Alexandria Full-day Tour: Qaitbay Citadel, Catacombs, Bibliotheca

Four millennia of Alexandria in one day, from Roman catacombs to a fortress built on an ancient lighthouse

A full-day guided tour from Cairo to Alexandria visits four major sites: the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Qaitbay Citadel. Hotel pickup is included. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language. Lunch at a seaside restaurant with Mediterranean views and all entrance tickets are part of the booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour of Alexandria

• Pick up from Cairo hotel or airport
• Drive to Alexandria with coffee break
• Visit Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
• Explore Pompey's Pillar and Serapeum ruins
• Tour Bibliotheca Alexandrina cultural center
• Enjoy Mediterranean-view seafood lunch
• Visit Qaitbay Citadel seaside fortress
• Return to Cairo hotel

The experience

You're picked up from your Cairo or Giza hotel early in the morning and driven to Alexandria, a two-hour journey that passes fruit farms and new cities along the way. A stop midway lets you stretch and drink coffee before arriving in the city. The tour starts underground: the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa blend Egyptian, Greek and Roman architecture carved into bedrock, a burial complex that shows how three cultures merged in this port city. From there you move to Pompey's Pillar, a towering granite column set among the ruins of the Serapeum Temple, built to honor Emperor Diocletian and marking Alexandria's Roman grandeur.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina sits next, a modern library inspired by the ancient one that once made Alexandria the intellectual center of the Mediterranean world. You walk through its halls, see rare manuscripts and interactive exhibitions that connect the past to the present. Lunch follows at a restaurant overlooking the sea, where fresh seafood and Egyptian dishes anchor the afternoon. Then comes the Qaitbay Citadel, a fortress built by Sultan Qaitbay on the remains of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria: one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You explore its walls and coastal views before returning to Cairo by evening.

The tour runs 9 to 12 hours depending on traffic and how long you spend at each site. Your guide is a live person fluent in your chosen language, and the vehicle is modern and air-conditioned. Mineral water is provided throughout the day, and all entrance fees, taxes and transport are included in the price.

What’s included

• Private modern vehicle for all transportation.
• mineral water throughout the day.
• all entrance tickets to the four sites.
• a live expert guide in your chosen language.
• lunch at a high-quality seaside restaurant with Mediterranean views.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

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

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pharaonic Vision Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this full-day tour if you're based in Cairo and want one guide to walk you through Alexandria's layered history (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic) across multiple sites in a single journey.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa like?

The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are an underground burial complex carved into bedrock, blending Egyptian, Greek and Roman artistic styles and burial practices. You descend into the chambers to see how three cultures merged in Alexandria's religious life.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes. Lunch is served at a high-quality restaurant with sea views, featuring fresh seafood and authentic Egyptian flavors. Drinks at the restaurant are available as an add-on choice.

How long does the drive from Cairo to Alexandria take?

The drive is approximately two hours each way. You'll stop midway on the outbound journey to rest and have coffee before arriving in Alexandria.

What is Pompey's Pillar?

Pompey's Pillar is a grand granite column built to honor Emperor Diocletian, standing amid the ruins of the Serapeum Temple. It marks Alexandria's Roman past and reflects the city's lost grandeur.