What to See in Alexandria: Your Guide to a Short Weekend Escape

Unlike the desert and pyramids most travellers picture when they imagine Egypt, Alexandria is all about the sea. Founded by Alexander the Great and once home to the legendary Lighthouse and Library, it now blends Greco-Roman history with a breezy seafront and a famous café culture along the Corniche. It's easy to see why Cairo locals treat this Mediterranean city as their own weekend getaway.

Whether you're a local heading over for the Egyptian weekend of Friday and Saturday, or a traveller fitting Alexandria into a wider Egypt trip, it works just as well as a day trip from Cairo or a relaxed one to two night stay.

This guide covers what to see in Alexandria, where to eat, the neighbourhoods worth basing yourself in, and how to plan a smooth escape from Cairo or beyond.

• Destination: Alexandria, Egypt (also known as the "Bride of the Mediterranean")

• Best for: History, seafront walks, and fresh seafood

• Trip length: A weekend (two to three days)

• Getting there: Around two to three hours by train from Cairo

• Don't miss: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Citadel of Qaitbay, and Montaza Palace Garden

Book your stay in Alexandria

Spend your first day in Alexandria on the ancient and cultural sites, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Citadel of Qaitbay, and the Roman Amphitheatre. Save your second day for the Montaza gardens, the beach, a relaxed Corniche walk, and sunset at Stanley Bridge.

A visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is one of the best things to do in Alexandria. This modern library is a tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria, one of the most famous centres of learning in the ancient world. Designed as a giant tilted sun disc on the seafront, it holds up to 1.8 million volumes alongside several museums, a planetarium, and rotating art exhibits. Give yourself a couple of hours to wander the reading room and the Antiquities and Manuscripts museums.

• Opening hours: Open 10am to 6pm on weekdays, but only 10am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, and closed on Fridays. Weekend hours are short, so arrive early.

Travel tip: A free, pay-what-you-can walking tour of the city sets off from the library's ticket office and runs for around three-and-a-half hours, making it a great way to start a weekend.

Standing at the entrance to the harbour, the Citadel of Qaitbay is one of Alexandria's most photographed landmarks. This 15th-century fortress was built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Some stones recovered from the lighthouse wreckage were used in its walls. Climb to the roof for sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the fishing boats below.

• Opening hours: Open daily from 9am, with last entry around 7pm in summer and 5pm in winter.

Travel tip: Time your visit for late afternoon when the light is at its best, but not too late, as the fort closes before dark.

Alexandria's Greco-Roman past is easy to reach on foot or by short taxi rides. Two sites stand out:

• Roman Amphitheatre (Kom El-Dikka): The only Roman theatre of its kind in Egypt, with well-preserved marble terraces.

• Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum: A towering granite column and the remains of an ancient temple.

Together they give you a real sense of the city's ancient importance in a single morning.

• Opening hours: Both are open daily from around 9am to 5pm.

One of Alexandria's most extraordinary sights, this 2nd-century AD necropolis spirals underground across three levels, blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles in a single burial complex. Discovered by accident in 1900 when a donkey fell through a hidden shaft, it's often rated the most impressive of Egypt's Greco-Roman tombs.

• Opening hours: Open daily from 9am, with last entry around 4pm.

Travel tip: Visit in the morning when it's cooler and quieter, and be ready for around 99 spiral steps down into the tombs.

For a slower half-day, head to the Montaza Palace Gardens on the city's eastern edge. These landscaped royal grounds surround a former summer palace and roll down to the Mediterranean, with quiet paths, pavilions, and a private beach nearby. It's one of the calmest corners of Alexandria and a favourite spot for a leisurely walk or a seaside picnic.

• Opening hours: The gardens are open daily from early morning until late evening.

Travel tip: The palace interior is closed to visitors, but the gardens are the real draw, and a small entrance fee applies at the gate.

The Corniche is Alexandria's seafront spine, stretching for kilometres along the coast. It's the perfect place for a morning stroll or an evening walk as the city lights reflect on the water. Head towards the upscale Stanley area to see the iconic Stanley Bridge, one of the best spots for sunset photography and sea-view cafés.

If you want more depth, Alexandria's museums are worth your time. The Alexandria National Museum traces the city's story across the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic eras through more than 1,800 artefacts. Around a 15-minute drive away, the Royal Jewelry Museum is located in a former princess's palace and displays the jewels of the Muhammad Ali dynasty alongside 19th-century paintings and decorative arts.

• Opening hours: Both open daily from 9am to 5pm, with last tickets around 4pm.

Alexandria's identity is tied to the sea, so make time to enjoy it. Wander the Anfushi district near Qaitbay, watch fishermen unload their boats, or settle into a Corniche café for a coffee as the sun goes down. These quieter moments are often what travellers remember most.

If you have more time, here are some other places to visit in Alexandria:

• Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, a striking Moorish landmark near the waterfront, for culture seekers.

• Abu Qir Bay, home to the sunken city of Heracleion and the submerged Royal Quarter, for diving enthusiasts.

• Ali El Hendy Coffeehouse, a relaxed old-quarter café with a beautiful skylight, in business since the 1880s.

You'll find restaurants lined along the harbour and the Corniche, though quality varies, so it pays to choose carefully. Book seafood restaurants with harbour views ahead of busy weekend evenings.

• White and Blue Restaurant (Greek Club): Perched beside Qaitbay Citadel, it's famous for its harbour views and Greek-Mediterranean seafood.

• Fish Market: A long-running favourite on the Corniche, known for grilled fish and mezze with a sea view.

• Samakmak: A traditional Anfushi seafood spot loved by locals.

• Santorini Greek Restaurant: One of the city's top-rated dining rooms for a special meal.

• Ginger Asian Restaurant: A change of pace if you'd like Chinese, Japanese, or Thai flavours.

Dishes to try:

• Freshly grilled fish and sayadeya (spiced fish with rice)

• Alexandrian liver (kebda Eskandarani) from a street stall

• Koshari and ful medames, classic Egyptian staples

• Finish with a coffee or a scoop of fresca ice cream along the Corniche

• Getting around: Sights are spread along the coast, so use ride-hailing apps (Uber, Careem, Bolt) for the best value and no haggling; the tram is a slow but scenic local alternative.

• Budget around 200 EGP (about USD 4) per adult for most attraction entry fees, and carry small cash, as many sites and vendors don't take cards and tipping (baksheesh) is customary.

• Ignore anyone posing as an official guide at Qaitbay, the Catacombs, or Pompey's Pillar; book through your hotel or buy at the official ticket counter.

• Dress modestly, as Alexandria is culturally conservative: cover shoulders and knees, especially at mosques, and cover up off the beach.

• Friday mornings are quietest, as many places close for prayers, then the Corniche and beaches fill up into Saturday. Summer weekends are peak season, so book ahead.

• During Ramadan, opening hours shift and daytime dining is limited, so plan meals around iftar. Dates change each year.

There are a few ways you can travel to Alexandria, the city on the Mediterranean coast. It's around 225 km northwest of Cairo, and the journey takes around two to three hours whichever way you travel.

• By train: The most popular choice, from Cairo's Ramses Station. An affordable, scenic ride through the green Nile Delta that eases you out of the city and towards the sea.

• By car or private transfer: Driving the Desert Road gives you the most flexibility and a door-to-door trip.

• By bus: Budget-friendly coaches run several times a day if you're watching costs.

• By plane: The fastest option, with daily flights from Cairo, though fares are higher and the airport is located outside the city.

Once you arrive, Alexandria is easy to explore, with most of its landmarks and sights strung along the coast. Staying over for the weekend lets you have an unhurried time to by the beach and self-pace yourself for Alexandria's best sights to see.

For a proper break from the city, base yourself in Montaza on Alexandria's eastern edge. Set around the historic Montazah Royal Gardens, this beachside area wraps a former royal palace, palm trees, and a sheltered bay. You wake to sea views rather than traffic, yet the headline sights are a short taxi or ride-hailing trip along the Corniche.

Rixos Montaza Alexandria offers a beachfront setting across Al-Montaza Bay, with a private beach, pools, a spa, and several restaurants. Its all-inclusive setup, sea-view rooms, and kids' club make it a comfortable, family-friendly base.

Another stay overlooking the cove, Palestine Montaza Alexandria is located inside the Montazah gardens, where every room has a balcony and sea view. There's a private beach, pool, spa, and seafront dining, and steps from the sand yet away from the center; it's a scenic pick for a retreat-style weekend.

Make your Alexandria weekend easier by choosing a base that puts the Mediterranean on your doorstep.

Explore Accor hotels across Egypt and sign up for the free ALL Accor loyalty programme to save up to 10% on your stay when you book direct via ALL.com.

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A weekend of two to three days is enough to see the main sights in Alexandria, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel, and Montaza gardens, with time left for seafront walks and seafood. If you want to add nearby coastal resorts, allow an extra day or two.

Alexandria is known as the "Bride of the Mediterranean" and for its ancient history. It was founded by Alexander the Great and once home to the legendary Lighthouse and Library of Alexandria. Today it's famous for its seafront Corniche, Greco-Roman ruins, and fresh seafood.

The best time of year to visit Alexandria is during its shoulder seasons. This offers the best mix of weather, value, and low crowds: spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) bring pleasant Mediterranean weather ideal for walking the Corniche and exploring outdoor sites. Summer is hot and busy as locals head to the coast, while winter is cooler, quieter, and rated by some as peak for mild, dry days.

Alexandria is generally safe, with harassment and petty theft in crowds being the main issues to watch for. The Corniche, Stanley, and San Stefano are well-patrolled, but Al-Gomrok (the port area) and isolated stretches after dark are best avoided.