Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo: Catacombs, Citadel & Corniche

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa descend deep into rock, cut millennia ago and still the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt.

A 12-hour guided day tour from Cairo to Alexandria covers six major sites (the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, the Roman Amphitheatre, Qaitbay's Citadel, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi Mosque) with a 30 km drive along the Corniche, lunch at a seaside restaurant, and entrance fees included. An English-speaking guide leads the group. Hotel pickup in Cairo is arranged before you book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa1h · entry included
2. Roman Amphitheatre1h · entry included
3. Citadel of Qaitbay15m

Explore Alexandria's main attractions

• Pick up from Cairo hotel
• Visit Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
• See Pompay's Pillar from outside
• Visit Roman Amphitheatre
• Drive along Cornish and see Stanley Bridge
• Visit Royal Jewellery Museum
• Lunch at Mediterranean Sea view restaurant
• Photo stop at Qaitbay’s Citadel
• Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• Visit Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi Mosque
• Drive back to Cairo

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Cairo hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and a drive to Alexandria. Your first stop is the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a three-level Roman cemetery carved into rock and dating back to the Greek period around 200 BC. The site is considered one of the wonders of the Middle Ages. From there you pass Pompey's Pillar from outside, then move to the Roman Amphitheatre, the only known one in Egypt, where you'll also see the Villa of Birds and its rare mosaic of fish.

The tour continues with a 30 km drive along the Corniche, Alexandria's waterfront boulevard, which shows you the whole seaside stretch of the city including the Old Harbour where 7,000 underwater monuments have been found. You'll cross the Stanley Bridge, Alexandria's newest landmark. A stop at the Royal Jewellery Museum follows, where the collection includes rare diamonds, rubies and intricately set stones from royal collections. Lunch comes at a Mediterranean restaurant with a sea view.

After lunch, you get a photo stop at Qaitbay's Citadel, one of the Mediterranean's most important defensive strongholds, built on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria: one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The tour then moves to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, described as one of the most unusual architectural masterpieces of the 21st century, and ends at Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi, the largest and most ornate mosque in the city. Your guide then drives you back to Cairo.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Cairo in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• entrance fees to all sites (Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Roman Amphitheatre, Royal Jewellery Museum, Qaitbay's Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi Mosque).
• lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant with sea views.
• bottled water.
• and an English-speaking guide for the full 12 hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 30 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Travelish Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're ready for a full day of moderate walking across six sites with a 30 km coastal drive between them. Choose it when you want Alexandria's Greco-Roman highlights covered in one trip rather than piecing them together yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What are the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa like to walk through?

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa consist of three levels cut into the rock, making them the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt. They date back to around 200 BC and are considered one of the wonders of the Middle Ages.

How much time do we spend driving on this tour?

The tour includes a 30 km drive along the Corniche, Alexandria's waterfront, plus transport between sites and the return to Cairo. The full day is 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is the Roman Amphitheatre the only one in Egypt?

Yes, the Roman Amphitheatre you visit on this tour is the only known one in Egypt. It's well-preserved and also features the Villa of Birds, which contains a rare mosaic of fish.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is served at a Mediterranean restaurant with a sea view overlooking Alexandria's coast. The meal is included in the tour price.

Do we visit Qaitbay's Citadel up close or just see it from outside?

Qaitbay's Citadel is a photo stop, so you'll have time to photograph it and take in the views. The citadel stands on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Is an English-speaking guide included with this tour?

Yes, an English-speaking guide leads the tour throughout the day, explaining each site and the history of Alexandria as you move between attractions.