Egypt Discovery
ExcursionCairo

Alexandria 2 Nights from Cairo – Wadi El Natrun, Pompey's Pillar, Catacombs

Visit the Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Roman Museum on an excursion from Cairo.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

The Alexandria and Wadi El Natrun excursion is a Cairo-based guided trip covering five named cultural sites, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Cultural
  • Archaeology & history
  • Religious & Pilgrimage

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration
1 day
Travel style
Private Guided Excursion
Accommodation
N/A
Operated by
Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Wadi El Natrun · Alexandria
Includes
Breakfast · Lunch · Visit to Pompey's Pillar · Visit to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa · Visit to Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Visit to the Roman Museum
Best for
History enthusiasts · Architecture enthusiasts · Travellers interested in Roman Egypt
Guide languages
Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Best time to go

October to April is generally more comfortable for walking, with daytime temperatures in Alexandria often around 18–25°C; summer days can reach roughly 27–31°C. Spring and autumn can bring busy visitor periods, while Ramadan may affect opening hours, so check site schedules for your travel dates.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • Breakfast and lunch are included.
  • The product details identify five named places or sites.
  • The product title and stated duration do not match; confirm the schedule before booking.

02Overview

A first look

Two nights in Alexandria with private transfers and guided visits from Cairo. Cairo to Alexandria is 220 km (about 2.5–3 hours by private car).

Background

The facts

This excursion combines sites in Alexandria with a stop in Wadi El Natrun. The title refers to “2 Nights”, while the excursion duration is one day.

Named Alexandria sites are Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Graeco-Roman Museum. Wadi El Natrun lies inland from the Mediterranean coast, on the route between Cairo and Alexandria.

Pompey’s Pillar is a Roman-era column at the Serapeum site. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are an ancient burial complex combining Egyptian, Greek and Roman influences. Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened in 2002 as a modern library and cultural centre. Wadi El Natrun is associated with early Christian monastic communities; its monasteries form part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Ancient Christian Monuments of Wadi Natrun.

Opening hours and seasonal schedules can change, so we’ll confirm current access for each site before travel. Breakfast and lunch are included. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

Named in this entry

Alexandria·Wadi El Natrun·Pompey’s Pillar·Serapeum of Alexandria·Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa·Bibliotheca Alexandrina·Graeco-Roman Museum·Ancient Christian Monuments of Wadi Natrun

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This excursion suits adults and teenagers interested in Alexandria’s Greek, Roman and Christian heritage, including Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It works best for couples, solo travellers or families comfortable with a long road journey from Cairo and a full day of sightseeing.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose a slower or shorter outing if you have limited mobility, need step-free access or find long drives tiring. The product title mentions two nights, while the supplied duration is one day, so confirm the schedule before booking.

What lingers

  • 01Two nights in Alexandria with Pompey's Pillar, Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs and the Roman Museum.
  • 02We provide private return transfers from Cairo; 220 km via the Desert Road, typically 2.5–3 hours each way.
  • 03Morning visit to Bibliotheca Alexandrina – guided tour with time for the Manuscripts Reading Room and museum galleries.
  • 04Includes Wadi Natrun visit – approximately 100 km northwest of Cairo, about 1.5–2 hours' drive.
  • 05We use private transport rather than scheduled group buses; flexibility for early-morning or late-afternoon visits.
  • 06Standard site entrance fees included; pyramid interior and premium tombs excluded unless requested and booked in advance.

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Visits Pompey’s Pillar and Alexandria’s Roman Catacombs
  • Includes the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Roman Museum
  • Wad Natrun adds a distinct stop beyond central Alexandria
  • Breakfast and lunch are listed as included

Things to Consider

  • Long road travel from Cairo takes time
  • Uneven ground and stairs may limit access at sites
  • One day allows limited time at each museum
  • The title and stated duration do not match

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Cairo excursions focus on Alexandria alone. This itinerary also includes Wadi El Natrun, so we'll confirm travel times and the order of visits before you choose it.

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask whether the Graeco-Roman Museum means the newly reopened museum on Nabi Daniel Street.

  2. 02

    Confirm that the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are open on your travel date before setting out.

  3. 03

    Check whether photography is permitted at each site, as rules can differ between indoor galleries and archaeological areas.

  4. 04

    Ask how much time is allocated to Bibliotheca Alexandrina, since access to exhibitions may require separate tickets.

Tailor it

Make it yours

A private vehicle, adjusted pickup point or additional time at individual sites may be requested as customisation options.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

This excursion extends a Cairo stay with Alexandria’s Roman and modern landmarks, with Wadi El Natrun adding a separate monastic-history stop. It can sit between Cairo sightseeing and a Nile itinerary, though the listed stops make for a demanding day.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

No minimum age or child fare rules were supplied for this excursion, so please ask us to confirm these for your travel date before booking. The long drive and walking over uneven ground may be tiring for young children. Strollers are impractical at the Catacombs and on rough archaeological paths; a compact carrier may be more useful, though underground stairs still require care. High-chair availability has not been confirmed. Children must remain with an adult at all sites.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Pompey's PillarRight here
  • Catacombs of Kom El ShoqafaRight here
  • Bibliotheca AlexandrinaRight here
  • Graeco-Roman MuseumRight here
  • Wadi El Natrun monasteriesRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Combine Wadi El Natrun with Alexandria's Roman sites

  2. 02

    See Pompey's Pillar and Kom El Shoqafa

  3. 03

    Include Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Roman Museum

·In summary

The listed route names five sites: Wadi El Natrun, Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Graeco-Roman Museum. Its title says “2 Nights”, but the supplied duration is one day, so confirm the itinerary before booking.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What sites are included on the Alexandria 2-night itinerary?
    The itinerary visits Wād Natrun, Pompey's Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Roman Museum. Order can change for traffic and museum opening days; we typically split sightseeing across both mornings. A qualified English-speaking guide from our team accompanies visits and we confirm the exact programme at booking.
  2. 02How long does it take to drive from Cairo to Alexandria?
    Cairo to Alexandria is about 220 kilometres and usually takes 2.5–3 hours by road, depending on traffic. We plan departures to avoid peak Cairo traffic where possible and include a short comfort stop; travel times extend in heavy traffic or during public holidays.
  3. 03Are entrance fees included in the tour price?
    Standard entrance fees for the listed sites are included unless the itinerary states otherwise. Premium-access options (for example private-collection access or after-hours visits) are extra. Pyramid interiors are not part of this programme; gratuities and personal expenses are also excluded.
  4. 04Is this tour suitable for travellers with limited mobility?
    The tour includes uneven ancient stone, narrow staircases and some lengthy walks, so it can be challenging for guests with limited mobility. The Catacombs and certain monastery areas involve steep steps and low headroom; Alexandria pavements can have kerbs and cobbles. We can reduce walking and position a vehicle close to entrances where feasible, but full wheelchair access is not guaranteed–please tell us at booking so we can advise.
  5. 05Can we visit the monasteries at Wād Natrun and are there dress or photography rules?
    Yes – Wād Natrun contains active Coptic monasteries and modest dress is expected for visitors. Women should cover shoulders and knees; some inner areas may be closed to visitors and photography may be restricted inside churches. Our guide will explain current local rules and any short-notice closures.
  6. 06How does the two-night overland itinerary compare with a Cairo day trip to Alexandria?
    We run this as a two-night overland itinerary from Cairo rather than a single rushed day trip. Two nights allow fuller visits to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Roman Museum and time at Wād Natrun without the pressure of a same-day return. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and operate on the ground, so we can adjust the sequence to avoid closures or heavy traffic.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: EXC-CAI-291845

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