About this activity
Editor's Note
There is always a lively debate in our office about these long-haul day trips. On one hand, the transfer time—totaling nearly six hours—really eats into the utilization of the day; on the other, it is the only viable way to tap into the Alexandria market without the hassle of checking out of your Cairo hotel. From a cost-benefit perspective, it works well. The ground handlers run this route daily, so the logistics are usually tight, though the lead time for group pickups can vary. It is a grueling 12-hour shift, but seeing the Roman influence provides a neccessary contrast to the Pharaonic heavyweights you see in Giza. If you can handle the drive, the payoff at the Catacombs is worth the seat time.
About the Tour
This tour is a comprehensive run through Alexandria’s "Greatest Hits," designed for travelers who want to maximize their inventory of visited sites in a single day.
The Logistics The operation kicks off at 07:00 am sharp. A representative will handle the pickup from your hotel in either Cairo or Giza. The transfer is done by a private A/C vehicle. Alexandria is located about 220 km away, which implies a travel time of roughly 3 hours each way. It’s a significant chunk of time, so plan your onboard entertainment accordingly.
The Itinerary You arrive in Alexandria around 10:00 am. The sightseeing schedule is packed into a 4 to 5-hour window:
- The Roman Theater: This is a compact but impressive site featuring marble seating for up to 800 spectators. It includes galleries and a section of mosaic flooring that really highlights the Roman aesthetic.
- The Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa: For many, this is the anchor of the trip. The tombs span three levels and include the Tri-cilium, where relatives historically sat on stone benches to feast the dead. Look closely for the reliefs of bearded serpents and the 2nd Century AD statues of Sobek and Anubis wearing Roman armor—a rare iconographic mix.
- Alexandria Library: A modern architectural marvel. Operational Note: The library is closed on Fridays, so if your booking falls on that day, this becomes a photo-op from the exterior only.
- Qaitbay Citadel & El Mursi Abu Elabas: You will round out the tour with visits to these historic landmarks before heading back.
Return & Pricing Structure The day concludes with a transfer back to Cairo, aiming for a drop-off around 19:00 pm.
Regarding the rates, two pricing options are available at the time of booking: Private Tour and Group Tour. If you opt for the Group Tour to save on the yield, kindly allow a waiting period of around 15 to 30 minutes for the pickup consolidation.
Highlights
- Discover the main attractions of ancient Alexandria
- Stroll the ramparts of the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel
- Benefit from informative and professional Egyptologist guides
- Relax with comfortable air-conditioned transfers
- Private tour
Know before you go
- Note: Alexandria Library is Closed on Friday so you will be able to take Photos from outside
What to bring
Not allowed
Includes / Excluded
Itinerary
7 pickup location options:
Kafr Nassar, Ramses Hilton, Cairo, Al Haram, 6th of October City, Emo Tours Egypt, Giza District See more
Car
(2 hours)
Roman theater in Kom El-Deka
Visit, Guided tour (1 hour)
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Visit, Guided tour (1 hour)
Library of Alexandria
Visit, Guided tour (1 hour)
Qaitbay Citadel, Alexandria
Visit, Guided tour (1 hour)
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
Visit, Guided tour (1 hour)
Car
(3 hours)
7 drop-off locations:
Giza District, Emo Tours Egypt, Kafr Nassar, 6th of October City, Cairo, Ramses Hilton, Al Haram See more