Alexandria day trip from Cairo: Catacombs, Citadel & Bibliotheca

Roman catacombs tour and 15th-century fortress visit with ancient lighthouse history

A full-day tour from Cairo to Alexandria visits the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa (the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt, cut three levels deep into rock), then moves to Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbey Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Hotel pickup and lunch at a local restaurant are included. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa3h · entry included
2. Citadel of Qaitbay2h · entry included

Day trip from Cairo to Alexandria

• Pick up from Cairo hotel
• Visit Pompey’s Pillar
• Visit Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Qaitbey Citadel
• Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• Transfer back to Cairo hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Cairo hotel and a drive to Alexandria, where the first stop is Pompey's Pillar, a limestone column built in the 4th century to honor Emperor Diocletian. Originally part of the temple of Serapis, it once rivaled the grandest structures in the city. From there you descend into the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a three-level underground cemetery carved directly into the rock and the largest Roman burial site in Egypt. The scale and the carved chambers give a sense of how this coastal city once functioned as a major Roman hub.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour moves to Qaitbey Citadel, a 15th-century fortress built on the exact site where the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood: one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The citadel sits on the Mediterranean shore and offers views across the harbor. The final stop is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library and cultural center on the waterfront, before you're driven back to your hotel in Cairo. The whole day runs 8 to 12 hours depending on traffic and how long you spend at each site.

An air-conditioned vehicle handles the transport between Cairo and Alexandria, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. The guide meets you at your hotel, so there's no need to arrange separate transport to a meeting point.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Cairo and return transfer to your hotel.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Alexandria.
• entry to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbey Citadel and Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.

Options for this experience

2 options

Car onlyGuide in 5 languages · 07:00Car only, includes pickup

Private tour from Cairo to AlexandriaGuide in 5 languages · 07:00Duration is 8 hours; entrance fees are not included. Alexandria car, includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Youth (6 to 11 years) · Child (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by EL HARAM EL AKBAR TRAVEL

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you travel in your own vehicle with your group rather than joining strangers. If you're based in Cairo and want to see Alexandria's major Roman and medieval sites in a single day without arranging your own transport, the included pickup and fixed itinerary mean you don't coordinate separate logistics.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 11 years); Child (under 6).

What exactly are the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa?

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt, carved three levels deep into the bedrock. They date to the Roman period and contain burial chambers and niches cut directly into the stone, giving a rare look at how a major Roman city handled its dead.

Is Qaitbey Citadel the same as the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria?

Qaitbey Citadel was built in the 15th century on the exact site where the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood. The lighthouse itself is long gone, but the citadel now occupies that historic location on the Mediterranean shore.

What is Pompey's Pillar and why is it important?

Pompey's Pillar is a limestone column built at the end of the 4th century to honor Emperor Diocletian. It originally stood as part of the temple of Serapis and was once a magnificent structure. It remains one of the tallest standing Roman monuments outside of Rome itself.

How long does the drive from Cairo to Alexandria take?

The tour runs 8 to 12 hours total, which includes the round-trip drive, time at each site, and lunch. The drive itself depends on traffic, but Alexandria is roughly 225 kilometers northwest of Cairo.

Does the tour include food?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant in Alexandria is included in the tour. The description mentions fresh seafood by the Mediterranean, reflecting the local cuisine of the coastal city.