Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria rose to fame as home to the ancient world's greatest library and one of its tallest lighthouses. Though those wonders have long since vanished beneath time and sea, the city's layered past still surfaces in its Roman amphitheater, catacombs, and the National Museum's collection of artifacts spanning pharaonic to Ottoman eras. Along the curving Corniche, the Mediterranean sets a relaxed tone distinct from Cairo's desert intensity.
The historic center lies within easy reach of the pier, making a stroll along the waterfront or a visit to nearby landmarks simple to arrange. Many travelers use Alexandria as a springboard for a full-day journey to Cairo, roughly three hours inland, to see the Great Pyramids and Sphinx firsthand. Those who linger in the port city instead find a layered, unhurried introduction to Egypt's ancient and modern character alike.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Alexandria.
Explore the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Descend into this multi-level Roman-era necropolis carved into rock, where Egyptian, Greek, and Roman funerary styles blend in intricate reliefs. A short taxi ride from the pier, it's one of the city's most atmospheric ancient sites.
Tour the Roman Amphitheater
Wander the marble terraces of Kom el Dikka, the only Roman theater discovered in Egypt, unearthed alongside ancient baths and lecture halls. Compact and easy to visit within a couple of hours near the historic center.
Day Trip to the Pyramids of Giza
Make the roughly three-hour drive inland to stand before the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, icons of the ancient world best tackled with a pre-arranged full-day tour given the distance and border logistics.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
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