Overview

Greco Roman Alexandria – Private Shore Excursion to 4 Ancient Sites

The Greco Roman Alexandria shore excursion takes you through the layers of the city that most cruise passengers miss: the underground city of the dead at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the only intact Roman theater in Egypt at Kom El Dikka, and the towering Pompey’s Pillar — a red granite column rising 27 meters from the ruins of the ancient Serapeum. These four stops together tell the complete story of Greco Roman Alexandria — and three open-air monuments and the Graeco-Roman Museum, all within 20 minutes of each other in the city center.

Greco Roman Alexandria — What You Will See

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — largest Roman burial site in Egypt, carved 3 levels into the bedrock
• Roman Amphitheater of Kom El Dikka — the only preserved Roman theater in Egypt, still with marble seating intact
• Pompey’s Pillar — a 27-meter granite column erected in 297 AD, surrounded by sphinx statues
• Villa of the Birds — 2nd century Roman mosaic floors uncovered beside the theater
• Graeco-Roman Museum — 40,000+ artifacts from ancient Alexandria (entry EGP 400 included)

Full Itinerary

Your guide meets you at the exit of Alexandria Port. All three Greco Roman Alexandria sites are clustered in the western part of the city, keeping transit time short and maximizing time at each location.

First stop is the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — the most architecturally remarkable site on this excursion and one of the most unusual monuments in the entire Mediterranean. Discovered in 1900 when a donkey cart fell through the ground, the catacombs date to the 2nd century AD and descend three levels into the limestone bedrock. What makes them extraordinary is the fusion of artistic traditions: the entrance hall looks Greek, the burial niches are carved in Egyptian style, and the decorative details are Roman. This blend, which exists nowhere else in the world, reflects the multicultural character of Alexandria at its height.

Your Egyptologist guide explains the burial rituals, the theology behind the combination of traditions, and the social history of the community that built here. The main tomb chamber, with its carved wall reliefs of Anubis dressed in Roman armor and Egyptian gods rendered in marble relief, is genuinely strange in the best way.

Next is the Roman Amphitheater of Kom El Dikka — a semicircular theater with 13 rows of white marble seating that could hold approximately 800 spectators. It was built in the 4th century AD and used for lectures and performances. The theater is small by Roman standards but its preservation is exceptional — you can sit in the original marble seats. Beside the theater, the Villa of the Birds contains floor mosaics from the 2nd century AD depicting birds with a precision that looks almost photographic.

The final stop is Pompey’s Pillar — a single red granite column 27 meters tall, erected in 297 AD to honor the Emperor Diocletian. It stands in the ruins of the ancient Serapeum, the temple of Serapis that once housed a branch of the Library of Alexandria. Two sphinx statues flank the base. The pillar has nothing to do with Pompey — the name was given by crusaders who assumed the great general must be buried here.

The last stop is the Graeco-Roman Museum, which reopened in 2024 after years of restoration. It holds over 40,000 objects — coins, sculpture, pottery, glass, and mosaics — recovered from Alexandria and the Nile Delta across centuries of excavation. The collection is one of the most important of its kind in the Mediterranean, and the museum now has the space and lighting to show it properly. Entry (EGP 400 per person) is included in the tour price. Most shore excursions in Alexandria skip this museum; adding it is what distinguishes this greco roman alexandria excursion from the standard 3-site itinerary.

What’s Included in This this shore excursion

• Graeco-Roman Museum entry (EGP 400 per person, included)
• Private transport from Alexandria Port to all sites and return (air-conditioned vehicle)
• Licensed private Egyptologist guide throughout
• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa entrance fee
• Roman Amphitheater / Kom El Dikka entrance fee
• Pompey’s Pillar site entrance fee
• Bottled water
• All taxes and service charges

What’s Not Included

• Alexandria National Museum (optional add-on, ~$8)
• Lunch (half-day tour — ask about extending to a full day)
• Gratuities for guide and driver

Why These Four Sites Work Together

Alexandria in the Greco-Roman period was a different city from anywhere else in the ancient world. Founded by Alexander the Great, developed under the Ptolemaic dynasty (Greek rulers who ruled as pharaohs), and absorbed by Rome while keeping its Greek intellectual culture, the city produced a layered identity that shows up clearly in these three sites. The catacombs are the most vivid example: Egyptian gods in Roman armor, carved by craftsmen who understood all three traditions and fused them deliberately.

Most Egypt itineraries skip Alexandria’s Greco-Roman monuments in favor of Cairo and Luxor. This Greco Roman Alexandria excursion is for travelers who want the other chapter — the one that connects ancient Egypt to the classical world that shaped Europe.

Practical Information

Pickup is at the exit gate of Alexandria Port. Tour duration is approximately 4–5 hours. The catacombs involve descending a spiral staircase — not suitable for travelers with severe mobility limitations. The theater and Pompey’s Pillar are at ground level. Comfortable shoes recommended; bring sunscreen for the outdoor sites.

See more tours in our Egypt Activities section, check Egypt Tour Packages for multi-day options, learn about Alexandria on our Egypt Culture page, or contact us with questions.

Official information from the Egyptian Tourism Authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Greco Roman Alexandria mean?
Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and ruled for 300 years by the Ptolemaic dynasty — Greek kings who adopted Egyptian traditions. It was then absorbed into the Roman Empire in 30 BC. The term “Greco-Roman” refers to this combined cultural period, visible in the art, architecture, and burial practices at all three sites on this tour.

Are the catacombs claustrophobic?
The entrance involves a spiral staircase and the lower chambers are underground, but the spaces themselves are relatively open. Most visitors do not find them claustrophobic. If you have serious concerns, ask your guide to stay at the upper level.

How long do we spend at each site?
Approximately 60 minutes at the catacombs, 45 minutes at the Roman theater, and 30 minutes at Pompey’s Pillar. Times can be adjusted based on your group’s interests.

Is the this shore excursion suitable for children?
Yes. The catacombs are genuinely engaging for older children. The Roman theater and mosaics are accessible and visually interesting. The spiral staircase at the catacombs requires basic mobility.

Will I be back before my ship departs?
Yes. We monitor your ship’s schedule throughout the day and ensure return with a minimum 90-minute buffer before sailing.

Can I extend this tour to include more Alexandria sites?
Yes — we can add Qaitbay Citadel, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, or Montaza Gardens. Ask about the full-day Alexandria shore excursion when booking.

More Alexandria Shore Options

For a full Alexandria day covering five sites, see our Alexandria shore excursion or the full day Alexandria tour covering six sites over nine hours. For individual landmark visits, the Qaitbay Alexandria tour focuses on the citadel and sea views, while the Bibliotheca Alexandrina tour pairs the ancient library site with Catacombs. Not arriving by cruise? Our Alexandria day trip from Cairo departs from your hotel. Read our Alexandria culture guide for historical context.

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.