Alexandria full-day tour: Citadel, Catacombs, Montazah Gardens

Four centuries of fortifications, tombs and royal gardens in a single afternoon

A full-day private tour of Alexandria with an Egyptologist guide, starting from your port or hotel. You visit the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay, explore the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa (a 2nd-century burial site blending Egyptian, Greek and Roman styles), and walk the grounds of Montazah Palace Gardens overlooking the Mediterranean. The tour includes private transportation, all entry fees and an air-conditioned vehicle. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or German (some languages carry a small extra fee). The itinerary covers the city's key highlights in 5 to 7 hours, ideal for travelers with limited time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Alexandria's cultural highlights

• Pickup by private guide and driver
• Visit the Alexandria Library
• Pass by the Citadel of Qaitbay
• Visit the oldest church in Africa
• See an old funfair with rides
• Tour the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
• Explore Montazah Palace Gardens

The Experience

The Citadel of Qaitbay anchors the tour: a 15th-century fort built by the Mamluk Sultan to defend Alexandria from the Crusaders, now one of the Mediterranean's most imposing medieval fortifications. Its high walls and towers span roughly 2 hectares along the coast. From there, the route moves inland to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, where you descend into an underground burial site that layers Egyptian, Greek and Roman influences in its carved niches, columns and decorated walls. The catacombs date to the 2nd century AD and include the Triclinium, a dining hall where ritual banquets honored the dead: the guide walks you through the funerary practices and artifacts that reveal how wealthy families used the site.

The tour also includes the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library with 20,000 square meters of reading space across eleven cascading levels beneath a 32-meter-high glass roof tilted toward the sea. The walls are carved Aswan granite inscribed with characters from 120 different scripts, and the complex holds four museums, four art galleries and a planetarium. Note that the library closes on Fridays. You'll pass the Citadel by vehicle and see the oldest church in Africa and a historic funfair before heading to Montazah Palace Gardens, where you can stroll through lush grounds, exotic plants and vibrant flowers with views of the Mediterranean, or spend time at the nearby beaches.

Your driver and Egyptologist guide pick you up from your hotel or the Alexandria port and handle all transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. All entry fees and taxes are included in the price. If you book a French, Spanish or German-speaking guide, there is a 10 USD per-person surcharge at checkout.

What’s included

• Private pickup and drop-off from your Alexandria hotel or port.
• private air-conditioned vehicle and driver.
• Egyptologist guide.
• all entry fees to the Citadel, Catacombs and Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
• all taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearby

Operated by Mirette Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs 5 to 7 hours with walking at each site: the Catacombs involve descending underground and the Citadel requires climbing, while Montazah Gardens and the library are more leisurely. If you're arriving by cruise ship or staying near the port, the private pickup and fixed itinerary mean you'll see the city's major landmarks and return in time for your departure.

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Top questions

What is the Citadel of Qaitbay and why does it matter to Alexandria's history?

The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 15th-century fort built by the Mamluk Sultan to defend the city from the Crusaders. It spans about 2 hectares and is considered one of the most impressive medieval fortifications in the Mediterranean, having survived numerous battles and sieges over centuries.

What will I see inside the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa?

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are an underground burial site from the 2nd century AD with intricate carved niches, decorated columns and walls that blend Egyptian, Greek and Roman styles. You'll visit the Triclinium, a dining hall used for ritual banquets in honor of the deceased, and see artifacts and inscriptions that reveal ancient funerary practices.

Is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina included in the tour?

Yes, the tour includes a visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library with 20,000 square meters of reading space across eleven levels, four museums, four art galleries and a planetarium. The library is closed on Fridays, so the tour avoids that day.

How much time will I spend at Montazah Palace Gardens?

Montazah Palace Gardens is one of the final stops on the tour. You have time to stroll through the expansive grounds with exotic plants and Mediterranean views, and can visit the nearby beaches for relaxation or swimming if you wish.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or German. English, Spanish and Italian are included in the tour price. French and German-speaking guides carry a 10 USD per-person surcharge.