All citiesAlexandria Things to do and walking itinerary
Egypt Alexandria travel guide
28 things to do in Alexandria, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Alexandria
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina — major library and cultural center in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 120 min)
- El-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Serapeum of Alexandria — temple in Alexandria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pompey's Pillar — Roman triumphal column in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa — archaeological site in Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Citadel of Qaitbay — building in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Pharos — island in Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral — church in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Alexandria National Museum — museum in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Graeco-Roman Museum — museum in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue — synagogue in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Caesareum of Alexandria — demolished temple in Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Ras el-Tin Palace — palace in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Cathedral of Evangelismos — cathedral in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Alexandria Opera House — opera house in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Kom El-Dikka — neighborhood and archaeological site in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Heptastadion — archaeological site in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- St. Catherine's Cathedral, Alexandria — cathedral in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Alexandria Zoo — zoo in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Attarine Mosque — mosque in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palais d’Antoniadis — palace in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Shallalat Gardens — park in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Cavafy Museum — museum in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Nabi Daniel Mosque — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al-Busiri Mosque — mosque in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Qaed Ibrahim Mosque — mosque in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Alexandria Naval Unknown Soldier Memorial — memorial dedicated to the unknown soldiers who lost their lives in the sea battles (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Alexandria Museum of Fine Arts — museum in Alexandria, Egypt (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Alexandria walking itinerary
Starting point: Raml Station. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.7 km · 13,150 steps · 2 h 9 min on the way): Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral → Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa → Serapeum of Alexandria → Pompey's Pillar → El-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque
- Day 2 (≈ 7.3 km · 9,890 steps · 1 h 38 min on the way): Citadel of Qaitbay → Pharos → Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Where to stay in Alexandria
- Raml Station: The tram hub, with old cafés and the Corniche next door.
- Mansheya: The old city square, bazaars and close to Qaitbay.
- Stanley: A more modern seaside area with its bridge and beaches.
- San Stefano: Big hotels and a mall with sea views.
Getting from the airport to Alexandria
- Borg El Arab (HBE): Taxi ≈ 1 h
Getting around
Taxis and minibuses are easy along the Corniche; the historic tram is slow but charming.
Classic places to eat
- Mohamed Ahmed: A legendary breakfast spot for ful and falafel.
- Délices: An old Greek patisserie at Raml since 1922.
- Trianon: An art deco café on Raml Square.
- Brazilian Coffee Stores: Freshly roasted coffee since 1929.
- Athineos: A historic Greek café at Raml.
- Kadoura: Pick your fish from the counter and have it cooked.
Romantic views
- Stanley Bridge (Evening): A towered bridge crossing the bay.
- Citadel of Qaitbay (Sunset): Sea views from the fort on the old lighthouse site.
- Montaza Gardens (Daytime): Wide gardens and coves around the palace.
- Corniche (Sunset): The long seafront curving around the harbour.
Good to know before visiting Alexandria
- Fine: Photographing military sites, police, bridges and government buildings is prohibited.
- Fine: Bringing a drone without a permit is banned; it will be confiscated at the airport.
- Fine: Drug offences carry very severe penalties.
- Fine: Exporting antiquities and taking coral or shells from the Red Sea are banned.
- Warning: Insulting religion or state institutions can be prosecuted.
- Warning: Same-sex relations can be prosecuted under morality laws; check official travel advice.
- Emergency: police 122, ambulance 123, fire 180
- Plugs: C/F, 220V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: Tipping (baksheesh) is expected everywhere: 10–15% in restaurants, small notes for services.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Egypt, Wikivoyage — Egypt, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Alexandria travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Alexandria?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Alexandria?
- Highlights: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, El-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque, Serapeum of Alexandria, Pompey's Pillar and Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. The map has 28 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Alexandria?
- Raml Station: The tram hub, with old cafés and the Corniche next door. Other options: Mansheya, Stanley and San Stefano.
- How do you get from the airport to Alexandria city centre?
- Borg El Arab (HBE): Taxi ≈ 1 h
- How do you get around Alexandria?
- Taxis and minibuses are easy along the Corniche; the historic tram is slow but charming.
- What is the emergency number in Alexandria?
- Emergency: police 122, ambulance 123, fire 180.
- Do you tip in Alexandria?
- Tipping (baksheesh) is expected everywhere: 10–15% in restaurants, small notes for services.
Nearby cities
Cairo · Ramallah · East Jerusalem · Nicosia · Amman · Rhodes · Beirut · Antalya
Egypt travel guide: all cities · All cities