour from Cairo

An overnight private tour from Cairo to Alexandria visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar and Qaitbay Citadel. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologist leads the visits. We operate this as a private or small-group trip; we do not run large coach tours. Unlike rushed coach day trips, our overnight schedule includes late-afternoon time at Montaza Gardens and a quieter morning at the Bibliotheca. The drive is approximately 220 km and takes 2.5–3 hours each way by private car. Expect a long first day and several stairs at Kom El Shoqafa; there is limited shade at Qaitbay around midday. Standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise; the overnight seafront hotel is arranged on your behalf.

From £1762 Days

Alexandria & Wadi Natrun, Day tour from Cairo

A full-day tour from Cairo linking Alexandria's coastal antiquities with the Coptic monasteries of Wadi Natrun. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologist accompanies the tour. We operate this as a private-car itinerary rather than a shared coach, which gives more time at each site. Unlike shore excursions run from Alexandria's port, this itinerary includes inland monastic visits away from the coast. Expect a long 12–14 hour day with approximately 220 km driving each way between Cairo and Alexandria and substantial time in the vehicle. Modest dress is required at monasteries (shoulders and knees covered; women should carry a scarf). Standard site entrance fees are included; optional donations and photography permits are not.

From £93

Know before you go

The practical bits

What to wear

Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.

Tipping

Around £2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your excursion price is complete.

Heat & water

Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.

Cameras & fees

A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.

Questions we hear most