Overview

Full Day Alexandria Tour – 5 Best Sites Private Shore Excursion from Port

This full day alexandria tour is the complete Alexandria experience — a full day that covers the city’s most iconic landmarks without rushing. From Qaitbay Citadel on the Mediterranean coast to the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, from the royal Montaza Palace gardens to the atmospheric Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, you see Alexandria as it actually is: a city where 3,000 years of Mediterranean history sit side by side. Every visit on this full day alexandria tour is private — no other groups, no shared buses, no fixed crowds.

full day alexandria tour Highlights

• Qaitbay Citadel — 15th-century fortress built on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina — the modern revival of the ancient world’s greatest library
• Montaza Palace & Gardens — royal summer residence with Mediterranean seafront
• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — largest Roman burial site in Egypt, carved 3 levels deep
• Alexandria Corniche — the seafront promenade connecting the city’s historic quarters

Full Itinerary

Your guide meets you at the exit of Alexandria Port — not inside, so there are no security delays. This full day alexandria tour runs approximately 8 hours of touring, plus transfer times within the city.

First stop is Qaitbay Citadel, the 15th-century fortress built by Sultan Qaitbay directly on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You walk the battlements with a view across the Eastern Harbour and your guide explains how the stones from the lighthouse were used to build the fortress itself.

Next is Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library opened in 2002 to honor the spirit of its ancient predecessor. The building is architecturally extraordinary — a giant disc tilted toward the sea, its exterior walls carved with scripts from 120 languages. Inside there are four museums and an art gallery.

After lunch at a seafood restaurant on the Corniche, you visit Montaza Palace and its gardens. This was the summer residence of the Egyptian royal family, set on a private peninsula with direct Mediterranean frontage. The grounds are open to visitors and the walk through the gardens is one of the most pleasant parts of the day.

The final stop is the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — the largest Roman funeral monument in Egypt. Carved into the bedrock in three descending levels, the catacombs date to the 2nd century AD and combine Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artistic traditions in a way that exists nowhere else on Earth.

What’s Included in This full day alexandria tour

• Private transport throughout Alexandria (air-conditioned vehicle)
• Licensed private Egyptologist guide for the full day
• All entrance fees to Qaitbay Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Montaza Gardens, and Catacombs
• Seafood lunch at a local restaurant
• Bottled water throughout
• All taxes and service charges

What’s Not Included

• Inside museum fees at Bibliotheca Alexandrina (optional, ~$5 per museum)
• Personal shopping
• Gratuities for guide and driver

Practical Information

Pickup is at the exit gate of Alexandria Port — your guide holds a sign with your name. This full day alexandria tour is fully private. Duration is 8–10 hours total. The Catacombs involve stairs — not suitable for travelers with severe mobility limitations. Comfortable shoes and sunscreen recommended.

Why Book This full day alexandria tour With Elias Tours

Our expert team at Elias Tours Egypt delivers exceptional private tours. This is not a highlights tour — it’s an explanation. You leave understanding why Alexandria matters, not just that it does. All vehicles are private, all guides are licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.

See more in our Egypt Activities section, explore Egypt Tour Packages, discover Egypt’s history on our Egypt Culture page, or contact us with questions.

For official tourism information, visit the Egyptian Tourism Authority.

Alexandria: City of Layers

Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and became the intellectual capital of the ancient Mediterranean world. At its peak it housed the Library of Alexandria — the largest collection of written knowledge ever assembled — and was home to mathematicians, physicians, and philosophers who shaped Western science. The city’s position at the crossroads of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures left an architectural and cultural legacy that is still visible today.

Walking through Alexandria on this full day alexandria tour you notice that history accumulates differently here than in Cairo. There are fewer grand monuments and more layered textures — Ottoman fortresses, Art Nouveau apartment buildings, ancient catacombs under modern streets, a library that references a destroyed one. The city rewards attention. Your Egyptologist guide points out what most visitors miss.

The port itself is one of the oldest continuously operating harbors in the world. Ships have been arriving here since the 3rd century BC. The Eastern Harbour you see from Qaitbay Citadel today has the same geography as the harbor that greeted Julius Caesar, Napoleon, and the British fleet. That continuity — ancient port, modern cruise ship, same water — is one of the small pleasures of this full day alexandria tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this full day alexandria tour include?
The full-day tour covers Qaitbay Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Montaza Palace Gardens, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, with a seafood lunch and all entrance fees.

How long does this full day alexandria tour last?
Approximately 8–10 hours of touring within Alexandria. Your guide monitors your ship’s departure and ensures you return to the port with time to spare.

Will I be back at the port before my ship departs?
Yes — this is our top priority on every shore excursion. We track your ship’s schedule throughout the day.

Is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina worth visiting?
Yes. The architecture is remarkable, and the Manuscript Museum inside holds some of the oldest surviving written documents in the world.

What should I wear to the Catacombs?
Comfortable closed-toe shoes. The catacombs are underground and slightly cool — a light layer is recommended.

Can I customize the itinerary?
Yes. If you prefer to add the Roman Amphitheater or skip a site, tell us when booking and we will adjust accordingly.

Compare Alexandria Shore Options

Looking for a shorter visit? The Alexandria shore excursion covers 4 signature sites in 6–7 hours — ideal for ships with limited port time. For individual site visits, choose the Qaitbay Citadel tour, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina tour, or the Greco-Roman Alexandria tour. Staying in Cairo? See our Alexandria day trip from Cairo. Browse our full Alexandria culture guide 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.