Best of Alexandria

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Alexandria
Set along the Mediterranean, Alexandria is steeped in history. Egypt’s second largest city was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE and grew into an important center of Hellenistic civilization, and its architecture, wealth and civic life once rivaled that of Athens and Rome. While many travelers visit on day trips from Cairo (a 2.5-hour drive to the southeast), Alexandria has some excellent hotels (including historic and seaside options) and restaurants, as well as plenty of daytime activities (museums, beach walks, scuba diving.

You can see vestiges of the past on guided tours through Alexandria’s most important sites. Local Egyptologists lead enlightening excursions into the Catacombs of Kom Ash Shuqqafa, the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt. At the Alexandria National Museum, you can explore ancient artwork, mythology and spiritual beliefs amid exhibitions that date from the Pharaonic period through Greco-Roman times and up to the Byzantine era. There’s also a 15th-century defensive fortress known as Fort Qaitbay and the massive Bibliotheca Alexandrina, home to a modern library, several museums and a planetarium.
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Learn about the ancient tombs of the "Mountain of the Dead" in Siwa
Map of Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure in Egypt: Alexandria & Siwa - 6 Days
Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure in Egypt: Alexandria & Siwa - 6 Days

Combine a coastal city with a desert oasis as you venture off the tourist trail on this six-day Egypt adventure. Begin in Alexandria, touring historic sites like the Library of Alexandria and the Citadel of Qaitbay. Then, it's on to the Siwa Oasis, where you'll discover pharaoh's tombs in the Mountain of the Dead and swim in the ancient waters of Cleopatra Bath. Wander the mud-brick alleyways of the Shali Fortress, cruise the sand dunes in a 4WD, and join a Bedouin tribe for dinner under the stars.

A safari adventure in the Siwa Desert
Map of Ancient Egypt & Oasis Adventure: Cairo, Alexandria & Siwa - 10 days
Ancient Egypt & Oasis Adventure: Cairo, Alexandria & Siwa - 10 days

Discover some of Egypt's most historic and exotic locales as you travel from Cairo across the country to the western oasis of Siwa. First, marvel at the great pyramids of Giza, see pharaohs' treasures in the Egyptian Museum, and tour one of the finest libraries of the ancient world in Alexandria. Then continue west to the Siwa Oasis to visit archaeological sites and enjoy a desert safari.

The Pyramids of Giza
Highlights of Cairo, Alexandria, and Hurghada - 6 Days

During this 6-day trip, you'll learn about the ancient history of Cairo and Alexandria as well as visit the old beach town of Hurghada, located on the coast of the Red Sea. Get to know Cairo's old streets with historic churches and the Khan El Khalili old market, and spend a day seeing the Egyptian Museum and Pyramids of Giza. Wander through Alexandria to see ancient artifacts and the Roman Amphitheater, and transfer to Hurghada for diving, a desert safari, and relaxation.

Watch the sunset from a Bedouin camp near Siwa
Map of Off-the-Beaten-Path Luxury in Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria & Siwa - 7 Days
Off-the-Beaten-Path Luxury in Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria & Siwa - 7 Days

Even with just a week in Egypt, you can see plenty more than the pyramids, as evidenced by this luxury adventure that includes some lesser-visited treasures. Your first day in Cairo is one for the books as you set off on an insider's tour of the Giza Plateau. Then, travel north to the coast and Alexandria to explore its ancient amphitheater, catacombs, and library before winding up at a tranquil eco-retreat in Siwa, a remote desert oasis where Cleopatra herself once bathed.

Rise above Luxor and the Valley of the Kings in a hot-air balloon
Map of Journey Through Egypt: Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Aswan & Alexandria - 13 Days
Journey Through Egypt: Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Aswan & Alexandria - 13 Days

In just under two weeks, you'll discover five Egyptian cities, starting in the capital, Cairo. Visit ancient landmarks like the Giza Pyramid Complex and Saqqara Necropolis before heading to Luxor to board a five-day cruise along the Nile. Stop at grand temples, float above Luxor in a hot-air balloon, and sail on a felucca (traditional boat). Then, head to Alexandria for a city tour, exploring the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa and the Library of Alexandria before returning to Cairo for museums and mosques.

Spend two days exploring the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria
Map of Best of Cairo & Alexandria - 7 Days
Best of Cairo & Alexandria - 7 Days

In just one week, you check off the highlights of Cairo and have time for a quick stint historic port of Alexandria. Start with a self-guided day in Egypt's capital, then explore the ancient wonders of Memphis, Saqqara, and the Giza pyramids. Transfer to Alexandria to visit landmarks like Qaitbay Fort and Montaza Palace before returning to Cairo to tour the Coptic and Islamic districts, followed by a dinner cruise on the Nile. Finally, take a day trip to the Faiyum Oasis to go bird-watching and waterfall chasing.

The Nile River
Map of Egypt Cultural Tour & Nile River Cruise: Cairo, Siwa & More - 14 days
Egypt Cultural Tour & Nile River Cruise: Cairo, Siwa & More - 14 days

Explore Egypt by water and land on this action-packed two-week tour of the country. After getting oriented in Cairo, you'll cruise along the Nile on a boat, stopping to visit the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. Then you'll continue the trip overland, exploring antiquities in Alexandria before retreating to the Siwa Oasis, home to the fascinating Berber settlements of the Egyptian desert. 

Karnak Temple is just one of the astonishing sites you'll explore on this grand tour
Map of Luxury Cultural Tour of Egypt: Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria & Siwa - 14 Days
Luxury Cultural Tour of Egypt: Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria & Siwa - 14 Days

The treasures of Egypt extend far beyond the Giza pyramids, which you'll quickly discover on this luxury two-week adventure. It begins in Cairo, where you'll ease into the dynamic capital's rich history and culture on visits to its best museums and dining in its finest restaurants. After touring those famous pyramids, travel south to Luxor, a hotbed of ancient dynastic history, then head to coastal Alexandria before venturing off the beaten path to experience the mystical desert oasis at Siwa.

Spend four days sailing along the Nile River aboard a dahabiya (traditional sailboat)
Map of Grand Tour of Egypt & Nile Sailing Trip - 12 Days
Grand Tour of Egypt & Nile Sailing Trip - 12 Days

Explore Egypt's highlights on this 12-day trip, beginning with a food tour in Cairo and a day trip to historical sites like the Giza Pyramid Complex. Spend a day discovering Alexandria and its ancient landmarks, then admire the monasteries in Wadi El Natrun before flying to Aswan. Visit Abu Simbel and Philae Temple, then board a dahabiya for a four-day cruise along the Nile River, stopping at notable temples, including Kom Ombo and Edfu, along the way. Finally, disembark and soar above Luxor in a hot-air balloon.

The Valley of the Kings
Explore Egypt: Ancient Cairo, Nile Cruise & Red Sea Beaches - 14 Days

This two-week tour showcases the highlights and hidden gems of Egypt— from ancient temples to Red Sea resorts. Discover the iconic Great Pyramids and the lesser-known sites of Saqqara and Dahshour, cruise up the Nile River from Aswan to Luxor, and head to the coast for rest and relaxation on the beaches of Hurghada. End your journey by circling back to Cairo, where you'll tour historic mosques and markets and embark on day trips to Alexandria and Fayoum.

Visit the mud-brick Shali Old Town, an ancient Berber settlement in the Siwa Oasis
Map of Highlights & Hidden Treasures of Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa, Aswan & Luxor - 13 Days
Highlights & Hidden Treasures of Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa, Aswan & Luxor - 13 Days

Delve into Egypt's cultural heritage and natural beauty in just under two weeks, starting in the capital, Cairo. Watch the sunset from the city's highest point, take a day trip to the waterfalls of Wadi el-Rayan, and visit landmarks like the Egyptian Museum. Step off the beaten path to visit ancient ruins in Alexandria and the Siwa Oasis, then cruise down the Nile for three nights, stopping at temples along the way. Back in Cairo, finish with a Nile dinner cruise and cultural show aboard a Pharaonic barge.

Get lost in the narrow, mud-brick alleys of Siwa
Map of Egypt's Highlights & Hidden Corners: Cairo, Siwa, Luxor, Hurghada & More - 16 Days
Egypt's Highlights & Hidden Corners: Cairo, Siwa, Luxor, Hurghada & More - 16 Days

Go from the bustling capital to the shores of the Red Sea on this 16-day tour that features some of Egypt's off-the-beaten-path gems alongside the classic highlights. Discover landmarks like the Giza Pyramid Complex and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, then spend a day visiting Alexandria's ancient sites before transferring to the remote Siwa Oasis. Trade the desert for the Nile as you set off on a three-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor, then head to Hurghada for beaches, snorkeling, and desert fun.

Sail the Nile in a luxurious dahabiya sailing boat
Egypt & Jordan Grand Tour: Cairo, Nile Sailing Trip, Hurghada, Bahariya & Petra - 20 Days

Enjoy culture, adventure, and relaxation on this unforgettable 20-day tour of Egypt and Jordan. See the iconic pyramids, temples, and tombs of the ancient world, explore otherworldly deserts and Red Sea beaches, and board a traditional dahabiya sailboat to cruise the Nile River in style. After discovering Egypt's many highlights and hidden gems, it's time to hop over to Jordan to camp among the red dunes of Wadi Rum and experience the "Lost City' of Petra by candlelight.

Other popular travel destinations in Egypt
Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Esna · Hurghada · Sharm el-Sheikh · Siwa · Fayoum