Things to do & places to visit in Alexandria Governorate, Egypt

Alexandria Governorate #5 destination in Egypt 2023. The average rating score is 4.31 based on 8.482 traveler reviews, of 35 attractions. Timezone: Africa/Cairo, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 8:43.

Alexandria Governorate Weather Statistics view more »

Top things to do (30)

• Monuments & Statues
• Bridges
• Religious Sites
• Speciality Museums
• Historic Sites
• Piers & Boardwalks
• Architectural Buildings
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Farms
• Lighthouses
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Historic Walking Areas
• Beaches
• Private Tours
• Boat Tours
• Food Tours
• Ancient Ruins
• Taxis & Shuttles
• History Museums
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Art Museums
• Multi-day Tours
• Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
• Speed Boats Tours
• Operas
• Gardens
• Libraries
• Nature & Wildlife Areas
• Day Trips
• Shopping Malls

Top destinations in Alexandria Governorate 9

• Iking Maryut
• New Borg El-Arab
• Alexandria
• Borg El Arab
• Sidi Kurayr
• Burj al 'Arab
• El-Agamy
• Qaryat Shakush
• Izbat Al Kubaniyyah

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

1. 4.5 Bibliotheca Alexandrina (1.826 reviews)
   - A Real Surprise
   Architectural Buildings • Libraries • Art Museums
   
   
   Located near the site of the ancient library of Alexandria, this modern version is an eleven-story, cylindrical-shaped building that houses more than eight million books. A re-imagining of Alexandria's ancient Great Library, this gorgeously designed cultural center contains a host of museums as well as one of the modern world's most ambitious libraries. Its architecture - a giant sun disk - presides over the waterfront Corniche, while inside, a huge reading room can hold eight million volumes. Below themain library, visitors can explore a range of beautifully curated exhibitions. TheManuscript Museum with its magnificent collection of ancient texts and scrolls and the Antiquities Museum with its Graeco-Roman antiquities and statuary found during underwater exploration in the harbor are the two prime attractions. But there are also rotating art exhibitions, a permanent Egyptian folk art collection, and a Science Museum and Planetarium that are aimed squarely at children. See more..
   
2. 4.5 Fort Qaitbey (1.101 reviews)
   - Lovely Sea Fort
   Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites
   
   
   Resembling an imposing castle fortress, this citadel was built in the 1480s by Sultan Qaitbey on the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, to protect the city from the crusaders who used to attack the city by sea. See more..
   
3. 4.5 Montazah Gardens (921 reviews)
   - Public Park
   Gardens
   
   
   Royal gardens of King Faruk. The king was the last Egyptian monarch. See more..
   
4. 4.5 Stanley Bridge (571 reviews)
   - love the view
   Bridges
   
   
   love the view and the fresh air, perfect spot for pictures. I recommend walking and seeing the beautiful scenery on the bridge. If you are planning to take a ride on a horse chariot please fixed the price before you take a ride otherwise they will charge you too much. See more..
   
5. 4.5 Alexandria National Museum (285 reviews)
   - Excellent museum in a 1926 Italianate mansion.
   Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM History Museums
   
   
   More than 1800 archaeological pieces are exhibited chronologically from one floor to the next: the basement is devoted to Prehistoric and Pharonic times; first floor to the Graeco-Roman period; second floor to the Coptic and Islamic era that highlights artifacts raised during recent underwater excavations. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Royal Jewelry Museum (220 reviews)
   - Beautiful building
   Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums
   
   
   This place is as much worth a visit for it's beautiful interiors as it is for the exhibits. It's easy to find and is a short walk from San Stefano Mall. Note that you are able to take interior shots using a mobile for no charge, the camera fee only applies if you have a regular camera. You will have to wear plastic shoe covers to protect the floors. These are provided at the door. See more..
   
7. 4.5 Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi (169 reviews)
   - Dedicated to 13th century Muslim saint
   Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
   
   
   This gorgeous cream-colored Islamic mosque is dedicated to a 13th century Muslim saint. Built on the site of an earlier 18th century mosque that covered the saint’s tomb, today’s mosque was last restored in 1943. It is impressive, both inside and out. Women and men worship separately and have separate entrances (first time I experienced this in a mosque). Ladies bring a head cover; shoes are left at the entrances. We visited with a guide who waited for us by the ladies’ side door. When we were done inside, we took a walk around to the back of the mosque. It is a shame the area is littered with so much trash. See more..
   
8. 4.5 El Kobba El Samaweya (53 reviews)
   - Beautiful!
   History Museums
   
   
   It is part of Alexandria’s Library complex. The ideal place for knowledge seekers. Inside there is a very inspiring planetarium. See more..
   
9. 4.5 Deir Mar Mina (St. Mina Monastery) (42 reviews)
   - Beautiful and Peaceful
   Historic Sites • Religious Sites • Monuments & Statues
   
   
   Half way between cairo and alex, it is a must see. Be sure to buy the olives there as well. Visit the Pope's burial place behind the main church. See more..
   
10. 4.5 El Qaed Ibrahim Mosque (38 reviews)
    - Beautiful mosque
    Religious Sites
    
    
    I was very impressed by this mosque. It's really beautiful and i was glad to be allowed inside where I joined some women praying. This is a must see place in Alexandria. See more..
    
11. 4.5 Cavafy Museum (38 reviews)
    - Everything Cavafy!
    Speciality Museums
    
    
    Constantine P. Cavafy is most probably my favorite poet so you can imagine my excitement when visiting his former home where he lived for the last 25 years of his life. I was pretty much awe struck, knowing that this was the street he often walked along, standing at the window’s he often stood at, looking out into his beloved Alexandria. Most of his furniture - seen in the old photo’s of the apartment - have gone although there still are alot of beautiful pieces, along with many writings and photos. Unfortunately they do not sell any books. The museum didn’t have much in English so I recommend using a translation app to scan the text into the language that you need. On the day I visited it was free although gave a donation. If you are trying to tap into a former vision of Alexandria, a former century, nostalgia, then you will find it here. See more..
    
12. 4.5 Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (33 reviews)
    - Great visit
    Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals
    
    
    The former seat of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch prior to being moved to Cairo in 1968. This Cathedral is an excellent example of Coptic architecture and is a wonder to behold. A couple of notes upon entry:1.Your bag will be searched and you will walk through a metal detector; 2.Please dress modestly out of respect for the sanctity of the building; 3.A small donation is appreciated See more..
    
13. 4.5 Alexandria Opera House (22 reviews)
    - Nice to be there
    Operas
    
    
    Called also Sayed Darwish theater. enjoy the different concerts shows in every time . Nice place for music lovers . See more..
    
14. 4.5 Deir Anba Bishoi (18 reviews)
    - Great History
    Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
    These desert building are all that remains of the monasic Christians that fled Roman persecution in the 4th century. See more..
    
15. 4.5 St. Catherine's Cathedral (12 reviews)
    - Wonderful place
    Spent < 1 hour Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
    
    
    The St. Catherine's Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Apostolic Vicariate in Alexandria,Egypt.The basilica with classical dome. The dedication took place on November 24, 1850. In 1927, the current facade, designed in the Roman Baroque style. Here is buried king Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. See more..
    
16. 4.5 The Fine Arts Museum (11 reviews)
    - A hidden gem!
    Art Museums
    
    
    This must be one of the most underrated museums in Egypt. Not only is the collection excellent, and varied -- ranging from fifteenth century Dutch painting to 20th century Egyptian works -- but the presentation in this recently refurbished building is also decent. The descriptions could be more detailed and complete, but this hardly detracts from the artworks themselves. High points are the small group of paintings by Giambattista Tiepolo (!!!), and an interesting selection of Orientalist works. Eighteenth and ninteteenth century European art is represented mainly through the works of minor artists, which are worth a look nonetheless. On the upper floor, there is a large selection of modern Egyptian art, including works by foreign born artists active in Egypt (e.g. Thalia Flora-Karavia), and several smaller works by Moukhtar. Entrance to the museum is free; this is an absolute must for every art lover. See more..
    
17. 4.5 The Monastery of St. Macarius (10 reviews)
    - Most peaceful
    Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas • Religious Sites • Farms
    
    
    This has to be one of the most peaceful places on earth. Definitely off the beaten track on the way from El Alamein to Cairo, it’s really worth seeking out. The guided tour highlights parts of the monastery which date back to the 7th Century and details the daily lives of the Coptic monks together with the workings of the monastery and its farm. I didn’t think we’d spend much time here but none of us wanted to rush away. See more..
    
18. 4.5 El Shona Art Centre & Museums (8 reviews)
    - small painted tomb
    Art Museums
    
    
    you should visit this small painted tomb when you visit Alexandria to learn more about the ancient Egyptian gods. See more..
    
19. 4.0 Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa (720 reviews)
    - Amazing place!
    Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ancient Ruins
    
    
    An ancient circular staircase leads down into these tombs that were tunneled into the bedrock during the age of the Antonine emporers (2nd century AD). See more..
    
20. 4.0 Corniche (672 reviews)
    - Alexandria’s Waterfront Road
    Piers & Boardwalks
    
    
    The Corniche is a glorious 3km walkway along the harbour dotted with restaurants, markets and historic sights. See more..
    
21. 4.0 Pompey's Pillar (487 reviews)
    - Roman Triumphal Column
    Ancient Ruins • Monuments & Statues
    
    
    This 25-meter-high granite column was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletian in AD 297. See more..
    
22. 4.0 Ancient Roman Amphitheater (428 reviews)
    - Interesting Roman amphitheater in Alexandria but it doesn't take long to explore.
    Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ancient Ruins
    
    
    Built in the 2nd century AD, this Roman amphitheater has 13 semicircular tiers made of white and gray marble. See more..
    
23. 4.0 King Farouk Palace (239 reviews)
    - Great Palace
    Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites
    
    
    This sprawling property was the summer home of controversial King Farouk who assumed power at the age of 16 in 1936. See more..
    
24. 4.0 Lighthouse of Alexandria (169 reviews)
    - Qaitbay Citadel : Main attraction of Alexandria
    Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lighthouses
    
    
    The main attraction of Alexandria . This is called Qaitbay Citadel . There is no lighthouse now. It is a middle age fortress built on the bank of Mediterranean sea. Very well maintained establishment indeed. Entry fee was 60 Egyptian Pound for adult and 30 for students and locals (2019). See more..
    
25. 4.0 Alexandria Unknown Naval Soldier Memorial (106 reviews)
    - Touching Tribute to Egyptian Seafaring History
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    The Alexandria Unknown Naval Soldier Memorial is dedicated to unknown soldiers who lost their lives in sea battles. It was originally designed as a memorial to Khedive Ismail (Ismail the Magnificent) but was repurposed after the 1952 Egyptian Revolution to commemorate fallen naval personnel. The memorial is located on the Corniche, so you will likely see it without even trying (we passed by twice). A touching tribute to Egyptian seafaring history. See more..
    
26. 4.0 Mamoura Beach (88 reviews)
    - Very pretty
    Beaches
    
    
    See more..
    
27. 4.0 Sarapeum (Serapeion) (67 reviews)
    - Old and New
    Ancient Ruins
    
    
    This temple, dedicated to the god Serapis, is from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. See more..
    
28. 4.0 Orouba Mall (28 reviews)
    - good mall
    Spent 1-2 hours Shopping Malls
    
    
    it is a nice small mall with shops and a good kids area , which i like , the restaurants are nice , liked it especially in spring See more..
    
29. 4.0 Mustafa Kamel Necropolis (23 reviews)
    - Beautiful and interesting site
    Historic Sites
    
    
    Today we went to visit this interesting site and we were so lucky that Hanaa, a woman who works there was so kind to accompany us! She speaks very well English and she gave a lot of informations about the story of the site. She is an amazing person and we appreciated the time we spent with her. Thank you so much Hanaa. Hope to see you in Italy! See more..
    
30. 4.0 Al Muntaza Mosque (20 reviews)
    - Nice Place
    Religious Sites
    
    
    The Mosque is one of the main tourist attraction in Egypt and it is well worth a visit. The mosque is practically the only one you can visit as a non-Muslim. The outside of the mosque is humongous. It's obvious to see the minaret is one of the tallest in the world and when the sun is shining at brightly as it was the day I saw, it looks like it's golden. See more..