Overview

Alexandria Food Tour – Street Food, Seafood & Local Markets

An alexandria food tour gets you past the tourist traps quickly. Within minutes of leaving the port, you’re at the kind of places Alexandrians actually eat — koshari shops with ceiling-high pots, fish markets where the morning catch is still iced, and juice bars that have been running the same recipes since the 1950s. Your guide, a licensed Egyptologist who has lived in Alexandria his whole life, knows where to go and, just as importantly, where not to.

What the Alexandria food tour covers

The tour moves through three distinct food experiences, each in a different part of the city.

It starts at a local breakfast spot near the port area, where you try ful medames (slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil and lemon), ta’ameyya (Alexandria’s version of falafel, heavier on herbs than chickpea), and fresh-baked bread from the oven next door. The restaurant opens at 6am and the tables are full of dock workers and fishermen by 7. You’re eating their breakfast.

From there the tour heads to the old fish market near the Eastern Harbour. Alexandria’s fishing boats come in before dawn. By mid-morning the market is at its busiest — rows of fresh sea bass, red mullet, calamari, and shrimp, with vendors calling prices and buyers negotiating over ice. You can pick out fish here and have it cooked at one of the harbour-side restaurants while you walk the Corniche, or eat at a sit-down seafood place within 10 minutes’ walk.

The last stop is the spice market in the old Attarin quarter. The market sells cumin, coriander, dried hibiscus (karkade), and dukkah blends the way it has for generations. Your guide explains what each spice is used for, and you can buy small quantities to take home. The walk through Attarin also passes several Ottoman-era buildings and a 19th-century covered arcade.

Practical details for this Alexandria food tour

The tour runs for 3 to 4 hours, with the option to extend by an additional hour. The pace is relaxed and guided by your interests. Food and drinks are not included in the price — your guide recommends the best spots and helps you order, but you pay for what you choose. There is no fixed menu and no hidden food charge.

Please note that our company does not have direct access inside the port. After disembarking, it takes approximately 15–20 minutes to walk to the port exit. Your guide will be waiting at the meeting point outside the terminal holding a sign with your booking name.

The tour involves a moderate amount of walking on uneven ground. The old quarter streets are narrow and sometimes cobbled. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Tour highlights

• Breakfast at a working neighbourhood restaurant: ful, ta’ameyya, fresh bread
• Eastern Harbour fish market — see the morning catch and learn how Alexandria buys its fish
• Fresh seafood lunch cooked to order, eaten near the Corniche
• Attarin spice market walk with guide explanations
• Fresh juice and coffee at a local café
• Spices and dried hibiscus available to purchase at the market

What is included

• Licensed private Egyptologist guide for the full tour
• Air-conditioned private vehicle with local driver
• Walking tour through Alexandria’s local markets and food spots
• All market and entrance fees
• Bottled water throughout

What is excluded

• Food and drinks — your guide recommends the best spots and helps you order, but you pay for what you choose to eat and drink
• Gratuities for guide and driver (paid voluntarily at your discretion)
• Personal purchases at the spice market

Tour Duration

This is a half-day tour — typically 3 to 4 hours, with the option to extend by an additional hour if you want to explore more stops or spend longer at the market. The pace is relaxed and entirely in your hands.

For cruise passengers arriving at Alexandria port, the tour fits comfortably within a standard port call. If your all-aboard time is tight, let us know when booking and your guide will plan the route accordingly. We work with Egyptian Tourism Authority-licensed guides who know Alexandria port schedules well.

If you want to combine food with sightseeing, have a look at our full-day Alexandria tour covering the Citadel of Qaitbay and Montaza Gardens, or the Bibliotheca Alexandrina tour for a more heritage-focused day. For everything available from the port, see our Egypt Activities page and Egypt Tour Packages.

If you have dietary restrictions — vegetarian, gluten-free, shellfish allergy — mention this at booking. The guide adjusts the stops accordingly. Alexandria has enough variety that this is rarely a problem.

Why book with Elias Tours

Our expert team at Elias Tours Egypt delivers exceptional private tours. The stops on this alexandria food tour are not on any tourist map — they’re places he eats himself. That is a different proposition from a group food tour where 15 people follow a flag through the same spots listed on TripAdvisor. Visit our Alexandria culture guide for background on the city. To book or ask questions, use the contact page.

More Alexandria Shore Excursions

Want to explore Alexandria’s historic sites or coastline? Browse our other private tours:

• Alexandria City Tour — 5 historic sites in one full day from the port
• Alexandria Felucca Tour — a private sunset sail on the Eastern Harbour with views of Qaitbay Citadel
• Qaitbay Citadel Tour — the 15th-century Mamluk fortress and Stanley Beach in a focused half-day

Frequently asked questions

Is this alexandria food tour suitable for children?

Yes. The food is mild and the pace is relaxed. Children tend to enjoy the fish market — it’s lively and visual. Mention ages when booking so the guide can set expectations.

How spicy is the food?

Alexandrian street food is not particularly spicy. Ful and ta’ameyya are seasoned but not hot. At the spice market you only taste what you choose to try.

What if I have a seafood allergy?

Mention it at booking. The guide will skip the fish market and substitute a visit to a traditional pastry shop or a sit-down lunch with grilled chicken and mezze. The tour works well without the seafood component.

Can I combine this with other sightseeing in Alexandria?

The tour is 4 hours, which leaves time to add Qaitbay or Montaza if your port call is 8 hours or longer. Ask at booking and we will suggest a combined itinerary. Food stops are not rushed to fit in more monuments.

Is private transport included between stops?

Yes. Air-conditioned private car between the port and each stop. The distances in Alexandria’s old quarter are short but the streets are not easy to navigate on your own.

Do I need to bring cash?

Yes — food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so bring enough cash to cover what you eat and drink. Egyptian pounds are preferred at local spots, though US dollars are accepted at most market stalls. Your guide will give you a realistic idea of costs before each stop so there are no surprises.

What makes this different from other Alexandria tours?

This is a private tour: just your group and your guide. No other passengers, no fixed departure times, no minimum group size. The itinerary adjusts to what you want to eat. Most group food tours in Alexandria have 10–15 people and a scripted route. This one does not.

Meeting Point & Pickup

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

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.