Full-Day Alexandria Tour from Cairo: Private Guide & Citadel

A single day holds five centuries of Alexandria's history, from Roman tombs to a 15th-century fortress on the Mediterranean.

A private full-day tour of Alexandria departing from Cairo includes hotel pickup, an Egyptologist guide, visits to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Citadel of Qaitbay, Pompey's Pillar, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Great Library of Alexandria, plus transport by air-conditioned minivan. The tour runs about 11 hours with a 3-hour drive each way. You choose your option at checkout: car with driver only, or add a guide, entrance fees, and lunch as needed. The guide speaks English or Spanish. Bottled water and all taxes are included. Gratuities are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa1h
2. Roman Amphitheatre1h

Explore Alexandria's historic landmarks

• Meet guide at hotel in Cairo
• Drive to Alexandria (3 hours)
• Visit Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
• See Pompey’s Pillar
• Tour Citadel of Qaitbay
• Explore the Great Library of Alexandria
• View the Lighthouse of Alexandria site
• Visit Roman Amphitheatre
• Drive back to Cairo

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup in Cairo and a 3-hour drive north to Alexandria. Your Egyptologist guide meets you there and walks you through the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a necropolis where Roman, Hellenistic and Pharaonic burial styles merge in a single underground complex. From there you move to Pompey's Pillar, a 100-foot red granite column that stands on a rocky hilltop in the middle of the city: despite its name, it has nothing to do with the Roman general and was actually erected around 300 AD as a triumphal monument.

The Citadel of Qaitbay comes next, a 15th-century defensive fortress built in 1477 on the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of the Eastern Harbour. You'll also visit the Great Library of Alexandria, one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world, which housed an estimated 40,000 to 400,000 papyrus scrolls at its height. Note that it closes on Fridays. The Roman Amphitheatre rounds out the stops, a circular open-air venue that once hosted gladiator combats and other events. Transport between each site is by air-conditioned minivan, and bottled water is provided throughout the day.

You pick your option at checkout: car with driver alone, or add a qualified Egyptologist guide, entrance fees to the sites, and lunch. The guide speaks English or Spanish. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and all taxes and service charges are built into the price. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though the full day and multiple stops mean you'll be on your feet for stretches.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo.
• private air-conditioned minivan transport.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all taxes and service charges.
• an Egyptologist guide in English or Spanish (if selected).
• entrance fees to the Catacombs, Citadel, Library and Amphitheatre (if selected).
• lunch (if selected).

Options for this experience

4 options

Car with DriverGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Lasts 12 hours. Pickup is included.

Car + GuideGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 7 Dec · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Includes pickup and drop-off, plus a private guide and driver. Lasts 12 hours. Pickup is included.

Car, guide and entry fees included.Guide in English or Spanish · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00The private tour includes a guide, an air-conditioned car with pickup and drop-off, and entry fees. Lasts 12 hours. Pickup is included.

All Inclusive TourGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Private tour with a car, pickup and drop-off, a guide, lunch and entry fees. Lasts 12 hours. Pickup is included.

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 dayDepartures at 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 effort

Operated by Misk Tours

Is this one for you?Book the car with driver if you want to set your own pace and skip the guide commentary. Add the guide if you want the history and context explained at each stop. The all-inclusive option with entrance fees and lunch removes the need to budget or decide separately. Everything is arranged and paid upfront.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

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

How long is the drive from Cairo to Alexandria?

The drive is about 3 hours each way, so the round-trip travel time is roughly 6 hours. That time is included in the 11-hour total tour duration.

What are the main sites I'll visit in Alexandria?

The tour includes the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, the Citadel of Qaitbay on the Mediterranean coast, the Great Library of Alexandria, and the Roman Amphitheatre. Your guide explains the history at each stop.

Is a guide included, or do I need to book one separately?

A guide is optional. You can book the car with driver only, or add a qualified Egyptologist guide who speaks English or Spanish. The guide option is chosen at checkout.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned minivan, bottled water, and all taxes and service charges are included in every option. Entrance fees and lunch are optional add-ons you select at checkout.

Is the Great Library of Alexandria always open?

The Great Library is closed on Fridays, so plan your tour for another day of the week if visiting the library is important to you.

What's the difference between the tour options?

You choose at checkout: car with driver only; car plus an Egyptologist guide; car, guide and entrance fees; or the all-inclusive option with guide, fees and lunch. Every option includes hotel pickup, transport and water.