Alexandria Private Day Tour: Catacombs, Citadel & Library

Walk three levels of Roman tombs carved into bedrock, then stand where the ancient world's greatest library once burned.

A private day tour of Alexandria with hotel pickup, Egyptologist guide in your choice of language, and visits to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa (the largest Roman cemetery with three underground levels), Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The tour runs eight hours and includes water, snacks, and all transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle. Entry fees and lunch are optional add-ons at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Alexandria's historic sites

• Pick up from hotel in Alexandria
• Visit Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
• See Pompey's Pillar
• Tour Qaitbay Citadel
• Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Return to hotel

The experience

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are the centerpiece: a three-level Roman cemetery carved directly into the rock, originally a private tomb that later opened to the public. Your guide walks you through the chambers and explains how this site blends Egyptian, Greek and Roman burial traditions. From there, the tour moves to Pompey's Pillar, a 27-meter granite column built to honor the Roman Emperor Diocletian and originally part of the temple of Serapis, one of the city's most imposing monuments.

Qaitbay Citadel comes next, a 15th-century fortress that stands on the site of the Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The citadel was built to defend Alexandria's harbor and remains one of the Mediterranean's most important surviving defensive structures. Then you visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern reincarnation of the ancient library that held the world's largest manuscript collection for 600 years before burning in the 3rd century. The new library now holds eight million books and sits where the original Pharos once stood.

Your Egyptologist guide provides context at each stop and speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of six other languages. The vehicle is private and air-conditioned, and the driver handles all navigation. You'll have water and snacks throughout the day, and lunch at a local Alexandria restaurant is available as an optional add-on. Hotel pickup and return are included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• all transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle.
• water and snacks throughout the day.
• Egyptologist guide in your choice of language.
• entry fees to the Catacombs, Qaitbay Citadel and Bibliotheca Alexandrina (optional at checkout).
• lunch at a local restaurant (optional at checkout).

Options for this experience

3 options

Car with driver, privateGuide in 10 languages · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Includes a car with an English-speaking driver only, plus parking and fuel fees. Duration: 6 hours. Pickup is included.

Car accompanied by a tour guideGuide in 10 languages · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Includes a private car and a tour guide. Duration: 7 hours. Pickup is included.

Car, guide and entrance fees includedGuide in 10 languages · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Includes a private car, a tour guide and entry fees. Duration: 8 hours. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ancient Egypt Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the option with entry fees and guide if you want the full historical context at each site. Book the car and driver option if you prefer to explore independently or have visited Alexandria before and want to set your own pace at each stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa and what will I see there?

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are the largest Roman cemetery in Alexandria, with three levels cut directly into the bedrock. Originally built as a private tomb, it later became a public cemetery and blends Egyptian, Greek and Roman burial customs in its chambers and decoration.

Is entry to all the sites included in the tour price?

Entry fees are optional and added at checkout. You can book the tour with or without them depending on which option you select at purchase.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch at a local Alexandria restaurant is optional and added at checkout. Water and snacks are included in all options.

How long is the tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs eight hours and includes hotel pickup and return, all transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle, water, and snacks. You choose whether to add entry fees and a guide when you book.

Will I have time to explore each site, or is it a quick visit?

The eight-hour tour allows time at each stop to walk through the Catacombs, see Pompey's Pillar and Qaitbay Citadel, and visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Your guide provides historical context at each location.