The Greek and Roman city

Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo

Catacombs, a Roman theatre and the Mediterranean, in a long day from Cairo.

Full day · about 12 hours · Alexandria · Private

Starting priceUSD 80Per person at the lowest group rate; solo travellers and couples pay more.Your written quote confirms the price for your party, dates and choices.

Nothing is booked until you accept a written quote
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The carved entrance of the main tomb in the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, lit from below.

Duration: Full day · about 12 hours
On the road: About 2.5–3 hours each way by road
At the sites: A few hours in the city; about 6 of the 12 hours are driving
Format: Private
Pace: Moderate

Before you choose

Is this the right tour for you?

This Alexandria day tour from Cairo shows a different Egypt: the Mediterranean city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, where Egyptian, Greek and Roman worlds met. A private Egyptologist collects you from your Cairo or Giza hotel early for the drive north, about two and a half to three hours each way.

The day begins underground at the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, where Egyptian gods are carved in Roman dress. You continue to the Roman Amphitheatre, rare in Egypt, and Pompey's Pillar, a single column of red Aswan granite. Along the seafront you see the Qaitbay Citadel from outside, built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse, and visit the Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi before a stop at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern successor to the ancient Library.

Be clear about the shape of the day: around six hours of it are spent on the road, which leaves the city a few hours. Tell us which sites matter most and we will give them the time. The Bibliotheca closes on Fridays, so plan around it if it matters to you.

Our advice

Half the day is road. Go only if Alexandria itself matters to you, and choose your priority sites in advance.

Consider instead: Stay a night in Alexandria instead: the city deserves an evening on the Corniche.

7 stops

How the day runs

Alexandria was the Greek and Roman capital of Egypt, and it is the one great city where the ancient layer lies mostly underneath you. The day goes down before it comes up: into the catacombs, where Egyptian gods appear in Roman dress, then to the Roman theatre and Pompey's Pillar, and out to the sea, where Qaitbay Fort stands on the site of the Lighthouse.

Early morning
Pickup in Cairo
Drive to Alexandria, about 2.5–3 hours.
Early morning
Kom el-Shoqafa
The Roman-era catacombs, cut deep into the rock in the second century AD: a tomb built for the rich that grew into a city of the dead.
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa: A tomb built for the rich that grew into a city of the dead.
Early morning
Roman Amphitheatre and Pompey's Pillar
The Roman theatre at Kom el-Dikka, in a neighbourhood of Roman and Byzantine Alexandria, then Pompey's Pillar, which has nothing to do with Pompey: the emperor Diocletian put it up around AD 297.
Kom el-Dikka: Roman Alexandria at street level, uncovered in the middle of the modern city.
Early morning
Qaitbay Citadel
Seen from outside. Blocks from the Lighthouse have been found in the water near the fort.
Qaitbay Fort: A Mamluk fortress built on the ruins of the Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders.
Early morning
Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi
Early morning
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Exterior visit. In the ancient Library, Eratosthenes measured the earth and Callimachus catalogued the books.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Alexandria's modern library, built as a successor to the most famous library of the ancient world.
Evening
Return to Cairo
Drive back and drop-off at your hotel.

The story behind these places

The details

What is included

Highlights

The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
The Roman Amphitheatre and Pompey's Pillar
Qaitbay Citadel on the site of the Lighthouse
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza
Private air-conditioned transport
Entrance fees for the sites listed
Qualified Egyptologist guide
Taxes and service charges

Not included

Tips
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Meals and drinks

Places you visit

Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
Roman Amphitheatre of Alexandria
Pompey's Pillar
Citadel of Qaitbay
Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Group: Private: your party only
Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle
Departure: Early morning pickup
Meeting point: Your hotel in Cairo or Giza
Guide languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Best time to go: Any day except Friday if you want the Bibliotheca
Entrance tickets: Included: entrance to the sites listed
Optional extras: Lunch
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
Your price: Set in your written quote for your party, dates and pickup, with the payment and cancellation terms.

Questions

Before you ask

How long is the drive?

About two and a half to three hours each way, so around half of the 12-hour day is spent on the road.

Is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina open every day?

It is closed on Fridays. Plan another day if visiting it matters to you.

How much does it cost for my group?

Prices are per person and fall as the group grows: 1 person $170; 2–4 people $120 each; 5–7 people $100 each; 8–10 people $90 each. All prices are in US dollars.

What should I wear?

Light, modest clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Shoulders and knees covered is the safe choice at every site; bring a hat, sunscreen and water.

Deluxe Trips Egypt

Ask for this tour, for your dates.

Send your dates and party size here. We reply with a written quote: the price for your party, what is included and the terms. Nothing is booked until you accept it.

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