Is Alexandria worth visiting?
Egypt's Mediterranean gem blends Greco-Roman heritage, Cleopatra-era legend, and sea-breeze charm along a Corniche lined with cafés, catacombs, and a modern library built to honor an ancient legacy.
Egypt's Mediterranean gem blends Greco-Roman heritage, Cleopatra-era legend, and sea-breeze charm along a Corniche lined with cafés, catacombs, and a modern library built to honor an ancient legacy.
History
Alexandria was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great, who chose the site for its natural harbor between the Mediterranean and Lake Mariout. Under the Ptolemaic dynasty that followed his death, it grew into the intellectual capital of the ancient world, home to the legendary Library of Alexandria and the Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, both now vanished but commemorated throughout the modern city.
Alexandria was also the stage for one of history's most famous political dramas, as the seat of Cleopatra VII's court and her alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Later, under Roman and Byzantine rule, the city became an early center of Christianity, and the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa reflect the blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman beliefs about death and the afterlife.
The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002 on the Corniche, was built as a deliberate revival of the ancient library's spirit, and today Alexandria's Mediterranean waterfront, Greco-Roman ruins, and seafood restaurants offer a refreshing counterpoint to Egypt's desert and Nile destinations.
Climate
Alexandria enjoys a Mediterranean climate that is noticeably milder than the rest of Egypt, with warm, dry summers cooled by sea breeze and mild, occasionally rainy winters.
Best Time to Visit
April through June and September through November bring the most comfortable sightseeing weather, while summer suits travelers prioritizing the beach and Corniche atmosphere.
Travel Tips
Alexandria makes an easy day trip or overnight stop via a comfortable two-hour train from Cairo; wear comfortable walking shoes for the citadel and catacombs; save room for fresh seafood at one of the Corniche-front restaurants, a local specialty.
Featured Attractions
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Qaitbay Citadel
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
- Roman Amphitheater at Kom el-Dikka
- Montaza Palace Gardens
- Alexandria National Museum
- Mediterranean Corniche promenade
