Alexandria Day Trip from Cairo: What to See, What to Skip, What to Photograph

Alexandria is the second-largest city in Egypt and the most underrated day trip from Cairo. Founded by Alexander the Great, capital of the Ptolemies, home of the ancient library that was the wonder of the world — and then a quiet Mediterranean city that most tourists skip. That is a mistake. One well-planned day in Alexandria delivers more history, photography and seafood than three days in most other cities.

Why go

Alexandria is 220 km from Cairo — 2h 20m by car on the desert highway, or 2h 30m on the train. The city has a completely different character from Cairo: European-influenced architecture, sea air, a corniche that curves along the Mediterranean for 20 km, and a quieter pace of life. It is also the best place in Egypt to photograph the sea.

The one-day itinerary that works

7:00am — Depart Cairo by private car. Breakfast on the road (a packed breakfast from your hotel is standard on our tours).
9:30am — Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The modern library, built in 2002 on the site believed to be near the ancient one. Architecturally stunning, especially the tilted glass roof and the exterior granite wall carved with characters from 120 scripts. Allow 90 minutes.
11:30am — The Roman Amphitheatre. Small, well-preserved, off the tourist radar. Allow 30 minutes.
12:30pm — Lunch on the corniche. Fresh fish at a Greek or Egyptian restaurant. Try Samak Mak or Athineos.
2:00pm — The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa. Underground Roman-era tombs carved three levels deep into the bedrock. Steep, narrow, and extraordinary. Allow 45 minutes.
3:30pm — Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum. One column, one sphinx, one very quiet site. Allow 20 minutes.
4:30pm — Qaitbay Citadel. The 15th-century fortress built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. Best light of the whole day at sunset. Allow 60 minutes.
6:00pm — Corniche sunset. Photograph the Mediterranean from the causeway below the citadel. Allow 30 minutes.
7:00pm — Depart back to Cairo. Dinner at your hotel around 9:30pm.

What to skip

• Montazah Palace Gardens — beautiful but a 30-minute detour each way. Better on a second visit.
• The Graeco-Roman Museum — closed more often than open in recent years. Check before you go.
• Alexandria's beaches — public beaches are crowded and not photographic. The corniche is better.

Photography in Alexandria

Alexandria is a photographer's city. The best light is early morning at the Bibliotheca, midday at the Catacombs (interior), and sunset at the Qaitbay Citadel. The corniche itself is worth an hour of street photography — fishermen, trams, cafés, the sea. Our Alexandria photo day trip pairs a private photographer and Egyptologist guide with a fully customisable itinerary — see all options at all Egypt tours. For a longer multi-day version, our 7-day Egypt tour can include Alexandria.

Practical tips

• Comfortable shoes — the Catacombs and Pompey's Pillar are uneven.
• Cash for entrance tickets and café stops; cards are not accepted at some sites.
• In winter bring a windproof jacket; the Mediterranean wind is cold on the corniche.
• Book the car in advance. Alexandria is doable by train but you lose 2 hours on local transport.
• Do not try to add Alexandria to an already-packed Cairo itinerary — dedicate one full day to it.