Alexandria, Egypt 6 Day Itinerary

Alexandria, Egypt: A 6-Day Travel Itinerary

Almost nothing survives of the ancient library that made this city legendary, no scroll, no column, not even a confirmed foundation stone, which makes the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina an odd kind of monument: a building constructed on faith that the idea mattered more than the physical ruins ever could.

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation

Fly into Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE), about 25 kilometers outside the city, or arrive by train from Cairo, a comfortable two-and-a-half to three-hour ride that beats the airport option for convenience if you’re already in Egypt. For a base, the Corniche-adjacent hotels put you closest to the sea and walking distance from most sights; Sofitel Alexandria Cecil, a restored 1929 landmark on the waterfront, and Steigenberger Cecil are the standout upscale picks, with Helnan Palestine Hotel a solid mid-range choice near Montazah. Use the first evening to walk the Corniche at sunset rather than rushing into sightseeing jet-lagged; the sea wall here stretches over 20 kilometers and gives an immediate sense of how the city wraps around its harbor.

Day 2: Ancient Wonders and the Sea

Start at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a genuinely strange multi-level Roman burial complex that fuses Egyptian, Greek, and Roman funerary styles into one confused, fascinating hybrid; entrance runs around 5 US dollars for adults. Most sites in Egypt now process payment by card only, cash is being phased out at ticket booths nationwide, so don’t count on paying in cash at the gate. Follow with the Alexandria National Museum for a well-curated overview of the city’s layered history in a manageable single building rather than a sprawling complex.

In the afternoon, Montazah Palace and Royal Gardens, the old royal family’s seaside retreat, charges a modest garden entry fee (around 25 Egyptian pounds) and is worth the visit for the grounds and coastline alone even though the palace building itself is generally closed to the public. For dinner, skip anything claiming to be Alexandria’s answer to Cairo’s famous El Fishawy cafe, that’s a Cairo institution in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, not an Alexandria address, and older itineraries that list it here are simply wrong. Instead try Kadoura on the Corniche, a genuine local seafood institution where you pick your own catch before it’s grilled.

Day 3: Pompey’s Pillar and the Bibliotheca

Pompey’s Pillar, a soaring red granite Roman column actually erected in the 3rd century AD to honor Emperor Diocletian rather than Pompey (the naming is a centuries-old misattribution by later visitors), costs around 5 US dollars to enter and sits within a small archaeological site that also holds a modest Serapeum, the remains of a temple complex, rather than a standalone “Hadrian’s Gate,” which doesn’t exist as a listed Alexandria monument and appears to be confusion with sites elsewhere in Egypt.

In the afternoon, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002 on a site near the ancient library’s likely original location, is Alexandria’s essential modern stop: a striking tilted-disc building holding millions of volumes, several museums, a planetarium, and one of the more architecturally interesting public buildings in the Middle East. Entry runs under 4 US dollars for adults. For dinner, a Corniche seafood spot like Branzino, popular with visitors for its clear English-language menu and honest pricing, or for something further afield and worth the trip, Zephyrion in Abu Qir, operating continuously since 1929 and considered by many locals the best seafood address in the region.

Day 4: Greek and Roman Antiquities

Explore the Anfushi district’s mosques and narrow lanes before heading to the Roman Amphitheatre at Kom El Dikka, the only Roman-era theatre discovered in Egypt, a small but genuinely rare find worth more time than most visitors give it. The Alexandria Archaeological Museum, close by, holds a solid collection without the crowds of the bigger national museums. In the afternoon, make your way to Qaitbay Citadel, the 15th-century fortress built on the exact site of the vanished Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the ancient world’s Seven Wonders, using some of its actual masonry blocks in the fortress walls; entrance is around 60 Egyptian pounds and it’s open until 8pm, so a sunset visit over the harbor is genuinely worth timing for.

Day 5: Markets and the Coast

El Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque, a striking Mamluk-revival landmark near the citadel, anchors the old fishing district and is worth a stop for the architecture alone, distinct from a generic “restaurant” of a similar name that older guides confuse it with. Browse the surrounding market lanes for spices and souvenirs, expect to bargain, and keep prices in Egyptian pounds rather than accepting a quote in dollars or euros, which tends to run inflated. In the afternoon, pick a stretch of the Corniche beaches for a swim, they get crowded and less pristine than Egypt’s Red Sea coast, but they’re a genuine local experience rather than a resort bubble. For dinner, the restaurant strip along the eastern Corniche near Montazah has a solid, casual range of seafood and grill options with sea views.

Day 6: Departure

Use remaining time for anything missed, the Bibliotheca’s museums are easy to underestimate on a first pass and reward a return visit. Before heading to the airport or port, confirm your transfer in advance through your hotel or a reputable app-based service rather than flagging a street taxi at the last minute.

A few practical notes for the whole trip: insist on the meter or agree a fare before getting into any taxi, “the meter is broken” is a near-universal opening line for overcharging tourists, and switching to Uber or Careem for fixed, upfront pricing avoids the negotiation entirely. Keep small denominations of Egyptian pounds on hand for tips and smaller vendors even as card payment becomes standard at major sites, and always confirm any price, taxi, felucca ride, or market item, out loud and in pounds before money changes hands.