Overview

Alexandria City Tour – Private Shore Excursion from Port

The Alexandria city tour covers the five sites that define this Mediterranean capital in a single day: the ancient Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Roman Amphitheater at Kom El Dikka, the towering Qaitbay Citadel, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the royal Montaza Palace Gardens. Together they represent 2,400 years of history — from the Greek founding of the city through the Roman period, the medieval Mamluk era, and the 19th century royal dynasty. This Alexandria city tour is the most complete way to experience the city in the time available from a cruise ship call.

Alexandria City Tour — The 5 Sites

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — 2nd century AD Roman-Egyptian burial complex carved into bedrock; the largest Roman necropolis in Egypt
• Roman Amphitheater (Kom El Dikka) — the only intact Roman theater in Egypt, with original marble seating; adjacent Villa of the Birds mosaic floors
• Qaitbay Citadel — 15th century Mamluk fortress built on the exact site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the World
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina — the modern revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria; exterior viewing and optional interior visit
• Montaza Palace Gardens — 150-acre royal gardens on the Mediterranean coast, summer palace of King Farouk; ideal for a final walk before returning to port

Full Itinerary

Your guide collects you at the exit gate of Alexandria Port in a private air-conditioned vehicle. The route covers the city’s western archaeological quarter first, then moves east along the Mediterranean corniche to finish at Montaza — meaning you travel in a logical direction rather than backtracking.

First stop: the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. Discovered in 1900 when a donkey cart fell through the street, these underground chambers date to the 2nd century AD and descend three levels into the limestone. What distinguishes them architecturally is the fusion of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman decorative traditions in the same carvings — a direct reflection of Alexandria’s multicultural identity. Your Egyptologist explains the burial rituals and the significance of the hybrid iconography: Egyptian gods rendered in Roman artistic style, surrounded by classical Greek architectural framing.

Next is the Roman Amphitheater at Kom El Dikka — a semicircular theater with 13 rows of white marble seating, built in the 4th century AD and used for lectures and performances. It is the only preserved Roman theater in Egypt. Beside it, the Villa of the Birds contains floor mosaics with bird portraits of remarkable naturalistic accuracy, dating to the 2nd century AD.

Moving to the waterfront: Qaitbay Citadel stands at the tip of the Eastern Harbor peninsula, built in 1477 by Sultan Qaitbay using stones from the Pharos Lighthouse that had collapsed in an earthquake. The fortress occupies the exact footprint of the ancient lighthouse base. From the upper levels you see the full sweep of Alexandria’s harbor and, on clear days, the Mediterranean horizon. Your guide covers both the medieval history of the citadel and what is known about the Pharos it replaced.

A short drive brings you to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library built on the presumed site of the ancient one, opened in 2002. The building’s angled roof — covered with hieroglyphs, letters from world alphabets, and scientific symbols — is photographed from outside. Interior visits are optional if time permits.

The final stop on your Alexandria city tour is Montaza Palace Gardens — 150 acres of Mediterranean gardens built by Khedive Abbas II in the 1890s and expanded by King Farouk. The gardens are a good decompression between the archaeological intensity of the earlier sites and the return to ship. The Salamlek and Montaza palaces are visible within the grounds.

What’s Included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Alexandria Port to all sites and return
• Licensed private Egyptologist guide throughout
• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa entrance fee
• Roman Amphitheater / Kom El Dikka entrance fee
• Qaitbay Citadel entrance fee
• Montaza Gardens entrance fee
• Bottled water
• All taxes and service charges

What’s Not Included

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina interior (optional ~$4 per person)
• Lunch (can be arranged at a seafood restaurant on the corniche — ask when booking)
• Gratuities for guide and driver

Practical Information

Pickup is at the exit gate of Alexandria Port. Tour duration is approximately 7–8 hours. The catacombs require descending a spiral staircase — not suitable for travelers with severe mobility limitations. All other sites are accessible at ground level or with minimal steps. Comfortable shoes and sun protection are recommended. We monitor your ship’s departure and guarantee return with a minimum 90-minute buffer before sailing.

Browse more options in our Egypt Activities section, explore Egypt Tour Packages for multi-day trips, or contact us directly for custom itineraries.

Official tourism information from the Egyptian Tourism Authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sites does this Alexandria city tour cover?
Five: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Roman Amphitheater (Kom El Dikka), Qaitbay Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina (exterior), and Montaza Palace Gardens. It is the most comprehensive Alexandria shore excursion we offer.

How long does the Alexandria city tour take?
Approximately 7–8 hours from pickup to return to port. We start early to maximize time at each site while guaranteeing you return before sailing.

Is this tour suitable for older travelers or those with mobility concerns?
The Catacombs involve a spiral staircase descent. The remaining four sites are accessible with minimal walking. If mobility is a concern, ask about our shorter 3-site version that skips the catacombs.

Can I customize which sites we visit?
Yes — this is a private tour so the itinerary can be adjusted. If you have already visited some sites or want to add others (Greco-Roman Museum, Fish Market, Stanley Bridge), let us know when booking.

Will I see the ancient Library of Alexandria?
The original Library of Alexandria no longer exists — it was lost in antiquity. The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002, was built near the presumed location and is included in this tour. Your guide explains what is known about the ancient library and its significance.

Is lunch included in the Alexandria city tour?
Lunch is not included but can be arranged at a seafood restaurant on the Alexandria corniche. Please request this when booking.

More Alexandria Shore Options

For a broader cruise day covering the top five sites, our Alexandria shore excursion is the most popular choice, while the full day Alexandria tour extends to six sites over nine hours. Prefer a focused visit? The Greco-Roman Alexandria tour concentrates on the ancient quarter, while the Qaitbay Alexandria tour covers the citadel and seafront. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina tour pairs the legendary library site with the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa. Not arriving by cruise? Our Alexandria day trip from Cairo departs directly from your hotel. Read our Alexandria culture guide for deeper historical context before you visit.

Meeting Point & Pickup – Frequently Asked Questions

Where will I meet my guide if I arrive by cruise ship?

Please note that our company does not have direct access inside Alexandria Port. After disembarking, it takes approximately 15–20 minutes to walk to the port exit. Your guide will be waiting outside the port holding a sign with your booking name. At the end of the tour, you will return to the ship using the same walking route.

Can I be picked up directly inside the port?

Direct pickup inside the port requires special permits and additional port access arrangements. If you require inside-port pickup, please contact us before booking so we can provide availability and any additional costs.

Can I be picked up from a hotel instead?

Yes. Hotel and accommodation pickup is available. Simply provide your hotel name or accommodation details during booking.