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Pickup from your hotel in Cairo or Giza
Meet your Egyptologist guide and start your drive to Alexandria in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Enjoy the scenic route through the desert highway.
Full Day Alexandria Citadel of Qaitbay & Kom Al Shoqafa & Pompey Pillar & Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Experience Alexandria in a single day from Cairo! Visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Includes hotel pickup, Egyptologist guide, and air-conditioned transport. Discover the best of the “Bride of the Mediterranean” in one unforgettable trip.
Type: Private
Duration: 10 Hours
Location(s): Egypt, Alexandria
Avg Rate: $75 Per Person
ID: FD-ALX-24
Embark on an unforgettable Alexandria Day Trip from Cairo, where history meets the Mediterranean breeze. Begin your journey with a comfortable pickup from your Cairo or Giza hotel, then travel north through Egypt’s scenic desert highway to the legendary coastal city of Alexandria, once the capital of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and home to the Great Library.
Explore the Citadel of Qaitbay, a majestic 15th-century fortress built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Descend into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a fascinating blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art hidden beneath the city. Admire the towering Pompey’s Pillar, a striking Roman triumphal column rising from the heart of the ancient Serapeum. Then visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern architectural masterpiece honoring the spirit of the ancient library and a global hub for culture and knowledge.
Enjoy comfortable round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle and the insights of a professional Egyptologist guide throughout the day. Choose from private or small-group options, with available add-ons such as entrance tickets or a fresh seafood lunch on the Mediterranean corniche.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, culture lover, or first-time visitor, this Alexandria day tour from Cairo offers a deep connection with Egypt’s coastal heritage and its timeless charm.
Including/Excluding
Private Transfers to/from Hotel
Entrance Fees
Egyptologist Tour Guide
Mineral Water during the Tour
Taxes and Service Charges
Drinks
Meals that are not mentioned
Tips and Gratuities
Items not included in the itinerary
Including/Excluding:
Tour Gallery
Tour Overview
Visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
Explore one of Egypt’s most unique archaeological sites, an underground mix of Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman architecture.
Stop at Pompey’s Pillar
Marvel at the towering Roman column, one of the last remaining monuments from ancient Alexandria.
Seafood Lunch (optional)
Enjoy fresh Mediterranean seafood at a local restaurant along the Corniche (or lunch at a local restaurant of your choice).
Visit the Citadel of Qaitbay
Walk through the 15th-century fortress built on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Discover the modern Library of Alexandria, a world-class center for culture and knowledge inspired by its ancient predecessor.
Scenic Drive along the Corniche
Enjoy photo stops and sea views before leaving the city.
Return to Cairo
Drive back to your hotel with unforgettable memories of Egypt’s “Bride of the Mediterranean.”
Pricing
$223 per person
$141 per person
$110 per person
$75 per person
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Citadel of Qaitbay was built in the 15th century by Sultan Qaitbay on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The fortress was designed to defend the city from naval invasions, and today it offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and Alexandria’s harbor.
Yes, they are! The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are one of the most fascinating underground sites in Egypt; a unique mix of Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman art carved into stone. Visitors can descend through spiral staircases into chambers containing statues, sarcophagi, and wall carvings that beautifully merge ancient traditions and cultures.
Pompey’s Pillar is a massive red granite column, nearly 27 meters high, standing in the ruins of the ancient Serapeum Temple. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with the Roman general Pompey. It was erected around 300 AD to honor Emperor Diocletian, who helped save the city during a famine. It remains one of the largest monolithic columns ever built outside Rome.
The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina was inaugurated in 2002 as a tribute to the ancient Great Library of Alexandria. It’s more than just a library, it’s a cultural and architectural landmark, housing millions of books, museums, art galleries, and a state-of-the-art planetarium. The building’s circular design represents the rising sun and Alexandria’s role as a beacon of knowledge.
Alexandria earned this nickname for its beautiful coastline, cosmopolitan history, and sea breeze charm. Once a hub of trade and learning in the ancient world, it blends Greek, Roman, and Egyptian influences, making it one of Egypt’s most atmospheric and historically rich cities to explore.
Alexandria is about 220 km (around 2.5–3 hours) from Cairo by road. Thanks to comfortable highways and modern vehicles, it’s an easy and scenic journey, and definitely worth the trip. In a single day, you’ll experience 4 of Egypt’s most important sites beyond the Pyramids, while enjoying a completely different Mediterranean atmosphere.
Yes! Both the Citadel of Qaitbay and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina can be entered and explored from the inside (entrance fees are included). Your guide will walk you through key areas, sharing stories that bring these places to life.
The best time to visit is from October to April, when the weather is mild and pleasant. During summer, Alexandria’s coastal breeze makes it cooler than Cairo, but it can still get busy with local visitors escaping the capital’s heat.
