Page three -- Where to Stay and Eat in Alexandria
What to See in Alexandria
Most of the sights listed below can be visited independently unless you prefer to take a tour.
Fort Qaitbey
Fort Qaitbey is an impressive building, located on a narrow peninsula where one of the ancient wonders of the world, the famous lighthouse -- the Pharos once stood. The Fort was built in the 15th century and now houses a naval museum. You'll need about an hour to explore the rooms and towers, as well as the museum which houses some interesting weapons. The Fort also offers beautiful views of the city of Alexandria as well as the Mediterranean. A small aquarium nearby is worth a peek. There are plans afoot to build a large underwater museum in the near future which would showcase some of the exciting recent archaeological discoveries.
- Entrance Fees - 20 Egyptian Pounds for an adult
- Opening Times - 9am to 6pm in the summer (closes earlier in winter)
- Getting there - Walk from the center of town (45 minutes); take a taxi; take a tram (number 15) from Midan Ramla.
More information about the fort...
The Corniche
The Corniche is a road that runs along the eastern harbour of Alexandria and is the perfect place for a waterfront stroll. There are several restaurants where you can enjoy freshly caught fish. You'll pass some nice examples of Art Deco buildings like the (Sofitel) Cecil Hotel which has been enjoyed by Mohammed Ali (the boxer), Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill among others. A stroll down the Corniche also brings you to several of Alexandria's main attractions (some of which are described further below) like the Ramla square, Cavafi Museum, The Roman amphitheatre, the Attarine District (for shopping) and the Tahrir (liberation) Square. Treat yourself to a Brazilian coffee, a bubbly pipe or a hot glass of tea in some of Alexandria's wonderful cafes.
Attarine Souk
The Attarine souk is a maize of little streets, too narrow for cars to fit, that houses literally hundreds of little antique shops and boutiques. It's called the Zinqat as-Sittat market (which literally translates to 'the women's squeeze'). You'll find some good deals to bargain for here. It's an uncovered bazaar so it's not as stuffy as others. Local young folks prefer the malls to the souqs these days, so if you're interested in modern Egyptian fashion, that's where you'll find it.
Graeco-Roman Museum
This museum is packed full of fascinating objects reflecting Egypt's encounter with Greek culture during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. You'll need at least a few hours here to view all the objects. There are mosaics, pottery, sarcophagi and much more including a lovely garden filled with statues.
- Entrance Fees - 30 Egyptian Pounds for an adult
- Opening Times - 9am to 4pm
- Getting there - Walk from the center of town (30 minutes) or take a taxi.
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
The Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque was originally built in 1775 by Algerians but since that time it has had many renovations and face-lifts, the last major one in 1943. It's now a beautiful building with huge granite pillars, colored glass skylights, intricately carved wooden windows and doors as well as paved marble floors.
Note that women cannot visit inside the mosque but can view the mausoleum and peek in the mosque itself from behind a barrier.
More information about the Mosque...
Interesting Ruins
- Kom el-Dikka (mound of rubble) is a Roman amphitheatre that isn't huge, but very well preserved nevertheless. Excavation continues nearby to reveal the remains of a Roman city. The amphitheatre is a nice place to visit and relax. It's open from 9am - 4pm and is situated on the Raml Station Square.
- Kom el-Shuqafa (catacombs) are a marvel of technology and art. Built in the late 1st century AD, the Kom el-Shuqafa (literally means "Mound of Shards") is the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt. Since the catacombs were built to house more than 300 dead notables, there are plenty of tombs to explore as well as a banqueting hall. Many of the rooms display a unique fusion of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman decorative artwork. The Catacombs are open from 9am - 5pm and are situated near Pompeys Pillar in the western part of Alexandria. A taxi will get you there. More information about Kom el-Shuqafa...
- Pompey's Pillar and the Seapuem. Pompey's pillar is an impressive column that stands 30 meters and is made from a single shaft of red granite. Erected in 297 AD, Pompey's pillar rises out of the ruins of the Serapeum, an acropolis erected in honor of Serapis an Egyptian God. Mostly rubble, and a few sphinxes, the Serapeum isn't much to look at, but the pillar is impressive and is the only remaining ancient monument in Alexandria that's still intact.
The Al-Montazah Palace was built by a former king a hundred years ago, as a summer residence. It's now used by Egypt's president but the gardens are open to the public. The gardens are nice and shady with a central gazebo, lots of flowers, and there's also a little beach which you can enjoy for a small fee. It's a popular place for local Egyptians to enjoy a stroll and a picnic.
Alexandria Library -- Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Alexandria has historically been a place of learning. It's a city that has attracted poets and writers for thousands of years. In 2002 a new library was constructed harking back to the great library of the 3rd Century BC. Unfortunately it doesn't quite have the same amount of books as it did back then, but there's plenty of room to add to the collection.
More information about the library...
National Museum
The national museum is located in a restored palace and contains about 1,800 artifacts that narrate the history of Alexandria throughout the ages. The Museum opened its doors in December 2003.
- Entrance Fees - 30 Egyptian Pounds for an adult
- Opening Times - 9am to 4pm
- Getting there - Walk (it's in the center of town close to the train station) or take a taxi.
Page one -- Tours and Getting To and Around Alexandria
Page three -- Where to Stay and Eat in Alexandria
