Alexandria: Full Day Tour Catacombs, Library & Montazah Palace

Summary

Walk Roman tombs, royal gardens & the city’s living streets

You’ll dive into Alexandria’s ancient catacombs, wander palace gardens where Egypt’s last king once strolled, and stand beneath Pompey’s Pillar with a local guide sharing stories that bring everything to life. Expect real moments: fishermen working by the corniche, grilled fish for lunch if you choose it, and time to breathe in sea air before heading back.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely finished our first coffee when our guide, Youssef, pulled up outside the hotel in Alexandria. He had this easy smile and a way of weaving stories that made even the drive feel like part of the adventure. First stop: the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. The air down there was cool and heavy with that old stone smell — you know, kind of earthy and a little metallic. I’m not sure what I expected, but standing three levels deep in rock, surrounded by carvings older than some countries... it hit different.

Back above ground, we swung by Pompey’s Pillar for a quick photo (the pigeons seemed to love it as much as the tourists), then cruised past crumbling Roman villas and the old amphitheater ruins. We didn’t go inside those sites — just took them in from outside while Youssef explained how Alexandria kept reinventing itself after every empire. There was something about seeing fishermen mending their nets near the corniche that made me pause. The sea breeze smelled faintly salty and you could hear gulls fighting over scraps. Felt like real life just carried on around all these layers of history.

The library stop was next — not just any library but literally the biggest in the world. I tried to pronounce “Bibliotheca Alexandrina” right; Youssef laughed at my accent but gave me points for effort. We wandered through its open court, past statues of Alexander and Ptolemy (the latter apparently fished out from underwater). The Saddat Museum inside was quieter than I expected; maybe everyone else was out chasing selfies by the harbor. If you want to enter the main reading room, you’ll need an extra ticket — just a heads up.

Lunch was simple but good — grilled fish and warm bread with tahini, nothing fancy but somehow perfect after all that walking. Later we stopped at Abbo Elabbas Mosque (couldn’t go in but snapped photos), then drifted along Stanley Bridge where modern Alexandria buzzes past old French balconies and faded Italian facades. By the time we reached Montazah Palace Gardens, late afternoon light turned everything gold. There were families picnicking under palm trees and kids chasing each other near King Farouk’s old palace. I still think about that view sometimes — sunlight catching on royal gates and waves breaking below.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Alexandria's historic sites

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa
• Photo stop at Pompay’s Pillar
• Walk by Old Roman City excavation site
• Visit Alexandria Library open court
• Visit President Saddat and impressions museums
• Photo stop at Abbo Elabbas Mosque
• View corniche and old harbour
• Photo stop at Quaitbay Castle exterior
• Pass by Alexandria Unknown Naval Soldier Memorial
• Visit St. Mark Church
• Pass by Stanley Bridge
• Visit Montazah Palace Gardens and royal beaches

Top questions

How long does the Alexandria full day tour last?

The tour covers a full day with multiple stops across Alexandria; exact duration depends on traffic and pace but usually lasts 7-8 hours including transfers.

Is hotel pickup included in this Alexandria day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Alexandria are included.

Are entrance tickets to attractions included?

Entrance tickets are only included if you select that option during booking; otherwise they are not included by default.

Is lunch provided on this guided tour?

Lunch is included only if you select that option when booking your tour.

Can I enter the Library of Alexandria reading area?

You can visit public areas; entry to the main reading room requires an additional ticket purchased onsite.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and most areas visited are wheelchair accessible.

Will we visit inside all historical sites?

No, some sites like Roman villas or amphitheater ruins are seen from outside while your guide explains their history.

What languages does the local guide speak?

The expert guide speaks English; other languages may be available upon request depending on availability.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Alexandria, all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, an expert local guide if selected, entrance tickets if chosen during booking, plus lunch if you opt for it—so you can just focus on soaking up stories and city life without worrying about logistics.