Overview

Alexandria Shore Excursion – Private Guided Tour from Alexandria Port

This alexandria shore excursion is built for one purpose: to give cruise passengers a private, unhurried day through the most extraordinary city on the Mediterranean coast — and get them back aboard before the gangway lifts. Your licensed Egyptologist guide meets you at the port exit, handles every detail, and stays with you from the Catacombs to the Qaitbay Citadel. No group buses. No countdown clocks. No strangers.

Alexandria Shore Excursion — What You Will See

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

Every alexandria shore excursion begins underground. The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are the largest Roman funerary complex in Egypt — three levels carved into the rock in the 2nd century AD, decorated with a collision of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman iconography found nowhere else on earth. Anubis wears Roman armour. Medusa guards the burial chamber. Your guide reads the walls like a text. Discovered in 1900 when a donkey fell through the entrance, they remain one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

Pompey’s Pillar & the Serapeum

A single monolithic column of red Aswan granite rises 26.85 metres from a low hill above the ancient city. Erected in 297 AD in the ruins of the Serapeum — the great Temple of Serapis — it has nothing to do with Pompey. The name is a Crusader-era error that stuck for eight centuries. Underground passages of the original temple remain visible. Allow 25–30 minutes here.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Opened in 2002 on the approximate site of the ancient Library of Alexandria, the Bibliotheca is one of the finest works of contemporary architecture anywhere — a tilted granite disc facing the sea, designed to evoke the rising sun. Inside: a reading room holding 8 million books across eleven cascading levels, the Antiquities Museum tracing Alexandria from the Ptolemies to the Fatimids, and permanent galleries on calligraphy, manuscripts, and the history of science. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours. Your guide will contextualise what was actually lost when the ancient library burned — and what was not.

Qaitbay Citadel

The final stop on this alexandria shore excursion is a medieval fort standing on the exact footprint of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Sultan Qa’it Bay built the citadel in 1477 using stones quarried directly from the collapsed lighthouse. The original granite blocks are still visible in the walls. From the upper ramparts the Mediterranean stretches in every direction. It is one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Egypt.

For Cruise Passengers — Practical Details

Your private guide waits at the Alexandria Cruise Terminal exit holding a sign with your name. From the port gate to the Catacombs takes roughly 20 minutes by private vehicle. We monitor your ship’s actual departure time continuously — if the captain moves sailing time forward, we adjust the itinerary in real time. You return to the port at least 90 minutes before departure, every time. This alexandria shore excursion operates for all cruise lines docking at Alexandria Maritime Station and Mina El Raml, including MSC, Costa, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Viking. For official Egypt travel information, see the Egyptian Tourism Authority.

Best Time for This Alexandria Shore Excursion

October through April is ideal — mild temperatures, clear Mediterranean light, and comfortable walking conditions at every outdoor site. Summer arrivals are manageable: Alexandria’s sea breeze keeps temperatures lower than Cairo. The Catacombs maintain a constant cool temperature year-round. This private tour runs daily regardless of season.

Tour Highlights

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — largest Roman burial complex in Egypt
• Pompey’s Pillar and the ancient Serapeum precinct
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina — heir to the ancient Library of Alexandria
• Qaitbay Citadel — built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse, a Wonder of the World
• Private licensed Egyptologist guide — full day, exclusively your group
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• All entrance tickets included
• Guaranteed return to ship 90+ minutes before departure

What’s Included

• Licensed private Egyptologist guide throughout
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
• Bottled water
• All taxes and service charges
• 90-minute ship-return buffer guaranteed

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees (paid separately at each site)
• Lunch
• Gratuities for guide and driver
• Personal expenses

Choose Your Option — Private Alexandria Shore Excursion

All options include private transport, port pickup & drop-off, and bottled water.

* Prices are per person. Child (6–11): 50% discount. Infant (0–5): free. Entrance tickets (if not in All-Inclusive): ~$25/person paid on-site.

Why Book This Alexandria Shore Excursion with Elias Tours Egypt

Elias Tours Egypt is a professional licensed tour operator based in Egypt. Every guide we work with holds an Egyptian government licence and has spent years learning exactly what cruise passengers need from a port day: efficient movement, real knowledge, and zero stress about the clock. Explore our Egypt Tour Packages, browse Egypt Activities, read our Egypt Culture guide, learn about Alexandria before you arrive, or contact us directly to confirm availability for your sailing date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this Alexandria Shore Excursion take?

6 to 7 hours covering all four main sites. Duration depends on your ship’s port time window. We build the itinerary around your disembarkation and re-boarding times.

Where exactly does my guide meet me?

At the exit of the Alexandria Cruise Terminal — outside the port gate — holding a sign with your name. Walking from the gangway to the exit takes 15–20 minutes. We do not have port access permits for inside-the-gate pickup; please factor in the walk. Your guide will confirm the exact meeting point by WhatsApp before your ship arrives.

What if my ship changes departure time?

We monitor your ship’s status from the morning of your visit. If departure is moved earlier due to weather or port scheduling, we restructure the itinerary immediately and return you to the port in time. You will always reboard before the gangway lifts.

Is the Alexandria Shore Excursion suitable for passengers with limited mobility?

Pompey’s Pillar, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Qaitbay Citadel are all accessible by vehicle and involve manageable walking. The Catacombs require descending a spiral staircase and are not suitable for wheelchairs or passengers who cannot manage stairs. We can substitute the Catacombs with the Stanley Bay seafront or the Royal Jewellery Museum for mobility-limited guests at no extra cost.

Are entrance tickets included in the price?

Yes. All entrance tickets to the Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Qaitbay Citadel are included in the tour price. You will not pay anything at the gates.

Can I add the Pyramids to my Alexandria shore excursion?

Only if your ship is docked for 14 hours or more. Cairo is 2.5 hours from Alexandria each way on the desert road. If your port time allows, we can arrange a Cairo day trip from Alexandria — contact us with your ship’s schedule for a tailored quote.

More Alexandria Tours

Not arriving by cruise? Guests in Cairo can book our Alexandria day trip from Cairo — a private 12-hour excursion with round-trip transport from your hotel. For a focused half-day on ancient Roman sites only, our Greco-Roman Alexandria tour covers three sites in four hours. See also our complete Alexandria culture guide for background reading before your visit.

Meeting Your Guide — Practical FAQ

Where exactly is the meeting point at Alexandria Port?

Your guide stands at the main exit of the cruise terminal — outside the port gate — with a sign bearing your name. After disembarking, follow the terminal walkway to the exit; the walk takes 15–20 minutes. At tour end, your driver returns you to the same gate.

Can I request pickup from my Alexandria hotel instead of the port?

Yes. Hotel pickup is available for passengers staying overnight in Alexandria. Provide your hotel name at booking and we will confirm the pickup time based on the itinerary.