Location: Alexandria
Top Things to do in Alexandria
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10 Sights & Landmarks in Alexandria That You Shouldn't Miss
The Pearl of the Mediterranean has an ambiance more in keeping with its neighbors to the north than with those in the Middle East. Site of Pharos lighthouse, one of the Wonders of the World, and of Anthony and Cleopatra’s tempestuous romance, the city was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE. Today, Alexandria offers fascinating insights into its proud Greek past, as well as interesting mosques, the casino strip of the Corniche, some lovely gardens and both modern and traditional hotels. (Editor's note: Our list was compiled before political unrest prompted many countries to issue travel warnings for Egypt. If you're currently planning a trip to Egypt, please consider the risks and monitor your government's travel alerts.)
Restaurants in Alexandria
1. Saint Demiana
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. Mohamed Ali Pasha Statue
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. Statue Of Saad Pasha Zaghloul
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
4. El Sa'a Square
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
5. Deir Anba Bishoi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
These desert building are all that remains of the monasic Christians that fled Roman persecution in the 4th century.
6. Ahmad Salem Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
7. Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,780 reviews
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.
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
Bibliotheca Alexandrina is more than a library! Opened in 2002, here is a cultural complex that also includes a planetarium, four museums, art galleries for temporary and permanent exhibitions, specialized museums, and a manuscript restoration laboratory. The library has shelf space for eight million books! The main structure is a contemporary granite building, circular in design and covered in carvings done by local artists. The library offers guided tours, but since we had our own guide with us, we opted to just peek inside. It was very crowded the day we visited because the schools were on holiday. By the way, you’ll have a great view of the Citadel from here (and remember to look for Bibliotheca Alexandrina when you’re at the Citadel).
8. Fort Qaitbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,068 reviews
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.
Reviewed By 277vincentm - New Orleans, United States
The Citadel of Qaitbey with its splendid views of the Mediterranean (see Rampart View view), is easily the most striking historical structure in Alexandria. Built in 1477, it’s relatively modern by Egypt’s timeline, which goes back ten times further. But 1477 is a good 15 years before Columbus discovered America, and the history of the site predates the Roman Empire. The citadel stands on and incorporates stones from one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Qaitbey was neither Arab nor Egyptian, but a Circassian. But he did a credible job of building a newer, stronger fortress where the old Lighthouse had been. The NW corner of the fort might put you directly above or beside where the Pharos used to stand, as a placard states that this is “most likely to be attributed to the remainings of the old lighthouse.” I assume that when the Arabs captured Alexandria from the Byzantines in 641, the Baths were still being used. The first of the series of earthquakes that destroyed the Lighthouse occurred 150 years after the Arab conquest. (See Byzantine Bath photo). As well as walking the ramparts carefully (see Rampart View) and looking at the warm waters of the Mediterranean just as archers did centuries ago (see Torquoise Waters photo), you can go into the main tower, the most imposing structure in the citadel (see Main Tower photo). The rock steps are irregular; there are no handrails; and the roof of the main tower is not accessible. A door on the top floor of the tower looks as if it leads up to the top of the tower, but its gate is firmly locked (see Don’t Man the Rooftop photo). Some graffiti spray-painted onto the NE corner of the tower may be why rooftop access is now prohibited. Still, inside the tower you’ll find striking windows, chambers and passageways (see Ancient Windows and Passageway photos). Persons with minor mobility impairments can enter the courtyard below, but should use care if trying to climb up to upper levels (the footing is treacherous in many areas). Those with severe impairments (wheel-chairs, etc) can enjoy the view from the wide courtyard, but almost certainly should not attempt to go any higher. Similarly, children should be closely controlled for their own safety, because potential falls are a real danger in some spots. Other visitors can easily spend an hour or two wandering around the ramparts, enjoying the views through ancient windows, and wandering through the labyrinthine chambers of the tower.
9. Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi
10. Stanley Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 558 reviews
Reviewed By kuhnh2015
It is amazing to see the Stanley Ridge in the Palace to appreciate the beautiful scenery. The best time to visit is to observe the sunset. The water is so clean and the backdrop of the Palace is something you cannot forget.
