Alexandria is a charming port city on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, this city has been home to many civilizations from ancient times until today. Alexandria attracts attention not only with its historical buildings but also with its relaxing atmosphere by the seaside.
One of the most important tourist attractions of Alexandria is undoubtedly the Library of Alexandria. The ancient library was the most important scientific and intellectual center of the ancient world. The library has a large reading hall, an archaeological museum and a mosaic gallery. There are numerous exhibits here, such as floor mosaics, a manuscript museum and historical artifacts from the ancient Greek period. This library gives clues to the scientific past of Alexandria.
Another important site in Alexandria is the Qaitbay Fortress. This fortress was built in 1477 by the Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf al-Sayf al-Din al-Qidbay on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse. Qaitbay Fortress was built to defend the city against attacks from the sea. Today, this fortress has the most beautiful view of Alexandria.
Another fascinating place in this city is the Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa. Dating back to the Roman period, these catacombs are one of the largest burial sites in the city. Here, there are burial chambers and majestic sarcophagi located on different levels. Kom El-Shoqafa has a unique burial tradition born from the combination of ancient Roman and Egyptian cultures.
Montaza Palace is another place to visit in the city. Built in 1892 by Abbas Hilmi II, this palace has a lush garden. The Royal Garden of Montaza covers the vast area where the palace is located and is over 350 acres in size. Visitors can take a stroll through the expansive gardens, relax in the cafes overlooking the sea and explore the enchanting atmosphere of the palace.
If you like walking along the coastline, you should definitely visit the Alexandria Corniche. This long walkway overlooking the cool waters of the Mediterranean Sea is ideal for those who want to breathe in the sea air and sit in the surrounding restaurants.
Another one of Alexandria’s favorite attractions is Pompey’s Column. Erected in 297 in honor of Emperor Diocletian, this column is 25 meters high.
Finally, for those who want to explore Alexandria’s ancient past, a visit to Kom El-Dikka will be a very interesting experience. This area is full of theaters, baths and mosaics from Roman times. There is also a Bird House here, decorated with rich mosaics from the time of Hadrian. This place showcases the architecture of the Ancient Roman and Greek periods.
The most famous of Alexandria’s ancient structures sunk in the sea are the shipwrecks in the Ancient Port of Alexandria. This area is full of artifacts and structures from the ancient Greco-Roman periods. Many of these shipwrecks contain historic structures such as the Pharos Lighthouse. The Pharos Lighthouse is one of the seven wonders of the world. The remains of the lighthouse were washed out to sea by a major earthquake in the 13th century. Today, these ruins make an impressive underwater exploration area for divers. Many diving companies organize tours to the wrecks off the coast of Alexandria. These tours often focus on interesting sites such as the ruins of the Pharos Lighthouse, stone statues found in the waters of the ancient Alexandria harbors and ancient shipwrecks.
Alexandria has a deep history, both historically and culturally.
Getting from Cairo Airport to Alexandria
There are various transportation options available for those wishing to travel from Cairo Airport to Alexandria. Alexandria is approximately 230 kilometers from Cairo.
Traveling by Bus: Traveling by bus from Cairo Airport to Alexandria is an economical option. Bus tickets usually cost between 4 and 10 dollars. The average travel time is 5 hours. To get on the bus from Cairo Airport, you can take the Shoubra line 111 and Imbaba line 381 to the bus terminal in the city center. From here you can take the bus to Alexandria. Buses run every 30 minutes from 7:50 am to 6:15 pm.
Travel by Train: Train travel is faster and more comfortable than the bus. You must first take a bus from Cairo Airport to Ramses Train Station. Then, you can travel to Alexandria by taking trains operated by Egyptian Railways. The journey by train takes about 4 hours. Ticket prices are between 5 and 8 dollars.
Traveling by Taxi: A taxi from Cairo Airport to Alexandria takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Taxi fares are usually between 120 and 200 dollars. Taxi fares may vary depending on the traffic density.