Alexandria offers a very different side of Egypt than the ancient temples and pyramids further south. Set along the Mediterranean Sea, the city feels calmer and more relaxed, with sea breezes, waterfront walks, and layers of history tucked between modern neighbourhoods. After the intensity of Cairo, Alexandria felt like a breath of fresh air.
Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Alexandria quickly became one of the most important cities in the ancient world. It was home to the famous Library of Alexandria and the Lighthouse of Pharos—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—and for centuries served as a center of learning and trade across the Mediterranean.
Here’s how we spent two days exploring Alexandria’s museums, ancient ruins, and coastal landmarks.
Day 1: Bibliotheca Alexandrina & National Museum
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Start your time in Alexandria with a visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern tribute to the legendary Library of Alexandria. The original library was once the most important center of knowledge in the ancient world, attracting scholars from across the Mediterranean before it was gradually lost over centuries through fires and conflicts.
Today, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina stands as a symbol of Alexandria’s long tradition of learning. Built near the site of the ancient library, its massive circular structure represents the sun—reflecting the idea that knowledge spreads outward from Egypt to the rest of the world. The granite exterior walls are carved with letters from hundreds of languages, celebrating the many cultures connected through learning
When you step into the library, the sheer scale of it is impressive. The vast reading room spans eleven terraced levels and is filled with natural light from triangular windows. From above, you can look out over rows of desks and bookshelves that stretch across the enormous hall, creating an inviting space for shared learning.
Beyond the library itself, the complex also includes several museums, art galleries, and a planetarium.
Our boys were especially drawn to the “Our Digital World” exhibit, which focuses on science and technology. Interactive displays let them explore the human body and even virtually dissect ancient mummies—easily their favourite part of the visit.
One museum that stood out was the President Anwar Sadat Museum, which highlights the life of Egypt’s former president and his role in shaping modern Egypt.
Timing: Depending on your interest level, you could easily spend most of the day exploring the library and its exhibits. We joined a guided tour and visited a few museums and galleries, spending about 3 hours in total.
Alexandria National Museum
Next, head to the Alexandria National Museum, which offers a fascinating overview of the city’s long and layered history. The museum is arranged chronologically across three levels. To follow the timeline more easily, we started in the basement and worked our way up.
The basement level focuses on Ancient Egypt, displaying artifacts from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. One highlight was a reconstructed tomb that explains the mummification process—something that especially fascinated the boys.
We spent most of our time on the main floor, which focuses on the Hellenistic and Roman periods, when Alexandria was one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean world.
Parts of ancient Alexandria now lie beneath the sea, believed to have sunk after earthquakes and tsunamis caused sections of the coastline to collapse. Archaeologists continue to explore these underwater ruins today, and many of the artifacts recovered from the seabed are displayed here.
The boys were especially interested in the stories about Alexander the Great and Cleopatra, and imagining what the ancient city might have looked like before parts of it disappeared beneath the water.
The top floor covers the Coptic and Islamic periods through to modern Egyptian history.
Timing: Our visit lasted about 1.5 hours, making it an easy stop after the library.
Day 2: Citadel of Qaitbay, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa & Roman Amphitheatre
After a day focused on museums and learning, our second day in Alexandria took us to some of the city’s most fascinating historic sites—stretching from a seaside fortress to underground tombs and Roman ruins.
Citadel of Qaitbay
From our apartment, we enjoyed a 45-minute walk along the Mediterranean boardwalk to reach the Citadel of Qaitbay.
Built in 1477 by Sultan Qaitbay, the fortress stands on Pharos Island at the entrance to Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour. The citadel was constructed using stones from the ruins of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, which stood here for more than 1,500 years before being damaged by a series of earthquakes and eventually collapsing in the 14th century.
The boys loved climbing through the fortress’s stairways and exploring the many rooms, but the real highlight was the views from the outer terraces. From the top, you can look out across the Mediterranean and even spot the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina across the harbour, giving you a sense of how Alexandria blends its ancient past with the present.
Timing: Allow 1–1.5 hours to explore the fortress and enjoy the views.
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Next, head to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, one of Alexandria’s most unusual historical sites. Dating back to the 2nd century AD, these underground tombs reflect a fascinating blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles.
As you enter the site, you descend a spiral staircase into the burial chambers below. The cool air and dim lighting make the space feel mysterious, and it’s easy to forget the busy city above.
At the bottom is a large central shaft that once allowed bodies to be lowered into the tombs. From there, we entered the Hall of Caracalla, where a glass display case holds the bones of horses that were buried here to honour prized animals.
The burial chambers themselves are found down another winding staircase and contain beautifully carved sarcophagi and statues. The mix of cultures is immediately visible in some of the carvings—Egyptian gods appear wearing Roman armour and hairstyles.
The boys loved exploring the winding tunnels and hidden chambers, and it also turned out to be a welcome escape from the heat outside.
Fun Fact: The catacombs were discovered by accident in 1900 when a donkey reportedly fell into the access shaft, revealing the hidden tombs below.
Timing: It is approximately a 20-minute Uber from the Citadel to the Catacombs. Leave 1–1.5 hours to explore.
Roman Amphitheatre
A short walk from the catacombs brings you to the Roman Amphitheatre, another reminder of Alexandria’s Greek and Roman past. The semi-circular theatre once hosted musical performances and lectures, with rows of marble seating rising above the stage.
The most entertaining moment of our visit was discovering the famous acoustic “microphone” in the center of the theatre. Standing on a small stone square dramatically amplifies your voice. Derek and the boys had a great time testing the effect, shouting and laughing as their voices suddenly echoed around the theatre.
Around the theatre are the remains of Roman bathhouses, lecture halls, and residential buildings. While many of these ruins are harder to distinguish today, they hint at what was once a lively Roman district within ancient Alexandria.
Timing: Allow about 30–45 minutes to explore the site.
If You Have More Time
Montazah Palace Gardens
Located along the Mediterranean coast, Montazah Palace was once a royal summer residence. Today, the palace grounds are open to visitors, offering beautiful gardens, beaches, and coastal views. We were unable to visit the palace during our time in Alexandria, as it was under construction.
Getting to Alexandria
We travelled from Cairo to Alexandria by train, a journey that took about 4.5 hours and cost only about $5 per person. Tickets were easy to purchase at the station.
The train itself was extremely dirty, which was the trade-off for such a low price.
A Different Side of Egypt
If you’re looking to add something different to your Egypt itinerary, Alexandria offers a fascinating blend of history, coastal scenery, and quieter exploration—an ideal contrast to Cairo’s energy.
From exploring one of the world’s most famous libraries to wandering underground catacombs and climbing a seaside fortress, each stop revealed a different chapter of Alexandria’s past and the many civilizations that shaped the city.
Ready to Explore Egypt?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
• Discovering Egypt’s Pyramids with Kids
• 3 Days in Cairo with Kids
• Exploring Egypt’s White Desert and Whale Valley
• Karnak Temple in Luxor: Tips for visiting with Kids
• Visiting Aswan’s Philae Temple with Kids
