12 Amazing Places In Alexandria, Egypt

Alexandria in Egypt – it’s a city that’s sure to steal your heart! I totally get it if you’re thinking, “Eh, what’s so special about it?” because I was in the same boat. But trust me, once you’re there, it’s like finding a hidden level in your favorite game that’s packed with cool bonuses! In this article I am going to uncover the best places in Alexandria, Egypt.

Okay, picture this: Alexandria’s got this awesome seaside vibe that’ll make you want to snap a million photos. But hold on, because there’s a lot more to this place than just pretty beaches. Did you know it’s got some serious history cred? Yup, the one and only Alexander the Great rolled up and claimed it way back when. That’s like having a celebrity from your history book as the city’s VIP!

Now, imagine a library so epic, it was basically the brain of the ancient world. That was the Great Library of Alexandria. It was like the Google of olden times, but even bigger! Sadly, it got caught up in a huge fire during a battle, and poof, there went all that knowledge. Just the thought of it existing is super cool, though.

Oh, and there was this massive lighthouse – one of the seven ancient wonders! It was like the guiding star for sailors way before GPS was a thing. It’s not standing now because of a nasty earthquake, but it’s still a big deal in the history books.

Jump to today, and Alexandria isn’t just Egypt’s number two city—it’s a hub of non-stop action, with ships coming and going in its huge port. You’ve got to check out places like the old-school Citadel of Qaitbay, the super fancy Montazah Palace, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which is like a shoutout to the ancient library.

Read more: Is It Safe To Travel To Egypt As A Woman Alone?

1. Bibliotheca Library

Alexandria was once the proud owner of the coolest library on the planet. Imagine a place stacked with every book you could dream of, a treasure trove where all the smart stuff from way back was kept safe.

But, here comes the drama – a huge fire broke out, and just like that, the Library of Alexandria was toast. It was a huge bummer, especially if you were a smarty-pants back then. Think of it like losing all your saved games on your console. Total heartbreak, right?

Now, this library wasn’t just about books. It was the heart of the city, a place buzzing with people chatting about art, life, and all the big questions. Picture it as the coolest hangout spot where everyone shared their brilliant ideas.

These days, we’ve got the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and it’s not just about old memories. It’s a super cool spot where today’s geniuses meet up. It’s like a bridge between the past and now, keeping the love for learning alive.

2. Ruins Of The Original Library Of Alexandria

Think of the coolest, most epic library you could ever imagine – that was Alexandria’s ancient library. It was stacked with 400,000 scrolls, which is a lot of paper! Each one was a window into what people a super long time ago thought about, well, everything.

But here’s the sad part: things went seriously downhill. A king got a little too big for his boots and kicked out all the smart people. Next up, Julius Caesar – maybe you’ve heard of him – had a major ‘oops’ moment that ended up setting the whole place on fire. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any rougher, along came a new emperor who finished the job.

Nowadays, what’s left of that library is just whispers and secrets. There’s this spooky underground spot where they used to keep all those scrolls. If you’re brave enough to go down there, it’s like stepping into a time machine, except it’s really dark and kind of gives you the chills.

3. Citadel of Qaitbay

This awesome old fortress sitting right by the bright blue sea. It’s like a giant castle that was all about protecting the coast back in the 15th century. The guy who had it built was named Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf ad-Din Qa’it Bay – that’s a mouthful, right?

You’re going to stand where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria used to be, which was one of the big-time wonders of the ancient world. The fortress was like a superhero base, keeping an eye out for Ottoman invaders coming to Egypt by sea.

Now, sure, the fort isn’t as shiny and new as it used to be, but that’s part of its charm. Think of it as a giant history book with no pages but tons of stories. When you explore all four floors, you’ll see views that’ll pretty much knock your socks off.

4. Alexandria Corniche 

It’s like the place to hang out, especially when the sun starts to say goodbye for the day. You’ll see couples just chilling and staring into each other’s eyes, folks grilling up some corn, and some of the best fishermen in town trying to catch their dinner. And it’s not just couples; there are bunches of friends laughing and chatting everywhere.

The cool part? It’s super chill and safe there. No one’s going to bug you to buy stuff or say anything mean. It’s all good vibes by the water. It’s the perfect spot to take a walk and watch the sea sparkle under the streetlights.

5. The Catacombs Of Kom El Shoqafa

Way back around 1900, a donkey was just doing its thing, trotting along, when suddenly – whoops! – it took an unexpected trip down a hole. But it wasn’t just any hole; it was like a secret passage to a lost world! That’s how they found the Catacombs of Alexandria, and boy, was that a wild surprise.

The locals call it the “Mound of Shards” because the place was littered with old pottery pieces. It’s like walking into a hidden gallery where Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art all mash up. Imagine that – it’s like those artists from way back when decided to work together on this underground art project!

And guess what? The adventure’s still going! They’re still digging and discovering new stuff there. For just a few bucks (like 80 Egyptian pounds), you can join the fun and maybe see something nobody’s seen in thousands of years!

Now, they say you shouldn’t take pictures inside these spooky old tombs. But, you know, sometimes in Egypt, the rules can do a little dance if you catch my drift. You might spot other people taking some sneaky pics of all the cool stuff down there.

6. Pompey’s Pillar 

The Romans had just scored a huge win, and they’re like, “Let’s build something awesome to celebrate.” So they put up this ginormous pillar that sticks out like a champion in the middle of Alexandria. It’s all for Emperor Diocletian – he was famous for putting down rebellions.

Now, prepare to have your socks knocked off, because this isn’t just any old column. It’s a beast! Standing tall at almost 27 meters, it’s one of the biggest single pieces of stone the ancients ever set up. When you stand next to it, you’ll feel teeny-tiny, like you’re hanging out with the giants of history.

But there’s even cooler stuff! Right near this giant column, there are a couple of Sphinx statues – yeah, like mini versions of the famous one – guarding the place. It’s as if you’ve walked straight into a storybook from way back when. Plus, most of the time, this whole ancient playground is super quiet, like it’s just waiting for you to come and explore.

And get this: There’s a hidden chapter of the story under your feet. Secret rooms underground that are part of the legendary old library. Imagine the treasures that could be down there!

And hey, all this history can be yours for a quick visit costing just 60 Egyptian pounds. I’m telling you, for an epic adventure into the past, it’s a total bargain.

Read more: The Best Things to Do in Aswan: A Traveler’s Guide

7. Salamlek Palace

It started out in 1892 as a fancy spot for hunting, not for kings and queens to live in. Now, zoom to the present, and it’s turned into this super posh hotel and casino. Talk about leveling up! You can chill there like a VIP and maybe even strike it rich!

Back in the 1930s, King Fuad I was like, “I need a cool spot to beat the heat,” and boom, the palace became the go-to summer hangout for the royal crew. It’s like stepping into a time machine when you walk in, only with air conditioning and no time travel dizziness.

But hey, it’s not just about living the luxe life. The palace has another trick up its sleeve. It’s also a museum that’s all about the great Muhammad Ali – no, not the boxer, but the ruler who was a big deal in Egypt’s history. It’s packed with awesome art and stuff that tells stories from way back when.

8. Montazah Gardens

Imagine over 150 acres of the prettiest green you’ve ever seen, complete with swaying palm trees, sneaky little islands, big fancy palaces, and even awesome lighthouses.

And guess what? If you’re just walking in, it’s totally free. Yep, you heard that right—no charge at all. But if you’ve got a car, it’ll cost you like 30 Egyptian pounds to bring it in. It’s a huge place, so make sure to wear comfy shoes!

Now, get this: There’s this spot there called Tea Palace Island. With a name like that, you know it’s gotta be good. It’s a real island! You just walk over this cute bridge to get there, and boom—you’re exploring like you’re in some epic movie or something.

Sure, it’s got some ritzy stuff like a boat club and these restaurants that are all about the glam life. But don’t worry, you don’t need a pile of cash to have fun here. You can totally enjoy the killer views of the sea and that regal lighthouse for zero dollars. And check out the local fishermen when you’re there—they pull up with buckets full of fish they just caught. It’s super fresh and super cool to see.

9. Alexandria Fish Market

In Alexandria, the seafood is so incredibly fresh, you’ll feel like it jumped right out of the sea and onto your plate! Seriously, if you’re into fish, you’ll think you’ve hit the jackpot here.

Now, there’s this place called “Halaket El-Samak” – that’s the local fish market, and it’s a big deal around here. As the sun starts to dip and the sky turns all kinds of oranges and pinks, the market lights up. It’s like a carnival for fish lovers, with all these bright neon lights buzzing along the Corniche. It’s not just a place to eat; it’s like a whole vibe.

You’ve gotta check it out. It’s not just seeing all that fresh fish; it’s the sounds of the sellers calling out, the smell of the ocean, and, oh, the tastes! We’re talking about a seafood party that your stomach will thank you for.

10. Alexandria Harbour

It’s like a hidden gem that not many tourists know about – but hey, we’re in the know now! You can totally rent your own boat and have the whole place to yourselves. It’s like being the captain of your own little adventure!

As you glide across the water, the city starts to show off just for you. Tall buildings reaching up to the sky, awesome landmarks popping up along the coast – it’s like a postcard, but you’re actually in it! Just a friendly tip: make sure you pick a day when the water is nice and chill, not too windy.

11. Stanley Bridge

If you’re all about snapping awesome photos or just want to catch some cool breezes, this place is it. Seriously, bring your camera, because you’re going to want to remember this view forever.

My best tip? Just take your time walking across the bridge. Soak it all up – the sea, the sky, everything. It’s the kind of spot that makes you go, “Wow, this is so cool.”

And hey, if you’re thinking about kicking it old school with a horse-drawn carriage ride, make sure to talk price first so there’s no surprises later. It’s super fun, but it’s even better when you know the deal upfront.

So, Stanley Bridge isn’t just a name; it’s actually named after the area and the bay it crosses, looking all majestic. It’s been around since 2001 and stretches a pretty long 400 meters with six big arches. Plus, it’s got this cool Islamic style that goes perfectly with the royal Montazah Palace nearby.

12. Lighthouse Of Alexandria

Some people call it the Pharos of Alexandria, and it’s pretty legendary. Way back in the day, like over 2,000 years ago, the rulers of Egypt who were called the Ptolemies built this massive lighthouse. Imagine, it was over 330 feet tall! It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and for a super long time, it was like one of the tallest things anybody had ever made.

Sadly, though, Mother Nature wasn’t kind to it. There were these big earthquakes between 956 and 1323 AD, and they shook it up so bad that it turned into just a pile of rubble. It was pretty tough, though; it hung around longer than most of the other ancient wonders, except for the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and, you know, the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is still around.

The cool part is that even after it fell down, it didn’t just disappear. In 1480, people took some of the lighthouse’s old stones and built this awesome fort called the Citadel of Qaitbay right where the lighthouse used to be.

Fast forward to 1994, and these French underwater archaeologists go diving off the coast of Alexandria, and guess what? They found pieces of the old lighthouse at the bottom of the sea.