Alexandria guided tour from Cairo: Citadel, Catacombs & Corniche

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa descend three levels into rock cut by Roman hands two thousand years ago.

A guided day trip from Cairo to Alexandria explores the city's major archaeological sites with an Egyptologist guide, including the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, and stops at the corniche and old harbour. Hotel pickup from Cairo or Giza is included. Entrance fees and lunch are available as add-ons depending on the option selected. The tour runs 10 to 12 hours and guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and other languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa1h · entry included
2. Citadel of Qaitbay1h

Explore Alexandria's main attractions

• Pick up from Cairo hotel
• Travel to Alexandria
• Visit Library of Alexandria exterior
• Visit President Sadat Museum
• See statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy
• Tour Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa interior
• Photo stop at Pompay’s Pillar
• Visit St. Mark Church
• Photo stop at Abbo Elabbas Mosque
• Walk by oldest funfair in Egypt
• See corniche and old harbour fishing activities
• Visit outside of Quaitbay Castle

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Cairo hotel and a drive to Alexandria. Once there, the guide takes you first to the Library of Alexandria, where you'll see the exterior and learn how the building was designed. The library holds 8 million books and sits near the open court displaying statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy the First, recovered from underwater. The guide explains the history as you move through, with stops for photographs. Note that the library closes on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, and entry to the reading areas requires a separate ticket.

The core of the tour centers on two major sites. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt, carved three levels deep into the rock, and you walk through the chambers themselves. Afterward, the route takes you past Pompey's Pillar (built in the 4th century to honor Emperor Diocletian), and then to the Church of St. Mark, Africa's oldest church. You'll also see the Abbo Elabbas Mosque, the city's largest, and pass by the oldest funfair in Egypt.

The final stretch follows the corniche and old harbour, where traditional fishing boats and fishermen making nets create the kind of scene photographers seek out. The Citadel of Qaitbay, built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world) closes the tour with another photo stop. An air-conditioned car carries you throughout, and the guide is a qualified Egyptologist who can speak your language if English, Spanish, Italian or French is not your first choice.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cairo or Giza.
• transport by air-conditioned car throughout the day.
• a qualified Egyptologist guide.
• lunch (on All Inclusive and Car + Guide + Entry Fees options).
• entrance fees to the sites (on All Inclusive and Car + Guide + Entry Fees options).

Options for this experience

4 options

Guide + CarGuide in 5 languages · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Includes a professional guide, with pickup included and a car.

Shared Small GroupGuide in 5 languages · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Shared group with a car, tour guide and entrance fees, pickup included.

Car, guide and entry feesGuide in 6 languages · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Includes entrance fees, a car and tour guide pickup.

All InclusiveGuide in 6 languages · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Includes an air-conditioned car, a professional Egyptologist tour guide, entry fees, lunch, and driver pickup and drop-off, with pickup 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 toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ramasside Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the All Inclusive or Car + Guide + Entry Fees option if you want entrance fees and lunch settled before the day starts. Pick Shared Small Group or Guide + Car if you prefer to pay for meals and entries separately or skip them altogether.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

Can I add lunch and entrance fees to this tour?

Yes. Lunch and entrance fees are included in the All Inclusive option and the Car + Guide + Entry Fees option. They are not part of the Shared Small Group or Guide + Car options, so you choose at checkout which package suits your needs.

What is inside the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa?

The Catacombs are a Roman cemetery carved three levels deep into the rock, with chambers and passages you walk through to see how the site was used as a burial ground nearly two thousand years ago.

Does the tour include the inside of the Citadel of Qaitbay?

The tour includes a photo stop at the outside of the Citadel of Qaitbay, the castle built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. Entry to the interior is not part of the standard tour.

Does pickup from my Cairo hotel come with every option?

Hotel pickup from Cairo or Giza is included in all four purchase options, so you don't arrange separate transport to the meeting point.

How long is the full day?

The tour runs 10 to 12 hours from pickup at your hotel through return, depending on traffic and how long you spend at each site.